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“I understand. There is a fine line in what I’ll prescribe someone and kids even more. But we don’t want someone in pain either.”
“I’m just taking Motrin now. It’s manageable. It really only hurts when I stand up and like blood rushes to it, but then goes away pretty quickly.”
“That’s normal. I’m going to take the brace off to check on the incisions, then put it back. You’re not removing it, right?”
“No. Colson said I can’t.”
“I watch her like a hawk. The last thing she wants to do is go through this again.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Dr. Charm said.
“Here’s your phone, Bella. Distract yourself and don’t look at your ankle.”
“Good advice from your brother. It’s not going to be pretty and I’d rather you don’t pass out.”
“Me neither,” he said. “My heart can only take so much.”
“I hear you. My daughter, she’s a handful. Always running and jumping, scaring me she’s going to break her neck.”
“You could fix it though if she did,” Bella said, not glancing up from her phone.
“But you know what?” Dr. Charm said, humor in his voice. “I’d rather not and save us both the pain. And speaking of pain, this looks great. Healing well.”
“So six weeks off of it?” Bella asked.
“At least. We’ll see you again in a week and then push it two weeks out if all is going well. You can go to school after your appointment next week as long as you aren’t bumping into people or putting your foot down.”
“I’ll be careful. I promise.”
“That’s what I love to hear,” Dr. Charm said.
“That’s it, we are done now? I don’t get like a cool cast of a color I want?”
“That will be next week if the healing is good and the swelling is down. We’ll keep that on for four to six weeks.”
“Oh,” Bella said. “What colors do I get to choose from?”
The doctor smirked.
“The important things, you know?” Colson said drily.
“I’m learning quickly as a girl dad. Wouldn’t change it for the world.” He opened a drawer and pulled out a chart. “Lots to choose from. Some patients go white and then draw on it themselves.”
Bella’s jaw dropped. “I can do that?”
“Sure. Consider it an accessory of sorts.”
“Just like the pants Colson had to buy me. None of my jeans fit over the brace. I’ve been wearing shorts at the house and these sweats worked.”
“She’s been happy shopping,” he said. His credit card took another hit, but it kept Bella happy just the same ordering wide leg yoga pants and sweats. Things she said she’d still wear when she didn’t need the cast.
Colson knew she’d be in a walking boot for a bit too, but that could be taken off to shower.
Which was another thing they were managing.
It wasn’t like he could help her in the bathroom.
Marly did on Sunday, and now they had a chair in his standup shower stall for Bella to sit on and keep her foot out and clean up at the same time.
