Chapter 31
After finishing the conference, thanking Mr. Bannerman repeatedly to the point he sent me away, Lisa and I settled into our room. She had a good conversation with the Harvard rep too. She’s been locked in the bathroom on the phone with Bella for the last hour giving me ample time to video call my mom. There was screaming, dancing, and a promise to celebrate as soon as I get home. No answer from Ben. I check my messages and there isn’t a text either. I’m starting to worry by the time curfew hits. He’s supposed to pick me up in the morning.
Laying down to sleep I shoot a text to Alyssa to see if Brody has heard from him. As soon as the message hits delivered my phone rings and Alyssa’s contact picture flashes on the screen. I answer immediately.
“Hey Alyssa. What”s up?” I ask.
“Amelia, where are you?” Her voice is serious. My stomach plummets.
“I”m in my hotel room. Why?”
“Are you alone?” she asks. Something is wrong. It has to be.
“No, Lisa is with me. Why?” At the mention of her name Lisa sits up in bed and mouths ‘Are you okay?’ to me. I shrug.
“Okay. I’m going to tell you something and you can”t freak out or try to rush home.” Alyssa continues.
“Alyssa, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong? Is it Grace? Is Ben okay?” This is bad, I can feel it.
“No Grace is fine.” she answers. Relief washes over me. “Ben was in an accident.” The panic takes over.
“What do you mean he was in accident? Where? Where is he? If he is okay? Why didn”t he answer the phone?” Lisa gets out of bed and comes over to me.
“I promise he’s going to be okay.” She tries to comfort me. Going to be is not the same as is. “He was on his bike coming home from the treatment center. A kid ran a red light and hit him.” The world starts to spin. “He broke his arm and had to have surgery on his wrist, which is where he is now. Nothing is life-threatening.”
“What hospital?” My body starts moving faster than my mind can process. I’m up and pulling my suitcase out.
“Amelia, you can”t come in the middle of the night. It will be safer for you to wait until the morning. Ben asked us not to tell you until after your presentation.” Her words stop me in my tracks. My boyfriend gets hit by a car, breaks his arm, has to have surgery and was worried about my presentation! I’m going to kill him, then kiss him, then more murder.
“Alyssa, what hospital? I can go wake Mr. Bannerman up or I can get on a bus. I’ll Uber there if I have to.” I exclaim.
“He’s at Briarwood Memorial. Don’t try and Uber. It’s a four-hour drive. Give me some time and I’ll work something out.” she says.
“Fine but if you don”t call me back in 30 minutes, I”m getting an Uber.” What I would give to be able to click my heels three times right now.
I didn”t get an Uber. Alyssa called my mom. It took her and Lisa trying to calm me down before Lisa gave up and went and got Mr. Bannerman. She very persuasively got him to agree to drive us back. The whole car ride is a blur. I vaguely remember Lisa patting my hand telling me it was going to be okay. She isn”t very good at comfort, but I appreciate her snapping into action and getting me back to Briarwood.
Mom meets us in the parking lot of the hospital. I collapse in her arms but quickly collect myself to go inside. I’m met in a waiting room by Brody and Alyssa. Ben’s dad having just left to go update his mom in person. Grace is probably out of her mind. She can”t risk catching anything by coming to the hospital.
When I arrive, it’s all hugs and they both assured me the surgery went well. They say I can go back and see him, but I’m nervous. Mom asks if I want her to go with me. I opt to leave her in the lobby.
I regret the decision when I see him in the bed. He has a cut over his left eye, and I notice bruises all over. His arm is wrapped in gauze and his curls are tossed even crazier than normal. Tears start streaming as I approach his bed. He looks frail. Weak. His usual smile lays hidden behind a flat line on his mouth. Ben”s eyes open slowly, then a half smile peaks out. He tries to move and winces.
“Hey Dorothy. Guess what? I fought a tornado. It won.” I laugh. Ben is high. God, I love him. Pause. I do. I love Ben.