Just Sit and Look Pretty (Chapter 8 of 16) (Patreon)

Chapter 8

Mom's phone rang. It was from dad.

“Hello.”

“There's been an accident. Gracie hurt herself.”

“She did! What happened?”

“She fell off the monkey bars and hit her head.”

“Oh, my god. Is she alright?”

“I don't know. She's being taken to the hospital.”

Mom was stunned.

“I'm driving there now.”

“Which hospital.”

Dad told mom.

“OK, I'm on my way.”

Mom found the agent and talked to him first. “We have to go!”

“What?”

“My daugh...son was hurt. He's in the hospital. I have to go!”

“We aren't done yet.”

“I don't care. We're leaving.”

“Just another few minutes.”

“No, my son is hurt. We're going now. “

“I see.”

Mom didn't change Johnny from the outfit he was wearing. She didn't pack up any of his clothes. She grabbed him by the hand and then picked him up.”

“What's wrong?”

“Gracie hurt herself,” she told Johnny.

Johnny wasn't thinking about himself. Gracie was his little sister. He was only concerned about her. For a moment, he forgot he was in her body.

“The clothes!” the agent yelled.

“We'll return them later. But we have to go!” Mom carried Johnny to the car. She opened the door and let him secure himself in the safety seat.

Mom entered the car, started the engine, and drove off to the hospital.

“What happened?”

“I told you; Gracie is hurt.”

“How?”

“She was climbing the monkey bars and must have hit her head.”

“Will she be alright?”

“I hope so.”

“Mom, don't take this the wrong way, but what about me.”

“What about you?”

In the back seat, Johnny was dressed like a little ballerina in his leotard and tights.

“Look at me. I'm in Gracie's body. What will happen to me?”

“I don't know. I guess I'll swap you back. But we can't do it while she's in the hospital.”

“What happens if she tells everyone that she is really Gracie?”

“No one probably will believe her. How can they?”

“Because she acts like a baby.”

“I don't know anything. We'll have to hope for the best.”

“But mom.”

“Listen, I don't know. I can't think about that now. We'll get to the hospital and see what happens.”

“Mom”

“I don't want to talk about it!”

“This affects me.”

“Just drop it. Until I talk with the doctor, I don't know anything.”

They rode in silence to the hospital. Mom was worried about both of her children. Johnny couldn't help but to be worried just for himself. He was stuck in the small body of his baby sister. He was only supposed to be in that body for a day. Now he was in this body indefinitely. He didn't allow himself to think that his real body could die. His biggest concern was that Gracie would embarrass him in his body and that he was stuck in hers.

Mom and Johnny arrived at the hospital. Mom parked the car in the lot. She picked Johnny out of the car seat and carried him into the hospital. Mom didn't even ask Johnny if he wanted to be carried. His body was much too small to keep up with mom's pace.

Mom found the receptionist's desk.

“My son was brought here. His name is Johnny Lindsley.”

“How is that spelled?”

“L-I-N-D-S-L-E-Y.”

“I see it here. It says he is being taken for an MRI.”

“Is it that serious.”

“I don't know. That's all it says.”

“Can I see her...him?”

“Not right now.”

Mom put down Johnny and took out her phone. She texted dad.

“I'm at the hospital. Where are you?”

“Third-floor lounge.”

“I'll be right there.”

Mom picked Johnny up again. She carried him to the elevator.

“You don't have to carry me.”

“Sorry, it's just I'm in a hurry.”

On the third floor, mom found the lounge. Dad was waiting for her.

“What happened?”

“She was climbing the monkey bars. She must have lost her grip. She fell and hit her head.”

“On the floor or the bars?”

“I'm not sure. When I saw her, she was bleeding from the back of the head.”

“Why did you let her do such a thing.”

“I didn't think.”

“You weren't thinking!”

“It was an accident.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“It's a concussion. She's having an MRI to see the extent.”

“I know. The receptionist told me.”

“We just have to wait for the doctor.”

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