Save Me - Lisa Scottoline [138]
“But I don’t know any kids who ride. Nobody in my class does.”
“Kids do it everywhere, like those girls at the barn. You’d have a great time.”
“What if the kids make fun of me, at school?”
“If they do, you can deal with it. If they tease you, try not to let it bother you.” Rose thought of what Mo had said. “Keep your head up and go forward. Tell yourself, trot on. So what do you say? Wanna give it a try?”
“Think I can do it?”
“I know you can, honey,” Rose answered, without hesitation. She heard Leo’s footsteps on the staircase, and turned. “Hey, honey. You up here for another good-night kiss?”
“Leo!” Melly called out. “I’m going to take riding lessons!”
“That’s great!” Leo entered holding John, then leaned close to Rose’s ear. “Phone for you, babe. It’s Eileen, about Amanda.”
Chapter Eighty-five
Rose walked down the glistening hospital corridor, holding Melly’s hand. Amanda had come out of her coma and been moved from Intensive Care, though she’d developed motor problems in her left arm and was recovering her memory only slowly. Eileen had asked them to stop by on Sunday afternoon, and Rose was hoping it was a good idea.
“You okay, Mel?”
“Fine.” Melly held their gift under her arm. “Are you giving her the present or am I?”
“You decide. You picked it out, but I’m happy to give it to her and say that.”
“I’ll give it to her.”
“Good.” Rose squeezed her hand. “She doesn’t remember everything and she might not look very good, but she’s going to get better, very slowly. She won’t be back at school until the end of the year.”
“Does she remember putting the jelly on her cheek?”
Rose flinched. “I don’t know.”
“Who’s going to be there, visiting her? Any kids from my class? Danielle and Emily?”
“I don’t think so, but I’m not sure.”
Melly fell silent.
“You worried, Mel?”
“I’m trotting on.”
Rose burst into laughter, and Melly giggled, releasing the tension. The hallway was empty, and the air smelled vaguely antiseptic. People talked in low tones in one room, and a football game played on a TV in another. They reached Amanda’s room, where the door was propped open. Rose knocked on the jamb and peeked inside. “Any Gigots around?”
“Rose!” Eileen got up from her chair by the bed, and Amanda was awake under the covers, her head still bandaged and her face pale. She was hooked up to an IV, and her blue eyes were sleepy.
“Hi, Ms. McKenna.” Amanda’s voice sounded weak. “Hi, Melly.”
“So good to see you both.” Eileen came around the foot of the bed, looking relaxed in a sweatshirt and jeans, with light makeup and her hair in fluffy curls.
“I’m so glad Amanda is better.”
“Thanks.” Eileen nodded, her eyes shining, and she looked down at Melly. “Thanks for coming this afternoon. Amanda really wanted to see you.”
“Why?” Melly asked, and Rose tried not to laugh.
“Good question.” Eileen turned to Amanda. “Amanda, why don’t you tell Melly why you wanted to see her?”
“I’m going home in two or three weeks and we’re going to have a big Halloween party. Do you want to come?”
“Okay,” Melly answered, her tone wary. She stepped to the bed and held out the present. “We got this for you.”
“Thanks.” Amanda took the gift with her right hand, though her left arm didn’t move, apparently limp. “My arm and hand don’t work right anymore. My brain didn’t get enough oxygen, and I have to do rehab.”
Rose felt a stab of sympathy, and Eileen moved to help her, but Melly beat her to it, and the two girls began to unwrap the package with much fussing, ripping, and eventually, giggling. Behind them, Eileen and Rose exchanged relieved and happy smiles. Never before had such significance been projected onto the unwrapping of a gift, as if it could lead to world peace.
“Cool!” Amanda became animated, holding up the present, an American Girl book.