Jigsaw

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"Ugh!" I complain. "I hate this!"

Yesterday, Gabby, Chance and I all continued to hang out in the tent, playing cards and whatnot. They said that I should take it easy for today whilst I recovered from the anesthesia shot. I didn't disagree, though I was bummed because I wanted to make the first day really count.

At around 5:00pm, Chance helped me hobble back to my cabin for the night and Gabby went to get me dinner.

I slightly wanted to strangle her when she came back with four pieces of tofu, a cupful of steamed vegetables and a teeny-tiny amount of rice. But I just said a polite "thank you," and ate up, still really hungry afterwards. When the two went to have their own food, I whispered to Chance to sneak me back some dessert to cure my hunger.

Thankfully, about an hour later, Chance returned with a huge slice of red velvet cake.

And so I went to sleep that night, knowing tomorrow I would be just fine. The pain would diminish, if not go altogether.

I was wrong.

Here I am, back pain worse, propped up in bed waiting for a nurse to come in, per Chances request.

"I know you hate it," Chance says. "I'm sure it sucks, but, hey, if you can't get out of bed, what are you supposed to do? Unless you're secretly able to fly, unfortunately your options are limited." He folds his arms over his chest.

"I know," I say, still wanting to whine. "But, like, come on, this week? Of all weeks?"

"Just hold on," he reassures me. "I'm sure the nurse will have something you can take for the pain to go away."

Frown still on my face, there's a knock on the cabin door. Chance opens it, and there's Penelope.

"Hello Maxine," she greets. "What's the matter?"

"The pain in my back hasn't gone away," I grumble. "In fact, it's worse."

"Alright," she says, taking steps towards me. "I'll see what I can do. Would you mind rolling over?"

"Fine."

Very slowly, not wanting to trigger another painful spasm, I twist so my face is smushed against the pillow.

Penelope rolls up my t-shirt, which makes me feel extremely uncomfortable, and examines me. Chance is standing right there.

She pats and prods the small of my back, which sends jolts of agony. "Ouch."

"Oh, sorry," she says every time.

When she's done, she tells me to roll back over and Chance helps me prop myself back up.

"So what is it?" I ask, officially out of patience. "Whats the problem? Why hasn't it gone away?"

"It's just taking a little longer for it to heal with you," she says. "There's not much I can do."

"Nothing?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "The only thing I can do is give you this," she reaches down into her first-aid kit and pulls out a small white pill. "It'll help reduce the pain. Have it with your breakfast drink."

I nod. Chance thanks Penelope and she leaves.

"Ugh," I say again. "Whoever my real dad is, I'm gonna sue him for giving me slow-to-heal genes."

Chance laughs. "Whatcha want for breakfast?"

I frown. "A bowl of fruit with yogurt and juice."

"Specific," he laughs. "I'm on it."