“It wasn’t ice. Wet leaves were covering one of my grandkid’s marbles that he left on the steps.”
“Shoot. Thanks for calling.”
“I’m so, so sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. I’ll head over now.”
Dawn hung up and looked at Luca. “My gran fell, and they took her to Boston General. Can you drive me there?”
“Absolutely. Let’s go.”
As they made their way to the car, Dawn felt terrible that she wasn’t there when it happened. “I told her not to leave Sheree’s on her own. I told her to text me. I was going to stop off at Goddess Fashions and pick up a really cool old-fashioned cane for her that I saw there. It would help her get around and keep her from slipping. And here she went and slipped.”
“Everything will be okay, I promise.”
Luca drove like a speed demon to the hospital and dropped Dawn out front, telling her he’d meet her inside. Dawn ran in to the ER and spoke with someone at the nurse’s station. “Can you tell me about my grandmother, Annette Forest?”
The nurse glanced at her computer monitor and a few moments later said, “She’s been taken to the OR.”
“They’re operating? On what?”
“I need to see if you’re on the list before I release personal information.”
“I’m definitely on her list. Dawn Forest.”
The secretary flipped to the next page and nodded. “Yup. You appear to be the only one we can talk to. Do you want the nurse or doctor to talk with you?”
“Maybe later. Can you just tell me what they’re operating on?”
“A broken hip.”
“Damn,” she breathed. “Oh, sorry. Where can I wait for her?”
The nurse told Dawn where to check in, and Dawn texted Luca to meet her on the fifth floor in the waiting area.
Three hours later, Dawn and Luca were standing by Annette’s bedside in a hospital room. Another lady was in the room. Dawn had pulled the privacy curtain around them, not liking the fact that her grandmother was not in a private room, but they couldn’t afford it.
Annette was groggy but waking up. Dawn held her hand and glanced at Luca. He smiled reassuringly at her.
“Gran, how are you feeling?”
“Like a silly old woman.” She asked Dawn to give her some water. Dawn held the cup with the straw to her grandmother’s lips so she could take a sip.
“You’re not a silly old woman. But please, next time when you want to try a cartwheel, text me first?”
Annette chuckled. A good sign. “Oh, I’m so sorry to put you kids through this. I ruined your date.”
Luca crouched by the side of the bed. “Mrs. Forest, you have nothing to apologize for. We’re just glad that you’re okay.”
“You’re such a nice boy, Luca.” Annette reached out for Luca’s hand, then her eyes widened.
“Gran, what is it?”
Annette glanced at both Dawn and Luca. “Is there something you need to tell my granddaughter?”
“Are you psychic too?” Luca asked.
“Li’l bit.”
