When we got back to the house after leaving the hospital, Shane insisted that I take my medication and go back to bed. “You’re still sick,” was all she said. For a second I thought about telling her that I was well enough to sit in the living room and watch TV or something if I felt like it, but I decided against it. It wasn’t like I couldn’t watch it in the bedroom anyway. So, I nodded.

“While you’re sleeping, I think I’ll go over and see if Jenny needs any help at the Planet,” Shane told me.

I shrugged, feeling bad for keeping her at my house so long in the first place. “That’s fine; I think I’ll survive if you leave for awhile. You guys don’t have to stay here tonight if you’d rather go home.”

Shane shook her head before I’d finished speaking. “No, we want to stay. You might feel better but you’re still not totally well, and we don’t mind. Besides, we promised Charlie.”

I smiled at her, then shrugged. “Fine, whatever. I just want you to know that you don’t have to stay here if you’d rather go back home.”

“Nah. I don’t think our house has gotten any more exciting during the two days we’ve been out of it. We’re fine, and we’re helping you out. I’ll be back in a few hours, all right? Get some sleep,” she directed, giving me a quick hug.

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, but I hugged her back and headed for my room.

The phone woke me up a few hours later. It was Charlie, calling from the station to say he’d be over before too long. I told him that Shane and Jenny weren’t at the house yet, and he said to call him back when they were, that he’d stay at work a little longer and get some things done there until then. “I’m sure you can use some more rest,” he said.

“I’m fine,” I replied, a little exasperated. “Angie stopped by with Brendan today.”

“She did?” he asked, sounding concerned. “But Bren’s been sick, and she knows you are…”

“No, no, I meant she stopped by the hospital to see your mom. I just happened to be there with Shane when she came in,” I said, laughing at my mistake. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”