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Mr. Monroe stands. “I’ll take her.” Then his eyes fall on me. “Will...Will you sit with her?”

I know how difficult it is for him to ask, but I agree at once, scooping Juliet’s petite body in my arms as she smacks her lips together, half-asleep.

“Keep her awake,” the same voice from somewhere in the crowd says. It sounds like Maven Walker, but I can’t be sure. “Get her legs elevated. Try to get some water in her.”

I nod, following behind Mr. Monroe as I pass by Sadie, a look of concern in her eyes.

“I have to go,” I say helplessly, but she instantly waves me on.

“I’ll take care of everything.”

I remind myself to give her a raise, then fly to Mr. Monroe’s SUV. Sitting in the back with Juliet, her weak body leaning into mine, I click on the overhead light to make sure she stays awake.

“Archer?” she whispers as the mayor speeds off my property.

“Here,” I say, gently bringing to her lips a bottle of water the mayor had in his front seat.

She takes a sip, then pulls back. “Archer?”

“Yes, darlin’?”

“I don’t feel good.”

“I know, sunshine. Your dad’s taking us to the hospital now. You just keep drinking this water, okay?”

“Archer?”

“Yeah?”

“I...I don’t feel good.”

“I know. What can I do?”

“I need...a bag.”

Finally understanding comes over me as her flesh turns green. I look around, finding a spare Keller’s Bakehouse bag in the backseat and lunge it toward Juliet just in time. I hold her hair back and grasp her tightly until she’s finished.

“Sorry,” she whispers, her voice quivering as she leans into me.

I set the bag aside and shake my head. “Don’t apologize. I’ve gotcha. You’ll be okay. We’re almost there.”

Mr. Monroe makes a call, and soon, a police car with flashing lights pulls in front of us, leading the way to Burlington to get us to the hospital in half the time.

Guilt stirs inside me, knowing this is the second occasion me and Juliet have made this trip together. I can only hope this time it really isn’t my fault.

When we finally arrive at the ER, I carry her in, and they wheel her into the backroom with her dad at her side. Of course, they don’t allow me past the doors.

Mr. Monroe looks back at me, his eyes lingering as a conflicted look crosses his features. Then he disappears, and I’m left alone in the waiting room once again.

This time, I’m not leaving.

I’m waiting for Juliet.

Juliet

After I’m helped into a blue gown by nurses, I’m poked and prodded in the hospital bed, my exhaustion helping me sleep in between the door opening and closing and the questions from the doctor.

When I’m left alone for a few minutes, however, the silence of the room and the gentle beep-beep-beep of my heart monitor rouse me.