It was daytime when I woke up again. The first person I saw was Mom seated on the chair, a magazine on her lap. She looked so miserable. Torin sat in the corner, arms crossed, runes making him invisible to everyone but me.
He smiled and mouthed, “Good morning, Freckles.”
“Good morning.” I didn’t realize I’d spoken out loud until Mom looked up and gasped.
“Oh, honey. You’re awake.” She jumped up, and the magazine fell from her lap. “The nurses told me you woke up last night and talked, but I didn’t believe them. They should have woken me up. How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Do you want me to call the nurse?”
I managed a smile. “No, Mom. I’m fine.”
Tears filled her eyes, and a sob escaped her lips. She covered her mouth. “I was so scared when they told me you were bleeding in your brain. Then they drilled a hole into your skull and… and… I’m sorry I’m going on, but I’m just happy you’re okay.” She sniffled and wiped her cheeks. Then she reached out with a trembling hand as though to touch my head. At the last minute, she stopped, fisted her hand, and gave me a tiny apologetic smile. “Look at me, crying like a baby when you’re finally awake. That cursed tree is being chopped down tomorrow. I already made an appointment with a landscape company.” She turned to pull the chair closer to the bed.
I glanced at Torin in confusion.
“I told her you fell from the tree,” he explained. “It was the only explanation I could give her and the EMT.”
“Don’t blame the tree or cut it down, Mom,” I whispered. “Dad planted it.”
“Your father will understand. Every time I see it, I’ll be reminded of how close I came to losing you. You were right to be wary about climbing it all these years. It’s dangerous.”
There was no point arguing with her once she made up her mind. She could be as stubborn as me. I reached for the water.
“No, don’t move. The doctor said you must not exert yourself.” She picked up the cup and held the straw to my lips. “Are you hungry?”
I nodded.
“I’ll see what the nurses can rustle up.” She disappeared out the door.
Torin moved closer and stroked my hand. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
“You missed Eirik and Cora this morning, so don’t be surprised if they come back during lunch.”
Before I could respond, Mom came back. Torin moved back to the corner and watched us with a tiny smile as she fussed over me and talked about the surgery. She reassured me about my hair and the scar. Apparently, they had to shave an area near my ear for the surgery, but my chopped off hair was the least of my problems. The hospital food, when it finally arrived, was awful, and I could barely hold it down.
“Do you want me to get you something else to eat?” Torin asked.
Happy I could see him and talk to him without Mom knowing, I nodded. He left and returned a little later with breakfast—egg and sausage sandwiches and hot chocolate for both of us. By then, Mom had left for home to change. We ate. Then he left so I could rest. He came back hours later with lunch. A few minutes after he arrived, I heard the cheer chant for the Trojan swim team.