Page 30 of Starved Until Sunset

Demetrius smiled, then made a face. “That name makes us sound like we’re spooky. Like we’re ghosts investigating supernatural creatures.”

They looked at each other a moment, then said at the same time, “I’d watch that show.”

When the doctor stepped into the curtained area, they were still laughing, and he smiled. “I have to say, this is not the typical demeanor of patients in the ER.”

Amelia squeezed Demetrius’s hand once more before releasing it and looking at the doctor. “This is my nephew, Demetrius. He’s like a son to me, and he always knows how to make me feel better.”

“That’s good. It’s important to have someone like that in your life.” The doctor touched Amelia’s foot. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel all right. Shaken more than hurt.”

“That will probably change by tomorrow.”

She adjusted the neck brace and made a face. “And this thing is driving me crazy.”

“Well, let’s get that off then, shall we?” He approached and loosened the Velcro straps. “The CT scan showed no concussion or neck injury.”

Once the doctor had pulled the neck brace apart and removed it, Amelia smiled and slowly turned her head side to side.

“How’s it feel?” the doctor asked.

“Much better. Thank you.”

“Good. Now, I know you’re anxious to get out of here, but I’m waiting on the results of a few more tests.”

“You’re not going to keep her overnight?” Demetrius asked.

“No, I don’t anticipate having to do that.” The doctor looked back at Amelia. “I do want you to keep that bandage on your eye for another twenty-four hours. And I want you to follow up with your ophthalmologist in the next few days.”

“Yeah, why is that bandaged?” Demetrius asked.

“It was blackened and bloodshot,” the doctor said. “I was concerned she might have fragments from the airbag, but we didn’t see anything when we checked. It might be powder from the airbag. We flushed it, but I’d like you to keep it covered another day. And make an appointment with your ophthalmologist as soon as you can.”

“I will,” Amelia said, settling in a bit on the stretcher. She looked more relaxed and comfortable with the neck brace off, and that made Demetrius feel a bit better.

The doctor checked her vitals, and Amelia and Demetrius both asked him some questions. When they had nothing else to ask, he told her he’d return soon and slipped away through the curtain.

“That’s good news,” Demetrius said, sitting in the chair. “How do you feel?”

“I have a headache, and I need to pee, but other than that I’m okay.”

“I’m sure they could give you Tylenol for the headache. Do you want me to let a nurse know you need to pee?”

“Oh, thank you. And you don’t have to stay with me.”

“I don’t mind.” Demetrius stood.

“You and Cody have things to do. Otis will stay and take me home.”

“We’ll talk about that after you pee, how’s that?”

“All right.”

He stepped out of the curtain and headed for the nurse’s station down the hall. Once he’d let one of the nurses know about Amelia’s need for a bathroom run, Demetrius checked his phone. There was no signal, which made sense with all the medical equipment around him. He returned to Amelia’s bedside, and before too long a nurse appeared to escort her to a bathroom down the hall.

Alone in the curtained area, he sat with his elbows on his knees and stared at the floor. Bits of paper from the backs of heart monitor pads littered the tile under the stretcher. Alternating beeps from other beds in the triage area played out an uneven pattern of sounds.

He’d let people down. Hell, he’d let Amelia down, one of the most important people in his life. The guilt reared up inside him again. They should have been paying closer attention. He should have noticed something was going on. But he’d been hurt by the judge’s decision, and, if he was truly honest with himself, more than a little angry.