“After looking at the CT scan and X-rays, nothing is broken and Morgan does not have a concussion.” Dr. Montgomery said. We were sitting in the ER of the local hospital, and Dr. Montgomery was looking at the computer monitors that showed the output of the CT scan.

“Anything we should watch out for?” Mom asked. Dr. Montgomery looked at her.

“I would wake her up every couple of hours tonight, but she should be ok to go in the morning. If any sudden headaches appear, she might want to get them checked out as soon as possible. I would bring her in here, it will be faster than trying to see your primary care doctor.” Mom nodded, and Katie squeezed my hand. Mom reached over and bushed my hair out of my face. I had been switched out of my skirt and blouse, into a hospital gown, had a CT scan and the X-rays done, and now sat back in my skirt and blouse. I had done a quick job of putting my hair in a ponytail by simply gathering it and putting a hair tie at the top. I knew I had missed some hairs, but at the moment, I didn’t care. I felt someone playing with my hair and tilted my head to look up and saw Katie playfully running my ponytail through her fingers.

“Ok, we can do that.“ Mom was saying. I felt Katie pull the hair tie out and then felt a brush brushing out my hair. I tuned out the room while my hair was being brushed.

“Morgan.” I heard Mom’s voice. “Let’s go home, honey.” I stood, feeling my skirt float back down to just above my knees. Katie took my hand and we left the exam room in the ER.

I awoke the next morning, sore all over, wearing a baby blue satin night gown that I did not recall putting on. I sat up in bed on my elbows and looked around my room. The sun was just starting to turn the sky a light pinkish color. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was 5:30 in the morning and I really didn’t need to be up that early so I rolled over and went back to bed, slipping around between the sheets as I rolled.

“Morgan, it’s time to get up.” I was being shaken gently by Katie, who, not surprising to me, was already dressed. She had on a simple white blouse and a pink and white plaid mini skirt. I looked her up and down before finally sitting up in the bed. I blinked a few times as the room was brighter than it had been an hour before.

“I want to go back to bed.” I said, wincing. I still had some residual pain from bouncing off of two different walls the day before. The doctor in the ER has said that some exterior bruising was possible, and the slight amount of pain, combined with getting woken up every two hours had not allowed me to get a lot of sleep. Katie smiled.

“We have to go to school…” Katie said. Logic suggested why I didn’t want to go to school, I had only gotten beat up the day before. Katie held out her hands for me to grab on to so that she could help me get out of bed. I took ahold of her out stretched hands and stood, feeling my night gown tickle my legs as it fell back to my thighs. Katie gently pushed me toward the door so that I could go get in a shower. I got in the shower and, and let the hot water flow over my aching body. It felt nice to just let the water flow over my skin, and if I could have done so, I would have just stood there all day. Unfortunately, as I was standing there, I felt the water start to cool off as I was the last one to take a shower this morning. I quickly washed my hair and body before I ran out of hot water, and then shut the water off. I grabbed the towel that was hanging there and dried my hair, and then patted my skin dry. I shuffled back to my bedroom to find my clothes already laid out on my bed. Laying on the bed was the same outfit that I had gotten caught in. On top of my comforter was the black turtleneck sweater and red and black pleated skirt. On the floor was a pair of black loafers with a two and a half inch heel. I got dressed and made my way downstairs. Jen had beat me down and was making coffee. Mom was pulling a bowl out of the microwave and carrying it over to the table. Jen turned around and offered me a cup of coffee. I could get used to my sister treating me very nicely. I glanced over at the bowl on the table and then back at Jen and Mom.

“Thanks for the coffee, Jen.” I said to her She smiled and then poured another cup of coffee for Katie who had just walked into the kitchen.

“Eat honey,” Mom said, pulling another bowl out of the microwave, and sitting it at the seat next to the bowl that was already on the table. Katie slid into a chair and I sat next to her. Katie and I ate in silence, and then Katie reached over and took my hand and squeezed it.

“How’s your head?” Jen asked. I turned and looked at her, not letting go of Katie’s hand.

“It still tingles, but I think it will be alright.” I said, looking past Jen at the clock on the wall. It was time to leave for school…