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The doctor takes a deep breath and continues, “But he suffered a severe spinal injury that may or may not compromise his ability to walk.”
I launch myself into Parker’s arms, pouring out bitter tears of fear and shock.
“This is not fair!” I complain, “He’s still young!”
“Easy, miss,” the doctor smiles kindly, placing a hand on my shoulder to calm me down. “His chances are good. With correct treatment and physiotherapy, the worst-case scenario is he’ll be on crutches in a couple of months.”
“And at best?” I ask, my voice fleeting and weak.
“He’ll walk with a slight limp,” he says.
“And how about playing, doctor? Will he be able to resume his career?” Parker asks.
I wince and push Parker away from me, hard enough to make him lose his balance.
“Parker!” I yell. “How can you even think about such a thing in a moment like this?”
The doctor looks from me, to Parker, and back before finally speaking. “Well, I wouldn’t recommend him ever putting on a pair of skates again.”
My core crumbles down in tears again, and I collapse over a chair, sobbing.
Parker sits by my side but doesn’t dare touch me yet. Only when I’m calming down again, and he sees some light at the end of the tunnel, does he speak again.
“I’m sorry,” he says, his voice sounding genuine and pure. “It was insensitive of me to be worrying about betting results than with my friend.”
“You’ve bet on him retiring?!” I turn to glare at him that same instant.
Parker feels the bridge of his nose, and lowers his head, gritting his teeth and moaning in physical and emotional pain.
“I did. But don’t worry, he knows that! He got as pissed as you. He’s been helping me, Elsa, with my… gambling problem.”
I widen my eyes, full-grown concern rising inside my chest. “Parker… Since when do you have a gambling problem?”
“Ever since I got involved in sports,” he shrugs. “You get some insider information here, a tip over there and before you know it, you’re making some bucks, and you want to make more. Then, all of a sudden, you’ve put your house up as collateral and you lose it, and then place an all-or-nothing bet against your best friend.”
“And what was the plan, Parker?!”
Oh God, I’m so angry.
“Gently cajole Harvey into retiring so you could save your assets?”
He rubs his face red in the most pathetic attempt to hold back tears.
“Elsa, I wasn’t thinking straight,” he says. “But I’m serious, I’m getting the help I need. I’m even seeing a group and a doctor! I swear, I swear!”
Now he’s the one sobbing, and it’s up to me to console my mediocre excuse for a brother.
I somehow find the will to keep rubbing his back while he cries, and I let him pour it all out until I leave his side.
First, I go to the vending machine to buy myself a protein bar and a can of soda, and after eating, I check my phone.
Lorna informs me they got a flat driving up and are waiting for a tow truck and is asking for any news of Harvey. I call her and tell her that he’s stable, much to her relief.
Kiera, who got my number from her mother, says she’s coming in the morning, which is the soonest that she and Michael can arrive.
I also call my mom to tell her that Harvey is going to be okay. She is so relieved and hurts my eardrums as she yells the news over to dad. But I don’t care, I’m just as relieved.
And hours go by. That protein bar and soda barely make a dent in my hunger, so my stomach is still growling.
