Not in the Same Way

Eighteen

"Shit!" I say grabbing Ava, who's already screaming bloody murder, up from the spot on the pool steps she's fallen to.

Her forehead has a large gash that's blessing pretty badly.

Her screams are loud and pain filled and I look over at Darby helpless.

"Bring her to the kitchen." She yells behind her as she stands and runs in the house.

I hold Aves tightly to my chest as I follow after her, my hand rubbing across Ava's back as I try to shush her to no avail.

Darby grabs a wad of paper towels and wets them before pressing them to Ava's forehead.

She hold them against the wound before removing them to assess the damage as Ava continues to cry.

"It's pretty deep. It might need stitches and I think there's some dirt and stuff in it, I don't want it to get infected."

"You think we need to take her to the doctor?" I ask, swallowing the lump in my throat. I fucking hate doctors.

"I definitely don't want to risk taking her to the emergency room, but maybe urgent care? I really think she's going to need stitches."

She's so calm and I don't know how she's doing it. I feel like someone is literally squeezing the shit out of my heart. I feel nauseous. My baby is hurt and it's my fault.

"I shouldn't have let this happen." I say softly.

"Hey, don't do that. She was showing out, you were trying to wrangle her, she lost her balance. It was an accident. She's gonna be fine let's just get her to urgent care and get her sewn up."

"Is urgent care open right now?" I ask.

"Fuck, the virus. I...I don't know. Can you check while I get her changed into not a bathing suit and meet us at the car?"

I nod quickly, glad she's calm enough to keep a level head and take charge because I certainly am not.

She vanishes down the hall and I fumble with my phone, googling the nearest urgent care and calling, praying they answer.

"City Urgent Care, Elaine speaking, how may I help you?"

"Hi. My daughter fell and has a big cut on her forehead, she's one, can she still be seen with you guys or will we need to take her to the emergency room?"

"We can take her. I know everyone's worried about the virus but we have masks for everyone when you arrive."

"Okay thank you." I say ending the call quickly, grabbing my keys from the hook and hurrying towards the garage.

I lift the door and start the car just as Darby exits with Ava in her arms dressed in a big Tshirt and socks. Darby has changed as well both of their hair still damp from the pool.

"Darbs can you drive? I really don't know if I can." I admit, a little embarrassed by how flustered this has me, my hands shaking slightly.

She moves silently towards the drivers side and slides behind the wheel as I crawl in the back seat and get Ava in her car seat, holding pressure against the paper towels being used to stop the blood from cut on her face.

The drive is spent in tense silence and not the normal ones Darby and I are so well acquainted with due to our fighting. We're both worried about Ava and the silence is only broken up by Ava's continued quiet cries.

I run my hand across the top of her head, careful to avoid her injury.

"She looks a bit pale, Darby." I say as I notice the peakish coloring of her skin.