I leaned close and brought her cheek to my chest, trying not to hurt her arm and shoulder, which were in some sort of makeshift sling. Over and over, I whispered, “I love you, baby girl.”
Priscilla wept softly, and we sat there for a while, just leaning on each other.
Sheila hovered, trying to blend into the background. Occasionally, she walked toward the doorway to see what was happening.
A bit later, Sheila kissed my cheek and told me to call her whenever I needed her, no matter the time. She needed to go home and see what was happening with Penny on the trip. I assumed she also needed to process the events of the night.
The doctor showed up a few moments later, apologizing for the delay. A man had fallen and broken his spine, and had to be stabilized before the doctor was free to come back to Priscilla.
I learned Priscilla broke her collarbone and forearm. She’d need surgery and a cast on her arm, and would have to wear a sling for her collarbone for a while.
Priscilla told the doctor she was lucky her mom worked from home and would take good care of her. Ever the dutiful daughter, she sang my praises.
She also said, “That’s my dad they called security on, and they should know he does that all the time to my mom. I want you to tell them that,” she said pointedly to the doctor.
“Priss,” I whispered.
“No, Mom.”
The doctor nodded, explaining they would take her in a few minutes to get everything set, and we would be here for a few hours or more. He told me to get a cup of coffee and relax, that my daughter was in good hands.
A few minutes after that, Mick came in the room, and Priscilla smiled like the boy band BTS had arrived.
“They want you to press charges. Me too,” he grumbled, standing next to me while I sat on the bed. “I said it’s up to you.”
All I could whisper was, “I’m sorry you’re involved.” To Priscilla, I said, “And you too, baby. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t do that,” Mick said. “I’m not sorry I was here. It’s time you did that.”
“He’s right, Mom,” Priscilla said, sounding so much older than her years.
“I assume he wants to make some deal against my pressing charges?” I asked, because I knew how Tommy operated.
Mick nodded.
This type of thing had happened once long ago. Tommy and I had gotten into a big fight in the yard, and he threw me down on the grass. I’d had a bruise on my hip for months.
A neighbor had seen and told me to press charges.
Tommy had caught wind and talked me out of it, threatening he would take Priscilla away. Surprisingly, he’d behaved himself for a while after that. It was the only six months of peace I’d had in our marriage.
But I didn’t tell Mick any of this. No point in opening old wounds.
Tommy would win this time too, so I wouldn’t bother to press charges. Why? Because I’d been dumb enough to have a goddamn affair before ending things.
I couldn’t dwell on all of that, though, because they came to get Priscilla for surgery. Of all people, she asked Mick to walk with her gurney on the way there.
Kids had an uncanny way of finding the sore spot and holding their finger on it.
Margaret
The next morning, I sat at my kitchen table in my robe, drinking coffee while Priscilla slept in her bedroom.
Tommy wasn’t home. I didn’t know where he was, and I didn’t care.
I was deep in thought about everything I’d done wrong when a knock sounded from the front door. Standing, I hesitated, wondering who it was. I ruled out Tommy—he’d just bust in. Mick was a possibility, but he would call or text first.
Peeking out the window, I relaxed at the sight of Sheila standing outside in yoga pants and a puffer jacket, holding a bakery box.
