Lost Along the Way(57)

“She’s awake!” Meg said.

“Are you going to come in here and talk to me or are you going to make me hobble out there on my crutches?”

“I’m so sorry, Cara. What happened?” Jane asked as they scurried into the den. She leaned over to kiss Cara’s cheek while Meg gently tucked a blanket around Cara’s legs.

“I’m so mad at myself. I don’t know what happened. One minute I was fine and the next minute my edge caught some ice or something and my ski flew out from under me. I’m so embarrassed I could die.”

“Why are you embarrassed? Who was with you?” Meg asked.

“No one. Just Reed. But now I look like an unathletic girl who can’t keep up with the family activities.”

“That’s ridiculous. You had an accident. It could happen to anyone,” Jane said.

“I don’t want him to think I can’t keep up.”

“He should be worried about keeping up with you. Not the other way around,” Meg said.

“Seriously! Since when are you insecure about your athletic abilities? That’s absurd.”

“I don’t know. I just want to impress him.” Cara sighed.

“He’s already your boyfriend. I think you’ve already impressed him. Your ego is just a little bruised because the mountain kicked your ass. Don’t worry about it!” Jane chirped in an effort to cheer her up.

“You’re right. It is. I’m just so mad at myself. We go back to school in two weeks and I’m going to have to spend the entire winter hobbling around on crutches and doing rehab. It’s not exactly how I wanted to begin my semester.”

“You’ll do the rehab and be good as new before you know it. Until we go back to school we will come over every day and hang out with you as much as you want,” Meg reassured her. “It’ll go fast, you’ll see!”

“What are you guys doing in there?”

“Baking. Why don’t you come sit in the kitchen? Do you need help with the crutches?”

“No, I can do it. It will feel good to get up off the couch. Even if I only move to a kitchen chair.” Cara grabbed the crutches that were lying on the floor next to the couch and Meg and Jane helped her stand up.

“Are you sure you’re okay to move?” Meg asked.

“Definitely. I’m allowed to hobble around. I’d rather sit in there with you guys.” The two girls flanked Cara as she slowly made her way thirty feet into the kitchen and collapsed in a kitchen chair. Jane dragged over the footstool from the den and helped slowly prop Cara’s leg on the cushion. She winced, which for Cara was a pretty clear indication that she was in pain.

“So, what am I getting? Thank you guys so much for doing this. You’re the best, by the way.”

“Brownies,” Meg answered. “And you’re welcome. It’s our pleasure. I wish we could do something else to help you feel better.”

“With marshmallows?” Cara asked. “I love those!”

“Don’t say it, Meg!” Jane begged. “Don’t do it!”

Meg didn’t blink before she answered. “They were supposed to have marshmallows. But Jane forgot to bring them. Even though it was the only thing I asked her to do.”

Cara smiled. “It’s okay, Jane.”

“I offered to go get some now, but Meg said no because she’d rather I stay here and help.”

“You want Jane to help? Seriously?” Cara asked, as if assisting in mixing brownie batter were somehow akin to neurosurgery.

“Hey! I resent that.”

“No seriously, are you helping?” Cara asked Jane.

“Yes, I am. I’ve already learned about unsweetened chocolate. You should know that I wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”

“I know. I really wish that there were marshmallows, though. You know they’re my favorite. Oh well,” Cara joked. “I’ll live.”

“Fine. If you don’t want me to help, I won’t help,” Jane said. “I’d much rather keep my clothes clean anyway. Too bad yours are already a mess.” Jane dunked her hand in the bag of flour and flung a small amount at Cara, knowing full well that she couldn’t get up from her chair.

“Oh my God. You did not just do that. I’m an invalid. You can’t throw flour at me!” Cara said, shocked that Jane would have the audacity to attack her when she was immobile.

“Except, I think I can,” Jane said, flinging another handful of flour in her direction. “Oops, I think I got some on your pants now, too.”

“I’m going to kill you!” Cara said, cracking a groggy smile.

“I think that’s going to be difficult, seeing as you can’t move.”

“Here!” Meg said as she grabbed the bowl she’d poured flour in and brought it over to Cara. “Use this!”

“You’re arming her? Whose side are you on?” Jane asked.

“Every man for himself. And next time I ask you to bring something, you better not forget!”

“Fine, then! This is war!” Jane stuck both her hands in the flour and threw it at Meg, causing white powder to cover the kitchen counters, floors, and appliances. They’d turned Cara’s kitchen into the PG version of Scarface.