Page 41 of Hearts & Embers

"Obviously she's back, Liam."

"Did your leg break in half?"

"Did it make a sound?"

"Did the airbags punch you?"

"Was there blood everywhere?"

I raised one hand.

"Good morning, everyone."

My greeting achieved absolutely nothing.

"Did firefighters have to cut you out?"

"Did the car explode?"

"Cars don't explode like that."

"They do in movies."

"This wasn't a movie."

I waited until the argument lost momentum, then pointed toward their seats.

"Sit down, please."

Several students obeyed immediately while others continued staring at my CAM walker as though it might begin speaking. Once everyone settled, I positioned myself beside the desk and looked across the room. Their curiosity was exactly what I had expected. Twelve-year-olds possessed very little ability to ignore dramatic information, especially when their teacher had been absent because of a car accident.

"I know you have questions."

Nearly every hand shot into the air.

"I'll answer a few appropriate questions before we begin the lesson."

Several hands lowered immediately, which told me quite a lot about what those students had planned to ask.

Maya kept hers raised.

"Were you scared?"

The classroom quieted because the question carried more sincerity than spectacle.

"Yes, I was scared when I lost control of my car."

She nodded slowly.

"But people helped you?"

"Yes. Firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, and my friends all helped me during the time I was off school."

Liam raised his hand again.

"Did they use the jaws of life?"

"They used rescue tools to get me out safely."