Page 29 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

We both knew he wasn’t being honest, but I wouldn’t push. More times than I cared to count he’d tripped over his own feet while trying to learn the routine. His friends were beginning to razz him about it too.

He flipped the board around in his hands, looking everywhere but at me. A gurgle that sounded too much like the creature from Alien came from his stomach.

‘Have you eaten?’

He shook his head.

‘Head over to Sugar Rush. Go to the counter and tell Barb you need the morning special.’

‘I didn’t bring any money, and I got in big trouble the last time I was there.’

The guilty look in his eyes made my chest tight. I remembered how hard it was to be his age – not quite a kid but not an adult either. How the ups and down of puberty shifted faster than your growing body could handle. Visions of me towering over seventh-grade boys, them taunting me with phrases like ‘Giraffe Girl’ and ‘Toothpick Legs’, weren’t memories easily forgotten.

‘It’s okay. Tell them I sent you.’

He started to argue until the door to the clinic opened and Silvio shuffled out with Old Mrs V on his arm.

‘I won’t take no for an answer.’ He gaped at the couple before I added, ‘Dex. Go now.’ The firmness in my voice had him dropping his board and skating in the direction of Sugar Rush.

‘Piper, what are you doing here?’ Mrs Vanderpool’s gaze was sharper than the tools Barb used to cut through rough dough.

‘I wanted to check and make sure you’re all right.’

She let out an agitated huff. ‘Like I told the doc, these old bones are doing absolutely fine.’

Dr Foster slid out the door and locked it behind him.

‘Doc, tell Little-Miss-Panties-In-A-Twist that I’m okay so she’ll stop looking at me like I’m headed for the great playground in the sky.’

‘Nope. We’re nowhere near that.’ His attention went to Silvio. ‘I’ve made a call. They’re waiting for you at the ER.’

‘I’m gonna dash over to the hardware store and grab my car,’ Silvio said.

‘What’s happening? Why are you going to the hospital?’ I said.

Mrs V patted my hand. ‘A precaution, sweetie. The doc says my vital signs are stable.’

‘If she’s stable, why can’t she go home?’

He went mute as he looked to Mrs Vanderpool.

‘The doc’s being cautious,’ she said. ‘Wants me to have a few tests to make sure my heart is in good shape. No need to worry.’

Silvio pulled up to the curb and Dr Foster escorted her to the passenger door.

She took a few steps and tossed over her shoulder, ‘Tell the gossips I’m tougher than the old clock tower. That you’re not getting rid of me so easily.’

‘Sure you don’t want to call and tell them that yourself?’ I said.

She gave me the one-finger salute and Dr Foster let out a thick laugh as he helped her into the car.

I waved at them as they drove off. Dr Foster stepped beside me, the scent of antiseptic and soap wafting off his skin. ‘That lady is tougher than an army howitzer.’

‘Yeah, she is, but that’s why everyone loves her.’

When they were out of sight, a sudden pain crowded my chest, forcing the air from my lungs. My legs shook, and my heart took off faster than a horse let loose from its corral. I started to gasp, dark spots clouding my vision.

‘Piper?’ He grasped my hand and led me to the bench. With a gentle touch, he eased me down beside him.