FRACTURE
LUKE
The drive to the hospital was tense, the silence punctuated only by Sarah’s occasional sharp intake of breath and the hum of the truck’s engine. I glanced at her leg, propped awkwardly on the dash, the towel still wrapped around the cut. Her tears had dried, but the occasional sniffle was enough to keep me on edge.
Pulling out my phone, I hit Josh’s number on speed dial. He picked up on the second ring.
“Yo, where are you guys?” Josh’s voice boomed through the speaker.
“Change of plans,” I said, keeping my tone even. “Sarah had an accident in the pool house. Shelf tipped over, her leg’s pinned- looks like an ankle sprain. I’m taking her to the hospital.”
“What the hell? Is she okay?” Josh asked, concern laced in his voice.
“She’s fine,” I replied quickly, not wanting to make a big deal of it. “Just being cautious. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Alright,” Josh said after a pause. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Will do.” I hung up and scrolled to Jess’s name in my contacts, hitting dial.
The phone rang endlessly before going to voicemail. I groaned,
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gripping the wheel tighter.
“Everything okay?” Sarah asked sweetly, glancing at me.
“Yeah,” I muttered.
When we finally reached the hospital, I parked the truck and walked around to her side. Sarah waited expectantly, not even attempting to open the door. With a resigned sigh, I opened it and helped her out, keeping my hands steady as she leaned heavily on me.
Inside the emergency department, the harsh fluorescent lights. did nothing for my headache. I set Sarah down on a waiting chair and grabbed the clipboard of paperwork from the front. desk, handing it to her.
“Fill this out,” I said.
Sarah gave me a wide–eyed look. “Luke, I can’t write like this- my hands are shaking.”
I stared at her for a moment before letting out a sharp breath and setting the clipboard on her lap. “You’ll figure it out.”
A nurse came by shortly after, whisking Sarah away to the back. I dropped into one of the uncomfortable waiting room chairs, pulling out my phone again.
This time, Jess picked up after a couple of rings.
“Hey,” she said, her voice soft.
“Hey,” I replied, leaning back in the chair and running a hand through my hair. “Look, there was an accident. Sarah hurt her ~ankle in the pool house. I’m at the hospital with her.”
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“What? Is she okay?” Jess asked, concern evident.
“She’s fine. Looks like a sprain, maybe worse, but nothing life- threatening. I’ll be back later,” I said, keeping my tone casual.
“Alright. Keep me updated, okay?”
“Will do. Love you,” I said automatically.
The words were barely out of my mouth when a doctor appeared in front of me, clipboard in hand.
“You can follow me sir.” He led me to the back, where Sarah
waited.
The doctor smiled. “I have an update about your wife.”
“Wife?” I repeated, frowning.
“Yes, the blonde woman. I just-” He cut himself off as Sarah waved enthusiastically from behind the partially drawn curtain in the back.
“Oh, no worries, Doc!” Sarah called out with a laugh. “It’s probably because we look like we should be married, right?”
She laughed again, and I clenched my jaw, stepping forward.
“She’s not my wife,” I corrected the doctor.
The doctor blinked, clearly thrown off. “Ah, my apologies. Follow me.”
He pulled back the curtain to reveal Sarah on the bed, her leg propped up with a splint. She was all smiles, as if this was a spa day and not a hospital visit.
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“Well,” the doctor said, glancing between us, “it’s a hairline fracture. There’s also a mild strain. Considering the mechanism. of injury, it’s almost like something struck the ankle to cause the fracture, but a heavy shelf could’ve done similar damage.”
He gave a slight shrug. “She’ll need a cast and crutches for about seven weeks, and a follow–up to ensure proper healing.”
“Of course,” Sarah said with a nod, her voice bubbly.
The doctor continued, “Try to stay off the foot as much as possible in the next few weeks.”
“I’m a nurse, so I know what to do, Doc,” Sarah said with a dazzling smile. “Thank you so much.”
After signing the necessary forms, Sarah hobbled out on her crutches, trailing behind me toward the truck.
I opened the door for her, watching as she struggled to maneuver her leg inside. She paused to catch her breath and shot me a saccharine smile.
“You’re such a lifesaver, Luke. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.
I slammed the door, hard enough to make her jump, before walking around to the driver’s side.
As I climbed in and started the engine, my thoughts raced. This was a complete disaster. With her injury, she wouldn’t be able to work, which meant she wouldn’t be moving out anytime soon.
This was a fucking shitshow.
