Free Fabulous Five 011 - Hit and Run by Betsy Haynes Page A

she didn't dare betray Funny's confidence.
    The biggest surprise came in the cafeteria at noon when the
cheerleading squad went from table to table, pinning small bows made of the red
and gold school colors on everyone and saying that they were for Randy.
    Tears of gratitude welled in Jana's eyes as Melanie pinned a
ribbon on her and said, "All the cheerleaders met at my house last night
to make them. We wanted to do something ."
    Jana nodded, afraid her voice would crack with emotion if
she tried to speak. It had seemed right after the accident that nobody was
doing anything to help Randy, but now lots of people were finding things to do.
    At the hospital that evening she told him about the red and
gold bows. "Everybody in school is wearing one. Even the teachers and Mr.
Bell, and someone said the custodian, Mr. Bartosik, had on two. Isn't that terrific?"
    If Randy heard, he gave no sign. Jana sighed, touching the
small bow pinned to her blouse, and went on talking softly.
    "Lots of kids sent messages, too. Scott and Mark said
to hang in there. Clarence said not to flirt with the nurses. Joel and Keith
said to let them know as soon as you can have visitors. Oh, yes, Shane wants to
come to see you, too, and he said he hopes they'll let him bring in Igor."
    "Jana, it's time to go now."
    Jana looked up at the sound of Mrs. Kirwan's voice. It was
hard to believe that it was time to go already. It seemed that she had just
gotten there, but Mr. Kirwan had arrived for his turn at Randy's bedside, and
he smiled at her as he took off his coat. "Any changes?" he asked.
    "No," murmured Jana. She didn't try to hide her
disappointment. Randy hadn't seemed to hear a single word she had said. In
fact, he seemed as deeply asleep as he had before.
    "Mrs. Kirwan and I will be in the hall when you're
ready to go," he said.
    Jana nodded and turned back toward Randy, dreading to say
good-bye. And yet, he looked so peaceful lying there. She glanced toward the
glass-topped doors that led into the hallway to be sure no one was peering in,
and then she bent toward Randy and softly kissed his cheek. "Good night,
Sleeping Handsome," she whispered. She waited for his eyes to open. At
least to flutter as they had before. But this time nothing happened, and with a
heavy heart, she turned and headed for the door.

CHAPTER 14
    The next afternoon Jana left school loaded down with gifts
for Randy. His English class had made a banner that was ten feet long and
signed by everyone. The football team had autographed a football for him, and
students from all three grades had given her get-well cards to take to him.
    As she stepped into the hospital lobby with Mrs. Kirwan, she
felt a stab of regret that she had nothing special for him herself. It wasn't
that she hadn't tried to think of something to bring. A card had seemed too
impersonal. A note, too personal until she could be sure that he would be the only
one to read it. Flowers? What good would they be until he woke up and could
smell them? There was nothing. Absolutely nothing, and she gathered her
frustration into the end of her finger and punched the elevator button as hard
as she could.
    "Oh, Jana," said Mrs. Kirwan as the doors opened
and several people got out. "Would you go on up without me, dear? I see a
neighbor sitting in the lounge, and I want to speak to her for a moment. I won't
be long."
    Jana nodded and boarded alone. She started to direct the
elevator to the second floor but changed her mind, touching the button for the
fourth floor instead. An idea had just occurred to her. Maybe there was
something that she could take to Randy, after all.
    A wave of emotion swept over her as she stepped into the
familiar corridor. She had been discharged days ago, but still the sights and
smells brought a rush of tears into her eyes. It was here she had awakened
after the accident and learned of Randy's coma.
    As she moved toward the room she had shared with Lisa, Mrs.
Foss stepped out of another room and