The nurse smiled kindly.  “She’s in Room 207, and the phone’s right there beside the bed.”

“Thank you,” Dana mumbled, pulling the phone into her lap, and quickly finding her own room number etched onto it.  I’m in Room 203she’s in 207.  That must be right down the hall!

Dana practically threw the phone back onto the stand beside her bed.  With effort, she managed to sit all the way up, the tight bandages around her ribs constricting her movement further.  She hissed as she laboriously swung her legs around, her bare feet touching the cold tile floor.  Relying on nothing more than desperation to see Alice, she found the strength to shakily stand up halfway, clutching the side of the bed for dear life.

You can do this.  Dana unsteadily put one foot out, almost losing her hold and falling as she realized how weak her body really was.  Cursing herself, she forced herself to place the other foot out and pushed off of the bed, wobbling as she managed to walk several steps away from it, the wheeled-IV stand rolling along behind her.

Suddenly energized, Dana searched the room for her clothes.  The small activity caused her to get winded and she was wincing with nearly every excruciating breath she took.  Unable to find her clothes, Dana gave up and cautiously limped to the door.  Peeking into the hall, she was relieved to see “her” nurse was nowhere in sight.

Taking a step into the hallway, Dana was shocked to feel a sudden breeze behind her.  Feeling around behind her, she felt the open back of her hospital gown and groaned.  Deciding she’d rather have her ***** exposed than not see Alice, she gripped her rolling IV stand tightly and carefully made her way down the hall.

Slow and steady got her there eventually, although it seemed to take much too long for Dana to make it to the door to Alice’s room.  Stopping momentarily to hold her side, she pushed the door open and went in.

Alice was lying in bed, her cast-enveloped arm lying at her side and her Ace bandage-wrapped foot elevated on several pillows.  She was giggling to herself as she watched the television.  Hearing a noise at the door, she turned, and her face lit up.  “Dana!”