After he left, Jed looked at Lisa and Hazel with a gloomy expression.“What am I going to do all day?”
“For once, you can sit and watch television,” said Lisa.
“I’ll bring you some games or something to keep you occupied,” said Hazel.“Is that all right, Lisa?”
“Yes,” said Lisa.“That would be very kind.”
When the three of them walked into the waiting room, Mike stood up from his seat on the couch and walked over to Jed sitting in a wheelchair.“How’s the tennis star?”
“I can’t play for a while,” said Jed, pouting.
“But the doctor says he’s young and healthy and should heal quickly,” Hazel said.
“Sounds like a plan,” said Mike to Jed before turning to Lisa.“I can give you a ride home anytime you’re ready.”
“Thanks so much, I’m not sure what I’d do without your help.”
Crystal, who helped Emmett in the office regularly, came from behind the reception desk.“I’ll email you the necessary paperwork so you can take care of it, Lisa.In the meantime, let us know if any problems come up.I understand Jed didn’t want crutches and will do well holding on to someone and hopping.If that changes, let us know.”
“Thank you,” said Lisa.“Now we need to get this boy home.”
Mike carried Jed to his car and placed him in the backseat.Lisa climbed in beside him, while Hazel sat in the passenger seat.
After sliding behind the wheel, Mike drove to Lisa’s house.
“Please wait here with Jed,” said Lisa as they pulled into the driveway.“Let me go inside and make sure everything is ready for him.He’ll be staying on the couch for the next week, and I want to make sure we’ve got room for him there.”
After Lisa dashed into the house, Jed began to cry.“I don’t want to stay home on the couch.I want to play tennis.If I don’t play tennis, you’ll forget me.”
Hazel turned in her seat to face him, sitting in the back.“We’re very special friends.And friends don’t forget friends when they can’t be together.They save up their stories to share for times when they can be.”She knew those very words might be important in the future when the time came for Jed to move away.
“I’ll try to come up with some exercises for you to do to keep you ready to return to the courts,” said Mike.
“We’ll check on you.In fact, I have an idea of how we can,” said Hazel, hoping she wasn’t overstepping her role as a friend.
Lisa appeared on the front porch and waved them inside.
Mike and Hazel got out of the car, and while Mike lifted Jed into his arms, Hazel hurried up to the porch to see if she could help Lisa.
“Thanks,” said Lisa.“Would you check on Harry?I’d appreciate it.He’s a very busy toddler.Baby Simon is napping.
Hazel walked inside and saw Janis Tolland, the nurse who lived next door, packing up her things and getting ready to leave.
“Hello,” said Hazel.“I’m so glad to see you.You’re such a sweet neighbor.”
“I’m always glad I can lend a hand,” said Janis.“It sounds like Jed has some couch time coming.I’ll help Lisa whenever I can.”
They turned as Mike carried Jed inside and placed him on the couch.
He smiled up at Janis, and then Lisa said, “I think we’re all set here.Jed needs to rest.”
Harry toddled over to Jed.“You sick?”
“My ankle is,” said Jed, squealing when the toddler threw himself on Jed for a hug.
Hazel used that moment to privately ask Lisa’s opinion about the ideas she had to keep Jed occupied.
Lisa listened and said, “That would be wonderful.He’s a lucky boy.”
