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“I was showing Nate my boxing moves.” I step back and demonstrate again, getting a laugh from everyone.
“You certainly seem better than when we left,” Mom points out.
“I am.”
I try to tamper down the desperate emotions from earlier and concentrate on the hope that Bryce is coming out of this coma.
Chapter 35
I glance at my watch for the hundredth time and wonder what’s taking Quinn so long. She drove into town thirty minutes ago. If she’s not here in five minutes, I’m leaving without her. She knows today is important.
“Sheila, I’m only going to be gone for a little while. If anything at all happens, you call me. We won’t be far.”
“We’ll be fine. It’s time you get out of this hospital.”
“Do you need me to get you anything?”
“Another board game?” Dave throws in. “I’m sick of the one we have.”
“You’re only sick of it because I beat you every time we play,” I point out. “But I’ll take pity and pick up something else.”
“Knock, knock!” Quinn comes through the door carrying an enormous bunch of balloons.
“What the hell?”
“Shut it! They’re my contribution to the room.” She sets them on the window sill and comes directly to me.
After we hug, she greets Sheila and Dave then goes to Bryce. “Buddy, naptime is over. Time to come play with the big kids. Promise not to make fun of you too much.” She leans in and whispers something in his ear then kisses his cheek gently.
“Anyone going to shave this beast?” She points to his scruffy beard.
“I kinda like it.”
“You would. Are you ready to go? We have an appointment.”
“Yeesh! Hold your horses.” She starts to sit. “Quinn—”
“Just kidding. Let’s go.”
I kiss Bryce’s forehead and rub my cheek along his jaw, enjoying the soft stubble. “Be back soon, baby, and I’ll have a surprise for you.”
We say our goodbyes and leave quickly. Once we get to her car, she looks at me with her face glowing. “Are we really doing this?”
“Yes.”
“Brilliant plan. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it.”
I give her directions and then fill her in on the last two days. When I’m done, her face is hard as stone.
“What a bitch! I wish I could have seen her face when you slapped her.”
“It was fantastic.”
“So what now? What do all the parents think?”
“We didn’t tell them. Nate wants to let Bryce make the decision what to do.”
“Why?”
