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"Steve just wanted to check in. With Jeremy on the case, you can come home, Brynn."
"I can't do that, Dani. I need to stay close to Mom. I'm going down to the hospital shortly."
"Are you sure you want to keep seeing her, Brynn? It can't be easy."
"It's not, but that video of her saving that man's life made her seem real again. It made me remember she was a good person. Maybe she still is."
"Is she getting any better?"
"I haven't heard anything different."
"You should give Jeff a call, Brynn. He's worried about you."
I hadn't given Jeff one single thought since I'd seen him on Thursday, right before the bottom of my world had fallen out. "I can't talk to him now. Tell him I'm busy and when this is all over, we'll have a conversation."
"That doesn't sound promising."
"It's not, Dani. I'm not in love with Jeff. To be honest, I think I've just been dating him as a distraction."
"But you two have fun together."
"He's fine. It just isn't going to be anything."
"You don't have to decide now. You're upset. Jeff is a good guy, someone you can count on."
"We'll talk soon," I said, hanging up before she could sing any more of Jeff's praises. I'd known there was no future with Jeff weeks ago, and I'd just let things drift along, because that's what I'd been doing in every part of my life. That had changed now. I wasn't drifting. I was caught up in a rip current, a current I wasn't sure I could survive. But that current was also bringing out a strength in me I hadn't known I had.
Grabbing my purse and keys, I left Kade's apartment and went upstairs to the main house. Everything was still locked up nice and tight. I took a shower, changed clothes, and then headed to the hospital.
* * *
The doctor was with my mother when I arrived, and the nurse asked me to wait until she had completed her examination. I tapped my foot impatiently on the floor as I looked around the hallway. There was still a security guard outside my mom's door, which I was happy to see. But what I really needed to see was some improvement in my mother's condition.
Finally, the door opened, and the doctor came out. Dr. Elizabeth Ryker was an attractive blonde with her hair pulled back in a French braid.
"How is my mother?" I asked.
"Unfortunately, there hasn't been any change," Dr. Ryker replied. "But she's holding her own."
"Do you have any idea when she'll wake up? Is she still heavily medicated?"
"We have her on pain medication, but it's no longer enough to prevent her from waking up."
"Then why isn't she awake?" I asked in frustration.
"Her body is healing. We should know more within the next forty-eight hours."
"You said that before," I couldn't help pointing out.
"I know it's difficult but try to stay positive. If there's any change, we'll notify you."
"Thanks."
After the doctor left, I entered my mother's room. The nurse had just finished taking some blood. She gave me a smile and then left us alone.
I walked over to the bed and gazed down at my mom once more. It seemed like there was more color in her face. Maybe that was just my imagination.
"I need you to wake up, Mom," I said. "It's Brynn. I'm here. I'm staying at your house. I'm trying to find out who hurt you, but I need your help." I wanted to say I needed her, but that would make me feel too vulnerable. I'd needed her when I was a child, and she'd left me.Why would it matter now how I felt?My needs hadn't stopped her from leaving me the first time.
