AUSTIN: Same here. I'll be back in the hospital as soon as you tell me I can be there. I know it is only one at a time and your dad wants to be with you.

ME: I’ll let you know. They say I’m getting out soon, and I have no idea where to go.

AUSTIN: Do you want to go home with your dad?

ME: No. Not at all. I need to finish classes. Are we not going to go back to your place?

I was getting a feeling that Austin was avoiding that particular thing.

AUSTIN: Just getting a few things together. We can stay in a hotel for a few days, if you want.

ME: Sounds good.

My heart clenched. We had to figure this out. How to go forward when everything that had transpired had been so devastating.

My father was back at my bedside by the time the doctor checked me over. I was cleared for release.

“Remember, though, some pain is on the inside. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself time.” The doctor pat the bed.

Dad stepped outside when it was time for me to get dressed. I had no purse, and I didn’t have my phone. It felt weird getting rolled out in my pajamas that my father had brought.

When we got to the main entrance, Nurse Mayborn was back on duty and she was doing the honors of pushing my wheelchair while Dad went to get the car.

“You know where you’re going?” She helped me stand up from the wheelchair.

“Not yet.” I shook my head.

Nurse Mayborn leaned close. “Is there anyone in your life that makes you uncomfortable or injures you? This is a safe space and I have ways to protect you.”

I looked at her earnest face. “You really do, don’t you?”

“Oh, hell yeah. Just say the word.” She gave me a wink.

“You’re so badass. I’m grateful we got to meet.” I smiled at her.

My brief stint in the hospital had really highlighted how amazing nurses were at their jobs.

Dad’s car was even with my wheelchair now. I answered her question, “I’m good. Thank you for asking. Thank you for being willing to step in and step up if that wasn’t the case.”

I slid into my dad’s passenger seat and Nurse Mayborn closed my door.

My father’s jaw was set. “Coming home?”

“I'll as soon as I get a break from school.”

Dad rubbed his scalp. “Okay. Okay. I’m going to have to be up here a lot then, I guess.”

“I’m going to be okay, Dad.”

We pulled into traffic. “You’re going to have to bear with me for a little bit. I promised your sister that she would get to see you.”

I used my father’s phone to text Austin.