Page 41 of From Me to You

“She fell from the stairs. She was complaining that she was tired. I think something is wrong with her. She needs to be checked. Why is there no doctor here?”

“They will be here soon, honey. Calm down. She will be fine. She has to be.”

Then the world went black once again.

I woke up to the smell of the hospital. I hated that smell. My body felt heavy as I peered around.

It looked like I was in an ER, and the curtains were drawn up.

A strong hand held mine. Jay leaned over me from his seat beside my bed.

“Hey there,” he whispered, running a thumb along my cheek. “You scared me.”

“What happened?” I croaked, my mouth dry. “Water.”

He poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the table and brought it to me. He helped me get up. I felt a sudden rush of dizziness, but it went away quickly. He held my cup allowing me to sip slowly.

Finally, I felt a bit better. “What happened?” I asked again.

He took his seat beside me and sighed. “You fell down the stairs and sprained your ankle, badly.” I peered down at my ankle, which was encased in a huge cast.

Jay rubbed small circles down my back. “You also have the flu, and you started your period all at once.”

I grimaced. Oh, God. The universe decided to be completely against me today. I couldn’t believe that all this happened in a single day. And the day wasn’t even over.

Suddenly the curtains drew up, and Aunty M walked in. “Hey, honey. How are you feeling?”

“Bad,” I confessed. My head and ankle were killing me.

“Should I get the doctor?” Jay shot up from his seat.

“No need, honey.” Aunty M said, “I have all her medications. I will give her something for the pain. The good news is that the doctor has told me that you can go home,” she said, handing me a couple of white pills. “I have asked them to give me the day off so I can take you home.”

“No, don’t. I will be fine.”

“I will take her, Marie. You don’t need to worry. I plan to stay with her anyway. I will take good care of her.”

“Thank you, honey. That would actually be really helpful. I need these shifts.”

I frowned at her. I wondered where all the money she was making going to. She shouldn’t have to work this hard for just the two of us.

“No, Aunty M. Jay has a big show this weekend. He needs to practice.”

Jay turned to me. “I have already canceled practice with the guys today. I am not leaving you alone, so don’t even think about it.”

“B-bb-but—”

He gave me a pointed look. “Don’t argue with me, Evelyn. I am not going anywhere.”

I sighed his tone suggested no room for argument. Soon Aunty M gave detailed instructions to Jay on how I should take my medications. And we headed home while he fussed over me the entire time. It was so cute.

Jay literally carried me from the car and settled me on the couch. He went upstairs, brought in my favorite pink bunny blanket and pillows, and tucked me in. I sighed. I loved him so much. He even went to the store and got me ice cream and chocolates.

I was currently devouring a pint of double chocolate chip while he was sitting on the floor fooling around with his guitar. Hmm yum. And no, I wasn’t talking about the ice cream.

“Jay?”

He dropped his guitar and turned to me. “What’s wrong?” He asked, worried, his eyes roaming over me to check if I was all right.