Page 151 of The Manny

The momentum sent me flying backward, completely off balance. I attempted to break my fall with my hands, but I still hit the ground hard. There was a tree next to us, and a wooden bench was built around the trunk. As I fell, my head smacked the bench, and then everything went black.

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When I opened my eyes, my head was throbbing and my mouth was like cotton. I had no idea where I was for a split second, then I remembered the teenage kid running into me. Without moving my pulsing head, I flicked my gaze around the space. I wasn’t at home. The room I was in was dark, and it smelled of alcohol swabs and the faint odor of a dirty mop.

I’m in the hospital?

The door across the room opened abruptly, and a distracted-looking nurse came in. She held a clipboard and, as she approached, she smiled. “You’re awake.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but only a croaking sound came out.

She stopped beside my bed and set the clipboard on my legs. Grabbing, a pink container on a tray near me, she proceeded to pour water into a small plastic cup. She pressed a button on the side of my bed, and the upper section began to lift. The movement made my head pound more, but I was so thirsty, all I could think about was getting that water in my body.

Once I was mostly upright, she handed me the cup. With my hand shaking, I raised the cup to my lips and greedily guzzled. Water had never tasted so sweet. I gulped the liquid down and held it out for more. She smiled and refilled my cup.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, setting the pitcher down and picking up her clipboard.

I licked my lips and said hoarsely, “My head hurts.” I drank the second cup of water, letting out a tired sigh once I’d finished.

“I’m sure your head does hurt. You smacked it pretty good.” She studied the chart on the clipboard. “Dr. Henry ordered a CT scan to be safe, but they found nothing. You have a slight concussion, but it seems you escaped any real damage.”

“Thank goodness.”

“You were lucky. Hitting the back of your head can be extremely dangerous.”

“It wasn’t by choice,” I said quietly. “Do you know if they caught the kid who ran into me? He’d snatched some poor woman’s purse.”

“I don’t know all the details, but I do believe they apprehended someone at the scene.” She smiled. “I overheard the police talking to your friend in the hallway.”

I closed my eyes and then opened them. “I assume someone is with Mia?”

She frowned. “I’m sorry honey, I don’t know who that is.”

“It… it doesn’t matter. I’m sure she’s fine.” Jack would be sure Mia was okay. “How long have I been here?”

“They brought you in late morning.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s now midnight.”

“What?” I rasped, feeling panicked.

She patted my arm. “Honey, calm down. Let me get your friend. I’m sure he’s handling everything. He seems like the take-charge type.” She hurried to the door and opened it. “You can come in now,” she said to someone standing outside the door.

I assumed she was talking to Crispin, since he’d been with me when I got hurt. I was shocked when Jack entered the room. His face was pale and his eyes dark with worry as he neared.

Surprise shot through me when he took my hand in his, and he said softly, “Thank God you’re okay.”

“Jack?” I stared at him, still confused about why he was here, instead of Crispin. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Mia?”

“Crispin called me.” He still held my hand, and he didn’t seem in any hurry to let go. “And Mia is with Aiden and Barb.”

“Crispin called you?” I frowned.

“He got my number from Scott.”

“Oh.” I grimaced.

His jaw was tight. “You gave me a real scare.”

“I hit my head.”

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