Page 49 of Cold and Bitter Snow

“It’s not about money, Doctor, thank you.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. I’ll note down the antibiotics and painkillers you’re going to need. You’ll have to come back for regular check-ups. I’ll call the nurse so she can take out your IV and you can get dressed.”

“Thanks a lot, Doctor.” Not that he was planning on taking any more painkillers once he was out of here. They made him feel unfocused.

John got up from the armchair by the window. Conor had much preferred when it was Siena occupying it. She hadn’t been back again since his family arrived.

“I don’t know, Conor,” John began, waving a paper around, “they’ve got a room service menu here. This isn’t like any hospital back home. I think I’d stay a couple more days if I were you.”

Conor laughed then regretted it immediately as the pain in his ribs intensified.

“Mom, John, listen. I’m really grateful you’re here, but I need to go back home.”

“We’ll stay and help you get settled in, honey,” his mother replied immediately. She looked like she had when he’d moved out for college, seventeen years earlier. “What if you need me or—”

Conor sighed. He wished the nurse would come and take his IV out so he could get dressed. It didn’t feel very dignified to have this conversation with his ass hanging out from the open-back nightgown.

“I’ll always need you, Mom. You know that,” Conor said gently. He held out his hand to his mother. “And I’ll call you, I promise.”

His mother’s eyes filled with tears.

“But Luc won’t be able to help you if you—”

“Did someone say my name?” Luc asked, wheeling himself into the room.

A glimpse into his friend’s eyes told Conor Luc knew exactly what his mother had been about to say.

“Mother. I’m grateful you’re here but you have to go back. I’ll be alright.”

“If you’re sure, honey,” she sighed. “You’ll come out to see us this summer, right, won’t you? It’s been too long …”

“I’ll come see you this summer. I promise.”

Chapter 15

Conor

Conor lay on the couch for hours. When he tired of moping in the living room he dragged himself to his bedroom or the kitchen and moped there for a while instead.

“Aren’t you tired of being inside, man? Let’s go out for a walk,” Luc said. A self-deprecating smile hit his lips at his choice of words.

“How did you deal with it, Luc, when you were injured? How did you get back to feeling normal again?”

“You don’t go back. You just have to work with what you have. But you’re not talking about your injuries, are you? Your injuries are going to heal. You’ll be back skiing in no time.”

Conor could have hit himself. “I’m sorry, Luc. I don’t know what I’m saying. I was out of line.”

“You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?”

Conor nodded. “Siena’s all I seem to be able to think about. She left as soon as my mother and brother arrived and didn’t come back to the hospital. She hasn’t even called.”

“So what’s stopping you from calling her, or even better, going over to her hotel to see her?”

“If she doesn’t want to see me, I don’t—”

Luc put his head in his hands. “Listen, Conor, you don’t remember what she was like when—"

At that moment the doorbell rang.