"Look, it's not even five yet," Michelle said. "We'll head to the Bean then maybe grab a bite to eat afterwards. Come on, it'll be a blast."

Grace debated for a few seconds. "All right, but no Linda," she said. "She looks at me like I'm dinner."

"Deal," Michelle said. "Come on, June's waiting for me at the car." As they approached the beat-up hatchback, Grace saw June sitting on the hood, cigarette in mouth and a soda bottle with the label torn off in her hand.

"Hey, sexy," June said when she saw her.

"Hi, June," Grace said. "This thing runs?"

"Sure does," June said, patting the hood. "I had the engine souped up a bit. Purrs like a kitten or Michelle after a good night."

Always has to bring up sex, Grace thought. "I wouldn't know."

"I would," June said with a grin. She pulled the lever, flipping the driver's seat forward. "Climb in."

Grace looked at Michelle but seeing no concern on her face, squeezed into the small back seat. She reached between the seat bottom and back for the belt. "Where's the seat belt?"

"I don't know," Michelle said as she shut the passenger door.

"Don't worry about it," June said, starting the engine, then pressing the accelerator down several times. "I'm an excellent driver." She took the comer sharply, barely missing a cyclist. "Hey, after the Bean we can go over to the Brew and Beef. They've got the best steaks around."

"Don't you have to be twenty-one to get in there?" Grace asked. "I'm only nineteen."

June took her eyes off the road and looked at her lover. "She worries too much, doesn't she?"

"You only have to be twenty-one if you're at the bar," Michelle said. "If we sit in the back, we can usually get someone to bring us a few drinks."

"Watch the road," Grace said as they flew under the light just as it turned red. "The Bean is fine but I’ll pass on the Brew and Beef." She was nervous enough about June's driving without having to worry about her being intoxicated behind the wheel.

"Suit yourself," June said, taking another comer with enough speed to send Grace hard against the door. "Hey, Grace, you ever been to Gary's Go-Karts?"

“Oh we have to go," Michelle said. "You'll love it. They've got the greatest go-karts around and they just got a new foosball game in the arcade."

Carey rolled over and fumbled for the phone, finding it before the third ring. "Hello?"

"Miss Carey? This is Richard Waters."

The tone of his voice was enough to bring Carey to full wakefulness. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry to call so late." She heard a shuddering breath before he continued. "The hospital called...she's been in an accident."

"Oh God," Carey said. "How bad?"

“I don’t know." The pain and fear in his voice matched her own. "She was brought in by ambulance and the woman said...she said they were working on her."

"Mr. Waters, which hospital? The medical center?"

"Yes. The nurse said I need to get there b-but the airport's snowed in."

"Don't worry," Carey said as she stripped off her pajamas. "I'll get there as fast as I can and call you as soon I find out anything."

"I don't know her mother's number."

"Maybe the school had it on file for her," Carey said, pulling her jeans on. "If not we might have it here in the old records."

"I can't get there," he said just before there was a click on the line. "This could be the hospital. Hold on."

"Of course," she said, then heard a click as he switched over to pick up the call waiting. She took advantage to set the phone down and put her bra and shirt on, then put the receiver to her ear and sat down on the bed to put her socks on. Her mind raced with horrific images as she


feared the worst. Please be all right, Grace.

"Miss Carey?"

"Yes, I'm here," she said.

"That was Dr. Ma-I can't remember his name." There was another shuddering breath. "He's treating my daughter and I can't remember his name."

"It's all right," she said. "What did he say?"

"They're taking her for surgery."

"Surgery?" She fumbled with the laces on her sneakers.

She heard him move the phone away and sniffle. "She's bleeding inside."

Carey covered her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'll call you as soon as I get there," she said.

"You have the number?"

"Yes," she said, shoving a small address book into her back pocket. "Grace gave it to me a while ago." She pulled her jacket off the hook and pushed one arm through the sleeve. "Mr. Waters, I'm sure she's going to be fine," she said, trying her best to sound convincing. "I'm leaving now."

"Okay. When you see her, you give her a big hug for me."

