Chapter 6: Sniffing ButtsAbout an hour later, Mom, Dad, and Tori woke me up when they showed up in a whirlwind. They were all wearing masks, too, even though we had all been vaccinated. Mom set the clothes and shoes she’d brought onto a nearby chair, then pointed toward one of the nurse’s stations in the main area, saying, “Masks are a hospital requirement for everyone but patients.”
“Mom said you fell in the river. What were you doing by the river?” Tori demanded. She had apparently decided to leave the kids at home, which I was grateful for. I didn’t want them to see their uncle in the hospital. Vain, I know.
I recounted the whole story for them.
“And you didn’t jump on the boards or anything?” Dad seemed very worried.
“No. I stepped just like I normally do. I don’t think I’ve gained
