Page 77 of A Table for Two
“Movie night sounds like fun.”
“It’s nice to just chill every now and again. He’s choosing the movie this time, so I have no idea what we’re watching.”
Natasha lifted a hand. “Hold up, missy.This time?As in you already had a movie night and didn’t tell us?”
She felt her cheeks warm, remembering those amazing kisses they’d shared. Serenity waved her friend off. “It was a few weeks ago. We just watchedThe Shawshank Redemption.” The server returned at that moment with their food, saving her from further explanation.
“Oh my goodness. This hits the spot.” Natasha closed her eyes and groaned as she chewed the first bite of her food.
“This chicken teriyaki sandwich isn’t too bad, either,” Dana said.
Serenity agreed. She hadn’t taken more than three bites when her cell rang. She wiped her hands on a napkin and fished the phone out of her jean shorts pocket, smiling when she saw Pam’s number. “Hey, Pam.”
“Hi, Serenity. It’s Bri.”
She could tell that Bri had been crying. The hairs on the back of Serenity’s neck stood up. “What’s going on, Bri? Is Pam okay?”
“It’s not Pam. It’s…Brianna,” Bri said haltingly. “She fell off the slide, hit her head, and is still unconscious.”
“No,” Serenity whispered. She didn’t realize she was on her feet until Natasha touched her hand. “What are the doctors saying?”
“Not much yet. We’re still in the emergency room, and they’re running tests. Pam and Reggie are devastated. We all are.” Her voice cracked. “But Pam wanted me to let you know.”
She felt her own emotions rise and tried to keep her voice steady. “Thanks for calling. I’m in Napa, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thanks, Serenity.”
Serenity ended the call and slowly dropped back into the chair. “Brianna fell off a slide and hit her head. It’s serious.”
“Then we need to get on the road,” Terri said. “We all know how much that little girl means to you. And her family adores you.”
Dana had already asked for to-go boxes and settled the bill while Serenity was on the phone. The ride back was done in almost complete silence, and Serenity prayed the entire way.
“Serenity, I’m going to go straight to the hospital,” Dana said when they reached the town limits.
“Thanks, Dana.” By the time they pulled into the hospital lot, Serenity was a bundle of nerves. She was out of the car before Dana came to a complete stop. “I’m sorry our day got cut short.” She could barely hold it together.
“Don’t worry about any of that,” Natasha said, stepping out and hugging Serenity. “Just call when you’re ready for us to pick you up.”
She nodded.
Terri got out. “I’m going in with Serenity to see if I can find anything out. I’ll call Jon and ask him to come get me.”
Serenity and Terri rushed inside and straight to the emergency department. She frantically searched and spotted Bri on the far side of the already crowded room. Bri saw her at the same time and met Serenity halfway. They shared a tight hug. “How are you holding up?” Bri’s eyes were red and puffy.
“Barely. We still don’t know anything. Hey, Terri.”
Terri hugged Bri. “I’m so sorry about Brianna. I’m going to go back and see what I can find out. It may not be anything yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I can.”
“Thanks.”
Serenity led Bri back over to where she’d been sitting. “Where are Pam and Reggie?”
“They came out about fifteen minutes ago and said they were going down to the coffee shop.”
The two women sat, not talking, both lost in their own thoughts. Several minutes later, she spotted Pam the moment she entered the waiting room and crossed the room in a flash.
“Serenity.” Pam engulfed Serenity in a hug as she sobbed. “My baby, my baby.”
