Anger Management

Chapter 47: Fractured Bones and Fractured Thoughts

"Seriously! I can't believe you've been sitting out here for over an hour." My moms angry voice rumbles beside me making my eyes roll to the back of my head for the umpteenth time. She had gotten here not even five minutes ago, and she already managed to harass the receptionist and make the pain in my leg worse. I knew it was going to be like a storm once she arrived but still, she always manages to surprise me.

"How are you holding up sweetie?" Her hands came to rest on my knee, her concerned mom mode activated. I place my hand on top of hers giving her a small smile.

"I'm okay mom. I promise. The school nurse already told me it shouldn't be too bad." She exhales a sigh of release resting her head on the wall behind us.

"I was so worried when I got that call. Also, if you're injured you call more than once. You call until I pick up. You got that?" She scolds me and I quickly nod not wanting to face any of her fire. She then sits there staring silently at my face before a pout forms on her face, her eyes welling with tears. Oh god here we go.

"My poor baby!" My mother begins to wail, pulling me into a hug. I try to comfort her while also ignoring the stares we were getting from those around us. I knew she had been worried, she kept spam texting me after I managed to get back to her, so much so to the point where I called her because I was concerned, she was texting and driving. Ashter had been witness to her sobs and worries, not even the lowest volume setting being quiet enough for her cries. Even when she had gotten here, she was frantic yelling about and only calmed down a smidge when Ashter had spoken to her before leaving.

"Ms. Knowles?" I hear our last name get called out and my eyes scan the room spotting the nurse holding the clipboard.

"Mom. Mom!" I yell after she continues to clutch onto me. "Let's go, they're calling for me!" I tell her and she quickly separates herself, wiping her face and grabbing her bag.

"About time!" She exclaims, helping me out of the chair. "Do you have any idea how long my baby has been sitting out here. You all should be very ashamed." All I can do is wobble across the room hoping that no one is paying any attention. The nurse only nodded his head helping to escort me.

As soon as we are separated from the chaotic waiting room it calms down a little bit. There were still sounds of people in pain, but the arguing and constant coughing wasn't as bad. They wheel me into a room, helping me onto the bed before administering some simple checks that my mom watches closely the entire time. After realizing that everything else is in order they inform us that a doctor will be with us soon for the x-ray. The curtain swooshes shut behind them and my mom rubs my head comforting me as I finally feel myself relax a little. I close my eyes, the pain slowly diminishing thanks to the painkillers they gave me. Instead, I start to feel the exhaustion take its place.

"Honey." I hear my mom's voice call out to me. I respond with a simple hmm the feeling of her hand on my hair plus the pain meds really mellowing me out. "Are you going to explain to me why Ashter was here? You know I had to promise him a home cooked meal since he helped you." I inwardly groaned, having completely forgotten that they ran into each other and had a whole conversation before Ashter left.

I open my eyes back up, slightly readjusting myself before letting out a sigh.

"He did help me mom. I mean truth be told I'm the reason I am in this predicament, but he helped me get here from school. So, trust me when I say the home cooked meal is called for." She nods at me, a serious look in her eye as she seems to analyze my tone to what I had said.

"Well, are you all back on good terms? Did you discuss what happened?"

"Mom-"

"Hey! I am only asking because well, I don't want to see you curled up in your bed again." She explains to me grabbing onto my hand with both of hers. "You're my baby. My only one, and whether you want to realize it or not, your pain is my pain." I feel my heart swell when she says that the look of unconditional love pouring out of her. I place my free hand on top of hers that were clasped around mine and I smile.