Page 6 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

“Everything hurts,” she said. “My head the worst.”

“You’ve got a concussion,” Dr. Mills said.

“I just ache,” she said. “And I’m hungry. What time is it?”

The fact Jack was here when it was afive-hourstraight flight told her it easily had to be dinnertime or later.

“It’s seven at night,” Dr. Mills said. “You’ve been here since eleven this morning. Been unconscious the whole time.”

“Damn,” she said. “Can I get a drink?”

She saw the water to the side and watched as the doctor poured her some and moved a straw closer to her lips.

She took a drink slowly. She’d been in the hospital before. Not long ago enough in her eyes.

“Anything other than aches and pains?” Dr. Mills asked.

“I don’t think so,” she said.

Another man came into view next to Jack. The doctor was still on one side of her. “I’m Investigator Bond with the State Police,” the man said. Younger than Jack. Very handsome too and she found it funny she noticed that. “Can you tell us what happened? Do you remember?”

She looked at Jack, her eyes wide. She wasn’t sure what to say.

Jack nodded his head. “I went for a walk. I had the day off and it was beautiful out. I was taking pictures of nature and the animals. I think I tripped. I’d done it more than once. Maybe I tripped and fell. I just don’t know.”

“We had someone go back to where you fell,” the investigator said. “I found you. I was on the water when you came tumbling down the hill. There was no evidence of foul play, but in a situation like this, we need to gather facts to make sure.”

Andi took a deep breath and let it out. She saw Jack do the same thing and the investigator watching them both with an unflinching gaze.

“Yeah,” she said. “I was just walking. I didn’t expect the path to be that unsteady.”

“You shouldn’t be out on your own,” Jack said, staring at her.

If she had the energy to argue with him, she would have. “It was a walk. Accidents happen. Just like this seemed to be one of them.” She felt something sharp on her tongue and tried to find it again, and then put her hand in her mouth. “Urgh. I broke a tooth?”

“You broke two of them,” Dr. Mills said.

She felt around and found the other. One on the top and bottom, almost on top of each other.

“At least they are still in my mouth and not out completely.”

“No,” Jack said. “Nothing else seems to be wrong. They can discharge you tonight as long as someone is with you or you can stay here.”

“I want to go home,” she said. “You know that.”

“I figured. That’s why I’m here,” Jack said.

“We can get your discharge papers,” Dr. Mills said. “But you’ll need to follow up with your primary in a few days. It’sgoing to be another hour or so I’m sure. We can have some food brought up if you want?”

“That would be good,” she said. “I don’t care what.”

“Here is a menu,” Dr. Mills said, pulling it off of something hanging on the side of the bed. “If you just call the number on it and tell them what you want, it will be delivered soon.”

“Thanks,” she said.

Jack moved over and took the menu out of her hands. “I’d go get it, but I’m not ready to leave your side just yet.”

“Order me some soup if they’ve got it. That’s easy to eat and fast. I shouldn’t chew much until I can figure out my teeth situation.”

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