“Someone hit the back of my car and I lost control.We went off the road and into a ditch.”
“How could you let that happen?”
“I didn’t-”
“Why were you even out?”
“I ran to the store to get something.We were going straight home.”
“You know I don’t want Tali out if she doesn’t need to be.We discussed that.”
“I know, but I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“You didn’t think.That’s all there is to it.You shouldn’t have been out and because you decided to do whatever you wanted, my little girl almost got killed.You totaled your SUV, Winnie.”I run my hands through my hair, tugging on the ends in frustration.
“I'm sorry, Jamie,” she whispers as the first tear slips down her cheek.
“And why would someone run into your car?”I throw my hands up in the air, trying to understand what’s happened because none of this makes sense.
“I think it was the paparazzi that kept trying to snap our pictures.”
“Are you kidding me!”I roar, making Winnie jump.
The tears are falling down her cheeks faster than ever before.Her bottom lip trembles, but she doesn’t look away.She holds my gaze, taking on all of my wrath.
“You let a paparazzi get close to my baby girl!How many times did I tell you I didn’t want Tali’s face splashed across a magazine?Why can't you just listen when I tell you not to do something?You always have to push.You think you’re right and you keep pushing until I give in and do what you want.”
“Jamie, I didn’t-”
“I don’t want to hear it, Winnie.Tali isn't your daughter, no matter how much you wish she was.She’s mine and I’m going to raise her the way I want to.”I scrub a hand down my face and try to reign in my anger.“As soon as Tali’s discharged, I'm taking her home.You can call me when they say you can leave and I’ll come get you.”I blow out a long breath and shake my head.
“I’ll call Liliana and have her get me,” she whispers so quietly I almost don’t hear her.
“I’ll text you later.I need to get Tali home, she’s scared and exhausted.”
“Don’t worry about me.Just focus on Tali.”
I give her a tight smile before I exit her room and return to Tali.I can't believe this happened today.Winnie got lucky.Tali could’ve been really hurt and it’s all her fault.
Collapsing on my bed, I drape an arm over my eyes and I'm half asleep when it dawns on me, I never asked Winnie if she was ok.
“Jeez,” I mumble under my breath as I reach for my phone and quickly dial her number.
I didn’t mean to ignore her and not ask about her, I was terrified when I got that text from Liliana.Every horrible possibility of why my little girl was in the hospital sped through my head and put me on edge.I was so worried about her, I didn’t even think about Winnie.
When she doesn’t answer, I send her a text.I want to make sure she’s ok, or I’ll never sleep.Honestly, if I had someone to stay with Tali, I’d go back to the hospital to see Winnie.Normally, I’d even wake Tali up and take her with me, but she took forever to go down tonight.I don’t know how long she was at the hospital, but she was so scared.
The entire time I was rocking her, she kept whimpering for Winnie.The two of them are like two peas in a pod and she loves Winnie.
Jamie: Can you talk?
Winnie: I'm exhausted and you should be focusing on Tali.
Jamie: I finally got Tali to sleep.Are you ok?
Winnie: I’ll be fine.Go to bed, Jamie.
Jamie: When will you be home?
