Free Interrupted (The Progress Series) by Amy Queau

good.” Charlie nodded and smiled as her dad playfully punched her good arm.
    “What happened to my car? Do you guys know what happened to the other car? Is everyone okay?”
    “It’s totaled. Don’t worry, we’ll figure something out. You can use the truck until we can afford to get you a new car. And yes, he’s fine. It was just one man, he said he didn’t see the red light,” Karen said.
    Charlie let out a sigh of relief. “Good.”
    “So, what’s on the menu for lunch? Do you want us to go and pick something up?” asked Bill.
    “Oh, no Dad. I can just order something here—”
    “Here we go!” Andrea announced, coming back into the room with Charlie’s painkillers. “How’s the pain now?”
    “About a four.”
    “Okay, perfect time to take them. You might get a little sleepy, so I’d suggest ordering your lunch and taking a quick nap before it gets here.”
    “Sounds like a plan.” Charlie turned to her parents. “You guys can go, I’ll be fine. You can come back tonight. Maybe grab some fast food for dinner?”
    Charlie emptied the cup of painkillers into her mouth and washed them down.
    “Sounds good,” Bill said. “Arby’s?”
    Charlie nodded with definite approval. “Thanks, guys. Love you. See you tonight.”
    After ordering her lunch, Charlie searched for her phone to read the remaining two messages left by Samuel.
    I just left the hospital, and I feel terrible about what I told you.
    You should!
    She scrolled down to read the next:
    Don’t give up on me.
    Oh, Samuel.
    The Percocet was starting to take effect, and Charlie nodded off a few times, fighting sleep. She shook her head and picked up her phone after thinking about what she should say to Samuel. She replied:
    You sure know how to lay it on thick for a third date.
    She grinned and set the phone down again.
    The beep a few minutes later woke her.
    I don’t consider a hospital visit our third date.
    She smiled.
    Should I? Oh, why not? I can use the drugs as an excuse later.
    Every time I see you, I consider it a date.
    Upon hitting the send button, Charlie was asleep for the next two hours.
    *
    Upon waking up, she tried to stretch her arms above her head.
    Ouch!
    No one was in her room. A tray of Jell-O and toast sat on her table and HGTV was still on the television. There were a few vases of roses, other flower arrangements and greeting cards displayed on the window sill. She quickly checked her phone, which was still conveniently in her hand. No messages. She checked the time: 3:22pm. She threw her head back on her pillow and sighed. Her painkillers were wearing off, so she hit the red button on her bed.
    “Nurse’s Station,” a voice called from the intercom behind her.
    “Um yes, I need more Percocet, please.”
    “Someone will be right there.”
    She glanced out into the hallway just as Aaron Paulson was picking up pace to get past her door.
    Aaron Paulson. Coward. What kind of person does that to someone? And then, to devote his entire life to saving and helping others? It makes absolutely no sense to me. He doesn’t deserve my thoughts. He doesn’t deserve the speech I’ve been planning for almost a decade to give him. He doesn’t deserve the time I’ve spent hating myself.
    “Charlie?” She heard a knock on her door.
    “Come in.”
    “Here’s that Percocet. Where’s your pain at?”
    “About a four.”
    “Do you need more water?”
    “No, I’m okay. Thank you.”
    Just as Andrea was leaving the room, Charlie called her back.
    “Oh, Andrea? Could you do me a favor?”
    “Yes, Charlie?”
    “Could you tell Doctor Paulson that I’d like to speak with him before he leaves for the day?”
    “Sure!”
    “Thank you.”

Chapter Ten
     
    “Hey, Kiddo! A large roast beef sandwich and curly fries to the rescue!” said Bill, entering Charlie’s room.
    “Yum! Thanks, Pops. I fell asleep earlier and didn’t get a chance to eat lunch. I am starving!”
    “You look better, dear,” Karen said. “How