Page 90 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

That helps. My bike is very important to me. It’s my connection to my past, to my family, to Spain.

Eric’s phone rings, and he goes out in the hallway to answer.

“Oh, my dear,” whispers Sonia, “you have no idea how terrified I was when I got the call from Marta!”

I smile and try to calm her.

“But nobody was as scared as my son. I thought Eric wouldn’t be able to deal with it. You have no idea how hysterical he got. Marta practically had to slap him so he’d let you go and let the paramedics attend to you.”

“He must have been reliving Hannah’s accident, poor man,” I say, horrified.

We all know that’s exactly what happened. He was present for that accident too.

Knowing Eric has gone through such a terrible thing hurts my soul.

“I know he’s been crying,” Sonia says.

“Don’t say a word about it, Mamá. You know how he is.”

“Simona and Norbert send kisses. I told them they didn’t have to come, that you’d be home tomorrow,” Eric says when he comes back.

Those poor souls; they must be so upset.

“Are you all right, my son?”

Eric knows what she’s really asking.

“Yes, now that I know Jude’s OK.”

That makes me want to smile. He is definitely still my Iceman, but today he’s shown me another side, one I didn’t know. I can really see now how much he loves me and needs me.

A few hours later, the room is jammed with visitors. Dexter, Graciela, and Laila bring Flyn, who hugs me when he sees me, takes my hand, and refuses to let anyone get between us. Frida, Andrés, and Björn arrive later. They bring me a beautiful bouquet of orange lilies, for which I am grateful.

Everyone is talking all around me, and then Björn settles next to me with a worried look.

“Quite the scare you gave us, you crazy girl.”

“I know. It wasn’t my intention.”

“Are you OK?”

I nod. Eric leans into us. “Do you need anything?”

I say no and smile. Björn puts a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“Do you need me to get anything from the house?”

“We could use some clothes for Jude. All we have here is the jumpsuit, and I don’t think she wants to leave the hospital in that tomorrow,” says Eric.

“I’ll stop by your house later. Simona will get that stuff ready, and I’ll bring it by tonight,” says Björn.

“You don’t have to come back tonight, Björn. If we have it tomorrow, that’s fine,” says Eric as he kisses my forehead.

“I can bring it,” says Laila. “There’s no need for Björn to stop by the house.”

“It’s not a bother,” insists our friend.

Eric isn’t picking up on anything. “What if Björn picks you up, and you come together?”

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