Page 89 of Jackass

I closed my eyes. All at once, my head felt heavy. I took a deep breath and crossed my arms on the bar.

I dropped my head on top.

“Hey, Samantha. You ok, honey?”

“No. I’m tired.” My words slurred, which made little sense because I hadn’t even finished one drink, never mind any others.

“Samantha.”

I heard my name being called again and again.

I didn’t know why they were yelling.

“Answer me, honey.”

I answered. Maybe you aren’t listening.

Maybe I wasn’t listening. The voices were getting quieter. They needed to let me sleep.

Woah, am I floating?

“No, honey, you aren’t floating. Johnny, get the door. Grace, call Jack. Tell him to meet us at the hospital.”

I don’t feel good.

“Stay with me, Samantha.”

Where am I going?

“Gonna get you to the hospital, Samantha.”

Just take me home. Jack is there. Jack will take care of me.

My head hurt. My eyes were heavy and wouldn’t open. And if someone didn’t turn off that blasted toy Charlie was playing with, I just might scream. I should have paid better attention to what Jack was buying her. The constant beeping was fucking irritating.

“How is she?”

What? How is who? Is someone sick?

“She hasn’t woken yet, but the doctor says she’ll be fine.”

“I’m sorry, Jack. I only stepped out to answer your call.”

Wait. What? Who is Jack worried about? Is it Charlie? Did something happen? Did Derek find her?

“Charlie?”

“Sammy. Come on, baby, open your eyes.”

The sleep fog lifted, and my eyes opened to Jack’s face, lined with worry.

“Charlie, is she ok?”

“Charlie’s fine, baby. It’s you we’re worried about.”

“Me? Why?” I tried to sit up and couldn’t. I was just too tired.

“Lay still, baby, let me lift the bed.”