Page 35 of Must Love Christmas

So nine at the earliest.Time worked differently inside hospitals, Garen knew. His gran, in fact, had stayed in this facility more than once. Apart from her final hours, Garen’s memories of this place weren’t sad. Mostly he remembered the silly games he and Karen would play to keep up their grandmother’s spirits and pass the endless hours of waiting—sometimes for something, and sometimes for nothing.

“In the meantime,” Dr. McAlpine said, “the neurologist asked me to test your reflexes again. Can you sit on the edge of the bed for me?”

Simon swallowed hard. “Okay.” With the doctor’s help, he maneuvered himself to dangle his legs off the side of the hospital bed.

The room fell silent while Dr. McAlpine rapped her wee shiny hammer against each of his knees.

Nothing happened, just like earlier.

The doctor moved to his left side. “Let’s try the arms.”

Simon tugged his gown sleeve aside to offer her a spot to knock just above his elbow, his hand struggling to grip the material. Garen expected Simon’s arm to jerk when she rapped his triceps tendon, as it had a few hours ago.

Nothing happened.

Eleanor gave a quiet gasp, then pressed her knuckles to her mouth. Stavros took off his glasses and rubbed the back of his head, murmuring softly to himself.

The doctor tried Simon’s right arm, with the same result.

Garen swallowed a cry of dismay. He had to stay calm, but this was like watching his friend being eaten by an invisible monster. He wished Luca were still here to guide them all through a soothing meditation.

When she was finished, Dr. McAlpine said, “Okay!” much more brightly than the situation warranted. She went to the computer and typed in her notes. “Either I or the neurologist will report back with the MRI results shortly.”

There was that word again,shortly.

“Until then, any questions?” she asked.

“Can I eat?” Simon mimed bringing a fork to his mouth. “I’d like to feed myself while I still can.”

Garen’s heart broke a wee bit, and he felt guilty for bringing all those snacks from the café.

“I’m sorry,” Dr. McAlpine said. “We need to keep your stomach empty in case the MRI shows an injury needing surgery. In the meantime, your IV fluids will keep you hydrated.”

With a reminder to ring the call button if they needed anything, she left them alone.

The room suddenly felt too small for the four of them, and not just because there were only two chairs.

“Can I talk to Garen alone for a second?” Simon asked.

His parents looked surprised, but agreed. Eleanor glanced back as they moved to the other side of the curtain.

Garen went to stand beside Simon’s bed, which seemed bigger than before, as though its occupant were shrinking by the minute.

Simon took a deep breath, then let it out. “Listen, my parents are going to be nervous wrecks the next few days. I need someone to stay cool.”

“Me, cool?” Garen tapped his own chest. “Have you met me?”

“I’ve met you. I have faith in you.”

Garen’s heart started to pound. “Why?”

“Because I’ve got no choice.” Simon’s hand fell against Garen’s arm, trying to latch on. “Please,” he whispered. “I don’t know anyone else around here, not the way I know you. Just…help me keep Ma and Da calm.”

Garen looked down into Simon’s wide hazel eyes, sensing that what he really craved—but probably couldn’t ask for—was someone to keephimcalm.

He put his hand over Simon’s. “Yeah, mate. Whatever you need.”

* * *

---