Prompt: Slippery Ice

Characters: Spencer & Penelope (What Makes a Family universe)

Words: 373

Spencer didn't notice it was slippery. He didn't notice much that didn't directly impact him, especially when it was a school day, and the bus was waiting. One moment, he was running to catch his bus, and the next, he was falling forward, catching himself on outstretched hands.

The pain that resulted was sharp and quick enough to make him cry out. It hurt so much! He had probably broken it severely. His wrist was bent at an unnatural angle, and even through all the discomfort, Spencer was intrigued. He'd read about these types of injuries, and seen them on television, but there really was nothing like firsthand experience. The human body was fascinating, but his emotions were overriding the scientific part of him.

Soon, Penelope was outside, helping him up and Spencer could see his bus driving away. That made Spencer cry even harder. They were supposed to do very interesting things at school today, and Spencer was going to miss it all.

"Are you okay?" Penelope asked, wincing.

"No!" Spencer howled. "I probably have to go to the emergency room!"

"I know it hurts, but I don't think it's that bad," Penelope said sympathetically. "Let's go inside and fix it up."

"You're not a doctor or a mom! You can't know these things!" Spencer bawled.

"You're five and you know all sorts of crazy things you shouldn't know, but you do. I sprained my wrist a bunch of times. I know what it looks like," she paused, feeling around Spencer's wrist until he squirmed and whimpered. "See, if this were broken, you'd be hurting a lot worse than this. So, let me wrap this up. I'll give you some Tylenol and drive you to school, okay? Deal? If we hurry, you probably won't even be late," she bribed.

"Really?" Spencer sniffled, perking up significantly. "I wish Emily was here."

"I know. Unfortunately she had a thing at Derek's school."

"That's okay. You're good to have in her place," Spencer admitted, squeezing Penelope's arm with his free hand.

"All right, you're good to go. Let's get you to school!"

"Hooray!" Spencer cheered, rushing to the door. But this time, he was very careful outside, and held Penelope's hand on the icy driveway.