I tried to get a look at it and felt my stomach pitch. Twisted at an odd angel and already swollen.
“Dad!” I shouted. “We need to get her to the hospital.”
He rushed in behind me, and I helped him lift her carefully.
I was terrified of hurting her more.
By the time we got her to the couch, my hands were shaking so badly I could barely dial the phone.
I called Claire.
I don’t even know why she was the first person I thought of. I just knew Lily would need someone, and… I trusted her.
She picked up after one ring.
“Claire,” I said, voice already too raw, “I need a favor. Mom fell, I’m taking her to the hospital and Lily is sleeping. Can you please watch her?”
“Is she conscious?” Claire asked, immediate concern in her voice.
“She’s in pain. It’s her foot, as far as I can tell. I have to go now.”
In the background, I heard a man’s voice, Brandon.
“Everything okay? You need to go?”
A spike of something ugly and hot twisted in my chest, even through the panic.
Claire didn’t hesitate. “I’ll be there in five.”
Then she hung up.
Chapter 38
Ethan
In the driveway, Dad was helping Mom toward the car when Claire pulled up.
I had my hand on the car door, but my breathing was off, too fast and shallow. I couldn’t seem to pull enough air in. My chest tightened, vision narrowing at the edges.
Losing Matt replayed in flashes, mom’s voice, unanswered calls, and suddenly I wasn’t just scared for Mom.
I was terrified.
Claire jogged toward us, eyes taking in everything in a single sweep.
“Is she okay?” she asked Dad, then looked at me and stopped mid-step.
I must’ve looked worse than I realized because her entire expression changed, softened, all at once.
“Ethan,” she said quietly, stepping closer, “look at me.”
I couldn’t. My eyes were darting everywhere, Mom’s hand gripping the doorframe, Dad adjusting her weight, the gravel under my feet.
“Hey,” Claire said again, firmer now, fingers brushing my arm. “You’re breathing too fast.”
“I can’t breathe,” I gasped.
“Relax and breathe in,” she instructed, voice steady. “Through your nose.”
