“And when you’re up to it … maybe after you’re done with the snack they’re bringing over …we’ll do a few things together to check your reflexes, senses, how you walk, coordination, balance, etc,” she added.

I shut my eye and felt her grip my shoulder again.

I opened my eye when she asked, “Do you have any immediate questions?”

I blew out a breath and said slowly, “I have a million questions.”

She gave me a small smile, “That’s good. And I’ll answer each one of them, ok? But let’s do this step-by-step …”

We heard a knock on the door and Dr. Button opened it. A nurse came in with a tray of food.

“Great! Delicious hospital food is here!” Dr. Brooks exclaimed, as she and Dr. Button jokingly clapped their hands together.

Bai and Olivia laughed lightly and I pretended to groan. I asked ruefully, “The jello any good, at least?”

The nurse smiled and nodded, “the best!”

“Think I’ll go get some grub from Pink Taco, if it’s all the same with you,” Olivia said after she opened the domes covering the plates on the tray and pretended to sniff at the food.

Bai said drily, “Burrito, then, please.”

The two doctors laughed as I looked at the two in consternation.   “Speaking of food …I’m off in an hour …” Dr. Button said, as she consulted her watch.

“So am I,” Dr. Brooks said as she also looked at her watch.

I looked at one and then the other, and exclaimed, “But I thought we were going to do some tests …?”

They each smiled at me. “Oh I won’t clock out until we’re done with the immediate tests, Aerin, don’t worry,” Dr. Brooks said.

“And I want to check on the bandages later, also,” Dr. Button added.

With a wave they soon exited the room. Olivia followed them out the door a minute later.

“Who were you talking to earlier” I asked Bai as she helped me to sit up after wheeling the overbed rolling table closer to me.

I thanked her after she adjusted the napkin under my chin.

“Boyfriend,” she said briefly.

I waited for her to add to what she’d said, but she fell quiet. I sensed that she didn’t do this often. Not when she was on the job.