Going home
The next day, there was a final zap of the x-rays, a last check by Dr Sicora, and I was allowed to leave. Mom came to check me out and collect the bag of medication, and Alan was waiting at the exit with one of the family pods. It was a pretty silent trip to the nearest temple of Apollo, where a priest was waiting for me. I sat down and he cupped my toes in one hand and placed one hand on my knee before invoking his god. The brightness I associated with the physical presence of one of the Greek gods flared and it felt like a current of energy was running through my leg between his hands. This continued for longer than it was comfortable. I was on the verge of asking him to stop when he did and stepped back, having done all he could. I thanked him, Mom thanked him and handed him an envelope which I thought might contain a donation to the temple, and we went home.
Deri was at school, so it was Mom, Dad, and me for a late lunch. It was delicious, something I really appreciated after the hospital food, but I was feeling tired and subdued. There was one more thing before I could go rest, though. A detective came by right after lunch was over and wanted my account of the whole mess for the record. It had all been caught on camera, both the city and state cameras that ran the length of the road since it was a major artery in and out of Manhattan, and also on bystander communicators. Mom and Dad sat in on the questioning since I was a minor.
"After the car was hit, I shouted, but Mom and Dad didn't answer. Deri did, she was like me, shaken but not really hurt. Then the door was opened and I was dragged out. I think I fell once, which must be where I got the piece of metal. I heard Deri trying to charm the kidnappers out of taking me too, but I didn't want them to take her either, I remember what they did to that Osborn kid, so I stabbed the guy who was hauling me along, then he hit me really hard and stomped my ankle. I saw his boot coming toward my face, but that's the last thing I remember."
The detective didn't have any questions; my part of the drama had been really brief and was well documented. He had me press my thumb to he recorder to verify that my statement was the truth as I saw it. "We caught the individuals involved in the kidnapping attempt. They were working for others, but through dead drops and cutouts, so they had no information on who had hired them aside from the feeling that the operation was well funded. In addition to the private jet, which will be difficult to trace ownership since the sales don't have to be registered, they also had the funds to modify the two vehicles and pay the kidnappers handsomely. We are coordinating with state and federal authorities in order to trace the money back to the source." He sighed. "Your ankle was stomped several times and there was a vicious kick to your face. I'm sorry you were so badly injured. The man was pulled off when your sister was secured, otherwise your injuries would have been worse. The metal you struck him with partially severed his large intestine and skewered his small intestines. He was patched up, was arraigned, and is in jail awaiting trial. I don't mean to tell you your business, Mr Wayne, but there are companies that specialize in training high-value targets what to do in the event of a kidnapping attempt that might be worth your while to look into. I can forward you some recommendations, if you'd like."
"Thank you, Detective," Dad said, and they shook hands. Mom escorted him out and I got to my feet, picking up the crutches. Dad rode up on the elevator with me. I was really drooping by the time I made it to my bedroom. Alan was inside, putting away some laundry. I'd been doing my own, but I really appreciated his help in the current situation and said so.
"My pleasure, Miss Lys. I took the liberty of making your bed with fresh sheets in anticipation of your homecoming as well." I rubbed my eye--gently--as I looked at my enclosed bed.
"I appreciate that, Alan. Could I ask you to take down one of the screens that cover some of the access to my bed? It's just screwed in, but I'm not very agile with this contraption on my leg. I don't want to kick the screen and damage it, it's kind of fragile."
"Of course, Miss Lys. I'll bring up a screwdriver immediately."
"I have a drill with a screwdriver attachment in a bin in my closet," I said and he smiled.
"You're a handy creature, Lys," Dad said, smiling too. "Why don't you sit down, honey? I can help Alan if he needs a hand steadying the screen while he's taking out the screws."I crutched over to the nice wingback chair, so comfortable. I had to tell them that screws were present every twelve inches along the wall--Grandpa had done a great job of make them really unobtrusive--but aside from that it was just a matter of waiting and trying not to fall asleep. I'd probably get a crick in my neck or something. When the panel at the foot of the bed had been detached, Alan got my little vacuum out and took care of the sawdust, then put everything back away in the closet. I took my shoe off and climbed onto the bed. Dad draped the knit blanket folded at the bottom over my legs, told me to call if I needed anything, and he and Alan left. I promptly napped, grateful to be back in my nest.
