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"This is the worst soda I've ever had," I complain, my face scrunching up.
My dad smiles, pulling the glass away from me. "That's champagne, and it's your mom's."
"You think she's almost done yet?"
"I don't know, depends how Freja's feeling today." He shrugs upon mentioning the chestnut mare.
"Aren't we selling her?"
He nods. "Yes. We want to get some show records under her, though."
"Like Zones?" I question.
"No, no. Less recognized shows. Save Zones for our champs, yeah?"
My eyes sparkle in agreement. "I can compete in the 8-11 division this year, right?"
"Maybe," he says. "Yo won't be eight yet, so we'll see."
"Okay. Wonki and I will be bored in the baby division, though."
"Hey, you were in that baby division last year."
"And?" I quip.
"This thing tickles my nose," I complain, sucking in another breath with the nasal cannula.
"That 'thing' is keeping you alive," Nurse Matthas counters. "It stays on."
I roll my eyes, scrunching my nose again. "Of course, it is, you taped it to my face," I hiss.
"At least you're talking," I hear her mutter under her breath. "Let's go, Ms. Skyler is waiting." Nurse Matthas grabs the handles on my wheelchair and starts pushing forward. The wheels glide across the tiled floor, speeding through the hospital.
We stop at an elevator. The nurse clicks the button, calling one to take us downstairs. "You have the papers?" She asks as we wait.
I move my fingers to the Manila folder in my lap, swooping it up slightly before letting it drop.
"Good. One copy stays with you, one goes to Ms. Skyler. Okay?"
"Okay," I mumble inaudibly as the elevator dings. The doors inch open slowly, taking their time. A hurried man in a doctor's coat bursts through the doors before they're open all the way. He gives a tight smile, speeding past us, leaving the elevator free for us, and the other four doctor's who have joined us.
I've never been a fan of hospitals. They're too busy. Too crowded, too depressing. Nothing seems to go right at the hospital.
Or, maybe, I just hold a grudge since I sat in the Emergency Room for three hours with a broken and bloody nose before they got to me. Thank you, Wonki, for kicking me in the face.
