Before I can ask my parents anything, the doctor speaks: “Now that you seem a little more awake, can you tell me what you remember?”
I close my eyes, needing the small respite from the light. “My head.”
“We’ll get you some medicine.”
Medicine would be good.
“I’d really like if you could try to tell me anything of what you recall.”
Right. He did ask that.
“Momma made breakfast. I wasn’t hungry, but she had me eat anyway. Then, I went…I think I worked,” I say, my head feeling heavy and my body tired. “I don’t know.”
“Good, all of this is great. Can you keep going?” the doctor asks.
“Tristan?”
“What about Tristan?” Daddy asks.
Oh, God, I just said that out loud.
I close my eyes. “Sorry, I…don’t know what I mean.”
The doctor gently squeezes my wrist. “I know you’re tired and this is a lot right now, but do you know how you came to be in the hospital?”
I run through the rest of the memory. I went out to the barn, worked with two horses, and then I saw her.
Sadie.
My eyes open, and I stare at the doctor. “Sadie? Her horse? I fell. I remember I was riding and something happened. I think…I think there was a snake, and the horse spooked so fast. I wasflying, and I knew.” I suck in a breath. “I knew I was going to hit the ground hard.”
The doctor nods. “Anything else?”
“It hurt. I hit…my head…I think…a few times.” The memory is so fuzzy after that. I must’ve passed out or something, because I don’t remember anything after that.
Momma comes to the side, taking my hand. “Yes, sweetheart, you hit your head and called for help.”
“I did?”
“You did, the way you teach all your kids to do.” Her smile is wide, and I see the pride in her eyes.
“How long have I been here?” I ask.
“Four days,” Momma answers.
Four days. Oh God. “Momma…I…”
She laces her fingers with mine. “Don’t you worry about a thing, Lark Elaine, not a thing, you hear me?”
I can’t help the small smile that comes from her stern voice. “I’m sorry, Momma.”
“Oh, honey, don’t be sorry. You did all the right things, and you’re here. You woke up and you’re here.” Tears fill her eyes, and one falls. “Now we’re going to let your brothers come in and see you, okay?”
My brothers.
But not Tristan.
I don’t know why I’m even remotely surprised or sad. He and I are nothing, and how the hell would he even know? Not to mention, his coming here would mean the freaking explosion of my family.