"I will," she said. "Good-bye." Hitting the button, she waited briefly for the dial tone, then with a trembling finger dialed another number. "Come on, come on, answer," she said as she heard ring after ring.

"Hello?"

"Sue, it's Carey. I need you to cover morning formation and PT."

"Carey? It's...almost two in the morning."

"Grace was in an accident. I've got to go. Cover me in the morning." She hung up the phone, snatched her keys from the hook and headed out the door.

Carey moved quickly through the automatic doors of the emergency room and headed for the first nurse she saw. "Excuse me, they brought a friend of mine in. Grace Waters."

"Are you family?"

"A friend of the family. Her father's stuck in Alaska. He called me to come down."

"Just a moment," the nurse said, turning and typing some information into the computer. "She's still in recovery," she said. "You can wait over there. I'll let the doctor know someone is here for her."

"Hey there," Carey said, when she saw Grace's eyes flutter open. "It's about time you woke up. You gave us quite a scare." She reached down and used her fingers to brush Grace's hair back. "Your dad's snowed in."

"It hurts," Grace said, wincing as she shifted.

“Easy," Carey said. "You just had major surgery."

"I'm glad you're here," she said, blue eyes locking with brown.

"Think I'd let you go through this all alone?" Realizing what she was doing with her hands, Carey stopped playing with the short blonde locks and gripped the bed rails.

"What happened?"

"You were in a car accident," Carey said. "The doctor said you must not have been wearing a seat belt."

"Car?" She shook her head. "I don't remember."

"You were with two girls," Carey said. "Michelle something..."

"Michelle Blake?"

"That's it," Carey said. "I don't remember the other girl's name."

"June?"

"Could be. I really wasn't paying attention to that part," Carey said. "I was more worried about you."

"Are they okay?"

Carey reached down and took the teen's hand in hers, careful of the tubing. "Their injuries were minor compared to yours," she said. "They've already been released."

"I can't remember any of it," Grace said, holding her hand up to look at the IV tube sticking out of it, but refusing to release Carey's fingers. "I really did it this time, didn't I?"

"You're alive," Carey said. "That's what matters. Grace, you were thrown around pretty good. You broke two ribs and ruptured your spleen." She took comfort in feeling Grace's hand squeezing hers after hours of being still while she waited for Grace to regain consciousness. "You were in shock by the time they got you here."

"Ruptured?" She licked her lips. "Doesn't sound good. Can I have some water?"

"I don't know," Carey said, reaching for the nurse button. "It's not good, but it could have been much worse. They had to remove it."

Grace closed her eyes. "That really doesn't sound good. What does the spleen do?"

"Helps fight infections and clean the blood," Carey said. "They're giving you antibiotics through the IV." She pointed at the small bag piggybacked to the larger bag of fluids.

"Carey?" Her voice sounded small and scared, making Carey want to take the young woman in her arms and protect her from harm. "Can I live without a spleen?"

"Yes," Carey said, rubbing her thumb over the back of Grace's hand. "The doctor said you'd be more susceptible to infections but after a while your other organs will compensate and that problem will be minimal." She reluctantly released Grace's hand and moved out of the way as the nurse came in. "She wants some water."

"I'll check her chart," the nurse said, glancing at the monitor mounted on the wall. "Miss Waters, how are you feeling?"

"Tired," Grace said. "Everything hurts."

"I'll check to see what pain medicines you're allowed," the nurse said, picking up the clipboard hooked to the foot of the bed. "I'll let the doctor know you're awake as well."

Carey kept her vigil by Grace’s side throughout the rest of the night and into the next morning, getting up only to get more coffee and to use the restroom. It was now approaching noon and the lack of sleep was catching up to her as the yawns became more frequent. Still, any movement brought Carey to full alertness. "Shh, easy now," Carey said, gently touching Grace's forehead as the teen groaned in pain.

"Hurts.”

"I know," Carey said. "They said the pain would come and go for a little while."

"Tell it to go."

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No!" Grace opened her eyes and tried to sit up.

"Easy," Carey said, pressing on Grace's shoulder to get her to lie back down. "Relax. I'll stay for a while longer."

"Promise?"

"I promise." She turned her head at the sound of people entering the room.