Page 137 of On My Side
My heart is in my throat, the hustle and bustle surrounding me muting into a buzz as I call her back.
“Ren?” Audrey sobs when she answers the phone. “Ren, it’s Piper.”
My bloodstream freezes, and I’m filled with ice. “What happened?”
She doesn’t answer at first, just sobs quietly, and I’ve never hated myself more than I do for missing her calls. “She was in an accident. She’s at the hospital.”
“Which hospital?” I ask, and it feels like I’m pleading. Begging.Not Piper.
“Bridgeport. I’m taking a cab to Grand Central, but she’s alone and…”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m going.”
Her thank you is barely audible before she hangs up. I turn back to my family and Will who are all silently staring at me. I open my mouth to say something when Leo’s running out of the house, and pressing my keys into my hand.
Dad squeezes my shoulder. “Go. We’ve got this.” Josh, Will, and Leo nod seriously in agreement. They can’t possibly know how much them taking the weight right now so I can be with Piper means to me.
I nod once, throat too scratchy to form a proper thanks before walking to the Corolla.
I make the twenty minute drive to Bridgeport Hospital in thirteen minutes. I can’t help but speed; all I can think about is Piper alone in a hospital bed.
Audrey sends a text letting me know Piper was in the pediatric emergency room, and when I get to the front desk, I’m out of breath from running.
“Piper…wheeze… Hinton…wheeze.”
“And what’s your relationship to the patient?” the nurse at the desk asks, eyes unmoving from the monitor in front of her.
Shit. How do I answer this? Her mom’s boyfriend? Piano teacher? Hopefully future stepfather?
“Mr. Quinn?” I turn to see a short, Eastern Asian doctor with a hijab and soft smile addressing me.
“Yes,” I respond, still panting.
“Piper told us her dad was coming. You can follow me.” My stomach is doing somersaults in my belly as I follow her further into the emergency department.
After a few minutes of twisting hallways, the doctor pulls back a curtain to reveal Piper reclined on a hospital bed, a black boot on her right foot and a yellow cast on her left arm. She’s trying to feed herself chocolate pudding, but her spoonful ends up on her chin when she sees me.
“Dad!” Piper exclaims, giving me a look that very obviously means she expects me to show my acting chops.
“Hello… offspring,” I reply.
You know what? I tried.
“Her MRI is clear, but make sure you keep an eye on her for any sign of head trauma. I’ll be back in a few minutes with the discharge paperwork,” the doctor says, a kind smile on her face. She closes the curtain around us, and I pull the guest chair to Piper’s bed.
“So,” I say, sitting and clasping my hands in my lap. “You scared the shit out of me.”
She grimaces. “Sorry. I was in the MRI tunnel of hell when they called Mom and I wasn’t able to talk to her until I got out, and by that point, she’d already called you. In an absolute panic, I’m sure.”
“What was the MRI for?” I ask.
“My helmet broke when I fell, so they want to make sure my brain is okay or whatever. I swear to god, if it’s not, I’m suing the helmet manufacturer for all they’re worth.” Truthfully, I expect nothing less from this kid.
“And the casts?” I ask, motioning to her arm with my head.
“Arm and foot broke when I fell. I think I hit a patch of black ice, it was nasty. Phone broke too. Luckily, someone saw it happen out their window and called 911…” She trails off, fidgeting with the blanket with her non-broken arm. “Ren… Leia was in my basket when I fell, and she ran away. I tried to chase after her, but my foot hurt…”
My heart sinks, and I’m immediately filled with anxiety. I’ve had Leia since she was a tiny, rage-filled kitten.
