Page 10 of Something Like Summer
“You’re full of it,” Timchuckled.
Ben grinned back at him.“Seriously, though. I must have been nine or ten. Eventually my dadcame to find me and they had to put me under with a shot to thebutt.”
“What, did they shoot youwith one of those tranquilizer guns like in JurassicPark?”
“Something likethat.”
“Wyman!” a nurse called,glaring at the waiting room impatiently.
She led them down a hall toa room where, much like at a doctor’s office, vitals were taken andthey were left to wait again. Before long, a gray-haired doctorcame in consulting a chart.
“Mr. Wyman,” he said. “I’mDr. Baker. And this is?”
“I’m the one who did thisto him,” Ben answered sheepishly.
“Ah, and what exactlyhappened?”
Red-faced, Ben recountedthe accident, blaming the collision on a squirrel dashing acrossthe sidewalk. The doctor nodded and “mm-hmed” his way through thestory while examining the ankle in question.
“I see,” Dr. Baker saidwhen Ben was finished. “We’ll need X-rays to be sure, but I believethe ligaments in the ankle might have torn completely.”
“Yes!” Ben exclaimedvictoriously. “I knew it. A class-three sprain.”
“Well, well!” Dr. Bakersaid appraisingly. “Are you a medical student?”
“No. I just did a littleresearch is all.”
“I think he just runspeople over so he can diagnose them later,” Tim said.
“Let’s hope not.” Dr.Baker smiled. “I’m busy enough as it is. If the X-rays check out,we’ll get the swelling down and put a cast on it.”
“You think it’s broken?”Tim asked.
“Casts aren’t just forbroken bones. We need to keep the ankle protected and in positionso it can heal. We’ll have it off in a couple weeks, don’t worry.I’ll need to inform your parents about this, of course.”
“They’re in Switzerland,”Tim said, scowling at his ankle as if it had betrayedhim.
Dr. Baker adjusted hisglasses. “Any other family in the area?”
“Nope.”
“My family can take careof him until they are back,” Ben offered. He had no idea if theywould actually be willing to, but it didn’t really matter. He wouldfind some way of making it work.
“So much for parentalconsent,” Dr. Baker said with a sigh. He consulted the clipboard.“The good news is that we managed to track down your insuranceinformation. However, with your parents out of town, I would feelbetter if you stayed overnight.”
Ben’s stomach grumbled,prompting him to look at his watch. It was well past eight and hehad promised to be back in half an hour when he had left to checkon Tim. He wasn’t likely to get in trouble, but he didn’t want toraise suspicion that something was up. And what was up exactly? Benfelt he was on the verge of something big. In front of him was aguy who needed his help, with no friends or family in the area tolook out for him, except Ben. As dubious as the methods had been,he now stood a good chance of getting close to Tim. He didn’t wantanyone intruding on that now. If his mom found out what was goingon, she would probably hire a nurse to take care of Tim, but Benhad a different plan in mind.
“I have to get home,” hesaid. “But I can pick him up tomorrow?”
“I suppose,” Dr. Bakersaid. “Could you please bring the number of his parents’ hotel withyou? Or better yet, phone it in tonight?”
“Absolutely,” Benlied.
“Wait, you’re taking mycar?” Tim sounded panicked.
“It’s not like you can useit,” Ben said, happily patting the pocket that held the keys. “Seeyou tomorrow, tiger.”
A few minutes later Ben wassitting in the something-or-other 3000GT with a big smile on hisface. The next few weeks were going to be very interestingindeed.
