Page 78 of Where the Darkness Goes

“Hi. I’m Francis’s daughter, Tessa.”

“Oh!” Her eyes light up. “You are in luck! Come here.” She waves me over to Mom’s bed, and I’m surprised to find herwatching us. Her eyes move from the nurse to me and back. “We’re having an excellent day. She even seems to be regaining some of her finger strength.” She taps Mom’s fingers, then puts her hand under Mom’s, and slowly I watch Mom tap the same pattern.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap. Tap.

“She just finished with physical therapy, so I’m not sure how much longer she’ll be awake, but what a treat.” She looks at Mom then. “Ms. Frannie, did you see Tessa? She’s here!”

Mom’s eyes flash to me again.

“Hey, Momma.” I sink down beside her on the bed, taking her hand. “Look at you. You look so pretty today.” I brush her hair aside. Behind me, the nurse sneaks out the door after whispering a heads-up that she’ll be right down the hall if we need anything.

“Will’s coming home today, so hopefully he’ll get to see you tomorrow. He didn’t make it back for Britney’s funeral, but?—”

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Mom taps my hand furiously.

“What is it, Momma?” I watch her carefully, trying to understand. “You want to see Will?” She’s still, her eyes holding mine, wide and almost fearful. “Are you hurting?” I look at the machines next to her bed, but aside from the oxygen tank, I have no idea what I’m looking at to know if something is wrong. “Should I get the nurse? Blink for me, remember? Blink twice for yes, once for no.”

Her watery eyes squeeze shut with force. A very clear blink. No.

“No, you don’t need the nurse?”

Blink.No.

“Then what is it?” I move closer. “Is it about Will?”

Blink.No.

“Um…” I think back, trying to remember what I said before she started tapping my hand. A terrible thought thunders into my mind. “Is it about Britney?”

Blink. Blink.Yes.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

My blood runs ice cold. “What is it, Mom? Do you know something about Britney? Do you know what happened to her?”

Blink.No.

I sigh. “I don’t understand. Are you just…sad?”

She doesn’t blink, doesn’t say anything.

“It’s very sad. We’re going to miss her.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“Oh! Wait!” I remember the laminated sheet of letters Nurse Emma showed me and jump up from my chair, rushing across the room to get it from the drawer in the kitchen. When I return, I show it to Mom.

Blink. Blink.Yes.

---