* * *
An hour after they admitted her to the hospital, Drew brought Vinny to the waiting area.The kid looked pale, terrified.I understood.I too felt hollowed out and emotionally spent.
Somehow, I had to compartmentalize things enough to explain what was going on.It came easier if I made the report like I was rounding off a case to another veterinarian.If I actually thought about what happened, I’d fall apart again.I told both Drew and Vinny, “They took her to surgery.One of her ribs broke and punctured something, causing a lot of internal bleeding.They’re not sure about her head injury.They’re going to do an MRI to see if she has any bleeding.After that, they’ll know whether they need to do anything to treat it.”
Vinny sat stiffly next to me.“Is she going to be okay?”
“We don’t know yet.”I gave him a one-armed hug, but he remained unyielding in my embrace.
My mom took my hand in hers from the chair next to me.I was grateful for the support.She’d been here within a half hour of me texting her that Erika had been admitted.She said, “Marty is fine.Just a bump on the head, thank the Lord.”
Drew looked awkward, standing above us.“I dropped Tracker with your dad out at the farm before we came here.I want to wait, man, I really do, but I’ve got to get out to my farm and help out with evening chores.”He glanced down at his cell phone when it made a chirp.“Dante says he’s cleaning up things at the clinic.”
“Thanks, Drew.”I was grateful for his help today.
Drew twisted his fingers together.“You know she and I weren’t ever serious.I figured if I tried anything with her, you’d eventually pull your head out of your ass and win her back.I liked her, yeah, but she’s not meant for me.She loves you.I don’t think she ever quit.”
“I know.”It slipped out quietly.His truth hit hard, because I never quit loving her either.
My mom said, “I’ll send you updates.Thank you for staying at the field to finish Vinny’s game.”She waved him away.“Go.”
Time moved slowly in the waiting room.The fake leather chairs pressed hard into my back as we stared blankly at a home improvement show on a small TV in the corner, pretending to watch because it was easier than facing the quiet fear between us.
Timothy barreled in, surprising me.I didn’t know he cared this much about Erika.He stood in front of Mom, “Why won’t you answer your phone?”
“Honey, I texted you that I’d be at the hospital until we know more about Erika.Why don’t you take a seat with us?We could use an extra soul praying.”
He huffed.“Dad sent me.He was wondering about dinner.”
“Your father is a grown man who can fend for himself for one night.If this is about you, then order delivery or take something out of the freezer.Or better still, sit down.”She pointed imperiously at the empty chair next to me.Vinny had moved to where the view of the TV was better.
Timothy sat, arms folded.We stayed that way, unspeaking for endless minutes.
I clenched my jaw, forcing the words out through my teeth.“You’re the reason we broke up.Beforethis.”
“Me?”Timothy barked out a laugh and jabbed a finger at his own chest, eyes wide in mock innocence.“I didn’t even know you and Erika were actually together for real again.”
“I assume Milly’s baby is yours,” I said, voice shaking with fury.“She made it seem to Erika like it was mine, even though I’m one hundred percent sure it’s not.She told Erika I pushed her to get an abortion.Tell me, Timothy.Did you do that to Milly?Didyoutell her to get rid of your baby?”
Genuine surprise crossed his face.“No.We worked our stuff out.She was distraught and confused when she ran into Erika at the house.”
“Why were you sleeping with the woman I was dating?”
For the first time in my life, my big brother looked contrite.“I’m sorry.It was a shit thing to do, but I swear we didn’t mean for it to happen.It just did.I wanted her to break it off with you, and for us to be a real thing, but she was all fired up tobeatErika.How does Milly misunderstanding me makemethe reason you two fell apart?”
“It’salwaysyour fault,” I snapped.“You’re always trying to screw with my life.You’ve never stopped trying to break us up.”
“Look, I don’t care if you’re with Erika or not,” Timothy said with a shrug.“Seems like you two are always fighting.She makes you annoyingly bolder.Maybe it’s best if she?—”
“Timothy Carlton Hurst!”my mother snapped, her voice sharp.She smacked Timothy’s arm with the flat of her hand, hard enough to make him flinch.“Youwillnotfinish that sentence.You will apologize to Josh.Right now.”
“Mom?”Timothy’s face flushed red.“I wasn’t going to say anything bad.I was about to say it was better if Erika dated Josh rather than Milly.Even so, he and Erika are always fighting.Maybe it’s better if they’re not together, at least for our family’s peace.”
“Good Lordy,” my mother muttered.
Timothy kept digging his hole.“Why shouldIapologize?He’s the one?—”
“Enough.”Mom cut him off again, shaking her head with a tremor of barely contained fury.“Don’t you get it?This is why we’re here praying.If we lose Erika, we’re going to?—”
