Analise

Chapter Thirteen

"Can't I eat jello or something?" Taylor asks annoyed that she's still on ice chips.

"Tomorrow you can." The nurse says and Taylor huffs.

"Hey, in two days you're out of here." Layla reminds her.

"Yeah, and we can go to our next stop." She says and Layla smiles unsure of what's going to happen. "I'm not broken, I can still walk and be in a car." She says and Layla nods.

"But it might not be good for you to do." She reminds. Taylor shakes her head.

"I'll be fine and Dad said he's fine with it as long as Leland stays with me and we both know he won't be leaving my side." She says and Layla nods again.

"We'll see." She says and Taylor lays her head back on the pillows.

"I can't wait to get out of this place and go where I want to go." She says and closes her eyes.

***

"Well the doctor said-"

"I know." Taylor waves her hand at her mother.

"Ok, we love you and if there is anything you guys need just call us. Taylor if something hurts you'd better speak up." She says in a warning voice.

"I will love you." She says back. Her mom bends down and gives her a hug.

"You keep an eye on her." She says to Leland. Leland smiles and nods before giving her a hug. "And no running with her in the wheelchair." She says as Leland begins pushing Taylor into the parking lot.

"Should I freak mom out a bit?" He says in a whisper. Taylor nods. Leland begins to jog while pushing Taylor. They hear their mother's yells and laugh. Leland slows down and looks back to see his Dad trying to calm her down. "Have fun Dad." He yells and Taylor laughs.

"So, where are we going to go now?" Taylor asks and Leland smiles.

"Mississippi." He says and she smiles.

"Finally." She says and he laughs.

"The hospital isn't that bad." Taylor turns towards him and glares. "What?"

"You don't understand the half of it."

"Well, now you're going to be stuck in a van for 11 hours with weirdos." He reminds her.

"That's ok, I'm still drugged up on pain meds and have a whole bottle." She says causing Leland to start laughing.

When they get to the van he helps her in against her wishes. "I can walk just fine." She says and he closes the door for her. She rolls her eyes and buckles herself.

"Ok, so everyone wanted to give you like a surprise party thing when we got back." He says and Taylor looks at him with nervousness. "But Layla and I told them that you just wanted everything to be normal, aka why she's still at the hotel and not here. She wanted to make sure none of them did anything."

Taylor nods her head. "Thanks." She says fidgeting with her hands.

"It's ok you know," Leland says glancing over at her.

"I know, just wish I wouldn't...like get so.."

"I know and we're getting there. You're getting better at being in public." He says and she nods and wipes her eyes.

"Don't know why I'm crying." She says with an airy laugh.

"The doctor did say you'd be more emotional with the medication." He says and she nods.

"Awesome." She mumbles. They're both quiet the rest of the way back to the hotel. Taylor walks back up to the room and they keep the wheelchair in the van.