Jamie's nerves felt stretched tighter than guitar strings, and even when the sounds started to abate, he still didn't look up. And he wouldn't, not until his dad gave him the OK.
Roxanna did her best not to snatch it, and took probably a bigger mouthful than she should have. It made her cough and splutter, but it tasted better than she ever remembered water tasting before. She forced herself to swallow, then take a much smaller sip.
"They'll drug me too," she finally said. "Make me sleep, make me feel better. Fucking needles. I can see how people could get a phobia." She coughed again, and it hurt her chest by the time she was done. "On the other hand, the last thing I need is fucking pneumonia..."