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“I’ll explain when you get here.”
* * *
I can hearthe sound of soft steps and something being rubbed against the walls before Mom stops at the doorway to my room. Her mouth drops the same as the bag when she sees me. Her gaze switches between Rosa and me, making her eyebrows knot closer together with every glance. I’m cradling Rosa against my chest again. She started crying out in her sleep and thrashing around to the point I was scared she was going to hurt herself.
She rolls again, her arms wrapping around her stomach as a small moan escapes her lips, piercing into my heart.
Mom rushes to the side of the bed, tucking her long gray hair behind her ears before gently cupping Rosa’s sweaty face.
“What’s happened to this poor girl? Who is she?”
“She’s going through withdrawals. I had no idea she was an addict. She’s Marco’s daughter.”
“Luca!”She raises her voice and stands up to put her hands on her hips.
Rosa flinches in my arms, and I shake my head at mom, giving her thenot nowstare. She can shout and scream at me all she wants after Rosa has gotten through this.
“I just need your help, Mom. So does Rosa. I haven’t slept or eaten since yesterday. She’s been throwing up, sweating, and has been in and out of consciousness all night. I can’t do this on my own anymore.”I hate having to ask for help. It makes me feel like a failure.
Mom’s face softens, and she nods, then pulls my head against her to ruffle my hair.
“Well, I’m glad you stepped up to help her. Go and get some rest. I’ll take over.”I let Rosa down gently against the pillow, but it rouses her from her restless sleep.
“Nona? Is that you?” Rosa’s voice quivers as she speaks.
I shrug at Mom. At this point, I don’t even know if Rosa knows her own name.Every now and then, there are moments she seems to have it together. This doesn’t seem to be one of them.
Mom smooths out the wild hair around Rosa’s face. “It’s okay, dear. Do you think we can get you freshened up?”
Rosa shakes her head and nuzzles herself further into my chest, grabbing onto my shirt so tightly I can feel her nails digging into my skin.
“Don’t leave me, Luca.”
Her voice is soft, but it’s like a kick in the gut. I hold her petite frame against mine and stroke her back.
“My mom is here to help you, Rosa. It’s just for a little while.”
When I manage to peel myself away, she sits up and watches me. Then, her face pales before she sways and droops back against the pillows.
Mom sits down on the bed next to her and places her hand over Rosa’s. “You are going to be just fine. Come on, let’s get you showered.”
“Thank you,” I mouth and sneak out of the room, letting out a lungful of air as I do.
I don’t want to leave Rosa, but I have to sleep. I have no idea how long her symptoms will last, so I have to be ready for the long haul. I won’t let her down.
A light tap on my door wakes me. I sit up and see my mom’s furrowed brow and down-turned mouth greeting me.
“How is she?”
“She’s sleeping. I gave her some more water with some vitamins and electrolytes to keep up her strength. My god, does she need some. This stage should pass in a day or two. I don’t know how far you’re willing to go to help her, son. But she is going to be struggling with this every day for the rest of her life. I can see she has that fight in there deep down, but it’s going to be tough. On both of you.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.
I can’t explain it. I want to help her, and I am willing to do what it takes. I’m already itching to go back in there and check on her.
“I had no idea.”
“She is going to be fragile, Luca. I don’t know what happened to her. Just be gentle with her.”
