I sink down on the front steps and Olivia drops down beside me. “What’s wrong?” she whispers. I hold the phone between us so she can hear, too.
“It’s been pretty rough today,” Mom says. “Just wanted to keep you up-to-date with what’s going on here.”
I haven’t even heard what’s wrong yet and I already feel like I’m about to vomit. “Tell me everything.”
Mom takes a deep breath. “Anna’s oxygen saturation is around eighty. That’s not good.”
“Oh God! So what are they going to do?”
“Well, they’re going to sedate her and put her on a ventilator. Her little body needs to rest to get strong, and the machine will breathe for her for a while.”
A muffled cry escapes. I feel like I got punched in the stomach.
“Sophie, it sounds worse than it is, I promise. The doctors think if they give her some time, she should be okay. Hopefully, she’ll only be on the vent for a day or so, and then they’ll start weaning her off.”
“Should,” I squeak out. “That’s the best they can say? Sheshouldbe okay?”
“Well, they can’t make any guarantees right now, but they feel very confident.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “How’s Margot?”
Mom takes another deep breath, and now I’m bracing myself for what’s coming.
“I told you last night that she’s been really weak and dizzy. She lost a lot of blood when she delivered and hasn’t bounced back the way she should have. Her hemoglobin is at six, which is really low. She’s probably going to need a blood transfusion. The doctors are in with her now, so we should know shortly what they’re going to do.”
Olivia clutches my hand. My heart is thumping so hard right now. “Mom, are they going to be okay?”
“I know I’m hitting you with a lot right now, but I promise you, the doctors have assured us that it’s not unexpected. Everyone fully expects both of them to get past this and hopefully be on their way home soon. It’s like a bump in the road.”
More like a mountain.
“Should I come down?” I ask.
“No, sweetie,” Mom says. “Stay there and I’ll keep you posted. Once Margot and the baby are home, we’ll come back for a visit. You can’t see Anna right now anyway, and Margot needs to rest.”
“You’ll call me and let me know everything that’s happening, right?”
“Yes, of course,” she says. “Oh, and as much as I hate it, I don’t think we’ll be back for Nonna’s birthday party. We just can’t leave here until we know everything is okay.”
“How’s Dad? He’s texted me a few times but I haven’t really talked to him.”
Mom lets out a quiet chuckle. “He’s climbing the walls. He hates that he can’t fix this.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “Brad’s dad keeps trying to sell him insurance.”
I can’t help but smile when I picture Dad stuffed into one of those uncomfortable hospital chairs while Brad’s dad drones on and on.
“So he’s basically miserable.”
“Pretty much. I’ll let you know about Margot. Don’t worry, okay?”
“Okay.”
When we hang up, Olivia hugs me, then pulls me up. “C’mon, let’s head to Nonna’s. Your date should be there soon.”
Tonight’s date is the absolute last thing on my mind. There’s no way I’m going. I’m heading south to check on Margot and Anna.
I throw my clothes into a bag upstairs. I can hear everyone downstairs, just like last night, laughing it up and chatting. It makes my stomach hurt.
Mom’s name flashes across my screen and I grab my phone.
