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Tyler pinched the bridge of his nose. “We’re not psychiatric professionals. We couldn’t give her the kind of help she needed, despite how wonderful her life was. These people can help her.”
Mom’s voice got louder as she stabbed the air with her index finger. “I’m not sending her to some mental institution. She’s not crazy. She’s just ungrateful. She doesn’t know how good she has it. Do they have a pill to fix that?”
Tyler’s eyes widened. “Do you hear yourself right now? Your daughter tried to take her own life, and you’re not going to try to help her get better?”
“If your sister is hell-bent on dying, then nothing and no one is going to stop her.”
That was Mom. If she couldn’t control something, then she discarded it like trash. It had no place in her world.
Tyler’s head jerked back. “Well, we have to try.”
“There’s no we, Ty. Your father’s gone, and you live a hundred miles away.”
“Oh, so this is my fault? I’m not allowed to have a life of my own?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.” She waved a dismissive hand. “But when you leave, I’m the one who’s left here to deal with her. And I won’t let her ruin my life the way she’s choosing to ruin hers.”
“She didn’t choose this, Mom. Didn’t you hear what the doctor said?”
I wanted to tell Tyler it was hopeless. Talking to Mom about depression is like telling her there are aliens on Mars. If she doesn’t believe in it, then there’s no possibility for it to exist.
“I’ve been through enough with that girl. Your sister can’t be saved, and you need to accept that.”
“Look, I know you’re upset right now, but—”
“No.” Mom shook her head. “If Phoenix wants to be dead, then she will be. She’ll be dead to me.”
But today, waking up in the hospital again after two years? It’s much different.
Same sterile smell. Same sound of beeping machines. Same pain in the same arm.
Though instead of feeling scared and alone, I feel safe and loved.
James, Leo, and Jim sit around my bed in their respective chairs.
Leo’s reading a romance novel.
Jim is asleep with Wilbur on his lap—perks of being in the hospital with a police officer.
And James is watching me from under heavy, tired lids, gripping my hand like he’ll float away if he isn’t tethered to me. Those beautiful eyes pierce my heart and see into my soul.
A smile creeps onto my face. “Hi, handsome.”
“Hi, beautiful. How do you feel?”
“I’ve been through worse.”
He stands and nudges my leg. “Scoot over.”
“You’re too big. You can’t fit in here.”
He smirks. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before, but we made it work.”
Leo makes a gagging sound, and Jim plugs his ears with his index fingers.
I laugh and Wilbur’s ears perk up. He dives from Jim’s lap onto the bed, but James intercepts him.
“Easy, boy. Easy. Mommy is hurt.” He puts him gently in my lap, shielding my wounded arm as Wilbur stands on his hind legs to lick my face.
