Page 119 of Just Let Go

Carly swiped her hand across her cheek.

“If anything, I have to say I think Grady has been good for Jaden,” Dad said.

And Quinn, for all her doubting, agreed. She never would’ve predicted it, but it was true, even in these circumstances.

Dad tried to catch Carly’s eye in the rearview mirror. “This injury—whatever it is—it’s a setback, not an ending.”

“But we don’t know that, Dad,” Carly said, voice breaking. “What if he can never ski—or walk—again?”

“No sense dwelling on the what-ifs,” Dad said. “Only one thing to do now.”

Carly’s head dropped, and once again, Quinn reached over and took her hand.

“Let’s pray.”

For three hours, Grady sat in the waiting room at the tiny hospital in a town he didn’t even know the name of. A paltry Christmas tree strung with popcorn and crocheted ornaments had been propped in the corner. It was hardly festive.

When he got tired, he stood. Paced. Tried hard not to replay the scene out on the slope. Tried even harder to keep his mind from spinning back to the day of Benji’s accident.

The visibility had been good that day too. The snow fresh. The trail clear.

If we’d just stayed on the trail...

Would Carly ever forgive him? Would Quinn? Maybe he’doverestimated Jaden’s abilities? Gotten too carried away with his own training and taken his eye off the kid? If he’d been paying closer attention, maybe he would’ve spotted an error in Jaden’s form or helped steer him back on track. He could’ve preempted this disaster.

Grady had reached Jaden just a few minutes before the medical staff.

“Buddy,” he’d said. “What happened?”

“Went for it, man, just like you said.” He tried to move but grimaced at the pain.

“Just stay still. We’re getting help.”

“Good. It’s all in God’s hands now.”

“What?” Grady flinched at the words.

“Out of my control.” The kid’s eyes fluttered shut.

“Jaden, stay awake,” Grady said, sure that letting him pass out was about the worst thing he could do.

Now, pacing the floor of the hospital waiting room for the millionth time, when he replayed the words, he balked.

How could he say it was in God’s hands? Hadn’t it been in God’s handsbeforehe wiped out? Where was God then?

Where were you?

The doors slid open and Carly rushed through, followed by Gus, Beverly, and Quinn. The very sight of her settled something inside him.

Carly rushed past him to the front desk. “I need to see my son.”

“He’s still in surgery,” Grady said, drawing their attention. The medical staff had called Carly for her consent not long after he had hung up with Quinn.

“Have they given you any updates?” Carly asked.

Grady shook his head. He felt useless.

Carly turned back to the sturdy-looking nurse with tightly curled hair. “I need an update on my son.”

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