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“No problem and I’m sorry about your break-,” Before the words were fully out a wicked pain seared through my right hip as I went flying into the air and landing right in front of the cute little red car. On my head. My eyes drifted shut and that was the last thing I remembered.
When I was able to open my eyes again sometime later, I was no longer on the side of the road with the cute little red sports car, instead I was inside some kind of medical facility. A hospital based on the sounds of machines running, garbled public announcements, nurses’ shoes on cheap linoleum and hushed whispers everywhere. “Hospital,” I croaked out, which alarmed me. How much time had passed that I felt more than thirsty, but dehydrated?
“You’re awake! Holy crap you gave us a scare!” Gretchen was at my side and even though I hadn’t yet opened my eyes, I could hear the smile, the relief in her voice. “How do you feel, Tara?”
“Like I got hit by a truck.” The last thing I remember was Ms. Pierson and her breakup.
“Close. It was actually an SUV according to the eyewitness.”
“Eyewitness?”
“Yeah, cute blond with an acute case of the hysterics.” The male voice was familiar and as I slowly opened my eyes, a smile formed on my mouth. “I thought you were a dream.”
My cousin, Ry Kemp, flashed an ‘aww shucks’ smile that was just so typical of him. “You felt better instantly thinking a real life angel was there with you, didn’t ya?”
I tried to roll my eyes but a sharp pain stung behind my eyes. “I figured I must be dying if your ugly mug was the last face I saw before the lights went out. Again.” The truth was I didn’t remember anything but seeing Ry’s face and hearing the surprise in his voice that he knew the body. “How are Penny & Mikey?”
“Good, but don’t let him hear you call him Mikey. He’s a man now, goes by Mike.” Ry smiled again but I refused to open my eyes to confirm it.
“I’m glad.”
“Oh no, we’re not pretending this didn’t just happen. You were hit by a car on the side of the road, Tara. There’s a huge gash in the back of your head. You could have died!” I knew Gretchen would be worried, she constantly worried about me but I hadn’t expected tears.
“Ouch!” The spot in the back of my head was more than tender, it send a spear of pain through my brain and eyes.
“Don’t touch it, goober. You’ve got stitches.” Ry’s teasing tone was just what I needed to combat my guilt over Gretchen’s worry and fear.
“Right. Wait, was it that bad?”
Ry looked down at his navy blue uniform. “Bloody as hell, then again head wounds always are. You cracked your head pretty good on the road according to Ms. Pierson.”
I nodded and ignored the nausea that zipped through me at that small move. “Anything else?”
“Nothing appears broken,” Ry said, back in professional EMT mode. “That’s just based on my initial assessment but you’ve had x-rays and tests to make sure Pilgrim’s finest is in tip top shape. Speaking of, my guess is you’ll be in a hell of a lot of pain for a few weeks, light duty at work if not full on medical leave.”
“I can’t go on medical leave. My detective’s exam!” My panic was irrational, I realized that the moment the words left my mouth, but my emotions were high as it dawned on me how close I could have come to dying there on the side of the road. “I want to thank Ms. Pierson for staying and calling for help.”
“She stayed as long as you could, said she appreciated you showing her kindness but she had to go see an apartment.”
“That’s good,” I nodded slowly and leaned back on the bed. “Cheating boyfriend.”
“Gave a damn good description of the SUV that hit you too,” Ry bit out, obviously still upset about seeing me unconscious on the side of the road. “So glad you’re all right Tara.”
“I’ll say ‘me too’ when I’m feeling better. Good to see you though.”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s great to see you Ry. It’s been too long, blah, blah, blah. Did you say you were taking the detective’s exam?”
“Yes. I was hoping we’d just skip on over it?”
“I know you were but I just wanted to say that I’m proud of you. And I’m glad you’re finally living again. In all ways.” I didn’t want to ruin the mood but I didn’t want to get Gretchen’s hopes up, because sometimes disappointing her felt words than disappointing our mother.
“I’m just doing the detective’s exam, Gretch. Nothing else. Got it.” Surprise flashed in her eyes and I could see the question getting ready to form on her lips and turned to Ry. “Will everything heal properly?”
