The clock on the wall tells me that it’s well past two in the morning.
“I’m Dr. Kwapis. We found rohypnol, a common date-rape drug, in Thea’s system,” he says. “It matched the sample from the drink that came in with her.” He looks between us. “Which one of you brought it in?”
Raquel raises her hand.
“Good. Thank you.” He offers her a comforting smile and then turns to me. “Your daughter’s friend’s quick-thinking really helped us figure out what was going on.”
I don’t correct him on the terminology of what Thea is to me.
“Is she okay?” I ask.
“We had to pump her stomach to get the drug out of her system, but yes, she is okay. I’d like to keep her until the morning, at least, for observation. She’s going to feel sick for another day or two, but I expect she will make a full recovery.”
I let out a deep breath and feel Charlie’s hand rest reassuringly on my shoulder.
“She’s awake now, but groggy, if you’d like to see her.”
I nod and stand, following Dr. Kwapis out of the room. Raquel and Charlie tag along behind us as we venture through theemergency room and down a hallway. They stay outside her room as Dr. Kwapis leads me inside.
Thea is in the hospital bed, hooked up to monitors and wearing an oxygen mask. I grab the seat to her right and quietly pull it up next to the bed. I take her hand in mine and sit there quietly, running my thumb over her knuckles. I listen to the sound of her breathing for a few moments.
Thea stirs and opens her eyes. “Aunt Beth,” she says as she sees me, “what happened?”
Tears spring to my eyes at the sound of her voice. I’ve been so focused on not losing Charlie as my best friend that I didn’t realize just how close I had been to losing Thea.
“You were out with Raquel,” I begin, struggling to keep my voice even around the lump in my throat, “and someone spiked your drink.”
Terror flashes in her eyes.
“I wasn’t drinking, Aunt Beth,” she starts, “I swear I wasn’t drinking.”
“Shhh, baby,” I comfort her, giving her a smile and calling her a nickname I haven’t called her since she was ten. “I know. It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.”
She stares at me. “I’m so tired.”
“Rest.” I stroke her forehead, my fingers grazing her hairline. “Just rest. Don’t worry about anything else, okay?”
The door opens and Charlie steps in, quickly closing it behind him.
“How is she?” he whispers.
“Groggy,” I say, looking back at Thea. Her eyes are closed again and she’s breathing peacefully.
“They’re going to admit her,” he says. “I overheard the nurses talking. Just long enough to make sure her vitals stay strong.”
I nod. It’s going to be a long night.
I sit with Thea for a little while longer before Raquel slips into the room for her turn. Thea stirs in the bed but is awake enough now to talk to her for a little bit.
Charlie and I let them have their space, stepping out of the room.
“Why don’t you come back to my place,” he says, looping our hands together. He lives a block from the hospital. “Get a hot shower and rest until they discharge her. I can bring you back in the morning.”
I look at him, grateful for the man that’s been placed in my life. Whether as a best friend or something more, he’s always been the voice of reason for me.
“Okay.” There’s no use in arguing. My car is at Regiano’s, and my house is on the opposite side of Driftbay; it makes sense to just crash with him.
“They won’t let us stay all night, especially once she gets admitted.”
