Page 43 of The Kidnapped

Hollis fluffed the pillow behind her so that she’d have support.

“She’s very pretty,” her mom added.

“Raleigh?”

“No, the nurse. Raleigh, of course.” Olivia chuckled, which led to a cough.

“I guess, yeah.” Hollis cleared her throat nervously.

“You guess? I saw those eyes of hers.”

Hollis smiled involuntarily and said, “Yes, she has beautiful eyes.”

“And she made you eat something?”

“Mushy carrots and cantaloupe.”

Her mom smiled wider, and Hollis thought now was probably as good a time as any.

“Mom?”

“Yeah?”

“There’s something I haven’t told you yet because I don’t know how you’re going to react.”

“Hollis, you can tell me anything.”

“I know. But this is different.”

“How so?”

“Because I’m bisexual,” Hollis replied. “And I don’t know if you have a problem with that.”

Her mom nodded and said, “It’s interesting that you chose now to tell me that, when we were talking about Raleigh being so pretty.”

“What?”

“Is she just a friend, or maybe something more?”

“Mom!”

“What? I’m the mother. I can ask that.”

“You don’t have a–”

“Problem? Hollis, I love you more than life.” Olivia took her hand. “I want you to be happy and safe. Those are the only two things I’ve ever wanted. Well, I wanted you to be safe with me, obviously. And healthy. That’s another one. I’ve wanted you to be happy, safe, and healthy. That’s what every parent should want for their children. I’ve never understood parents who don’t see that that should be their only concern. I don’t care if you’re with a man or a woman. Just be happy, honey.”

“I see someone’s awake,” the nurse said as she entered the room. “Everything okay?”

“She needs to use the bathroom.”

“I can help her with that. And I can get you a cot, too.”

“A cot?”

“Raleigh stopped by on her way out. She asked if we had a spare cot you could sleep on. I’ll have one brought in. She also asked if you could use the staff showers when she gets back with your stuff. She’s lucky we grew up together. Demanding, that girl,” the nurse told her, but was all smiles.

“I’m liking her more and more,” Olivia said to Hollis.

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