"The Cut"

Chapter 34- Honey Limb Lovely

CHAPTER 34- HONEY LIMB LOVELY

Grace flew into the house after abruptly thanking Justine Vaughn for the slight detour. She dodged soccer cleats and Nerf guns, as if she were on an episode of "American Ninja Warrior". She raced into the living room, where she found both parents staring at their daughter with wonder. They'd texted her earlier, but perhaps there was no service in the hospital? Grace looked worried, rushed and excited all at once... a dreadful melting pot of emotions.

 She began to explain the situation before either parent could probe her with questions.

"Evan's okay." she began, taking a couple of balanced breaths. 1....2....3.... Inhale. Exhale.

"He was x-rayed several times and his ankle is broken. It's a hairline fracture." They both sighed heavily as Grace continued.

"They gave him some Percocet, actually, too much Percocet for the pain. He's a bit of a shit mess. Well, that's an understatement." She could hear herself getting sidetracked. She continued, "Anyway, he is wrapped in a boot and they sent him home on crutches. He has to be seen ASAP by an Orthopedist at Palm Beach Sports Medicine. Apparently, this is old hat to the Vaughns...they didn't even bat an eye over it."

"What about the dance?" her father asked quizzically. Grace's heart sunk to the floor with a gigantic thud. She inspected it before speaking.

"We're skipping the dance. There's just no way we could possibly make it. At least we won the game, right?" Grace tried to hold it all together, but she was running out of steam. Her eyes welled up slightly and she wiped them with her palm. "Who was she kidding?" her thoughts raced.

"Oh, sweetie, we're so sorry. This is just awful."

 The flood gates opened.

 Her mom stood and rushed to Grace in mere seconds. She placed her arms on her shoulders. "Poor Evan looked so pathetic. What can we do to help?" Her mom offered. She pulled her into a tight hug and reached for a tissue.

 Her father rose from the sofa.

"Can we bring anything to the house? Some dinner perhaps? Do they need help with Evan?" Her father suggested. Grace was relieved to be home for the moment, but knew she couldn't stay. The night would be altered, but she refused to give up Homecoming entirely. Grace was determined to show up for pics and a carry-out dinner at the very least.

"Thanks. You guys are awesome." she sniffed. "Really. I'm sure the Vaughns would just be happy if you showed up for pics. I am going to dash into the shower, throw that silver-blue dress and sandals on, a few curls and some make-up and I'll be out of here like a bat out of hell!" she spewed, without even taking a breath.

 Now was not the time for an emotional breakdown. She would save it for later.

"Cool off, Honey. I'm gonna have to turn the sprinkler system on!" her dad said, merely out of concern. Grace was usually one to hold it together, but her parents sensed she'd been holding it together all afternoon.

 She had to get a grip before heading back to the Vaughn's. Her mother spoke up.

"Grace, go get in the shower. I'll get the curling iron heated up in my bathroom and we'll do your make-up in a flash...promise. Now, go. Shower. COLD." her mother instructed.

 Grace obeyed.

 Ten minutes later, she was washed, shaved and dripping wet, as she stepped out her shower and searched for the nearest towel. She wrapped it around herself tightly and wiped the mirror with her palm. She'd settled on a luke-warm spray and it left her mirror foggy, like an ocean view on a stormy afternoon.