Page 21 of Until We Break

Pointe Harbor Memorial was a small hospital. A regional medical center in the area for people who lived on the island and in nearby towns. I knew if it was something serious, they would send the boy to one of the bigger hospitals two hours away. We pulled into the parking lot, and I said a silent prayer that they could treat him here.

The emergency department consisted of three rows of seats covered in orange vinyl, a few potted plants, and a woman behind a desk.

Caleb nodded at her. I noticed how she responded to him. Her eyes lit up a little more than they had a moment ago.

“Hi, there.” He leaned across the counter.

“Hi to you.” She dropped the pen in her hand. “How can I help you today?”

“We’re looking for a kid that was brought in maybe twenty, thirty minutes ago? I brought him over from Marshoak Island. We were wondering if we could get an update and talk to the doctor.”

She pushed her lips together when she spotted his Coast Guard badge. It was clear she wanted him to notice the bright red shade she wore. She picked up the phone. “Hold on for me. Let me find out what I can for you.”

Caleb turned to face me. “We’ll be back there and get to check on him in a few minutes.”

“I see that.” My eyes widened. Did he know he had this kind of power? I wanted to blame the woman behind the counter for being a pushover, but I got it. He was hot. Fucking, sex-on-a-stick hot. Was it possible, even hotter than I remembered?

“Everything okay?”

I pivoted to stare at one of the potted plants. “Yeah. Yeah, just nervous. About the kid.” I wanted to close my eyes and pretend I hadn’t just remembered every inch of him. “I was thinking how I don’t know his name.” I sorted a mental list of what it could be. Owen. Finn. James. Maybe it was Lucas. “Or how old he is. What do you think? Eight?”

Caleb seemed to think for a second. “He could be.”

“Eight’s a little young to be out on the sound like that alone. But he is small. Maybe he’s ten.”

“I learned to sail at six,” Caleb defended the boy.

“By yourself? Your parents let you out there alone at six-years old?” When I was six I didn’t go anywhere without my mom following right behind me.

I met his gaze. “Not alone. I always had a buddy. Everyone on Marshoak Island knows how to take out a Sunfish.”

“Right.” I nodded.

We were interrupted by a woman in blue scrubs.

“Hi. Are you here for the little John Doe?” she asked. Her eyes were soft. She wasn’t wearing makeup and I wondered how long she had been on the emergency room shift.

“Yes.” I pushed past Caleb. “How is he? Is he awake? Can I see him?”

I felt strong hands squeeze my shoulders. “Hold on. Slow down. Let her talk.”

I glared at him from the corner of my eye.

“Why don’t you two come with me and we can talk a little about his condition?” We followed her through the double swinging doors. My nose was hit with the smell of antiseptic. I covered it quickly with my palm. It wasn’t a great shield. That smell could permeate anything.

She led us into a cramped room and closed the door. I didn’t want to sit. “Neither of you know who he is?”

I shook my head. “I saw the accident,” I explained. “I pulled him in when I realized he wasn’t swimming.”

“I got the call when I was out on patrol and here we are,” Caleb offered.

The doctor exhaled. “I wish I had more medical history. At least a medical authorization to tell you more. Since you two are the only ones who have been with him, I can tell you he’s stable. He’s not awake. There’s a bad bump on his head that’s swollen and starting to bruise. I’m sending him up for a CT Scan. I’ll know more then. But I do feel good that he’s young and seems healthy. That’s me going off a big hunch at the moment. Not something I like to do.”

“When will he wake up?” I blurted.

“I wish I knew.” She grimaced. “Let’s see if we get anything back on these tests, first. Meanwhile, we’re trying to find his parents so if either of you could assist with that, it would be the most helpful thing you could do.”

“Thanks, doc.” Caleb winked, and I wanted to punch him. My appreciation for the ride, the clothes, and the truck was waning.

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