He leans forward, cocking his head slightly. “So, how are you feeling?”
“Hungry,” I say, going back to my breakfast. I pop a piece of bacon in my mouth. “Oh, this is so bad it’s good.”
He laughs. “Hospital food isn’t the best.”
“After two days with nothing but water, I’ll eat almost anything. Although…” I stare down at my almost empty plate. “I don’t think this is going to be enough.”
“I can text Landon and ask him to bring you something?”
“Oh! That would be awesome. I can give him money when—” I cut off abruptly. I don’t have money because my debit card was also in my purse. “Fuck. I don’t have access to money. I can’t even go to the bank because my ID is gone. Motherfucker.” I put my fork down with a thump and syrup drips off the utensil and onto the tray table.
“I don’t think coffee and a breakfast sandwich are going to bankrupt him.” He smiles as he types into his phone. “Name your poison.”
I pause, hesitant to take anything more from these guys, but my father can lend me money. And I have plenty of my own—I just need to be able to get it.
“Is it early enough for McDonald’s? Because a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit would be the best breakfast ever right now.”
“Don’t give it another thought.” He continues typing on his phone, and I essentially lick the plates in front of me clean.
I don’t ever remember being this hungry. Not even when I was modeling and trying to remain underweight.
I’ve just wiped my mouth when a doctor comes in. She’s middle-aged and attractive, with a sharp gaze but a friendly smile.
“Good morning. How are you today?”
“I think I’m mostly operational,” I say, looking at my empty tray.
“I see you have your appetite back.”
“Definitely.”
“There’s no reason to keep you here any longer, so I’m going to sign your discharge orders. Physically, you have no restrictions, but I highly recommend you don’t go home alone. I think you’ll need emotional support for a while.”
I pull in a deep breath and nod. “Yes, thank you. I have friends and family.”
She nods, types something on her computer and then looks up. “Do you have any questions for me?”
Do I?
I have millions of questions but none that she can answer so I shake my head. “No, I think I’m good.”
“Well, please reach out if you think of anything. I’ll get your discharge papers ready to go, but it will probably be a few hours.”
“Thank you.”
I watch her leave and then push the tray table away. “I need clothes.”
Elliott nods. “Your father mentioned he has a spare key—maybe you could make a list for him?”
Having my father go through my stuff feels weird, but the only other option would be for me to leave the hospital in what I arrived in—and that’s not happening. I never want to see those clothes again.
“Good morning.” Landon comes in with two bags—one from McDonald’s and the other from JC Penney. “I hope you don’t mind but I stopped at the store. Figured you’d want to wear something clean and new after your shower.”
His thoughtfulness makes my chest tighten, but I’m incredibly grateful.
“Thank you,” I say, taking both bags.
I rummage through the one from JC Penney and find yoga pants, two generic T-shirts, a pack of white bikini underwear, a pack of ankle socks, and a sports bra. There’s also a box of what appear to be Keds sneakers. Simple, not cheap but not expensive, and all in my size. Like he knows me.
