“These are the instructions and number to call if you have any questions or concerns. We had the hospital pharmacy fill a prescription for an anti-inflammatory and painkillers. They’re in the bag with his clothes.” Yeah, his totally cut up clothes.
“I’ll make sure he takes them.” Her voice was firm.
Grabbing the crutches, he balanced on one leg and hobbled toward the door, Chelsea hovering by his side.
“Do you have the car keys?” he asked when they crossed the parking lot.
“Yes, and I’ll keep them. They gave you a shot for pain. You shouldn’t be driving.”
Except he felt fine, but he wouldn’t argue because she was right. Especially since they needed to go get Jordan. He directed her to the school their daughter attended, then started getting out of the vehicle.
“I can get her, so you don’t have to walk,” she said.
“You aren’t on the approved pick-up list.” At her crestfallen face, he added, “But we’ll get you on there when we go in.”
The director, Tracy, hopped up from her desk when she saw him with the crutches.
“What did you do to yourself, Theo?”
Shaking his head, he frowned. “A little accident. It’s not even broken, so no need to worry.”
“Well, that’s good. Obviously, why you’re so early. There might still be a few napping in the preschool room. Do you want me to get Jordan for you, so you don’t have to walk up the stairs?”
“Actually, I want to get someone added to Jordan’s pick-up list. This is my wife, Chelsea. Jordan’s mother.”
Tracy got credit for keeping a neutral face when he called Chelsea his wife. So many others had looked at him like he’d said she was from Mars.
It took a few minutes to get the formality done, then he showed Chelsea the way to Jordan’s classroom. It was only a short flight of stairs, but he hadn’t realized using the crutches would be so difficult on them. If he tried to put any weight on his leg, the pain was intense.
“It’s almost two. Most of the kids should be awake, but they do have a few who like to nap longer, so we should be on the quiet side.”
A grin lit up her face. “I’m going to assume our daughter is not one of the long sleepers.”
Laughing, he replied, “No. She will fall asleep, but an hour is usually all they get. When she was younger, she could nap all day.”
The light drained from her face. God, he hated that she hadn’t been around to see all the milestones Jordan had mastered. As expected, Jordan was sitting up on her mat, looking at a book. When she saw them, her face beamed, then fell as she took in the crutches.
Her teacher, Miss Ashley, nodded for her to get up, and she zoomed to the door.
“What happened, Daddy?”
“Got a little banged up at work. Nothing to worry about, peanut.” He kept his voice low, even though most of the children were sitting up on their mats. “While you put your mat away, I’ll get your stuff.”
“Hey, Mama. You come to get me today.” The little girl bounced up and down in her usual exuberant manner, then jumped into Chelsea’s outstretched arms.
“Hi, you must be the mom Jordan has been telling us about for the past few weeks,” Ashley said, walking over with Jordan’s bag and sweater.
Taking the stuff, Theo made the introductions. “This is my wife, Chelsea. She’s on the list now to pick up Jordan.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.” Ashley extended her hand to shake Chelsea’s. “Jordan has been so excited and has been talking non-stop about having you around.”
It was nice to see Chelsea finally look cheery, but once they got in the SUV, she looked nervous again.
“Do you mind if we take a slight detour? You said you felt okay, right?”
“Where do you need to go?”
“I want to check on the animals. Brett said he’d watch them, but I don’t know what time he was leaving.”
