He nods.
His arm is wrapped up and secured to his chest. I’ve never seen him look smaller than he does right now in this bed.
“They said he was very brave and brave boys get stickers,” Chase says.
“That’s right.” I kiss Max’s forehead.
“I was really brave, Mommy. But I cried when I fell.”
“That’s okay. I bet it hurt.”
“A lot.” He nods.
“Excuse me, Miss Andrews,” the nurse interrupts. “The doctor will be in shortly to go over the results and then we’ll have someone come cast his arm, so you should be able to go soon, okay?”
“Thank you.” I smile at her, wiping a stray tear away.
“I’m so sorry, Miss Andrews. I don't know how this happened. One second?—”
“It’s okay,” I cut off Ms. Anderson. “These things happen.”
I hear Sam chuckle behind me and I ignore it. No doubt because he was telling this to me earlier when I was having my freakout.
“I appreciate you coming to check on him.”
“Well, his grandparents came quickly to bring him here and it helped put him at ease,” she says. “I called them when you didn’t pick up the first time.”
“I appreciate it.” I cast a quick glance at my parents who exchange a look. At least they brought Chase and Rylee along. Maybe that’ll help keep things civil.
“If you don’t need anything else, I’m going to head home.”
“Thanks again.”
She waves at Max. “I’ll see you at school. Maybe we can have everyone sign your cast.”
“Can they draw silly pictures?” he asks.
“Yeah, whatever you want.”
“Okay.”
She leaves, taking the air out of the room with her. The tension starts to twist as my dad looks to Sam.
“What’s he doing here?” Dad’s voice is dripping with anger.
“He brought me to the hospital.”
“That job is done. He can go now.”
“Dad,” Chase says. “Really?”
Sam doesn’t say another word as he moves toward the door. If there is any hope of reclaiming what the two of us had, it’s now or never.
“No.” I stop him.
“No?” Dad quirks a brow at me.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and pull up one of Max’s shows.
