page29 (1/2)

Dad nodded at her and then walked around the bed to sit in her chair If Lori was here, she would be co out of her skin with excitement to see him They still talked Not often, but they did

He lowered his clasped hands to his knees as his gaze traveled over ?”

I started to shrug, but uess”

“Kind of hard to i the obvious “Yourhome this weekend and that the doctor expects you to heal up without any complications”

“That’swhat he’s been saying” I slipped a finger under the cast, trying to get at an itch

Dad was quiet for severalthat phone call fros to happen I know you’ve been through a lot and I don’t want to add to it”

“Then don’t,” I said, voice low and hoarse

“But what happened could’ve been avoided,” he continued as if I hadn’t spoken, and he was right, so right, but I didn’t want to hear hi it “This wasn’t just an accident You kids made some—”

“Are youseriously going to lecture h and then winced “For real?”

Shoulders tensing, he took a visible deep breath “I understand I get it, Lena I haven’t been around, but I’ve been calling you I’ve been trying to—”

“You left and we didn’t hear fronore that tiny little fact? And waltz back into my life with a phone call?

“I’m sorry,” he was quick to say, and ht now, that apology was as empty as our house “But I am still your father, Lena”

“Yeah, you’reof you that way themoment you walked out that front door and disappeared for two years” My ribs ached with each word “Howcan you say anything to me?”

The centers of his cheeks flushed “Lena—”

“I don’t want todo this right now,” I told hi, that he’d disappear That all of this would just disappear That I could walk out of this room and disappear “I don’t want to talk I’mtired and II just want to be left alone”

Dad didn’t respond, and I turnedmy eyes closed until I heard his footsteps, until I was sure he’d left the room like I kneould

And I kneouldn’t see hiain

I’d dozed off after Dad had left and timed meds had been shot into my IV I had no idea if Mom or Lori had come back in the roouarantee that Lori had, and despite ainst her Just because our relationship had shattered, didn’t mean their relationship had to end

I had no idea how long I slept I kneasn’t long Sleeping in a hospital was nearly i on and off Footsteps out in the hall Distant conversation Codes being called out I only ever slept a few hours, and when I woke this tian had attempted to reenact a routine she’d seen perfor room

She’d sprained her ankle

And broken the vase on the coffee table

Coach had been so ticked off She was out of several gaht face while he yelled at her

Megan was such a dork

Heaviness settled in the center of s or aching ribs Seconds ticked by as I lay there and slowly I realized I wasn’t alone