Page 43 of War

I stooped toward the couch, and she grabbed her purse from it.

“Got everything?”

She nodded.

Amantha got the apartment door as I carried her to her car. Still early evening, the sun sat high above us.

Likewise, Amantha opened the passenger door of the car.

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” I joked as I sat her in the passenger seat.

She snorted. “You sound like a motivational poster. Please never say that again.”

Exactly what I expected her to say.

I smiled and shut the door. At least she was reacting normally again.

After making sure we were both buckled in, I drove the car to the local hospital. We didn't talk much on the way.

I helped Amantha into her wheelchair in the parking lot, and she let me push her into the building.

We checked in at reception and took the elevator up to the fourth floor, where Neo's room was. The medical halls smelled sterile and of disinfectant.

The room that we were told Neo was in stood at the end of the hallway.

I knocked on the open door and wheeled Amantha inside. A silver-haired police officer sat beside the hospital bed and Neo sat in the bed, an IV in one arm and a blue cast on the other. They both focused on the mounted TV on the wall.

“Aunt Amantha!” Neo said when he noticed us. He sat up in bed.

Neo also sported a black eye.

“Are you okay?” she asked as I wheeled her closer. When she was by the bed, she reached out and took Neo’s non-casted hand.

“I’m okay. Z, thanks for bringing her.”

The kid sounded wise beyond his years. I nodded at him.

The police officer stood. He wore a navy blue police uniform. “Thanks for coming down. I'm Detective Berger. We spoke on the phone.”

He extended a hand to Amantha, who shook it.

“Anything for Neo,” she said. “What happened?”

Amantha let go of his hand, and he stepped back.

“From what we can tell, the driver of Neo's car was drunk. He drove up the wrong lane of the road. He swerved to miss oncoming traffic, which he did, but the maneuver put the car into a tree. Luckily, everyone involved is only a little banged up.”

“Will he be charged with drunk driving?” Amantha demanded. “I want him charged to the fullest extent.”

Detective Berger nodded. “The driver blew a breathalyzer that read well above the legal limit. He's in custody now.”

Amantha shook her head. “Thank you.” She turned her attention back to Neo. “Are you okay?”

He rolled his eyes. “I'm fine, mom.”

Amantha drew a sharp breath.

Neo continued without realizing what he said. “You guys have to sign my cast. Oh hey, can I get a hamburger when we leave here? I'm starving.”