“My car? Is it totaled?” I look up at Marcus.
He doesn’t answer, just nods at me with haunted eyes.
“She’s awake!” Lyla says, coming into the room with her husband.
“I am. Has it been long?” I look around the room, but no one says anything.
“I can answer that question,” Dr. Jake William’s voice filters into the small room, now crowded with guests, one of which is still sitting in my bed like he owns me. “This isn’t exactly how I thought I’d see you today, but I am glad you’re awake. To answer your question, you’ve been out for about twelve hours. I can go into more details if you want, but…” the handsome doctor points to my daughter still on my lap, and I shake my head, understanding and appreciating his discretion.
“Thank you, Doctor. I’d appreciate having this conversation a little later if that’s ok.”
“Of course,” he nods, tucking my metal chart under his arm. “So, aside from waking up disoriented, how are you feeling?”
I smile politely at my coworker and shrug, “Doing ok, I guess.”
“Good. I’ll send Sally Ann in to check on you. Most of the staff have been waiting patiently for you to wake, but not too many visitors, ok? You really need to rest,” he says, looking around the room.
Willow bursts into the room at that exact moment, and I can’t help but laugh at her timing. Right now, she’s frantic. Plus, there’s nothing calm or subtle about my blue-haired friend.
“Oh my god, I was only gone for a quick shower. I swear I’ve been here the whole time… oh god, I’m gonna cry. I’m so sorry Grace.” She burst into tears as soon as she reaches me. Harmony still on my lap, she takes us both in a huge hug.
I rub her back to assure her. “I’m ok.”
Her face is clear of makeup as she wipes the tears away, looking at Harmony. “Yeah, I totally knew that,” she jokes for my daughter’s benefit, but when her eyes meet mine, I know my car accident really hit her hard. It’s a trigger for her, having survived a traumatic accident when she was a teenager.
“I’m ok, I promise. My head hurts, but that’s it. I don’t even feel my ankle, and that cast is gorgeous,” I wink at Harmony. Assuring her is my top priority, but I don’t want anyone to worry about me.
“I told Mr. Doctor that it had to be her favorite color,” Harmony chirps proudly.
“I bet you did, Ms. Sassy, and you did a great job,” Willow says, picking her up.
“Well, I’ll let you visit and send Sally Ann in shortly, but please take it easy,” Jake says, still looking concerned.
“I will, thanks.”
When he leaves, my coworkers take turns bursting in and out of my room with flowers, coffee, and my favorite snacks. It feels great to be showered with so much love, and it’s not just for me. Many of my friends bring small gifts for Harmony to help her keep busy under very boring circumstances. Hours pass with too much excitement until almost everyone leaves.
My Mom and Dean video call from the road. They packed up their RV and started this way after Marcus called to tell them what happened to me.
“I’m ok, guys. You don’t have to come out here right now. I’ll return to my old self as soon as I get out of here. No need to drop everything you’re doing this second.”
“Gracelin Marie Maddon, I know you are not suggesting I don’t come to take care of my daughter,” My mom says, and I can imagine her wringing her hands together with worry and hating that she’s so far from me. This isn’t new. When I decided to move out here, it was hard on all of us, mainly because I came here to get to know my biological father. Not because I didn’t love Dean, I do with all my heart. He’s always been my rock, the father figure I needed, and a far better man than I met when I arrived here in California, a naive country girl. Thomas Reed was not a good man. He may have had a hand in my conception, but that’s where his involvement stopped. The man made me schedule an appointment at his office and gave me, his blood, a mere twenty minutes of his precious time. I left as soon as he insulted my mom.
Sawyer Maddon is a lot of things, but none are bad. She’s the most amazing mother who gave my rowdy brothers and me the best life possible, growing up in rural Iowa.
“You know we just want to see you for ourselves. It would just make your mother and I rest easier if we could come to check on you,” Dean says, poking his head into view and making me smile.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Baby girl, if you don’t want us to come now, we understand.”
“No, we don’t.” My mother corrects him, and I can’t help but laugh. There is no way of keeping them from coming, and I honestly don’t want to try.
“You’re more than welcome but don’t come just to worry over me. I mean it.”
“Of course, dear. I just want to see you. You might be all grown up and handling this all yourself like everything else, but I would feel so much better to be able to see you. I won’t pester you, I swear,” Mom assures me.
Dad winks into the camera, both of us knowing damn well that Sawyer Maddon is the master of worrying, but she means well.