“I'm so sorry, Eryn. I know this isn’t easy.”
She simply nodded and slipped her free hand into mine. I squeezed her hand reassuringly. We stood in silence for a few moments, and then Eryn's mom's eyes slowly opened.
“Wh- where am I?” she croaked. “Wh- what happened?”
Eryn managed to find her voice.
“Hi, Mom,” she sniffled. “You're in the hospital. You passed out at home and hit your head.”
“Oh...I-”
“Shh,” Eryn said as she stroked her mom's forehead gently. “Just rest. The doctors and nurses are going to take care of you.”
“Who's this man, dear?” she asked, looking at me.
“He's my volleyball coach, Mom. Wade Vinson. He helped get you here.”
She smiled, despite the pain she was obviously in. “Thank you, Mr. Vinson. She's so talented, isn't she?” she smiled like the proud mother I could see she was.
I smiled in return. “She really is, Mrs. Barnett. And she's got some good news about volleyball that I'm sure she'd like to tell you.”
“Really? What's that dear?” she asked, turning to Eryn.
Eryn beamed a wide smile at her mom, despite her teary eyes. “I made the starting lineup! I'm playing in the game against Miami this Saturday. So that means you have to cooperate with the doctors so they don’t keep you in here because you didn’t listen.”
I couldn't help but smile. It was obvious how happy the news made Eryn’s mother and how big of a deal this was to her. Of course, Eryn had totally earned it. She really was one of the most talented and hardworking players I'd come across in my years of coaching.
“That's just wonderful, dear, so wonderful! I know how hard you've worked for this, and I'm so proud of you...so very proud!”
The doctor came back and interrupted the conversation. “Ah, Mrs. Barnett, I see you've woken up. Good. As for your daughter and friend, I'm afraid they're going to have to leave now. We need to take you upstairs to do some tests. Don't worry, though, everything is taken care of, and we'll make sure you're out of here as soon as possible. You will have to stay overnight, though.”
“All right,” she said to the doctor then turned back to Eryn. “Honey, you go. There’s nothing you can accomplish sitting in some waiting room. I’ll call you when they put me in a room for the night, and I'll see you tomorrow, dear.”
“I want to stay here, Mom,” Eryn protested.
“Nonsense,” she retorted. “It’s already late, and I know how long these things can take. It will be well after midnight before they are finished with me. I’m sure of it. Now go. I’ll call you in a bit. And thank you for your help, Mr. Vinson, I do appreciate it tremendously. Take care of my girl.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will. And I hope you feel better soon, Mrs. Barnett,” I replied.
I took Eryn's hand. “Come on, Eryn, we need to go now. Your mom will be fine.”
She leaned over and kissed her mom and whispered a goodbye, and then allowed me to lead her out. Once we were out in the parking lot, I stopped to speak to her.
“Are you all right?” I asked. “I mean, obviously you're not, but I mean, under the circumstances, are you okay?”
“I'll be okay,” she replied. “Thank you, Wade. So much.”
“It's fine, really, it is. Is there anyone else you need to call? Any siblings? Your father?”
As I said “father,” I her expression change momentarily. There was obviously something there, so I knew not to push that issue.
“I have an older sister in San Diego; I'll call her later. I don’t want to worry her for any longer than necessary.”
“All right. And anything else you need? Have you eaten dinner?”
“No, I was gonna eat with my mom. I need to go back there to turn off the lights and the TV and everything.”
“All right, well let's pick up some takeout, and we can eat it there. You can make sure everything is turned off and safe, and then I'll drop you at your place. Sound good?”