Page 12 of Pretty Thing

I nod. We must have been closer to home than I thought. The medical center is only twenty minutes from my house.

“Where is your family?”

He’s been here with me this whole time, and no one is here for him.

“My dad is in prison. He’s a class act. My mom died a little over a year ago from a heart attack. And my brother…” he stops and clears his throat. “He didn’t make it,” he says, his eyes dropping to the floor. “We were on our way back from visiting my uncle when the crash happened.” He stops and pinches the bridge of his nose as tears run down his cheeks. “I knew he was gone, but I still went looking for help. That’s when I found you.”

I reach for him, and he grips my hand like I’m the only thing keeping him steady.

“Oh Felix, I’m so sorry.”

The tears start again. We are both alone, lost our families, and only have each other.

“You should’ve stayed with your brother instead of coming with me,” I say, and he shakes his head.

“You needed me, and there was nothing I could do for him.”

The door opens before we can say anything else.

The doctor, recognizable from his lab-like coat and blue scrubs, marches in with a police officer and a woman I don’t recognize. The doctor is all business, face stern as he stares at his tablet.

He stands beside my bed and, after a few more taps on his screen, meets my eyes.

I know what’s coming, and I swallow the lump in my throat as the other two stand nearby. They are staggered as if that will avoid overwhelming me.

“Eden, I’m Doctor Walker,” he says gently. “Are you feeling well enough to speak with us?”

I nod, gripping the sheet.

“I’ll start with your injuries.”

He’s direct but seems nice enough. He uses big words to relay the same information I got from Felix.

“Recovery won’t be easy, but you’re young and in good health. I’ll give you a referral for physiotherapy and have my office follow up with you in the next few days. You can choose a physical therapy close to home.”

He pauses.

“There’s something else we need to discuss,” he says carefully.

Here it is, the part I am dreading the most. My body tenses, hand fisting the sheet. My next breath stills as I wait for the blow.

“Your parents died at the scene.”

Even though I knew it, felt it, saw it…him confirming my worst fear still doesn’t feel real. The words slide off me as if they belong to someone else. I just stare into his eyes, wanting him to take it back.

Felix is suddenly beside me. His hand finds mine, and our fingers twine together as I’m introduced to the social worker. I don’t hear anything the woman says. The police officer places a bag on my table. There in the clear plastic is what’s left of my family from the crash. Three cellphones, a wallet, a purse, my mini backpack, Dad’s watch, and their wedding rings. All I can do is stare. They really are gone.

I slowly shake my head as they all leave the room.

“Do you want me to take you for a walk later,” Felix asks softly, like he’s afraid of startling me. “The nurse said a short walk is good for you.”

“Can we go now?”

All I want to do is run away from this hospital.

“I need to move. I need to get out of this bed. I need…” I gulp in a mouthful of air, but my ribs scream at me.

Felix sits on the edge of my bed and grips my hand tighter.