“How do you feel?” Dr. Quick asked.

“I hurt all over,” Melissa said.

He nodded. “As you should, and I hear you had quite a rescue.”

“I couldn’t get out of the car,” she said, and started crying. “I thought I was going to die, and then this man appeared out of nowhere. The car was full of smoke. I could barely see him, but I clearly heard his voice. He didn’t panic. Not once. Now I’ve found out I knew him. I grew up with him.”

“Your old friend was just what the doctor ordered when you were hit,” Dr. Quick said. “He’s a recently retired fireman.”

Melissa was still marveling at his appearance. “Fate sure does throw in some life twists.”

“Agreed,” Dr. Quick said. “Now about you. Nothing is broken, but you likely have whiplash, and there is some serious bruising on your chest area, although no broken bones. You have the one cut on your forehead where you hit the window, but we glued it shut, and it should heal nicely. We got a few glass shards out of your hair, but Hope is going to make sure we got them all before you leave the ER. Are you still experiencing dizziness?”

“A little,” Melissa said.

He nodded. “That’s the concussion. You have a choice. Stay here overnight, or go home and get someone to stay with you. I know where you live. Is your bedroom upstairs?”

She nodded.

“If you can, stay downstairs, at least for tonight until you see how quickly you recover your balance and mobility.”

“I can. There’s a bathroom downstairs, but all my clothes and toiletries are upstairs.”

“That’s easily remedied with help,” Dr. Quick said. “So what is it? Stay here, or call a friend?”

“I don’t know who to call,” Melissa said. “I have friends, but I don’t have girlfriends. Not like that.”

Hope patted her arm. “Yes, you do. My shift ends at three this afternoon, and tomorrow is my day off. I’ll stay through tomorrow until you’re given an all clear. But for now, I’ll call someone to come pick you up and take you home. They’ll stay until I can get there, okay?”

Melissa started crying again.

“Don’t cry, sugar,” Hope said. “We’ve got this.”

Dr. Quick left the room as Hope was raising the head of the bed to comb through Melissa’s hair one last time. She was nearly finished when Chief Pittman appeared in the doorway.

“Melissa, do you feel like talking to me a minute?”

“Yes,” she said.

Hope smiled at her. “I’m through. I think you’re good to go here. I’m going to make some calls, and I’ll talk to you soon. She’s all yours, Lon.”

“Thanks,” Lon said. “Oh, hey, Hope! Are you guys still coming to dinner Sunday?”

“Are you kidding? Do you have any idea how cool it is to have a brother-in-law who’s the chief of police and a sister who can cook like Mercy does? We wouldn’t miss it,” Hope said.