“Where is he?” Babsie asked Isaac, the moment he entered the room “Is he okay?”
The day before Halloween Matt had an accident while running. Yesterday Isaac had noticed that Matt was still limping and arranged a doctor appointment. He and Matt had just returned.
“Hmm, well, that depends on your definition of ‘okay’.”
Babsie’s face fell.
“Oh no. What is it?”
“He tore something called an ACL. Some ligament in his knee that he really needs, anyway. He’s got a knee brace and crutches and he needs surgery.”
Babsie covered her mouth with her hand.
“Needless to say, he won’t be doing any running any time soon,” Isaac went on.
“Poor Matt. I know how much he loves running.”
Isaac nodded. There was quiet for a moment.
“So, uhh, about this surgery?”
“It can happen at any time, preferably when he can have a week off school to recover. Then he’ll need physical therapy. And he’ll still need to use the brace for a while during that time.”
“Okay,” Babsie sounded unusually small.
“I got these,” Isaac said, giving her some papers. “That’s just regarding the surgery and stuff. Umm, I guess when we can figure out the best time for the surgery, I’ll ring the hospital and book it in.”
Babsie nodded.
“Right. Oh, poor Matt.”
“So you’ve said.”
“I’ve always hated the need for surgery.”
“Well, I hate that fact that we need it too. But I’m glad that we have it available. How do you think they would have dealt with these things before surgery?”
“Please, I’ve heard enough horror stories about such things as it is. Nothing so gruesome as a medieval doctor.”
Isaac managed a smile.
“I asked Matt if he’d like to sleep in the downstairs bedroom. But he wants to tackle the stairs. Of course, after the surgery he’ll definitely have to sleep there. I might have insisted but...” he trailed off.
Babsie nodded and wandered to the doorway. Despite how saddened she was by the news, she couldn’t help but smile as she watched Duke help Matt up the stairs with his crutches.
“It’s going to be okay,” she told herself.