Maybe Later(65)

How would I go on without her? Will we continue playing games online and having a platonic relationship as Amy and Jackson, if Emmeline breaks up with me? Which one of them is the real deal and do either of them want to be with me? As I walk through the corridors of the market, my phone buzzes with an incoming text.



Em: Hey, I got your text. Maybe we can talk tonight. I’m been on the ER for the last couple of hours.



The ER? Did something happen to the cat?



Jack: Em, are you okay?





*



Saturday, June 4th, 11:38 a.m.



Em: I’m sorry to ask this, but I need someone to come and pick me up. Apparently leaving in an Uber isn’t allowed since I have a light concoction.

Jack: It’s called a concussion.

Em: I knew that. Anyway, I hate hospitals, and I don’t want to stay the night here. You only have to check me out. I have an Uber waiting for me.

Jack: Send me the address, I’ll be there as soon as I can.



Jack: Hey, can we exchange apartments for the weekend.

Jason: Why?

Jack: I need it for Emmeline, she had a concussion. Her apartment is too small, and I’m sure she’s going to try to work if she’s at home.

Jason: Take her to your place.

Jack: She knows where I live.

Jason: Sorry man, I can’t. My weekend date is here.



I sprint toward my car, rush through the streets of Denver, and arrive at the hospital within eight minutes. I enter through the emergency room and go toward the hall she described in her text and stop at room seven.

“You have a cast,” I say staring at her wrist.

“It’s a clean break,” the doctor who sits by her side explains. “We set the bone and it should heal within four to six weeks.”

He turns to look at Emmeline, giving her a business card. “Call me if you experience any discomfort. If you experience any vomiting, nausea, or the headache worsens, you have to come back immediately.”

“Thank you,” she whispers.

The doctor looks at me and says, “the nurse will give you a list of things you have to do. We’d rather keep her here, but she insists she’ll be fine at home. Just monitor her until Monday, please.”

I nod pretending to understand why we’re leaving. I’d rather keep her in the hospital and not move from her side.

Once the doctor leaves, she says, “Don’t worry.” Her voice is soft, like a whisper. “I have everything under control. Just bail me out of here.”

Instead of answering, I go to her and hold her in my arms.

“You should’ve called me as soon as this happened,” I say trying not to sound angry.

It doesn’t take long for the nurse to arrive and discharge Emmeline. She gives me a list of questions I have to ask, instructions on how to take care of her, and symptoms to look for.

“She has to stay away from monitors, loud noises, and crowded places for the next week,” the nurse explains.

“The doctor said only a couple of days,” Emmeline protests but flinches immediately.

“Refill the medication before you go home, so you don’t leave her alone,” the nurse continues and hands me a pen. “Sign here and here.”

Emmeline rises from the bed and thanks the nurse for her help.

“Thank you for coming,” she says,

She takes the paper from me and keeps walking toward the exit.

“I felt like I wasn’t going to make bail. Would you mind if we talk when I’m feeling better?”

She drops the papers as she’s trying to check her phone and grunts in frustration.

“What happened?” I ask picking up the papers for her.

“I was run over by a scooter,” she answers. “You know those scooters that you can ride downtown. Some idiot ran over me. I can’t remember much about it, suddenly I was riding in an ambulance, and there were a bunch of people asking me questions.”

“Jesus, Emmeline,” I say. I’m angry at whoever hurt her and the fact that she was fucking alone for the past three or four hours. “Why didn’t you call me before?”

“My Uber is here, thank you for coming,” she says faintly.

I roll my eyes, give her the papers I just recovered from the floor, and pick her up in my arms.

“This counts as our third fight,” I warn her and keep walking toward my car.

“When was the second one?” she yawns, resting her head against my chest and closes her eyes.

I pick up her prescription, take her to my house, and make sure she’s in bed before I text Jared from Emmeline’s phone.



Emmeline: This is Jack. Emmeline was in an accident. She won’t be able to go home for a couple of days. Can you keep an eye on Sushi and Ramen?

Jared: God, is she okay? Of course, I can take care of the cats and anything else she might need.

Emmeline: Thank you.





Chapter Thirty-Three





Emmeline


Saturday, June 4th, 5:16 p.m.



“Em,” I hear the deep voice call me. “Sweetheart, you have to wake up, or I’m going to have to take you back to the hospital.”

I can’t open my eyes. Why do I want to wake up when I’m in heaven? I’ve never slept in a cloud before. Fluffy bedding, Jack’s scent, and soft music.