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Back 3 a.m.
Chapters (67)
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  67. 3:46 a.m.

Twenty seconds later, Lassie and I dart up the front entrance of the condo and into the stairwell. I start looking for places to lie down. The last thing I want is to end up in the hospital.

Again.

When the nurses at the local ER send you Christmas cards, you know something is wrong. Six concussions, what seems like a zillion stitches, two broken arms, a broken collarbone, two broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. And that was just in the last eight years.

We hit the hallway.

We’re gonna make it.

The key is already in my hand.

I put the key in the door and turn the handle.

::::

It would have been better if the door hadn’t opened. If it had stayed closed, I would have crumpled to the carpeted floor of the hallway. But the door did open, and I fell forward into the condo, going down sideways onto the wood floor, which would account for the dull throb in my shoulder.

At least, that’s how I recreated it in my mind.

But I didn’t wake up on the wood. I woke up on the carpet in the living room, a pillow tucked under my head, a blanket pulled up to my shoulders, and a glass of water and three Advil sitting on the coffee table next to me.

I throw back the three Advil and pick up the yellow legal pad sitting near the water glass.

Hey Sleepyhead,

I came to drop off some leftovers and I found you on the floor. I’m guessing after we hung up last night, you started thinking about your mom and time got away from you. Then you had to book it home and you didn’t make it in time. From the position of your body, I guess you conked out right as you pushed the door in.

Sometimes I forget she’s a detective. I keep reading.

I gave you a thorough examination, and everything appeared to be in working order. Your left shoulder was starting to swell, and I think it took the brunt of the fall. Get some ice on it when you wake up. (You’re lucky you didn’t break your nose. Well, I guess I’m lucky. I’m the one that would have to listen to you snore. Haahahaa.) I apologize if you have any rug burns on your back. I dragged you by your legs and your shirt kept riding up.

I reach my arm behind my back and feel at the top of my hips where I do indeed have a big raspberry.