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Charlotte twisted the receiver away from her mouth and pursed her lips. She certainly loved her sister and always would, but she didn’t always like her. “She doesn’t want to see me. I’d only make things worse.”
“But it’s bad.”
“What did the doctor say?”
“She was attacked. Beaten. They said it’s serious. Broken bones and I don’t know what else. Please, Charlie. For me.”
“Mom—”
“I know things are difficult between you two, but you have to make an exception this time. She needs someone there with her, and I’m not well enough to go.”
Charlotte bit her lip and stared at a stain on the carpet. “I don’t know. I have no problem seeing her, but I don’t think she’d like it.”
“Whatever went on between you two, put it behind you. Please. She needs you. You’re her sister, for goodness’ sake.”
Charlotte’s heart ached for Maddy, but she didn’t want to risk upsetting her more, especially if she was badly injured. It couldn’t be good to raise the blood pressure of someone who was unwell.
God, what do I do?She had been praying for an open door with her sister. Maybe God wanted to use this as that door. But if she got it wrong…Then she thought of sitting at home knowing that her sister was in the hospital. In the state she was in, that wasn’t going to go well either.
“Okay. I’ll go. I’ve got to sort out my work and double check my deadlines. I might not get there for a day or two.”
“I understand. Thank you, sweetheart. I feel so much more at ease knowing you’ll be with her.”
“But Mom, can you please warn her I’m coming?”
“Why?”
“In case she doesn’t want me there. Let her know I’ll come, but if she says she doesn’t want me to visit, you need to tell me so I can leave her in peace. She has to be rested to recover. If my presence is going to make things worse for her, then I’m not going to go.”
“Okay.”
“Promise me.”
“I said I would.”
“You look after yourself, okay?”
“I always do. I have a few friends coming for tea this afternoon. They’ve been bringing me groceries.”
“That’s very kind of them.”
“Miranda said they’re working up to taking me in the car while they do the shopping, but I don’t know.”
“Sounds like you’ve found some really great friends.”
“Well, I don’t have my daughters to help, so someone has to.”
Charlotte knew her mom’s words were meant to sting, and they did. Leaving her had been the hardest part of the move, but Charlotte knew it was necessary to protect her. Not only that, but she could see how God used it for her mom’s good. She had come to rely on Charlotte too much, and, since they’d been separated, even though things were still bad, they were better than before.
“After I see Maddy, I’ll come over for a quick visit.”
“You will? But I thought—is it safe?”
“It’s been long enough, and I really miss you. I won’t stay long, but I want to see you.”
“Oh…well…that would be really lovely. I can’t wait for you to meet the girls.”
“Me too. Bye, Mom. I’ll be in touch.”
