“What did he want?”
Avery grimaced. “To replace you. He asked at first, still sweet then. But I refused. And then, eventually, he started demanding that I give him what he wanted. But I kept refusing. As much as I let him control me and my life, I refused to do that. My child… You are not replaceable.”
Seri swallowed hard, holding back fresh new tears. “I…”
She smiled. “I missed you… I missed you so much, Seri.”
He sighed when he lost the fight, and tears once again slipped free. “I wish I could say the same… But…I tried to not think of you. I’m sorry. I thought…”
“I…I saw your news conference. I…” She trailed off, and took a few stilted breaths. “I want to eventually…talk about that horrible man…who hurt you. But right now…”
“Now is not the time,” Seri finished for her with a sad smile. “I get it. I'd rather not talk about it right now either… There is plenty of time to do that later.”
“Yes… Beyond that…I heard the whole thing. Though Robert ranted and raved, and had forbidden me from going near the library, I went anyway. I'd sneak out to go whenever I could. I caught the news that day. And then watched it from the beginning right after. I know you grew up in an orphanage. I don’t know how you got there, but don’t apologize to me for not thinking about a woman who you thought abandoned you. You have nothing—” She took another breath. “—to apologize to me for.”
Even as she said that, Seri wanted to. He wanted to apologize for not looking for her, as she looked for him. He wanted to take back all the cruel things he’d thought about her in his early years. Seri wanted to apologize for never considering her at all.
Avery shifted a bit on the bed. Seri flinched when she let out a soft cry full of pain. “I think it’s time we leave,” Seri worried. “You need your rest.”
“B-but, we’ve only talked about me…” she cried. Gaze pleading, her hand gripped his tightly. “Please, stay longer!”
Seri gently rubbed the top of her hand. “M-mother, I promise, we will come back. I’m not going anywhere.”
She stared silently for a few moments before slowly nodding, and then blurting, “D-do you have a phone number?” She frowned. “Well…of course, you do. I mean…can I have your phone number, so I can…call? I can use the hospital's phone…it’s free for me to use. Well…maybe not.” Her frown deepened. “They told me I could use it, though…”
His mother didn’t have a phone…and was obviously worrying about the hospital bill. He glanced at Severo, unsure what to say.
The Dweller cleared his throat. “How about Seri and I pick you up a phone of your own, and when we come by tomorrow we can show you how to use it. That way you won't have to worry about the hospital phone at all?”
Her eyes widened, before she excitedly asked, “You…want to get me a phone? Really? I can have one? I’m allowed?”
Seri barely stopped himself from tightening his grip around her hand at the words. She sounded excited…but to him, her words just made his stomach twist painfully as anger filled him. Just how much had Robert and this settlement controlled her?
Forcing a smile on his face, he reassured her. “Yes, we’ll get you a phone, and have it all set up for you by the time we stop by tomorrow afternoon.” He gently laid her hand down. “Now, please rest, and stop refusing your pain medicine.”
Avery sighed. “Must I? Pain medicine has always made me feel drowsy, like my head is full of cotton.”
Seri chuckled. “Yes. Please. Even if we come when you are drowsy, I'd rather that than you be in pain.”
“If I must,” she said, sounding put out.
Severo slowly closedthe door behind the nurse who entered to administer Seri’s mother’s pain medicine. Seri was beside him, staring into the room, up until the door closed and blocked his view.
“We’ll be back. Don’t worry, she will be safe,” Severo promised, before he nodded at the officer.
“Yes, don’t worry, sirs. I won’t let a single person harm her.”
“Thank you,” Seri rasped.
He guided the Nymph away.
When they were almost back to their rental car, Seri asked, “We are going to the police station next, aren’t we?”
“Yes. Unless you aren’t up for it? We can always go tomorrow.”
“Let’s go and get it over with.”
Severo nodded.
