Crash (Sequel to Unexpected)

As If I'm A Child

The time in the hospital drags along. Except for a brief visit from Andy before her shift and a quick visit from her husband, Daniel, I’ve been alone. Nurses have filtered in and out to check my vitals and give me pain meds. The doctor stopped by twice so far but nothing else. It’s already nearing three o’clock and they haven’t even mentioned my release. Just as I’m having this thought, the doctor strolls in.
“Hello, Miss Knight, how are you feeling?”
“A little dizzy and queasy.”
He makes notes on his clipboard, scribbling in the stereotypical doctor handwriting.
“Any pain?”
“My ribs and head. Other than that, none.”
“As you know, you have a few bruised ribs from the steering wheel so pain is to be expected. Your head injury, besides the concussion, is superficial and should heal in about a week. Pain is to be expected from there, also. No new pain? Has it escalated?”
I hate the way he talks. It’s as if I’m a child and I don’t know that injuries can cause pain. I think some good old common sense can piece together how I sustained the injuries, too.
“No escalation and no new pain.”
He jots down something and takes a second to think before he speaks again.
“I’ll have someone bring you papers for your release. You can leave as soon as you finish them. Check up with your primary doctor if you develop any new symptoms or the pain becomes unbearable.”
“Thank you.”
He nods and leaves the room. I grab my phone and shoot Andy a text asking if she can pick me up later. Then, I lay back on the bed and wait for the nurse to bring in the papers.