Page 90 of A Bookish Story

Ryan is giving me a big smile when I meet his eyes.

“Wow! Who are you?”

Oh, I recognize this Ryan. It’s Adorable Ryan once again making an appearance. I’m a bit surprised he doesn’t recognize me. But he’s also not wearing the glasses he claims he doesn’t need for anything other than for reading. Not sure I believe that anymore.

“He’s being discharged but he’s on a lot of pain medication,” the attendant explains.

“Yeah, please thank my doctor.” Ryan throws back his head to laugh and winces. “Ow. Not going to do that again.”

“Give too much pain medication to a man who barely takes a Tylenol.” Millie waves her hand in the air. “And this is what you get.”

“Can I take Ryan home? Doesn’t he need a ride?” I ask.

“I’ll take him,” Millie says.

“No.” Ryan turns to the attendant and points to me. “This woman will take me home, whoever she is.”

“Ryan, it’s me, Luci.”

“Oh, right. I remember now.” He squints and nods. “You’re the beautiful one who helps me.”

“Are you sure, honey?” Millie says, placing a hand on his arm. “I feel like this is all my fault.”

“It is your fault,” Ryan says. “But it’s okay! It’s really fine. I’m good, good. Just…leave me alone. Please.”

“It’s fine, I’m headed that way,” I lie.

“Alright, let’s go.” Ryan says and the attendant pushes him toward the sliding glass doors.

Millie brings up the rear, her high heels clacking on the pavement behind me. “I’m sorry. I truly am. I honestly didn’t see that car or I would have stopped in time.”

“You were in the accident with him?” I ask.

“Fender bender,” she corrects, then turns back to him. “I’ll find your glasses and get them back to you. If you need me, anytime, day or night, let me know. I’ll be there.”

Ryan is already over by my car, standing, trying to open the door without success and quite confused it won’t open. “What’s going on here?”

I run over, clicking the key fob on my way. “It’s locked.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.” He then opens the door and nearly falls into the passenger seat even with the nurse’s help.

I go around to the driver’s side but not before Millie calls out to me, “Ask him to tell you how he came up with the pen name. He doesn’t like to talk about it, but you should know.”

I’ve already asked, of course, and received a pat answer. Her comment tells me in no uncertain terms I should dive deeper.

With that she turns and walks back to the hospital, following the attendant with the empty wheelchair.

I join Ryan and start the car.

“No.” Ryan leans his head back and groans. “I missed the signing.”

It’s as if he’s just remembered.

“Don’t worry about it, you have a good excuse.”

“No, I don’t. She tricked me. You think I would know by now.” He pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Tricked you?”