When they came to tell us that Daniel was finished with the MRI, we all went back to his room. The doctor came in shortly

after that, and said the results of it would take a day or more.

"I know he wants to go home, and I'm sure you want that as well," the doctor said, to all of us in the room. "I'd prefer he

stay here another night, though, until we see what the results show."

Adam gave a brief nod, as though he wasn't surprised.

Daniel had fallen asleep, and I wondered if he hadn't, if he would protested having to stay another night.

When the doctor had gone, the five of us had a low-toned circle conversation.

"I'm going to stay the night with him," Jill announced.

Adam gave a brief nod, and I thought he looked as though he approved.

"You're comin' home, aren't you?" Adam asked Crane. "You've got to be tired, from tryin' to sleep in that chair last night."

"Yeah. I'm tired," Crane admitted, but he hesitated, looking over at the sleeping Daniel. "Maybe I had ought to stay, though."

"He's gonna sleep, Crane. There's nothin' you can do tonight," Brian said. He sounded like Brian-a bit abrupt, but I knew he didn't

mean to sound uncaring. He verified that with his next comment, and a hand on Crane's shoulder. "You look done in. You need

to go home."

Crane nodded in agreement, and Adam paused, looking at Jill. "Are you okay on your own?" he asked her, quietly.

I thought how Adam-like that was. Asking Jill such a question. He was being protective, even of her. Or, if not protective, then, at

least, concerned.

Jill gave a slight shrug. "I'm used to being on my own, Adam," she said. Her tone wasn't exactly hateful, but it wasn't

nice, either. More like defensive sounding. In her usual way, I thought, darkly.

I cast a look up at Adam to see what he thought of that response. He showed no sign of being offended.

"Maybe so," he allowed. "But you don't have to be all on your own now. At least, not all of the time," he said, kindly.

Jill looked for a moment-well, stunned, and then she smiled at him.

"That's really nice, Adam. Thank you," she said.

"I can stay-if you'd like," Crane told her.

"No. I'll be alright," she said. "Brian's right. You should get some rest."

Crane nodded, and went to the edge of the bed, where Daniel was stirring slightly.

"We're heading home," Crane told him, softly.

"Oh, okay," Daniel said, as he struggled to sit up a bit.

"Get some rest, Dan'l," Brian said, standing at the foot of the bed.

"I'll try."

Adam patted Daniel's foot, covered by the hospital blanket. "Behave yourself," he said.

"No promises," Daniel said, and tried to give Adam a slight grin.

I was beside Crane, and I reached out to squeeze Daniel's hand gently. I felt ridiculously like crying. I wasn't even sure

why.

"I'll make you some cookies," I promised.

"Make a bunch," Daniel said.

"I will."

Before we left, Adam took Jill aside, casually, not making a big deal out of it, and I heard him ask her if she had

money so she could eat from the cafeteria and all.

"I have a little," she said.

"Well-" Adam pulled out his wallet, and took out what looked like a ten dollar bill to me. "Here. Just in case."

Jill nodded, taking it from him, and Adam put his wallet away in the back pocket of his jeans. He did it so quietly, offering her the money, that

I don't think Daniel even noticed.

We were silent, mostly, in the elevator, going down. I could tell Crane was bone weary, and I understood that. The chairs in Daniel's

room didn't fold out, and, with how long Crane's legs are, well, it couldn't have been very comfortable, trying to sleep.

I knew they were all worried about Daniel, and Ford had reminded me earlier that the whole thing was even more wearing and

frightening for the three oldest McFaddens. Because of our parents, and how they'd been killed in a car accident. I remembered how

Adam had stood, the night before, looking out into the pouring rain and the darkness, watching for the headlights of

Daniel's truck. I realized that I didn't know how they'd finally heard about Daniel, having had an accident. Had somebody called?

That must have been really, really terrifying for all three of them. Of course, relieved when they heard that Daniel was alive, but still-terrifying.

Once we got out to the parking lot, I found that I wanted to be with Adam. I didn't make a big deal out of it, or come right out and

announce it, but I guess it was obvious, because Adam glanced down at me, and said, quietly, "Are you riding with me?"

I nodded, and he said, "Alright. See you two at home," to Brian and Crane.

The drive started out silently, until we were out on the highway, heading back towards Murphys.

"What do you think the MRI will show?" I asked him, feeling worried.

"Hopefully nothing."

I studied his profile, as he pulled the sun visor down, and concentrated on the cars coming off the ramps.

"Who called? To tell you about Daniel having an accident?"

"The highway patrol. Some people stopped, and called for help, and then, when they called us, he was being taken in the

ambulance to the hospital," Adam said.

"So he was getting close to home?" I asked.

"Within an hour or so," he verified.

I felt suddenly stuffy. Overly warm, like a flush of heat covering my cheeks. I rolled the window down, halfway, so the breeze would

come thru.

"Did the truck flip over?" I asked.

"Harlie," Adam said, in quiet admonishment, looking over at me. A warning, I knew, that he thought I was being obsessive, for no

good reason.

I subsided, feeling spent, as if I'd run a marathon or something.

I felt Adam keep looking over at me, in the next few minutes, as if gauging me, and then I heard him sigh.

"I know you're worried about Daniel," he said. "I am, too. Thinking over how it happened, or-what could have happened, that's not

gonna help him. And, it'll just make it harder for you."

"Okay," I said, in quiet agreement.

Adam talked on, his tone calm. "We're fortunate it wasn't worse, because it sure could have been. He'll heal up, alright."

"It had to be so scary for you guys-when they called you and told you what happened," I said.

"It was."

"It had to make you remember-" I said, letting my voice trail off.

"It did," he said. "I don't need an accident to happen to remember, though. Every time any of you were learning to drive, or

the first time for solo driving, I remembered. From Crane on down to you. I had to-" he hesitated, as if thinking of the right words.

"I had to harden my heart a little, every time one of you took down the driveway, thinking you were the world's best driver. It's been

harder with some of you than others. With a couple of you, it took all I had not to stand in front of the vehicle, and keep it from

going any further."

I felt a sudden, overwhelming sympathy for Adam. And, Brian, too.

They'd been so young, at the beginning, taking all of us on. And, then, we grew up. It must have been a terrifying and daunting

task.

I undid my seat belt, scooting over into the middle of the truck seat, and linking my left arm thru his right.

I was silent, and so was he, for a few minutes, and then he patted my knee with his right hand, and said, "Put your seat

belt on."

I reached for the middle seat belt, digging it out, and fastening it. And, then, I hooked my arm thru his again.

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