We waited for a long time in the emergency room lobby before Dad came out.
“I’m fine. They gave me some electrolytes and told me to take a couple days off and stay low. Have you heard anything about Flip?”
Mom shook her head. “Nothing. I don’t even know where they are.”
Dad shrugged. “Do you think we should take the kids home and wait for news there?”
“No. We need to stay here.” I saw Mom look over her shoulder, so I looked over there too. A policeman was walking over to talk to Mom.
“I’ll be right back,” she said.
Dad looked at me and Brady. “Have either of you seen a candy machine around here?”
“Let’s go find one!” Brady turned off his video game and started running down the hallway.
Dad grabbed my hand and pulled me out of my chair. “C’mon. The main lobby will be more fun than this place.”
I tried to eavesdrop when we passed Mom and the policeman, but Dad was pulling me too fast.
There was candy in the lobby. There were a couple more policemen too.
“Dad, why are there so many police around here?” I asked.
“It’s a big hospital. Just security, I guess.”
“Are we in Fresno?”
Brady smirked. “Duh.”
I pointed up. “Excuuuse me, but I came from the sky. How am I supposed to know where I am?”
“Yeah, we’re in Fresno, I think.” Dad grinned and shook his head. “Not sure what hospital, though.”
Brady scratched his head. “How come you don’t know? You’re the dad!”
“It’s been a weird day, buddy.”
“Well, I’m gonna find out.” I walked over to the front desk of the lobby. “Where am I?” I asked the kind-looking, older lady at the desk.
She laughed a little. “Community Regional. Fresno, California.”
“Thanks. I knew the California part. It’s just that I flew in.”
“Oh, that sounds exciting. Is everyone okay?”
“I hope so.” I looked down at the floor and shivered a little.
“Would you like a blanket?” The woman got up and pulled a brand-new, fluffy pink blanket out of a cupboard behind the desk. “You can keep it.”
It looked warm and cozy. “Sure.”
She came around the desk, opened the blanket up and wrapped it around me — even covering my head like a hood. “That should make you feel better.”
“It does. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Okay.”
I found a really comfortable couch right across from the nice lady’s desk, and I plopped down and picked up a teen magazine to read. When I opened it up, there I was, in a shoe ad, running at Fresno State.
“Ugh.” I put the magazine back, threw the blanket over my head, and closed my eyes. I felt like I could fall asleep. I actually started to drift off when I heard a man talking to the lady at the desk.
“Excuse me, ma’am? I’m looking for Flip Miller. I was told he was at this hospital.”
“Let’s see. Oh yes. He’s in ICU. Fourth floor.”
“Thanks.”
So Flip was in ICU. That didn’t sound good. I flashed back to the scene of him falling and my stomach cramped. I took the blanket off my head and watched as a man in a baseball cap and a blue sweatshirt headed toward the elevator.
The guy looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I’d seen him. Before I could figure it out, the elevator doors opened and he was gone.
Bob Hansen and Fawn came out of another elevator. They were smiling.
I grabbed my blanket and ran over to where Dad and Brady were sitting.
“Flip’s awake! And he’s talking. He can’t remember a thing about the fall. But he’s awake!” Fawn picked me up and spun me around.
“Thank God,” Dad said.
“Is he gonna be okay?” Brady asked. “I brought his camera.” Brady held up the old camera Flip had given him. I don’t know what that had to do with anything.
“He’s got a pretty severe concussion and a broken ankle, and they’re going to X-ray more body parts when he’s feeling better,” Bob said.
“Can I go see him?” Brady asked.
“No, honey, I’m afraid you’re not old enough.” Fawn said. “But you can go, Riley. He asked you to bring him some jerky.”
“Luuuucky!” Brady smacked me on the arm.
I actually felt a little sorry for Brady. “How about if I go in and take a picture of him for you?”
He handed me the camera and smiled a little. “Well . . . okay.” Huh, I expected him to whine.
“I guess we can all at least go up to the ICU waiting room. And maybe we can find your mom on the way.” Dad helped us gather our things, and we took off toward the elevator.
“We’ll meet you up there in a minute. We’re going to grab a milkshake or something.” Bob put his arm around Fawn, and they went to the cafeteria.