Page 68 of Diamond in the Rough

“We need to keep you in for more observation. The memory disturbances need to be assessed.”

“What memory disturbances?”

Sam and Zoe shared a look.

“What?” Jake hissed.

“Do you remember Carl?”

The answer was yes, a big bloody yes, but Billy had been hovering by his bed. Billy who no longer looked at Jake with disinterest. Playing confused had frustrated Billy, and he’d made an excuse to leave Jake’s side but had returned throughout the day or sent Antonia to stand guard by Jake’s room.

“Yes, I remember Carl,” Jake said finally.

Zoe didn’t look convinced and scribbled something on her clipboard. “Still, a few more days is advisable.”

“And what if I don’t want to take your advice?”

“You’ll do as you’re told,” Sam snapped. “You should’ve listened to me when I told you not to go over to those two, and you should have listened when I shouted at you to stop running, then maybe you wouldn’t have ended up in here.”

“I didn’t know she’d come after me with a car.”

“She’s out there with a police officer, told me it was an accident. She said it was a blind bend and she didn’t see you. She’s mortified.”

“It wasn’t an accident,” Jake said. “You drove down that road. There were no blind bends.”

“The police officer seemed pretty convinced.”

“I’m sure she put on a great show.”

Jake turned his head towards the window, and all he could see was a dreary sky. The pain radiated from his shoulder into his neck and jaw, and each breath ached in his ribs.

“The last X-ray looked good.”

“That’s great news,” Sam said, patting Jake’s shoulder. He thrashed and cursed, and Sam quickly withdrew his hand.

“Sorry, Jake, wrong one.”

“The ribs were hairline fractures,” Zoe said. “If you take it easy, they should heal up fine.”

“So why can’t I go home?”

“I’m not happy about your head.”

“There’s no brain damage though, right?” Sam asked.

Jake raised his hand. “I am here, you know…”

“Your CT scan showed a brain contusion.”

“A what?”

“Bruising on the brain. It’s mild, but it’s the reason I don’t want to discharge you.”

Zoe checked her watch, then pressed her lips into a grim smile. “Sorry, visiting time’s over.”

Sam nodded, then poked his bony finger into Jake’s pec. “I’ll be back tomorrow, and you listen to the good doctor.”

Sam turned to walk away, but Jake gripped his hand to stop him.

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