Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 41725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 209(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 209(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
I knelt next to them and carefully determined the least damaging way to get her hand unstuck from the gear it was caught in. “Hang on, sweetheart,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t sound as shaky as I felt. “Take slow breaths, and lean into Brody. He’s got you.”
The robotics teacher knelt on Cleo’s other side, apologizing frantically and holding out a selection of tools to determine which could help remove the gear from the contraption. I grabbed a screwdriver and quickly unscrewed the gear from its housing before it loosened enough to release Cleo’s hand. Meanwhile, Brody continued to speak in soothing tones, reassuring Cleo she was okay, telling her how brave she was, and assuring her that her dad was the best doctor in the area.
Right now, her dad felt like a fumbling idiot, but thankfully, Gwen showed up with my medical kit, and I focused on the steps needed to get her wound stabilized so we could transport her to the hospital for X-rays and sutures. The skin was torn, alternately bleeding and white where her hand had been pinched between the teeth. I racked my brain, trying to decide which hand specialist I trusted most with her care.
Sirens indicated the ambulance was approaching. Thankfully, Liza seemed to be in the parking lot directing them rather than hovering in the crowd that had gathered around Cleo. I cleaned the wound and bandaged it temporarily to help control the bleeding and keep it clean while we transported her to the hospital. I knew as soon as I arrived at the emergency room, professional protocol would force me to take a step back and let the trauma surgeon on shift take over her care.
Who was it? Who would be the physician in charge?
“Dad?” Jacey’s terrified voice cut through my mental scrambling. She raced over hand in hand with Mia from the school’s playground. “What happened? Is she okay?”
The EMTs arrived at the exact same time, with Liza frantically explaining what had happened. The robotics teacher stood up to give them room to begin assessing Cleo.
“She needs to go to the ER,” I explained to Jacey as calmly as possible. Poor Mia’s eyes were wide as saucers. “She’ll be okay, but we need to take a look with the equipment at the hospital to be sure. Aunt Gwen will take you girls home, and I’ll call as soon as I have more information.”
Cleo was trying to be brave, crying into Brody’s sleeve and clutching his arm with her free hand. He was amazing, holding and comforting her without babying her while explaining the situation to the EMTs.
I took over, using more specific language about the possible compression fracture of her fourth and fifth metacarpals and the laceration caused by the sharp gears. When they indicated it was time to load her into the ambulance, Brody offered to carry her since she was basically already in his arms.
It wasn’t until he’d set her inside the ambulance and tried to find a seat next to her that we both realized Liza had already taken the only one available for a parent.
“No,” I said, gesturing her out. “I’ll go with her. I know her medical history, and I have her insurance information. You two take my car. Gwen has the keys.”
It wasn’t until hours later, when X-rays had shown no evidence of fracture and Cleo’s hand had been stitched up by one of the best in the business, that I realized Brody hadn’t arrived at the hospital with Liza.
“Where is he?” I asked my ex-wife, peering behind her into the ER waiting room as we accompanied Cleo in the wheelchair to the exit doors. “Didn’t Brody ride with you?”
She shook her head. “He had his own car. Said he knew Cleo was in good hands.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I saw a text from Brody.
Brody: Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to see if Cleo’s okay?
My heart dropped as I tapped out a response. This miscommunication needed to end. I hated hearing Brody sound unsure of his role in our family.
Me: She’s fine, but I’m not. Are you at home?
12
BRODY
Grant: She’s fine, but I’m not. Are you at home?
I stared down at the message from Grant as my heart began to bang in my chest.
Fen peered over my shoulder. “Told you so.”
“Stop. He just wants to make sure Mia and Jacey aren’t alone.” I quickly typed a response.
Me: No, but don’t worry. Jacey and Mia are with Gwen, and I made Cleo’s favorite macaroni and cheese, in case she’s hungry later.
The three dots swirled beside Grant’s name for a long moment, then disappeared altogether.
“See?” I said, gesturing with the phone. “Grant’s busy. He’s got a lot going on, taking care of his family, and that’s where his focus is. As it should be. We’ll sort things out later.”