Page 123 of The Kidnapped

“You remember…” Olivia said and closed her eyes.

“Do something!” Hollis yelled at the nurse who was taking vitals.

“There’s nothing to do, honey,” the nurse replied, placing her hand on Hollis’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

“CPR.”

“Hollis, she has a DNR,” the nurse explained.

“Mom, come on…” Hollis said, shaking her hand. “Wake up.”

But her mother didn’t say anything, and she didn’t wake up. Hollis could see her chest rising and falling, but even with the oxygen, she knew it was beginning to slow, and it wouldn’t be long before it stopped altogether.

“No, we were supposed to have more time,” Hollis managed out, letting the tears fall. “Mom, please.”

“I’ll leave you alone,” the nurse said and quietly left the room.

“I don’t want to be alone. I’ve been alone my whole life,” she stressed. “Mom, don’t leave me alone yet. I need to know about sunflowers,” she said and kissed the hand she was holding, knowing there was nothing else to be done.

“Mom, I’ll remember, okay? If you can hear me, I’ll remember everything you taught me.” Hollis began to sob. “You don’t have to worry anymore. I’m going to be okay.” She kissed her mom’s hand again and added, “And I’ll dream for you now, okay?”

Then, she watched as her mom’s chest fell and didn’t rise again.

“No!” she let out, watching and waiting for her mom to take a breath. “Mom?! Mom?!”

When nothing happened, Hollis lowered her head to the bed and cried until she felt someone behind her, hugging her as they stood and Hollis knelt.

“I am so sorry,” Raleigh said. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m here.”

And Hollis cried harder.

CHAPTER 39

Raleigh had helped Hollis however she could, offering to make the necessary calls for her, help with the choices for the arrangements, and, most importantly, just be there to hold her when she broke down. Hollis had moments where she’d appear to be fine, and she would walk around the house, trying to figure out where her mother had stored important documents and keep her mind focused on that task until it was complete. Then, she’d go catatonic and would stare into space, not moving. At first, Raleigh had let her remain that way for as long as she needed to. After a couple of days, though, she’d noticed a pattern: right after the staring came the uncontrollable sobbing, and after that, the anger would appear. So, Raleigh would just sit with her, and when the tears started to form, she’d pull Hollis into her and hold on as the woman let go. By doing that, she’d managed to help – or, at least, she hoped she’d helped – Hollis through the tears and the feeling that she’d missed out on so much with her mother.

The funeral was supposed to be a small one, but it was anything but. Olivia had had a book with names and addresses, but it hadn’t looked touched for years, so Raleigh hadn’t been sure any of the people in it would show up. The obituary had run in the paper, though, and they’d made a few calls. Apparently, either people still read papers, or they’d just called each other about Olivia’s death because over one hundred people had shown up for her. Dylan and Ada were among them, which surprised Raleigh, but she was so grateful. Kenna and Ripley, along with their daughter Aaliyah, were there as well. Even Sandy from Vancouver flew in for Hollis, which only showed Raleigh that while Hollis hadn’t felt all that connected to the people around her, she’d still managed to make friends.

The funeral was in the church Olivia had gone to for years when she’d still been able to attend, and people had to stand because it was so small. Detectives who had tried to find Hollis were there to pay their respects, as were all of the support group members, including Molly, who had likely arranged for all of them to be there. People had shown up for Hollis and her extraordinarily strong mother, and Raleigh would forever be grateful in a way she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to express.

“How’s she doing?” Ada checked after the service. “Ridiculous question; I know.”

“She’s doing the best she can,” Raleigh replied, looking over at Hollis, who was talking to some people Raleigh didn’t recognize.

“We’re here for you if you need anything,” Dylan said.

“Thank you. I think she’s just going to need time.”

“In the obit, it mentioned that she loved sunflowers. I hope that’s true because that’s what we sent,” Ada told her.

“It is,” Raleigh replied, smiling warmly. “Thank you.”

“Well, we should get going,” Dylan spoke again and took Ada’s hand. “We just wanted to pay our respects.”

“Thank you. This means a lot to me and to Hollis.”

Dylan and Ada both nodded and left the cemetery they’d gone to after the church service. Hollis hadn’t wanted a showing or anything back at her mother’s house. Raleigh had offered to host at her own, but Hollis had been insistent, so Raleigh had backed off. Now, people were saying their goodbyes and condolences at the cemetery.

Raleigh walked back over to Hollis just as Kenna, Ripley and Aaliyah approached her.

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