CHAPTER 17: Welcome Home, Andrew!
After breakfast, Daddy and Elizabeth left to pick Andrew up at the hospital. Kristy and Charlie also left, because he was going to drop her off at her baby-sitting job at the Newtons'. (Their son, Jamie, who's Andrew's age, is on the same softball team with my brothers and me.) The rest of us stayed home to clean the house.
Before they came back, Nannie called us into the living room for a meeting. David Michael and I sat on the couch, Sam sat in the armchair, and held Emily on his lap.
"Now, kids," Nannie began, "the doctor says Andrew's going to be in a neck brace for the next eight weeks, but after that, he should be as good as new. As a favor to me, though, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't say anything to him about it."
We all agreed. Charlie came home a few minutes later, and we told him the same thing Nannie had just told us. He also agreed not to bring it up.
Just then, the car pulled into the driveway. Daddy and Elizabeth got out, and Daddy was carrying Andrew. When they came inside, and Daddy set Andrew down, the first thing I noticed was the neck brace It looked like a giant marshmallow had wrapped itself around his neck. Just looking at it made me feel so sorry for him, but I remembered what Nannie had said about not bringing it up.
"Hi, Andrew," I said, trying to sound cheerful. And in a way, I was, mostly because I was glad to see him.
"Hi," Andrew whispered. Despite not being able to talk very loudly or move his head, he seemed fine.
I led Andrew over to the couch, took off his jacket, and handed it to Daddy to hang up. As Andrew sat on the couch and kicked off his shoes, I put a pillow behind his back and covered him up to his waist with a blanket. In case you're wondering, I pretty much knew what to do, because that's how I was treated when I broke my wrist, and when Emily had those tubes put in her ears, I took care of her the same way.
"I don't have any pictures to show you. Sorry," I said, managing a smile.
"That's okay," Andrew whispered, managing a smile back.
"Can we get you anything?" Daddy asked.
As soon as Daddy said that, all of us ran off and came back with some stuffed animals, toys, books, you name it. Charlie even had a candy bar—Almond Joy, his favorite. I hate coconut, so I prefer Heath.
"I'll take the candy bar," Andrew decided. Either he was really hungry, or he hadn't eaten the hospital's breakfast. At least he didn't lose his appetite!