7

Heather swallowed. “I was thinking about something else.”

“Not a fan of The Temptations?”

She rolled her eyes. “Nothing wrong with them, but it's Christmas.”

“They have Christmas songs; it’s not just not playing now.”

“In case you haven’t noticed…” She pointed to her leg. “I’m injured here.”

“I understand that and I’m doing my best to get you to the hospital.”

Her mouth fell open. He was stubborn. She didn’t know whether to throw her shoe at him or keep her mouth from flooding with moisture. She would not allow the new guy in town to get under her skin. Instead, she squeezed her eyes shut and focused on breathing through the pain.

Allen pulled into a parking lot and parked. Heather looked around to see that they were at Maple Meadow’s hospital. She placed both hands on her side and started to slide forward. Allen opened the door and held out his hands.

“Can you get up on your own?” he asked.

Heather took deep breaths as she tried to stand only to sit back down. Allen didn’t say a word but wrapped an arm around her waist. She licked her lips realizing there were more important matters aside from her attraction to the man who once again picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck once more, avoiding eye contact.

“I have your things Heather,” Sonia said as she jogged to catch up with them. “I also called Mom.”

“Great.” She inwardly winced.

“Let’s get you inside,” Allen said.

She couldn’t help looking at him this time. Did his pupils dilate as he looked back at her? Heather couldn’t pinpoint it. It didn’t matter, anyway. She wasn’t interested.

***

“How are you feeling?” Sonia asked. Then she checked her phone. “Mom should be here soon.”

“I told you I’m fine.” Heather reclined in her hospital bed with her arms folded across her chest.

A television hung from the wall, while a small closet held her purse and coat. She stared at the whiteboard listing her patient information with her nurse’s name, along with the tests to be performed on her knee. So far, she sat with it elevated with extra pillows with an ice pack to help with swelling. The clack of heels and the squeak of rubber-soled shoes drifted in from the hallway. Her nose wrinkled at the smell of latex gloves and hand sanitizer.

Her sister tilted her head towards her. “I don’t believe you.”

Heather rested against the pillows. She then ran her fingers down her heart-shaped face. “This can’t be happening to me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I shouldn’t have left you alone.”

Heather waved her comment. “It doesn’t matter. Life happens.”

“Why do you do that?”

She turned her head and faced her sister. “What?”

“You don’t have to be strong all the time,” Sonia said.

Heather’s lips parted as she felt a twinge of pain in her knee. It did nothing for the sorrow in her heart. It had remained there since that fateful day. She remembered telling her mother goodnight, only to return to the room she shared with Sonia.

“What’s wrong? Is it morning?” Sonia had asked rubbing her eyes in her twin-sized bed.

“No,” she had said, holding back the tears threatening to spill over. Climbing back into her bed, she said. “It's fine, Sonia. Go back to sleep.”

“What happened?”

Heather’s head shot up in her hospital bed only to be met with more pain in her leg. Her mother hurried to her daughter and kissed her forehead.

“Are you alright? What were you doing? Breakdancing?”

Sonia giggled.

“No, I slipped on the ice. I was leaving the Sawyer party.”

“How bad is it?” her mother asked.

“Doctor Boyer hasn’t come in yet. So far they’ve got her leg elevated with an ice pack.”

“You’re coming home with me to stay, so we can take care of you,” her mother said.

Sonia added. “It would be easier.”

Heather argued. “I’m going home. Yes, I’m in pain, but it’s not that bad. I’ll be fine and back on my feet in no time.”

Her mother raised a thin eyebrow. “Heather Bernice Shaw!”

“Mom, don’t worry. I’m okay.”

“Heather, what happened?” Dr. Boyer asked as he came through the door. He then picked up her chart at the foot of her bed.

“You tell me,” Heather said with a faint smile.

“Well, we can run some more tests if you’d like, but my diagnosis is a grade two knee sprain of your medial ligament. I estimate six to eight weeks for recovery.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What?”

“I do recommend you wearing a knee brace, and you’re only allowed to return to light duties once your leg is steady,” he explained.

“No… no… Dr. Boyer, I can’t be out of work. I have a boot camp class coming up. What about my job? We have the Christmas festival,” she said in between biting her lips.

“You will need to take a leave of absence.”

Heather’s mother held her hand. “You need to rest and I will make sure you get it. Your sister can help me with the festival. There are other people in town that can get the job done.”

“You need to slow down,” Sonia said.

Rubbing her forehead with her free hand, Heather tried to put the upsetting information out of her mind. She asked Dr. Boyer, “What do I need to do?”

He stuffed one hand inside his white coat. “Rest is key and put little weight on it as much as possible. I’ll send you home with some crutches to help you get around. Ice your knee for only twenty minutes at a time. Also, be sure to wrap it when it’s not iced and keep it elevated to minimize swelling.”

“I’ll make sure she follows your directions doctor,” Heather’s mother said.

“Can I at least stay at my house? I don’t think I need round-the-clock care.” The last thing she wanted was her mother to hover over her.

“For the first forty-eight hours, I recommend you stay with family. As you heal, you can do things on your own, but in moderation,” Dr. Boyer answered.

Sonia took Heather’s hand. “It’ll be okay, sis. It won’t be for long.”

“I want you to come back in two weeks so we can check the swelling. You can also take anti-inflammatory medication over the

counter to help with the pain,” the doctor said.

“Will I need rehab?” she asked.

He shook his head once. “It’s possible. There are exercises you can do at home, but we’ll check your progress in two weeks and move on from there.”

Heather shielded her face with her hands. “This can’t be happening.”

“It’ll be fine.” Her mother rested her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You’ll take it easy.”

Heather blew out her cheeks.

***

Allen paced the waiting room. He glanced at the coffee table covered with newspapers, rows of chairs lined the walls, and a TV mounted on the wall with the volume on low. Chairs creaked. Low whispers and throat clearing filled the room.

He wrung his hands together as he caught a whiff of the deodorizers and cleaning products. His palms were sweaty as he waited for the news on Heather. He could leave without hearing her diagnosis.

Her sister Sonia had sent Terrance home after they arrived, assuring him Heather would be fine and needed space. He had opened his mouth to object, but Terrance did what she asked. She’d then told Allen he could go home, but he instead, excused himself to the men’s room. By the time he returned to the waiting room, Terrance had left along with Sonia. She must have returned to Heather’s side. Allen rubbed at his lips as he waited, his protectiveness kicking in. Why? Heather was not his concern.

“Allen?”

He pivoted to see Sonia once more, wrapping her arms around herself. He couldn’t help but wonder. “Is she okay?”

“You stayed?” Sonia asked. “I thought you went—”

“I didn’t feel right leaving so soon.” It was the truth.

“You were right, it was a sprain. Doctor’s putting her on bed rest. She might need therapy.”

He stared down the hallway. “At least she doesn’t need surgery.”

“I agree.” Sonia rubbed at her arms. “Would you like to see her? You stayed this long.”

He stepped back. “No, that’s unnecessary. I hope she feels better soon.”

Sonia touched a hand to his arm. “Thank you for taking care of my sister.”

He bobbed his head. “You’re welcome.” He backed away and headed out the automated doors. Heather would be okay. That was what was most important. He didn’t need to see her. What would they talk about, anyway? He helped her and that was it. Nothing more.