“Town is that way.” He points in a different direction from where I landed. “Are you going to be okay?”
Pulling out my phone, I see how late it is, and the several missed calls from Grandma Julia, and cringe. She’s going to bepissed!I open the map app and see that Adriel was correct with his directions.
“I sure hope I will be,” I admit, knowing there’s no reason to lie to him further.
“Then I bid you goodnight, sweet Rami.” Adriel bows and turns to leave.
“Goodnight, Adriel.”
He graces me with a smirk over his shoulder and I beg whoever is listening to allow me the opportunity to see him again.
Chapter 10
Rami's POV
“The bone, thankfully, doesn’t show a complete break, but you have a tibial stress fracture. Right here at the base near your ankle,” the doctor says, pointing to the image of my foot and ankle bones on the X-ray.
Super,I think. I’m pleased I wasn’t bitching about the immense pain for nothing, but also pissed that I now will have to rely on Grandma Julia way more.
Can you saybye-bye, freedom?
“I’d recommend an orthopedic boot to allow it to heal more efficiently.”
“Is there an alternative?” I ask, not wanting to limit my mobility any more than I have to.
“Nonsense, Rami, you’ll do as the doctor ordered,” Grandma Julia quips.
“He onlyrecommendsit, not demands it,” I reiterate.
Her eyes narrow marginally, daring me not to talk back and to do as I’m told. I have to bite back the eye roll and scoff, ‘cause I mean…does she even know me?
The truth is sobering. Of course she doesn’t. Because she’s made no effort to get to know me. Due to my one poor decision, which wasn’t even my fault, she thinks she has me all figured out. Well, I suppose it’s that and my mother’s multitude of poor choices.
“What about his head?” Grandma Julia asks, oblivious to my inner tirade.
“It’s not a concussion, but I’d recommend painkillers and an ice pack to help with the headaches.”
I nod and then immediately regret it; I swear I feel my brain rattling around in my skull.
“In the meantime, I can write a prescription for a slightly stronger painkiller for the next few days.”
I open my mouth to accept because between the throb in my ankle and my head, I’m not fully sure which direction is up.
But Grandma Julia cuts me off. “That won’t be necessary. Rami struggles with addiction, and I’d rather he not relapse.”
My jaw falls open.
Seriously, what in the actual fuck?I don’t struggle with addiction, nor have I ever. And no amount of explaining that night will ever make her see that.
The doctor’s bespectacled gaze widens only briefly before he taps away at his tablet, likely making a note of mysupposed addictionon my chart.
Super, I repeat as my cheeks heat.
After Grandma Julia insists the doctor fit me for a boot, I follow her back out to the lobby where she pays. Keeping my head down, I know I’m in for quite the scolding. She’s silent while I limp my way to the car and during the entire ride home. She doesn’t even mention the constant bouncing of my left leg.
No, she waits until we’re inside before saying anything.
“Complete your homework, and then you will join me for a Bible study.” Her voice remains gentle, though I know she’s hiding the malice deep in there somewhere.
