Rollercoaster (The Circle Series - Part 3)

Chapter 17

*~*Colts Neck*~*

Sammy had barely finished one slice of pizza, taking small nibbles and picking at the pineapple. But now her belly rumbled for food. She curled up under the thick comforter and soft bedding, playing with Ari's wedding ring.

The room was dark and the only sound came from the furnace or water clicking on. Ethan and Ari had agreed to the little's girls request to sleep in their bed, the feeling of being separated from her sister unbearable. Even though the sofa was plush, she needed the comfort of Ari and Ethan protecting her.

It had been two hours since David and Leesha had come back home with pizzas for everyone. Sammy's older siblings all arriving ahead of them, gathering in the spacious living room and talking amongst themselves.

David and Colton helped to explain the events to everyone, ensuring the younger kids understood the severity of Jon's situation. Everyone wanted to stay together for support, which Leesha and David were more than willing to accommodate, and most were now sleeping elsewhere in the large mansion.

Ethan had sat with the girls, holding them as they cried over their Dad. Ari had finally fallen asleep on her tear-stained pillow, hugging Sammy close.

Sammy, however, had tossed and turned in her sister's arms. She reached out and found Ethan's side of the bed empty and peeked over the covers. The lights leading into the living room were still on. Sammy slipped out of bed without disturbing her sister who was snoring lightly.

She looked out and saw Ethan sitting on the sofa with David and Jesse. The men were talking in hushed tones and nursing drinks as Sammy padded across the floor, clutching her pink blanket around her shoulders.

"I can't even imagine what Julie is going through," David sighed.

"Hey, Jellybean," Jesse said when he spotted his little sister, bringing the conversation to a halt. "Can't sleep?" Sammy shook her head and shuffled over, climbing up into Jesse's lap.

"How long will Daddy be in the hospital?" Sammy asked, curling into Jesse's chest.

Ethan and David looked at each other and sipped their drinks. "We...uh....we're not sure, Jellybean," Jesse replied, tears threatening to spill over once more from his bloodshot eyes.

"What's wrong with him? What's broken?" she asked. At ten, her curiosity about everything was limitless and she wanted to know exactly what injuries her dad had.

David cleared his throat and glanced up from his whiskey. "Ladybug, his left side took the impact," his voice cracked. "His leg was broken and hip was dislocated, ribs are fractured and..."

"And what, Uncle Lema?"

Ethan pat his Dad's leg with a steady hand and finished, "Internal bleeding. When there's bleeding in or around your brain, it's an issue that doctors need to fix with surgery. It makes the brain work harder to repair itself and sometimes it...it doesn't."

"Can we go see him tomorrow? Please Jesse, can you take me?" she looked up to her big brother.

Jesse and Ethan looked to David who nodded slowly. "Your momma asked me to bring you and Ari to see him tomorrow if you both wanted to," he said then added to his son, "She wants you there too, Squirt."

"But Jellybean," Jesse said, "Dad doesn't look like Dad at the moment. He's asleep and is pretty banged up. You think you'll be okay with that?"

"Don't be silly, Jesse," Sammy giggled, "It's still daddy. I'd know him anywhere. I'll just pretend he's wearing a Halloween costume and sleeping." Jesse forced a smile and hugged his sister, gently rubbing her back as the guys continued their talk from earlier. She drifted off to sleep in the comfort of Jesse's arms.