The Summer That Changed Me

Chapter 7

I make my way to the waiting room and see Braden waiting for me. I walk over to him and try to force a smile.

"Hey Braden."

"Hey Liv, how's he doing?"

"They're gonna release him in a little bit and we're gonna bring him to Sandy's to live with her for a little bit."

"Alright. I'll wait here with you."

"You'll have to...you're my ride home buddy."

I curl up in my chair to fall asleep and rest my head on the side of Braden's chair. I doze off, and a little bit later Braden wakes me up.

"Hey Livvy, the nurse is here with Cory."

I jump up when I hear Cory's name and look at the nurse and smile as I wipe my eyes from sleeping.

"Alright Olivia, we have Cory ready for you."

"Sweet! Do I need to sign him out or anything?"

"Well, since you're under the age of 18, but you're his sister you don't have to since he's leaving with family. You are his sister, right?"

"Um, mhm."

I can't believe Braden actually fooled the nurses that I'm Cory's sister! Cory wheels himself out in his wheelchair and stops in front of me.

"Hey Livvy. I'm coming home with you tonight."

I smile at Cory. What would I have done if he died? I don't even know... I can't believe I used to think he was annoying and I never paid attention to him all these years. Everyone has a story and I didn't even stop to consider Cory's.

"Yeah. Are you ready to go yet?"

"Mmmm hmmm."

"Wait, why do you need a wheelchair?"

"Oh the doctors don't think I'm stable enough to walk on my own, I have a sprain in one of the muscles in my leg but I have crutches so I'm okay."

Cory smiles at me and I smile back. At this point, Braden clears his throat and I look his way and introduce Cory to him.

"Cory, this is my friend Braden. He's gonna drive us home."

"Hey. Nice to meet ya."

Braden smiles and looks at Cory.

"Nice to meet ya too dude."

I walk over to Cory's wheelchair and push him out through the front doors. When we get to the car, I sort of wonder how we're gonna get Cory in.

"Ummm, hey Braden?"

"Yeah?"

"How're we gonna get Cory in the car?"

"Like this..."

Braden makes his way over to Cory and lifts him out of his wheelchair and I run over to the car and open the back passenger door for him.

"Olivia, fold the wheelchair up so we can slide it in beside him."

I fold the wheelchair in half and go to the other side of the car and put it in the back beside Cory. Then I go over to where Cory is sitting and I buckle him in. I smile and sit in the front passenger seat and buckle up, then wait for Braden to pull out.

"You guys ready?!"

"Yeah!," Cory and I reply in unison.

Braden buckles up and pulls away. I turn the radio onto my favorite country station and kick back and start to sing.