“No, I came to check on Amelia.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
I rub a hand over my face, lowering my voice as I step away from the living room.Hazel’s at the coffee table, dealing out UNO cards for the kids.“Her mom collapsed.Paramedics took her to a stroke center.”
Silence.Then a sharp inhale.“Damn it.”He pauses.“What can I do to help?”
I glance at Hazel, her expression tired but focused on the game.
“Can you bring some dinner?I’m watching the kids, and I have no idea if they’ve eaten.”
“Done.I’ll be there soon.”
I hang up and force a breath before sitting down on the floor with Hazel and the others.Within minutes, I’m getting my ass handed to me by a bunch of kids.
By the time Keith arrives, takeout bags in hand, the place turns into utter chaos.Kids arguing over food, trading bites, and laughing for the first time all night.It’s a welcome distraction.
When things settle, and the kids start getting ready for bed, my phone buzzes again.Amelia.
I step into the hallway and answer immediately.“Hey.”
“Hi.”She sounds completely drained.
“What’s happening?”My heart pounds as I brace myself for the worst.
“She had a stroke.But we got her here in time.They treated her fast, and the doctors think she’s going to be okay.”
The tightness in my chest finally loosens a little.Thank God.Her story isn’t going to end like mine.
“That’s great news.”
“Yeah.”She sighs.“I’ll stay until they kick me out.”
“Everything here is taken care of.Have you eaten?”
“No.I’m not hungry.”She sounds exhausted.
I get it.When you’re running on stress and adrenaline, food is the last thing on your mind.But she needs to take care of herself.
“I know you’re not, but you need to eat something.Even just a sandwich.”
“Maybe later,” she says softly.“Adrian… thank you.For everything today.For being there for my family when—” Her voice cracks slightly.
“You don’t need to thank me,” I tell her.“I’m just glad your mom’s okay.”
“I should go.The doctor is due back soon.”
“Call me if you need anything.Anything at all.”
“I will.”
Chapter 27
Amelia
Threedayslater,Isit by Mom’s hospital bed, reading a fashion magazine I found in the patient lounge with the steady beep of the monitors filling the room.Mom looks better today.Her color is returning to her cheeks, and when she squeezes my hand, her fingers are warmer than they’ve been.I’ve been staying all day, only leaving when the visiting hours end.Adrian texts me every morning and night, checking in on both of us, but I haven’t had the energy to do more than send brief updates.I miss talking to him properly.At first, I think I can manage everything with the help of my sisters, Hazel and Aurora.Aurora drove down as soon as I call her.
Offers pour in from neighbors, from the people around town, from well-meaning friends, but I can’t bring myself to accept them.I need to handle this myself.I need to know that I can handle everything without falling apart.If I can’t manage this crisis, how can I prove I’m ready for bigger responsibilities?How can I show that I’m leadership material when I’m barely keeping my head above water?
