Page 68 of Hard Hat Hottie

Harlow

Oh. That beats a hip fracture.

2:50 p.m.

Harrison

So everyone keeps telling me.

2:53 p.m.

Harlow

Is she in a room yet?

2:55 p.m.

Harrison

Yes. She’s in room 210.

I’ve barely finished responding with her text when Harlow comes flying into the room, looking like she ran all the way from her mother’s house.

“I got here as fast as I could,” she blurts.

“Shhhh,” Joyce and I greet.

Harlow slaps her hand over her mouth before coming to my side, inspecting the monitor my mother is connected to. I guess it’s probably a force of habit for a nurse.

“Did they give her pain medicine?” she whispers.

I turn to Joyce.

“No. They had to sedate her to get her to lie still enough for the CT scan. She’s been sleeping ever since. But she probably needed the rest.”

The three of us sit silently, watching her as if we can heal her purely by telepathy.

“Joyce, you should go and get some rest. You must be exhausted.”

“I am tired. But if she wakes up and is confused, please tell the nice nurses I’m happy to return.”

Harlow reaches out to put a reassuring hand on Joyce’s arm.

“I’ve got it from here, Joyce,” I reassure her.

“Harrison,” she scolds.

“Joyce, I’m not going to be able to rest anywhere but here. I’ll consider returning to work once she’s in rehab, but I’ve been absent enough.”

“You listen to me, young man. Do not take on any guilt for this. It could’ve happened while you were at home. It was an accident. If anyone’s to blame here, it’s me.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Joyce.”

“I know that. Nor was it yours. Now, I’m a phone call away if you need anything. Plus, I met your sweet neighbor, Tom. He came over when he saw the ambulance and introduced himself. He volunteers with the fire department and said all I had to do was yell and he’d be there if I ever needed anything.”

I’d met Tom once on a walk with Mom. He’s an older fella who seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I had no idea he worked with the fire department. I’d have to bring Matt over to meet him the next time he was in town.

“I’m going to try to get some rest while she’s here. And so should you. We’re probably going to need all hands on deck once she’s discharged. So, get your little brother on the phone and let him know to get prepared.”

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