Page 9 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

“You’re welcome. Is there anyone I can call for you?” she says.

Another nurse bustles around, fixing the split to my hand and arm to stabilize my swollen wrist. I try not to wince at the pain of having it set.

“Aury?” The name pops out of my mouth without me thinking about it, and she nods.

“Is Aury’s number in your phone?” she says, grabbing it from the counter behind her.

My shoulders deflate and I hold in another sniffle when I shake my head. “No…” I say. “Um, maybe my friend, Claire? She’s in there.”

The nurse nods and I give her my passcode, then she’s shaking her head, leaving a message for Claire. “I’ll try again later, hon. I’ll let you have your phone, but no staring at it, okay? Only phone calls. No texting, no scrolling. Understand?”

I nod, forlorn, and she hands it over. “I’ll check in on you in a little bit. Press this button if you need anything.”

And then I’m alone again, as usual.

I don’t realize I’ve fallen asleep until my phone buzzes in my hand, startling me awake. I look down to see an unknown number, and my heart whispers that it’s Aury calling to check on me.

Naturally, I panic, and before I can decide whether or not to answer, the caller is leaving a voicemail.

“Hey Siobhan, it’s Aury.”

My heart flutters at the words, and I feel silly when a giddy grin stretches across my face.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I accessed your info at work to get your number. I wanted to check and see if you’re okay. Anyways, you have my number now, so if you want to talk or if there’s anything I can do, please let me know. Okay, bye.”

A nurse comes in with test results and lab work as I’m lowering the phone, and I bite my lip to hide my smile.

“You’ll be good to go in the next couple hours,” they say as they putter around. “Do you have someone at home or is there anyone who can stay with you?”

“Oh, no,” I say. “That’s okay, I’m fine.”

“Well, we can’t release you alone, unfortunately, as you won’t be cleared to drive or operate machinery for a few days at least. So at minimum you’ll need a ride home.”

“Oh, um. Right, let me see if one of my friends can come get me.”

They nod and then bustle out of the room while I pull up the Omega Gardening Club group chat.

Me: Hey, so I’m at the hospital - totally okay! Just fell and hit my head but I’m good! They’re sending me home but said I can’t drive. Is anyone free to come pick me up?

Claire: OMG are you okay?

Me: I’m fine, really. Sprained my wrist, but it’s not broken or anything. A couple bruises is all. I just need a ride home.

Bea: Thank goodness you’re okay, gave us all a scare there for a sec.

Three dots pop up, then disappear, then pop up and disappear again. They’re all weirdly quiet for a few long minutes, and my heart drops. I thought we were closer than this. Do they really not care that I’m at the hospital? I mean, I said I’m okay, and I totally am, but still…

A flurry of texts all come in at the same time.

Bea: Can’t get away, sorry girl

Claire: You know I’d be there in a heartbeat, but I can’t tonight, I’m so sorry.

Sage: We are not in town, I am so sorry!

Wren: I wish I could!

Tears well in my eyes again and my throat closes. I’m about to throw my phone down when it vibrates again.