When I woke up, I looked around and found my communicator on the desk. I noted that Deri had returned the earrings I'd loaned her to the case and they were sitting on my vanity. I unlocked the drawer and put them away before holding the communicator in my teeth and crutching over to the window seat. It was kind of a gray day, and it started to drizzle as I went through my texts, full of concern and worry from my friends. I sent a group text explaining that I'd been in an accident and had been in the hospital with a broken ankle, but was home now and hopefully I'd be back at school soon. I had assignments from my teachers too, but for once I didn't hop all over that.
As long as I was feeling numb and tired, I went to the closet, dumped some casual summer t shirts and shorts out of a couple of pretty silver wire bins, and went through my closet, dropping tights, leotards, shrugs, and dance skirts into one of them. I didn't know if anybody'd want a used leotard, but they were nice. I'd have chucked my leg warmers too, but I could still use those. Right now my left leg was a little cold in the skirt. I draped one over my shoulder, then tossed all my pointe shoes and ballet slippers into the other bin; at least I hadn't gotten a new pair of Peterovs for the recital yet. I stacked the bins, then shoved the bins toward the door to the hall. I got into a pattern of shoving the bins forward with one crutch, taking a couple steps forward, and repeating down the hall to the laundry room. I tossed my shoes into the trash, then emptied the clothes into the hamper for donations. I made better progress back down the hall to my room with the empty bins, which I left on the floor of the closet to deal with later. I went back to the window seat and sat down, pulling the leg warmer on my uncasted leg before swinging both legs up onto the seat. My right leg hovered about an inch off the seat thanks to the antigrav unit, which was still weird to me. I leaned back on my pillows and started to answer the reply texts, which were even more concerned.
It was getting dark outside when I heard activity in the hall and somebody tapped on my door. I yelled to come in, and Deri poked her head in, then shot over for a hug. "I was really worried about you," she said, her voice muffled in my shoulder."Mom and Dad wouldn't let me come to the hospital."
"I was worried about you, too. The hospital was pretty boring, I just slept a lot. I understand you bit a lot of deserving kidnappers," I said and she she smiled a little. "You can pull up the chair if you want." She turned it around and pulled it carefully over to the window seat. There'd be scratches on the floor because it was pretty heavy, but I didn't say anything about it, I'd take care of it later. I asked how classes were going, and she had some stories about school. Some of her friends had come back, others hadn't, and she was philosophical about that. She was still waiting on Van, who said she needed some time to think about it.
"Thanks for returning the earrings," I said. "If you promise you won't poke around without asking first, I'll leave the drawer unlocked and you can borrow some earrings now and then." Her eyes lit up and I was glad to make her happy. Sometimes I had to remember that she was only twelve still and the kidnapping attempt had been a horrible experience for her too. Before long, it was time to go downstairs for pre-dinner, and she walked down the hall with me to the elevator.
We had guests, but family, so it was ok. Grandpa Damian, Grandma Alex, and Uncle Bucky were sipping cocktails when we walked in. Uncle Bucky patted the sofa beside him when he saw me, and when I'd sat down, had me swing my cast up. He had a black thingie in his hand, which was shortly revealed to be a sort of knit sock that just covered my toes and was secured to the edge of the cast with a drawstring. It was thick and warm and really thoughtful. "We're supposed to start getting the first snows next week," he said after I thanked him. "Can't have you freezing your toes off, honey. Now that I know it works, I'll make a couple more for you."
We went in to dinner sooner than usual, and we had a delicious stew with whole-wheat rolls and a crunchy salad. Conversation was light and inconsequential, and almond cake awaited us in the library afterward. I appreciated the rich coffee, but I excused myself early.
"Hold on a sec, Lys," Grandma said, sitting up from where she'd slouched on a sofa. She handed me a package, which was a throw of pretty aubergine velvet on one side and a synthetic lambswool on the other side for easy washing. I ran my hand over the textures. "We thought you might like something for your window seat; your mom said that you didn't have one yet."
"I didn't even think of that yet,' I said, abashed. "Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa. It's beautiful and warm."
"Deri, honey, we have one for you too," Grandpa said. Hers had a white velvet but the same lambswool stuff. She was also pleased, and after I said thanks again and good night, came upstairs with me, carrying both throws.
"These are really nice," she said, draping mine over the window seat and fluffing some pillows. Normally I'd have objected that she wasn't putting them back right, but I was tired and not inclined to be fussy about my housekeeping. It was just pillows, after all, and she was being nice. Plus, with shorts and t-shirts and blouses piled on the floor of my closet, I didn't feel like I had any right to object. I sat back down and she flicked the new throw over my legs. "It's really pretty. I'm going to go try mine."
