The emergency room was full of people despite the time, so Chloe and Alex sat in the waiting room for an hour after calling Alex’s parents and giving them some excuse to explain his absence. They made small talk about unimportant details of their lives. Alex did most of the talking since Chloe could only really think of things she had done with Jay.

When a nurse finally came for Chloe, they both walked into a small room where Chloe explained about her badly damaged wrist and cracked ribs. Alex waited outside while she was given x-rays and decided not to watch as the doctor set her wrist. With a lime green cast and a prescription for pain killers, two silent companions made their way back to the car.

“I know it’s been really rough tonight. But, I was wondering, if maybe you’d let me take you out somewhere, you don’t have to eat…”

“I think that would be good for me, Alex.”

He was able to force a smile. “Where do you want to go?”

“The ice cream parlor by our neighborhood; for old time’s sake.”