Page 22 of The Me I Left Behind

“That’s a blessing.”

“Yes.” Dr. Kendall smiled. “We gave her a painkiller earlier and a sedative to relax her a bit, so she may be sleepy when you see her.”

They rounded a corner. Immediately, Maggie heard Carol shouting. “I want to see my mother now!”

Maggie shot Dr. Kendall a look. “I guess the sedative wore off?”

She laughed. “Apparently. Or she needs something stronger.”

Carol yelled again. “They told me she was here. Why hasn’t someone brought her to me yet?”

“Oh, dear.” Maggie sprinted toward the ruckus and burst into the room. “Carol? Sweetheart!”

“Mom!”

“Oh, my poor baby.”

“Mom….” Carol burst into tears, shaking. “It wasn’t my fault. I swear it. I’m so sorry. I wrecked the car, and Dad is going to kill me!”

Maggie angled closer and sat on the edge of the bed. “Let me worry about your dad. Your job is to get better here. I’m just glad you are okay.”

She pulled her closer. Carol sobbed into her chest.

“It’s okay, sweetheart.”

After a minute, she pulled back, sniffling. “Ouch. My neck hurts.”

“I heard that. Your head too? And what about your arm?”

“They gave me pills. I think they are working.”

“Good.”

“I’m glad Chloe and Jason weren’t in the car. That other car hit right behind my seat, where Chloe was sitting.” Her eyes welled up again.

“Sweetheart, they are safe. And now you are, too.”

Dr. Kendall stepped up. “So the shoulder pain has eased up somewhat?”

Carol nodded. “Can I go home?” She bounced a look from the doctor to Maggie and back again to the doctor. “Will you give me pills?”

“Soon. Yes.” The doctor nodded, looking her over. “We’ll talk about all that. You’ll be here for another couple of hours.”

“Can I sleep? I feel sleepy.”

Maggie squeezed her hand. “That’s probably the pain meds.” She looked at Dr. Kendall. “Right?”

“Could be. Let me look at your eyes.” She pulled a penlight from her pocket and leaned closer, shining the light into Carol’s left eye, then the right. “Your pupils look normal and the neurological tests we did earlier did not show a concussion. I think you’re fine to nap. The nurses will wake you when they check for vitals, anyway.”

“Okay.” Carol sat back. Maggie could tell she was getting groggy. Standing, she faced the doctor again. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure. I’ll be in and out, and so will the nursing staff.” She pulled the call button tethered to the bed away from the covers. “Call if you need anything.”

“I will.”

The doctor left. Maggie drifted to a chair in the corner and sat, watching Carol sleep. For a moment, she soaked up the calm atmosphere of the room, focusing on the steady drone of Carol’s heartbeat on the monitor, and her even breathing.

She took a second to close her eyes and take a few deep breaths herself.