Alice paced around the waiting room, whirling around when she heard a familiar voice. She ran to Bette and Tina, grabbing them both and bursting into tears.

Oh, Alice, Tina said in a motherly tone, stroking Alices blond hair and holding her close. Tina felt tears in her own eyes, but struggled to hold it together for Alices sake.

Any news yet? Bette asked, squeezing Alices shoulder.

No, Alice told her with a small hiccup and a sniffle.

*****, I didnt know she was in ICU, they heard a voice say, and all three turned to see Shane hurrying toward them.

Alice hugged her with a sob, taking in her friends familiar scent of cigarettes and the faint smell of citrus. We dont know anything yet, she said, anticipating Shanes question.

They sat to wait, Bette and Tina each with magazines in their laps but not really focusing on the words. Shane sat slumped in a chair and stared off into space. To a casual observer, it would appear that she was watching the muted television in the corner, but she was in her own world. Alice continued pacing and wringing her hands, not sure what she was supposed to do with herself.

A dark-haired nurse entered the waiting room. Are any of you relatives of Ms. Fairbanks?

They glanced at one another, and Alice stepped forward. Shes my sister.

The nurse looked at her doubtfully as another, shorter nurse slipped into the waiting room behind her.

Half-sister, Alice added.

The tall nurse still looked skeptical. I need some sort of proof of that, Ms….

Pieszecki. Alice Pieszecki, Alice supplied automatically, wanting to kick herself for not saying Fairbanks.

Sorry, maam. I need some proof from the Fairbanks family. ICU rules: Im sure you understand. Besides, Ms. Fairbanks is a celebrity now, and we cant just have any crazed fans coming from off the street and claiming to be her sister. She smirked. Excuse me, half-sister.

Alice was about to burst with anger, but was interrupted before she could go off. The shorter nurse, who had been quietly eavesdropping while straightening up the nearly empty waiting room, stepped up to Alice. Is that you, Alice? she shouted, pulling the surprised Alice into a hug. How have you been? Its been years! Hows your sister Dana? She winked discreetly at Alice.

What? Um, I mean, shes in here, Alice said slowly, beginning to catch on.

Oh, my. That is horrible, the shorter nurse said with a cluck of her tongue. She turned to the taller nurse and said, I grew up next-door to Alice and Dana. We havent seen each other in years. Its amazing we ran into each other again like this.

The first nurse looked at her suspiciously. Yes, quite amazing, Im sure.

Now, you go ahead and take your break, and Ill handle this, the second nurse said confidently with a bright smile.

Still watching all of them closely, the first nurse reluctantly left the waiting room.

Shes such a *****, the second nurse told the group quietly. The doctor will be out in a minute to talk to you guys, okay?

She turned to leave, but Tina grabbed her arm. Wait. Thank you, Jill, she said, reading the nurses nametag. You didnt have to do that.

Jill smiled softly. Yes, I did. Its part of my job to take care of my patients, and I certainly wouldnt be doing that job if I left the people who cared about Ms. Fairbanks in the dark about her condition. Besides, some rules were meant to be broken. Ill be praying for your friend. The doctor will be out shortly to brief you.

With a brief pat on Tinas arm, the nurse was gone. That was really nice, Bette added, as they all waited nervously for the doctor.

Shane glanced at Alice. Half-sister?

Alice shrugged and kicked at the corner of the rug. What else was I supposed to say? I couldnt very well say I was Danas mother.

Shane chuckled softly. I suppose not, she agreed as she put a comforting arm around Alices shoulder.

Alice leaned her head onto Shanes shoulder. Is she going to be okay?

Shane bit her lip. Of course, Al, this is Dana were talking about here. She always bounces back.

Youd better be right, Yoda, Alice murmured, snuggling sleepily into Shanes shirt.

Of course I am. You just said I was Yoda, and hes always right. Besides, remember that day when we were talking to Dana at the club when she was supposed to be hitting the balls coming out of that machine thing, and she forgot it was on? And she got all distracted and the ball nailed her in the head? Remember, you saw her lying there and thought she was dead, but she was fine? Danas tough, Shane reminded her.

Tina, who was listening, began laughing. Dana forgot the machine was on and got hit in the head? Oh, thats priceless. Poor Dana, she said, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her giggles.

Bette leaned forward, laughing as well. Thats nothing. Remember the day that she walked into the wall at The Planet because she was so busy looking at some girl who came in?

Shane grinned. Poor Dane, indeed. *****, the first time I met her she tripped over her own feet and sprained her wrist.

Danas a little clumsy for being a pro athlete, I must admit, Alice added, her voice muffled by Shanes shoulder.

The door to the waiting room swung open, stopping all of their giggling immediately. A gray-haired, kindly old male doctor stood there, looking through a small pair of bifocals at a clipboard. Is the family of Dana Fairbanks here?

Here, Alice said quickly, hopping up.

The doctor glanced back down at his clipboard. The nurse told me Ms. Fairbanks had a lot of sisters, but I didnt know she meant quite this many.

Excuse me? Tina said, looking confused.

Oh, right. There are a lot of us, but were really close. Right, sis? Shane said, stepping up beside Alice.

Yes, right, absolutely, Alice replied, trying to keep a straight face.

The doctor took a look at the four of them with a chuckle. Nice try. I know the four of you are no more related than I am to the president.

Now, wait a minute, Bette began.

The doctor held up a hand. I dont really care. Obviously you all care about her, which is enough for me. Now, would you like to hear about her condition?

Tina took a deep breath. Thank you, doctor.

Consulting his clipboard, the doctor took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose a moment before saying, Ms. Fairbanks was incredibly lucky. Shes alive, which is the most important thing. Ill give you the less serious injuries first: she has a serious concussion, a lot of cuts and bruises on her face, torn stomach muscles, bruised ribs, and whiplash. Shes going to have some scars and shell be seriously sore for quite awhile, and it wouldnt surprise me if she had a few memory problems on down the line. He cleared his throat, his face looking more serious. Now, as for the more serious injuries. She had a little bit of internal bleeding, but we have stopped it and shes in no immediate danger from that. However he paused, looking at them steadily. Ms. Fairbanks legs were both nearly crushed in the accident. She was lucky they were not mangled or lost, but they are both badly broken and she may very well not be able to use them again. Her pelvis was also broken, and there is some swelling at the base of her spine, resulting in a paralysis below the waist.

Paralysis? Alice asked, stunned.

The doctor nodded sympathetically. Yes, Im afraid shes paralyzed from the waist down. Shell have to be in a wheelchair.

Thats impossible! Shane sputtered out, unable to believe it.

But Danas a tennis player! Whats she supposed to do now? Tina gasped out, not sure what else to say.

Is this permanent, or will she ever be able to walk again? Bette demanded, squeezing Tinas hand.

It may not be permanent. If the swelling goes down, which may very well require surgery later, and her legs and pelvis heal properly, she can undergo rigorous physical therapy and may one day be able to walk again. However, this is just a possibility, and will take a lot of effort and determination on her part, the doctor replied. I must point out that she might very well spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

*****, Shane muttered quietly to herself, looking away.

Alice felt herself beginning to grow dizzy as the doctor told them, We just brought her out of surgery a little while ago where we worked to repair her legs and pelvis. Shell have to stay here for a few days, but shell be transferred to a regular room tomorrow afternoon.

Alice felt the room spin around her as she mumbled, My best friend. Paralyzed. This cant be happening. And with that, she fainted dead to the floor, Tinas scream of surprise ringing in her ears.