"Thanks for your help," I said, and yawned as she left. It was warm and cozy, and I stroked the washable velvet, admiring the sheen. Mom tapped on the door and came in.
"I've got your medications, Lys," she said, bringing over a glass of water. "Individual doses are enclosed in small packets stamped with the date and time for each one, and each day's collection is in a larger pouch. If you promise to take then on a timely manner, I'll leave them up here for you. The doctor transmitted approval for you to be taking these medications on your own, so when you get back to school there won't be a problem." I opened up the one packet for today, swallowing the pills with the water, and she took the glass away, putting the box that held each day's doses in the bathroom. I looked at the printing on the packet; each medication was listed along with the prescribed dose, so if I wanted to, I could back off the pain medication earlier. She came back with the filled water carafe and placed it on the little table by my bed. She looked over to where I was getting up. "Dearest, would you like a little table by that seat, at least as long as you are healing? I could bring one down for you tomorrow."
"That sounds nice," I said, and yawned again. "Thank you." She left, although I suspected she was hovering out in the hall in case I needed some help, and I went to get ready for bed. I went right to sleep.
I slept right through the night, waking up in the same position I'd fallen asleep in, feeling groggy and disoriented until I remembered coming home yesterday, then stretched the parts of me that could stretch. I got up and took a shower, grateful for the newly installed shower bars, and went down after dressing in another skirt. None of my slacks could accommodate the cast and antigrav and I put on a coordinating leg warmer with the skirt. As I crutched down the hall toward the elevator, I fancied that I was getting better on the crutches, more accustomed to the swing of progress with them. Downstairs, Alan had a big breakfast of my favorites; scrambled eggs, bacon, buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup, and a fruit smoothie. My skirt's waistband was loose, so I knew that I'd lost some weight since the accident and had no compunction about eating heartily. I was grateful for Alan's cooking after the atrocities masquerading as food in the hospital and told him so, stopping the explanation after being grateful. Dad came in, lured by the scent of the bacon, and had some to keep me company. Mom was at work and Deri at school. After I'd eaten my fill, dad produced a black and purple leather messenger bag.
"Your sister found this in the attic and thought you could use it while you're recuperating," he said as I examined it. It was really quality work and had been taken care of well by whoever had owned it. The surface was distressed but the stitching and fittings still perfect. "You can carry things with you while you're going around the house. When you go back to school, of course you'll have your backpack, but this could be just for home."
"Thanks, Dad," I said, feeling brighter. I'd been wondering how I could take things around that were too big to carry by mouth. And Alan put an oval Thermos flask on the table, smiling at me. It was coffee, piping hot and doctored just the way I liked it. I tucked in my new messenger bag, slung it on, and crutched back to the elevator and from there to my room. Conscientiously, I took my meds on time and sat down to study. My communicator had a number of messages from my friends, which I answered first. It was kind of heart-warming that they cared. Then I got down to business. I'd missed only a few days of class, fortunately; the ballet had been Thursday night, so those two days of the weekend had really helped me out. And fortunately, the next unit we did in trig wasn't incomprehensible; it was hard, but not hair-tearingly bad. I stuck problem sets in between easier things. We were doing a selection of poetry written by eminent classic Wakandan authors and I thought they were haunting and beautiful. The essay for this unit was going to be a snap. I went down for a light late lunch. Dad was working from home so I went into the library for awhile with him and ended up taking a brief nap, then took a couple of books upstairs with me for history. I took a look at my calendar, and blinked. I'd really been diverted by all the upset lately. Deri's birthday was November 2, and I'd forgotten.
I picked up my communicator and called a number. "Hi, Aunt Emma, it's Lys."
"Hi, baby, how are you? Bucky said he saw you last night and that you looked peaky, but at least you're up and around again."
"Actually looking forward to going back to school, it's kind of boring here. But I don't get in trouble for napping, so there's that." She laughed and we chatted a bit, then I got down to the purpose of my call. "Deri's birthday is coming up and I don't really know what to get her. It's her thirteenth, she's been really excited about finally being a teenager, so I'd like it to be something nice, and I thought of your enamel earrings."
"That would be a really pretty gift," she said. "What colors were you thinking?"
"She really likes pink. And her bedroom has a pretty kind of turquoise blue too." She thought about it, and she said that she could get it done in the time we had if they were just a straight dangle, which I thought would be fine. So after a little more chat, we hung up and that was taken care of. She'd call when she was done, so at least I wouldn't be winning any awful sister of the year awards.