Brett, Avery and Van Dooren all checked out well, they only had minor scratches and bruises. I wasn’t so lucky; the paramedic believed I tore a few ligaments in my ankle, so they decided to carry me out on a stretcher. Hector was lunging and barking so hard at the paramedics that they had to bound him down and wrap a belt around his mouth!

As the paramedics were carrying me out, I heard a voice call out, “Andy! Andy! Is my baby alright?”

“Mom? Is that you?” I was only able to moan out.

“Yes, baby! Van Dooren called and told me everything!” Her face was flushing really red as she kneeled down to my eye level.  

“Yeah… it’s been quite a day, Mom.”

Mom looked like she suddenly shrugged back as a high-pitched, whiny, screechy voice screamed out, “Andy! Andy! Andy! He’s just faking it! You knew I was coming home today and you wanted everybody to ignore me!”

Oh no… it was Audrey.

“Sorry darling, Audrey got second to her best friend at the competition,” Mom whispered to my ear.

Brett and Avery snuck up next to mom. Avery leaned in with a smirk and said, “Hey man, if the surgeon removes anything, can you put in a jar and give it to me?”

I wasn’t in the mood, so I just shoved his face away.

“Also, you don’t mind if I’m the first one who signs your cast if you get one, right?” asked Brett.

“You are not going to write, ‘Property of Brett’ on me again!”

“Okay everyone, step back please! You can see him at the hospital,” one of the paramedics said.

As they carried me away into the ambulance, I took a quick peek at Vera’s Spring Goods. At the display window, stood a tall, thin figure with fair skin, dark hair, and the face of Ms. Swanson.