She playfully rolls her eyes. “Oh, you’re a heartbreaker, I can tell. Just don’t get tangled up with any of my nurses like your partner there.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As luck would have it, I find a Pokémon coloring book and a pack of mostly unbroken crayons and return to Micah’s room. “Look what I found!” I pull back the curtain and notice Micah curled up on his side, quietly crying as Bella soothes him.
They startle at the sound of me, and then Micah perks up. “I thought you left.”
Were those tears for me? Why does that make my heart ache?
“Aye, no, lad. Just went to grab you something,” I say, holding up the coloring book.
“Does it have Binacle?”
Together we search for his favorite Pokémon, and I hold the book in place so he can color one-handed.
Micah continues wincing as we work, the occasional tear splashing onto the page. I can tell the lad’s in pain and I know he needs some relief, but there’s not much they can do for him until his mom gets here.
A nurse walks in, pulling out the rolling stool as she wheels over to the side of the bed. “Hey, Micah, how’s your arm feeling?” she asks.
He lets out a stuttered breath. “It hurts.”
The nurse nods in understanding, turning to Bella. “Are you the parent?”
Bella stands from her chair. “I’m his teacher. His mom is on her way.”
The nurse slides over to the computer and taps on the keyboard, most likely confirming the information. “Micah, can you tell me what happened?”
“I jumped off the big slide on the playground and landed on my arm.”
“Oof, that’ll do it. The doctor will be in shortly. He’ll probably order some X-rays.” She turns to Bella. “Let us know when mom gets here.”
Bella nods and the nurse leaves the room.
Micah lies back on the bed, silent tears streaming down his face. I’ve only just met him, but it breaks my heart to see him in so much pain. I lean over, getting closer to the bed.
“I think you’re really brave, Micah. I know it hurts, but they’re going to fix you up good as new.”
He sniffles as his eyes connect with mine. They’re a deep shade of green, but the redness makes the color in them even more striking.
When he doesn’t say anything, I continue. “You know who else is a little guy but is really brave?”
He shakes his head.
“Pikachu.”
A tiny smile lights up one side of his face. “Heisbrave.”
“And so are you. Maybe I should call you Mikachu, since you’re so brave.”
He nods as he wipes a tear from his cheek, pinching his eyes shut as he lies still on the bed. “And you talk like the guy on my favorite cereal. The one with the marshmallows.” His words are choppy like it hurts to get them out. The adrenaline has probably worn off; the pain in his arm must be hitting him hard.
“I’m happy to be your lucky charm.”
He smiles weakly as he wipes a tear from his cheek and pinches his eyes shut.
If there was something I could do to help him, I’d be moving mountains. I hate seeing kids in pain. I just pray his mother can get here soon.
CHAPTER 3
