Page 11 of Saving Luke

"Yes, with all this extra time I have." I roll my eyes.

"Well, the winter carnival will be soon. Take someone, and I expect to see photos," she says.

"Why don't you go with me?" I ask her.

"Girl, despite my astonishing good looks, I am no spring chicken. You need a good strong boy to hold on tight to during those rides that whip and flip you," she says.

I almost shoot sweet tea out of my nose at that.

"Grandma, when you talk about rides that whip you, I don't think you are giving me the mental image you are thinking of," I laugh.

This earns me a glare, "You know exactly what I mean, young lady!"

"I promise I will find someone to take to the winter carnival," I tell her because I know she won't let it go.

"I want photos, and it better be a man," she nods.

Great, let me just whip one out of nowhere.

Chapter 5

Luke

Today, I'm having lunch with my sister, and I'm really looking forward to it. She's been busy this week with finals, so this is the first I've seen her in a week.

I’m waiting out in the lobby when Brooke walks by on the phone. She smiles and waves at me as she goes back to where I know a few offices are. I'm watching her, so I don't notice when Gabbie walks in, but she beelines right for me.

"Luke! Oh, I’m glad to have a few hours of no books and being able to eat real food. Come on." She goes behind me and pushes my wheelchair instead of letting me do it myself, which I'm perfectly capable of doing.

That’s a big difference between her and Brooke. Actually, Brooke has stopped helping me and expects me to do more and more.She likes to see where my limits are. Gabbie would baby me forever if she could.

She picks a table towards the back of the large dining room, but next to a window that overlooks the garden.

"I will go get our food. I'll be right back," she says, setting her stuff down.

The food is served in a buffet-style line, and it's good food, even if it's on the healthier side. It beats the hospital food by a mile.

"Meatloaf today! One of your favorites," Gabbie comes back and sets the tray in front of me.

"So, tell me about school," I say as we start eating.

She tells me about her finals and her study group. One of the boys in her study group asked her out, and she agreed if he was willing to wait until after Christmas, which he was. I make a mental note to do some digging into this guy. It won't be hard as my sister is very active with her social media.

"So, what have you been doing this week?" She asks.

"Well, my nurse, Brooke, made me join the Secret Santa thing going on here. Then, the other day, she took me shopping out in town," I tell her.

My sister narrows her eyes at me and bites her lip. I wish I could tell what she was thinking.

"I was able to get your gift, and it's not in my room, so don't waste your time snooping." I try to joke.

"Why did she take you shopping?" Gabbie asks.

"What do you mean? I had to get gifts for the guy I picked and you," I tell her.

"Is she taking all her patients into town shopping?" She asks.

"Not that I know of." I set my fork down.

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