“If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll come with you and hold your hand,” I said.
Ella had the needle ready. “Where do you usually take your shot, in the arm or do you prefer the thigh?”
Natalie turned white and began shaking as she gripped my arm.
“I thought you needed a shot every day,” I said.
“My last name isn’t Goodman, it’s Grossman.”
My stomach somersaulted. “Wait a second.” I pulled out my clipboard and thumbed through the pages and, sure enough, Natalie Grossman was in bunk three. Natalie Goodman, bunk two. Oops.
“Natalie, I’m so sorry. My mistake.”
Natalie was full-on sobbing, and Ella looked at me like I was a moron.
“I’ll be right back with the correct girl.”
Ella said, “Take my golf cart—it’s getting late. Keys are in the ignition.”
“Thanks.”
I put my hand on Natalie’s shoulder as we walked out. “Hop in. I was confused since we only met yesterday. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
She looked at me without saying anything.
“Could you imagine if you spent the summer getting growth hormones and when your parents picked you up, you were like six feet tall?”
She sort of grinned. That was a good sign.
“Hold on tight. I’m gonna floor it so we can end our little adventure with a fun ride.”
When I made a sharp left turn onto the main road, she almost went flying out of the cart. I grabbed her just in time and jammed on the brakes.
“I guess this is a night you won’t forget anytime soon,” I said.
I considered asking her not to write home and tell her parents about my blunder, but I didn’t want to put the idea into her head. I did some calculations; by the time she wrote and mailed it, at least five days would’ve passed. Hopefully by then I’d have my act together and everything would be running smoothly, and this night would only be a minor blip.
When I returned with the correct Natalie, Bethany was waiting for me.
Ella took Natalie to one of the examining rooms to give her the injection.
“I heard you brought the wrong girl to get a shot,” Bethany said.
“News travels quickly here.”
Bethany was not amused. “You know, this isn’t a joking matter.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Is that all you have to say for yourself?” she asked.
Feeling contrite I said, “I’m sorry it happened. I’ll be more careful in the future.”
“You must have really frightened Natalie Goodman. How’s she doing?”
“Natalie Goodman is getting her shot right now, but Natalie Grossman is relieved and accepted my apology.”
Bethany turned a deep shade of red. She looked at me and then down at her clipboard, flipping between the Cubs’ bunks.
