“You’re not going to tell him, Violet,” her mother interjected. “His father is the one to do that. It’s not your place.”

Violet stiffened and slapped hands to her knees, looking to the ceiling for patience. “I don’t think you realize what my relationship with Johnny is like, Mama.”

Alice Glenn’s heart slammed into an iceberg and began its descent. She turned to look Violet straight on. “I don’t think you realize you’re seventeen years old.”

Violet smoothed her skirt. “Red and I are going to walk around for a while, Mama. We won’t be long.” Red looked as though he’d been collared and leashed, regarding Mrs. Glenn with an embarrassed glance as he stood.

The nurses at the station desk watched Violet and Red pass without offering a word. They looked down quickly and busied themselves with paperwork. There was nothing to say to these kids.

Violet sniffed. “Red, he’s going to be fine. Johnny’s in great shape. You’ve seen him play. He can beat this as well as he beats every team that comes to our gym. It might take him some time, but he’ll be playing again before you know it.”

Red searched for a light remark, a joke to untie the knot gripping his stomach. He found nothing and chose to say, “I know he will, Violet. Have you seen him yet?”

“Dr. Perkins didn’t want us in his room, so we’ve been sitting on that bench outside the door for an hour and a half. Mrs. Perkins is on a different floor. We’re waiting for my daddy and Dr. Perkins to get back from seeing about her.”

“Have you talked to Johnny’s doctor?”

“No, we haven’t met him. The nurses go in and out of the room without telling us anything, other than he’s asleep.” She spotted an exit and said, “Let’s sit outside for a few minutes.”

They settled under a mimosa tree laden with fluffy pink blossoms. Violet said, “I hate her sometimes, Red. She thinks I’m a stupid little girl and she doesn’t understand what it’s like with Johnny and me. We’re going to get married.”

“You don’t hate her, Violet. Don’t say that.” Red plucked pink mimosa fuzz from Violet’s hair. “So you and Johnny are getting married, huh? When did this happen?” Another question danced in his eyes, and Violet wondered if Johnny had told Red about Friday night. Surely he wouldn’t. She blushed and turned away.

“It’s not official yet, but we talked about it. I love him and he loves me.”

“We’ll get Johnny through this,” he said, looking up into the tree. “Deborah wanted to come with me,” he added casually, “but I told her it would be best to wait until later in the week to visit him.”