Page 102 of That One Heartbreak

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

The doctor’svoice was low as she talked to Kate and Shana in the treatment room. Ethan was asleep, thanks to the mixture of the painkillers they’d given him and the adrenaline rush from the shock of the burn.

“Your son is very lucky, Ms. Connelly,” Dr. Golam told her. “It’s looking like a partial thickness burn on his arm, around five inches in diameter.” Kate frowned and he added, “A second degree burn. We’ll need to monitor it to make sure the burn hasn’t gone deeper than we thought, but if this stays the case then no skin graft should be needed.”

Kate let out a long breath. Second-degree burns could be bad – she knew that much. But thankfully only his arm was affected. He’d be in pain for a while, and she hated that. She’d gladly step into a fire if she could save Ethan from the agony, but instead she’d take care of him for as long as it took.

“We’ve already done debridement under a mild sedation before dressing the burn. We’ll keep Ethan overnight for monitoring, and assess in the morning if we will need to debride the wound again,” Dr. Golam continued. “Once he’s home, you’ll need to clean the wound and change his dressing daily. A nursewill show you how this is done. If he’s in pain, you can medicate him with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you give him a dose half an hour before you change the dressing that will help with his discomfort. If needed, we can prescribe him something a tad stronger.”

“How long will he be in pain for?” Kate asked.

“Normally, the worst is past within one to two weeks. We’ll want to check him regularly to make sure he’s healing up properly. The nurse will schedule you an appointment with the burn clinic,” Dr. Golam told her. “If you notice any discoloration or weeping from the wound, call us immediately. Also if he spikes a fever.”

“Okay.” Kate nodded. “What about activities? I’m guessing swimming’s out.” She knew he’d be bummed about that. Splashing in the community pool was his favorite thing to do during the summer. And it was the first week of school vacation.

“He will need to keep his arm dry and bandaged as it heals.” The doctor smiled at her. “But honestly, he can do most things. He just needs to pay attention to his body. Is he right handed?”

“Yes.”

“Well, since the burn is on his left arm, there’s not a lot he won’t be able to do.”

That was lucky. If you could describe it as that. Because right now none of this felt lucky at all.

“Thank you, Doctor.” She gave the doctor a smile as he left the room, before turning to Shana, who’d been listening silently.

“Not as bad as it could have been,” she told her friend.

“Yeah, but I should have been watching.” Shana looked pale.

Kate’s guilt flared up again. Not just for leaving Ethan, but because her friend shouldn’t be feeling bad. This was not Shana’s fault.

“No. I’m not having that.” Kate hugged her. “I’m so thankful you were there. You did everything right. Thank you.”

For a moment they held each other, the softness of her friend’s embrace everything she needed. They’d been together through thick and thin and she’d never forget that.

“I promise to never make you babysit again,” Kate told her.

Shana laughed. “Shut up. You know I love those kids.” Her nose wrinkled. “But I need to use the bathroom now that you’re here,” she confessed. “I’ve been doing the pee dance for hours.”

“Eek! Go!” Kate laughed and it felt good.

“You need anything while I’m out there?” Shana asked her.

“No, nothing. But thank you.”

She watched as Shana left, sending up another thank you to the heavens for bringing her friend to her. She grabbed her phone to send a message to Marley letting him know that Ethan was okay, then walked over to the window to look out at the inky black night.

“Mom?”

Ethan was awake but his voice was groggy from the painkillers.

She turned to see him lying on the hospital bed, looking awkward with his arm wrapped in a gauze dressing.

She walked over to him, her face full of love.

“Hey sweetheart,” she said softly, stroking his head. “How are you feeling?”

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