Brazen Girl by Ali Dean Page 0,1

but I’m relieved there’s no visible injuries from the crash. Pulling up a chair beside her, I take her hands, half-listening as the doctor explains Jordan gave permission to talk freely about her condition and diagnosis with me in the room.

“You’ll need to be seen and tested weekly by a concussion specialist. I’ll give you a list of references near your home in Connecticut. Most recover within three months from a concussion, some only take two months, and one month would be particularly fast. Until your symptoms are completely gone, no contact sports or activities with risk of injury. This includes skateboarding.”

I watch Jordan for a reaction, but she doesn’t give much away. Maybe Dr. Gibson already went over all this with her.

“I understand you’re done with classes this semester?” she asks.

“Yeah. I’m flying home on Friday.”

“Good, as you may have trouble concentrating for a few days. The timing of winter break will help with recovery. Hopefully by the time you return to school in a few weeks your symptoms will be gone. But recovery from concussions can vary significantly, and it sounds like this isn’t your first one?”

“No, I had one a few months ago, and a couple of others over the years before that.”

“Research suggests concussions can be cumulative, meaning symptoms worsen with each one. So you shouldn’t expect to recover as quickly this time. It sounds like it was quite the fall.”

Jordan’s eyes dart to mine for a moment before she confirms, “Yeah, it was a hard fall.”

The doctor lists common symptoms she might experience, from increased irritability to light sensitivity and dizziness. “Additionally, if you’ve suffered from depression or anxiety in the past, you have a greater risk of those resurfacing more acutely.”

I’ve had concussions before myself, and I’ve heard all these risks and possible symptoms listed. But knowing Jordan was out for a full a minute and threw up? There’s no question this recovery will look different than what either of us has been through before. She’s going to have to adhere to the month-long hiatus from skateboarding. I’ll be with her for only four more days and then her parents and her friends in Connecticut are going to have to be there for her.

As soon as we’re told she can get dressed and leave, I’m taking both her hands. “You sure you want to fly home on Friday? You can stay here where I can be with you the entire time. I’m sure your parents have to work. I want to be the one to take care of you.”

Jordan frowns. “I’m not sick or anything, Beck. I’m not even really injured. I mean, my head is I guess, but at least it’s not my legs or arms, right?”

“I think your head is more important.”

“You know what I mean. I can still get around just fine. Don’t worry, Beck. My parents will hover and not let me skate as soon as they hear about this. By the time I get back next semester I’ll be good to go.”

She shrugs, like it’s no big deal she’s in the ER right now.

My eyes scan her body for any other injuries as she drops the hospital gown and changes back into her clothes.

“But won’t you get bored at home not being able to do anything?” I know she probably misses her parents and friends, but I’m looking for any reason to have just a few more days with her. I didn’t want to smother her this past week while she was trying to study and ignore the looming social media shitshow. But now I’m the one struggling to breathe as I count down the days before she’s gone. She might be coming back to campus afterward, but I’ll be stuck in a house on a reality TV show by then.

“Honestly Beck, I was thinking maybe I should try to move my flight up a couple of days. You’ve still got exams, and so does everyone else. If I can’t skate, I might as well go home.”

Jordan looks at me as she zips up her jeans and slides on sneakers. It’s like she doesn’t care or doesn’t even notice that she’s kind of breaking my heart right now. This doesn’t feel like one of her brush-offs when she’s overwhelmed by something. No, she’s addressing me like I’m not even part of the consideration here. Like I don’t matter. I know this isn’t about me, not right now, but doesn’t she want me to be here for her like I