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Grace had been quiet during the last part of dinner. “Are you mad at me for being nosey about your parents?”
“Of course not. I had fun tonight.”
“But I’m still mad at you.” Spencer crossed his arms. “I told you not to be so nosey, and you wouldn’t listen.”
“Let’s change the subject,” suggested Grace. “Momma, how’s the job hunt going?”
“Nothing so far—at least nothing that doesn’t involve working the midnight shift.”
“Momma’s been an LVN for years, but she went back to school and graduated with her RN two weeks ago,” Grace boasted.
“Congratulations,” said Emily. “Oh! My phone’s vibrating.” When she saw Steven’s name, she felt the blood drain from her face.
“It’s Steven,” she whispered to Spencer as she ran quickly to the den.
“Hello? Steven? Is something wrong with Mom?”
“She’s okay. But they’re keeping her in the hospital tonight. She... she got dehydrated again. Can you come and see her tonight?”
“I’m coming right now. What’s the name of the hospital?”
She heard Spencer’s voice behind her. “I know where it is. I’ll get you there.”
Steven said, “Is that Spencer?”
“Yes, he said he’d bring me.”
“It’ll take fifteen minutes if we leave right now,” said Spencer.
“Don’t panic getting here. It’s not an emergency—she just wants to see you. Okay?”
But Emily couldn’t stop crying. Spencer took the phone
from her trembling hand. “I’ll take care of her, Mr. Gherring. We’ll see you in a few minutes.”
He ended the call and opened his arms, and she fell against him, sobbing. He held her until she quieted.
She sniffed. “I... I’m s-sorry. I d-don’t know why I’m cr-crying.”
“What happened? What did he say?”
“J-just that sh-she’s in the h-hospital.”
“Okay. Did he say it’s bad? Did he tell you what’s really wrong?”
“N-no. He didn’t say.”
“Well, let’s go. Let’s get there and see what’s going on. She’s going to be fine.”
Emily was suddenly conscious Spencer had his arms around her. And she had her arms around him. She stiffened and pulled away, but immediately felt the loss. Vaguely, she worried she’d sought and found comfort so easily from Spencer. But that’s what friends were for, right?
She saw Grace watching from the doorway of the den. Spencer followed Emily’s eyes to his sister. “Her mom’s sick, so I’m taking Emily to the hospital. This information doesn’t leave this house. Understand?”
Emily moved woodenly as he led her out the door. She attempted to reinstate the brave, fearless front behind which she’d hidden so successfully for years. She detested herself for her lack of control, and determined not to show weakness again. She had to be strong.
*****
Anne tried desperately to stay awake, but failed. She didn’t see Emily when she entered the room. She didn’t get to give her an assuring smile, and she didn’t get to prime herself to look strong and healthy. Instead, she woke up to her daughter’s tear streaked face.
