Crackerjack II

Chpt. 26: Normality in the Hospital

The bright colors of Angie's place, seemingly renewed each visit, greeted them as soon as they opened the door. As Kristen breathed deeply of the delicious smells, the combination of tensions from training and Ernold eased.

Angie glanced up from behind her desk. "How's Ernold?" she said without prelude.

Kristen exchanged a glance with Amelia. "You heard 'bout that?"

"About the near death of one of my favorite customers? Of course!"

Amelia slipped a list of drinks from the desk. "Yeah, he's fine."

"Ish," Kristen added.

Angie leaned back. "That's good to hear." Her mouth twitched. "From the way you were studying that order list, I thought he might've died and you were in deep grief."

Amelia blinked, then smiled self-consciously. "Oh, sorry. Can we get a honeydew with blueberry?" She glanced at Kristen. "Two of them."

"Going easy on my stores today, huh?"

"Well, we still want one for Ernold. Taro."

Angie sighed dramatically. "Only because he's in the med tent, I'll do it. But tell him it's the last until my next run."

"Will do."

As Angie prepared the drinks, Kristen leaned over to Amelia.

"Are you sure he should be drinkin' this? It might be bad for him. Bein' hurt and all, I mean."

"He's not dying." Amelia eagerly accepted the drinks. "And if he was, he'd take on sip of this and be right as rain."

"Scientifically proven." Angie braced her elbows against the desk. "So did Serendipity really drag him under?"

Kristen choked on her second delicious sip. "Good grief, no!"

"Yeah!" Amelia indignantly slammed her cup on the desk. "Serendipity is probably the only one in the school who's never tried to kill him!"

Angie raised her hands. "Okay! Alright! I was just wondering if the rumors were true."

Kristen shook her head.

Amelia grinned and picked up her drink, reaching for Ernold's, as well. "That's what we came for: to satisfy your curiosity about the random rumors flying around."

Angie laughed. "I figured. Tell Ernold those drinks are me checking in."

"Does that mean we get them free?" Amelia raised her eyebrows.

"Hmm." Angie tapped her chin. "I guess so, but only this once."

Kristen held the door for Amelia. "What if he almost dies again? Not that I'm plannin' anythin', but would we get another free round?"

"Kristen!" Angie laughed "You have been hanging around those two weirdos for too long!"

On the way back, both girls chatted about things other than Ernold's situation. Kristen admitted it was nice to put aside worries for a time. Maybe this was why people liked social activities.

They were about to enter the med tent when Amelia hissed and whirled around in the doorway.

"What is it?" Kristen's eyes darted around. "What's wrong?"

Amelia stretched the corners of her mouth downward. "Lorrie's in there."

"So?"

"So these little cups of deliciousness aren't approved medical supplies. Technically."

Kristen hummed. She wasn't ready to throw away half a cup of juice, even if they didn't pay this time. 

"Okay, I have a plan."