Page 91 of All Your Tomorrows

“What type of accident?”

I struggled to remember what occurred once I turned the corner to the back parking lot. The explosion of pain. The inability to catch my breath. Landing on my ass. “I think someone hit me.”

“Someone?” he asked, opening up his small notepad and preparing to take notes with his pen.

I racked my brain for anything else that could help, but it was as if I’d dreamed it and the memory was slowly fleeting, never to be remembered again. Frustration grabbed hold of me. This was how Kyler must’ve felt about his accident. The information was so close, yet it was so far away.

And, where was Kyler? Where was everyone I knew and loved?

“Is there anyone who would want to hurt you?” Officer Kent asked.

My eyes shifted to his. Only one person would want to hurt me. “Melanie.”

“Melanie who?”

Could she really have done this to me? Could she really have caused both my and Kyler’s accidents? This was all too much. “Is this a dream?” I asked Officer Kent.

“A dream?”

My eyes shot around the room. “Like, am I really in the hospital? Did I really have a heart transplant?”

“I’m afraid this isn’t a dream,” he said with disappointment in his eyes. “But, I can see that I need to give you some more time.”

“That would probably be a good idea,” I said, grateful that he sensed my frustration.

“Would you mind if I stopped by when you’re feeling better to talk about this some more?” he asked.

“Of course,” I said.

“Get some rest,” he offered before walking toward the door.

“Officer?”

He glanced back at me.

“Talk to my boss, Daci. There are cameras at the café that might be able to help.”

He nodded his appreciation and turned to walk away.

“Officer?” I called again.

He turned back around.

“Is there anyone waiting to see me?” I asked, knowing it sounded feeble.

“It’s kind of late. I’ve been here for two hours waiting for you to wake up. But, if anyone’s waiting, I’ll send them in,” he assured me before disappearing into the hallway.

I closed my eyes and tried to replay Christmas morning over in my mind. Kyler in my bed felt so good. So right. He was going to “meet” my mom. Then Daci’s texts. I only planned to be a few minutes. He told me he’d come with me, but I told him to wait for me. Then everything imploded. Could Melanie really be the cause of me being here?

“Nora?”

I opened my eyes and found Mrs. Fletcher in my doorway. “Hi.”

“May I?” she asked, tentatively stepping inside.

“Of course.” I motioned to the chair beside my bed.

“It’s so nice to see you awake,” she said, lowering herself slowly into the chair.