“Brooklyn? What’s up?” Aspen asked, joining the call.
“Quiet!” Giana demanded. “Brooklyn, what’s wrong?”
“I fell. My head is bleeding. I’m in a lot of pain and can’t move. It makes me sick.” The words tumbled out of her mouth as panic set in.
“I’m sending an ambulance. I’ll meet them there with the code to the garage. Hang on, Brooklyn. It’s going to be okay,” Giana told her.
“Okay, I’m getting sleepy. Wake me up when you get here,” Brooklyn told her, setting the phone down on her chest. It was too heavy to hold on to.
“Brooklyn! Turn on your speaker. You can’t go to sleep.”
Gathering her strength, Brooklyn lifted the phone and squinted. It was hard to see. She pushed the screen where she hoped the right button was.
“…picking pizza flavors?” Pippa’s voice sounded really loud.
“Pippa! Brooklyn hurt herself,” Giana told her. “You and Aspen keep her talking as I drive. Don’t let her go to sleep.”
“Brooklyn! Open your eyes,” Aspen ordered.
“You guys are bossy,” Brooklyn whispered as she tried to block out the loud sound.
“Don’t go to sleep!” Pippa demanded. “We’ll tell your daddy you were naughty.”
“So?” Brooklyn muttered with her eyes closed.
“Your eyes aren’t supposed to be resting right now,” Aspen told her. “I can tell you’re not following directions. Your daddy will spank your bottom.”
“Hard!” Pippa added.
“We’ll get to watch,” Aspen threatened.
Oh, no!She couldn’t believe she was going to be spanked with an audience. Brooklyn wasn’t a pretty crier. She got all snotty and blotchy. Forcing her eyes open halfway, she whispered, “Fine. I’m awake.”
“Thank you, Brooklyn,” Pippa told her. “Do you have Fluffikins?”
“No.”
“Giana will remember him when you go in the ambulance,” Aspen assured her.
“I can’t go to the hospital,” Brooklyn said. “I’ll be okay in a few minutes.”
“We’re close, Brooklyn. You’ll hear the garage door soon. It’s me. You’re safe,” Giana told her.
“You’re still on the line?” Brooklyn asked.
“Yes, I’m here,” Giana assured her.
Struggling to pull herself together, Brooklyn needed to act. “Giana, I don’t have insurance. I can’t pay.”
“I’m here, Brooklyn. That’s the door you hear,” Giana told her.
“Giana?” Brooklyn asked.
“Hey, Brooklyn. I’m here.” Giana stepped around Brooklyn’s form to kneel next to her inside the pantry. She brushed Brooklyn’s hair from her face. “I brought some hot guys to help take care of you. Mark’s a paramedic. He’s good. Let him check you out.”
“You’re trying to distract me,” Brooklyn said. Even with her hazy vision, she could see her friend’s face etched with concern. “My head really hurts.”
“You did a job on yourself, Brooklyn.” Mark’s voice was deep and calm. “We’re going to get you fixed up. Can you tell me what happened?”
