“I can’t go to a hospital,â€? she gasped. “Hospitals ask questions, Aiden. Dad didn’t mean to do this. It was an accident. When he’s sober he couldn’t even hurt a fly.â€?

“But that’s the thing, Zee. He’s rarely sober. Look let’s just get you checked out and maybe we can get your dad help with his drinking.â€?

“But they’ll take him away. I don’t want to be alone,â€? she begged.

“You won’t be alone. I’m right here and I’m never letting go,â€? he promised. With that she conceded and they made their way to the ER.

As soon as they walked in, nurses whisked Xailey off for x-rays. Aiden had to wait and fill out paperwork and then they escorted him to a 2nd floor waiting room.

Within 15 minutes, his mom – a night shift nurse – came running down the hall. “Oh baby, Claudia from downstairs told me she saw you come in. Is everything okay? What happened?â€? she questioned.