Asher's Heart

Chapter 41

Bright white light blinded me for a moment as the doctor checked my eyes. I blinked several times to clear my vision.

"Everything looks good," he nodded to himself. "You'll be up and walking in no time!" he said to me, his face crinkling as he smiled.

I tried to smile back, but it was difficult when your whole body was in pain. I was propped up with the help of a few pillows. I tried to shift to make myself comfortable.

"Hey Doc?" my voice came out hoarse.

He hummed as he went through some reports.

"When exactly can I go home?"

He looked up from the report and smiled again. "Let's cross that bridge when we get there, shall we?"

I narrowed my eyes and thought he smiled way too much.

"Don't worry about that."

I turned my gaze to my dad. For the first time he looked old. Older than he actually was. He had dark circles and he face was covered in stubble.

"Hey dad," I tried to wave with my unharmed left hand, but that too was sore.

He sat on the bed, facing me and his eyes roamed my face. He expression held so much pain it made me feel guilty.

"You're grounded." It was the first thing he said and it made me chuckle. The Doctor tried to hide his smile behind my file.

"I'm serious, Ellie Kate Anderson. As soon as we get back home I'm gonna lock you in your room." Damn right he was.

"Sure, dad," I couldn't stop smiling even when tears started flowing down my cheeks.

"Oh Pumpkin, I was so worried," he reached out his arms as if to hug me, but changed his mind at the last moment, probably thinking that would hurt me.

"I'm sorry," I sniffled.

He wiped my tears and caressed my head, avoiding the spot where it was wrapped in bandages.

"Mr. Anderson, I would like to go through some things with you," the doctor gestured to the door. Dad squeezed my shoulder and muttered an apology when I winced before following him outside.

I closed my eyes and tried to rest, a hundred thoughts swirling around my mind. All centered around the same thing.

A click of the door made me open my eyes again and there he was. What was he doing here?

He covered the distance in three large strides and stopped near the head of the bed. A dark purple bruise covered the left side of his face.

"Hi," he murmured in a quiet voice.

I didn't say anything.

He seemed to not know what to do. He looked at the chair kept beside the bed, but deciding against it sat on the bed where dad had sat earlier, careful not to disturb anything that was attached to me and the machines.

"How are you?" he asked with careful eyes.

I looked at him in confusion.

"What happened?" Some of the hoarseness had cleared out of my voice.

"You don't remember?"

I just stared at him.

"We were in an accident," he sighed.

"We? What was I doing with you?" I asked, watching him with thin slits.

Color drained from his face. He reached for me, but I winced even before he touched me. He retreated his hand.