Page 133 of We Redeemed the Rain

The panic held at bay in my heart broke free—a hot sensation scorching my veins as it dumped into my blood.

Dizzy? She should not be dizzy.

“Did you fall off the bed and hit your head?”

“No.” She struggled to form words. “I fell…because…I’m dizzy.” She whimpered and gripped the floor with her fingers, like she was afraid the tilting earth would steal her away.

After a few minutes of prodding her, I realized she was completely incapable of movement. She could not even move an arm without collapsing. She couldn’t lift her head to throw up. I tried to lift her out of the mess, but her dizziness spiked when I did.

Fear gripped my throat. “We’ve gotta get you to the ER, Bea.” I ran to my room, got dressed, grabbed both our wallets and phones andthe truck keys. Then I wrapped a sheet around Bea, tucked my arms behind her shoulders and knees, and lifted. She nearly screamed. Her fingers dug into my shirt. She mumbled, “I feel…like…I’m falling.”

“You ain’t falling. I got you. I promise.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

Bea

We got stuck in the emergency room all night long. Tag insisted on staying with me, waiting for the scans and test results. I could tell hospitals made him nervous, but he stuck by me. I was so thankful because, until the meds really kicked in, I could barely lift my head.

The nurse gave me a sponge bath. I was so dizzy, I’d made a mess of myself when I threw up. Even after the bath, my hair still felt matted and disgusting. I absolutely hated Tag seeing me like this. I couldn’t wait for a shower, which according to the doctor, I wasn’t allowed to take unless someone was there to help me.

At 2 p.m., we had been in the emergency room for over twelve hours and were so ready to leave.

Waiting for discharge, my family group chat blew up.

Peter

Hey Bea, I just talked to mom. Can we get the details on what happened? Mom didn’t tell me much. She was stressing trying to get her shift covered.

Estelle

Get her shift covered? What’s going on?

Peter

Bea has a concussion.

Estelle

Oh no! What happened?! Poor thing!

Peter

Idk. No one is telling me anything. I’m getting pissed.

Hollie

Is she still in Texas?

Ben

My gosh, Holls, do you live on another planet?

Estelle

If she was home, you would know. We’ve been waiting eighty years for her to come home.

Peter

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