Free Maggie's Story (Intergalactic Matchmaking Services) by Ava Louise

hospital. I hear the ambulance pulling up now,” said the officer squatted in front of her.
    Sure enough, a moment later the exterior door opened again, this time admitting two EMTs holding a gurney. They lowered themselves to her level and started evaluating her injuries. “Hi there. Can you tell us your name and what happened?” asked the male EMT.
    After relaying all the needed information, Maggie’s belongings were gathered up and she was loaded into the back of the ambulance and taken to the hospital located just a few blocks away. The emergency room personnel were quick and efficient, removing the irritating green makeup and fake warts as they checked her for injuries. They bustled her off for x-rays for her arm and her skull, saying something about checking for concussion. Maggie was developing a very large bump on the left side of her forehead.
    “You poor thing! You’re going to be quite colorful come tomorrow,” said the radiology technician.
    At the moment, Maggie couldn’t care less about bruises. Right now she only wanted to get the tests done and go home to her cat. Poor Mamzell was bound to have heard the noise in the hallway. After the x-rays, the doctor came in to let her know her forearm was definitely broken and she had a slight concussion. He wanted to keep her overnight for observations since she didn’t have anyone at home to keep an eye on her through the night. Great, another point to loneliness , thought Maggie sourly.
    The nurses helped Maggie out of her Halloween costume and into a scratchy hospital gown. Right after that, someone came in with the cast-making supplies to put a cast on her left arm. After being taken to a room, she dug through her purse. She was getting worried about Mamzell, and knew she needed to call Shirley.
    “Hello,” said Shirley’s voice on the other end of the call.
    “Hi, Shirley. It’s Maggie.”
    “Hey! You don’t sound so great. What’s wrong?” Maggie could hear the concern in her friend’s voice.
    “There were three thugs waiting for me when I got home. I’m at the hospital with a broken arm and a mild concussion. I need a favor, if you don’t mind.”
    “Of course, hon, whatever you need!” exclaimed Shirley.
    “Could you please come to the hospital and get my key for the apartment, then go there and feed Mamzell for me? She will be waiting for fresh water and food. Also, I am going to need a change of clothing since I was wearing a witch’s costume today. And could you contact the principal and let him know I won’t be available to teach tomorrow?”
    Shirley showed up in the doorway to her room less than thirty minutes later. Maggie was dozing when she heard a light tap on the door. “Knock, knock,” called Shirley as she pushed open the door.
    “Hey there, come on in. I really appreciate you doing this for me.” Maggie handed over her apartment key.
    “Not a problem, hon. Are you up to tellin’ me what happened?”
    At that time, they heard another knock on the hospital room door. In stepped Detective Miles and Detective Romano. “Hello, Ms. Cline. I see you had a bit o’ trouble. The police officers said you think it was members of the Snake gang that attacked you,” asked Detective Miles, pulling a small notebook and pen from his inside coat pocket. Maggie was beginning to dislike this man. He sounded like he couldn’t care less about what happened.
    Once again, Maggie told her story, grateful she caught Shirley at the same time for the tale. She was getting tired of saying the same thing over and over. The detectives promised to look into the attack, suggesting she lay low for a while and Shirley left to feed Mamzell and get clean clothes for Maggie. The medication for pain finally kicked in enough to allow Maggie to fall asleep. She never heard Shirley come back with the clothes, but she saw the clothes in a nearby chair when she woke for yet another round of vitals checks from the night nurse. Anyone needing a good night’s