Falling

T H I R T Y - T W O

[Will's POV]

"Her ankle is clearly broken; the bad news is that we have to reset the bone to put it back in place." I watch the Doctor calmly as he speaks to Katelynn's parents. "The good news is Katelynn will not need surgery to fix it."

I exhale in relief, my mind feeling a little bit at ease from his words. Just by looking at her crooked ankle, you would think it would require surgery for the doctors to put it back in place.

She begins to stir in her sleep and I completely tune out the conversation being held between Katelynn's parents and the Doctor. I engulf her hand in mine and study her.

From her long, dark lashes to the perfect curve of her nose, down to her soft plump lips. She's beautiful. Even while laying in a hospital bed. How is that even possible?

I turn my attention back to the adults in the room. "Yes, we will be giving her lidocaine anesthesia while we reset the bone so she will be conscious while we do it but she'll hardly feel a thing." Dr. Stock clutches his clipboard in hand and flips through the papers on it before looking up at Katelynn. He's an older gentleman with salt and pepper hair that is slightly balding on top. But he appears to be pretty fit for a guy his age.

"Maybe it would be best if you reset it while she's sleeping and calm." Scott suggests. "Is that possible?"

"We very well could if that is what you guys want. We would be in and out of here in a matter of minutes." Dr. Stock nods quickly.

Scott and Amanda share a look with one another, having a silent conversation with their eyes, weighing the options. A few silent moments pass before Amanda turns to Dr. Stock and nods, "let's do it."

"Alright, I will be right back." He hangs his clipboard up on the door and leaves, closing the door behind him.

"Will, thank you for being here for her." Amanda sighs. Her fingers tap quickly across her phone screen; she mentioned earlier that she had sent a text in their family group chat to inform everyone about what happened to Katelynn. "When we're done here we can get some take out. I'm sure you're starving after that game you played. You were amazing by the way, I am so proud. What do you boys feel like eating?" She looks back and forth between Scott and I.

"I'm craving some Chinese takeout from Chen's. Sound good to you, Will?" Scott asks me.

I'm taken aback by the fact that Amanda and Scott both just ever so casually included me in their dinner plans. It made me feel part of the family and dare I say it, slightly warm and fuzzy on the inside. I've gone soft.

I clear my throat, "Uh, yes sir. That sounds great."

Dr. Stock and his nursing staff come bustling through the door with various medical items on carts. They all get to work while talking to each other in hushed voices, I'm assuming to not wake Katelynn yet.

Scott and Amanda come to stand at the head of the bed on either side and from where I sit on the side of Katelynn's bed, I offer my seat to her mom and before she has time to answer I'm standing up from my seat and gesture for her to sit. She gratefully accepts and I take her previous place at the head of the bed and resume holding Katelynn's hand.

Dr. Stock and nurse Christine raise Katelynn's leg, careful to support her ankle. I watch in curiosity as Dr. Stock adjusts his grip on her ankle and after a few seconds the sound of a loud crack echos off the walls.

The room spins and then it goes black.

***

I open my eyes and my vision is filled with the sight of a white ceiling and bright lights.