Page 90 of It Was Always You

She did as I said, and I was out on the porch a second later, sprinting down the icy sidewalk to my car. Brielle, thankfully, was right behind me, and I had her open the passenger side door so I could set my mom inside.

After buckling my mom in, I turned back to my sister, knowing I needed to look as calm as I could in that moment. If she could see how worried I was about Mom, she'd probably start bawling and I couldn't take care of her like that right now. I had to focus on my mom.

So I bent down on her level and took her shoulders in my hands. "I know I don't have a booster seat in my car, so sit in the middle. We have to hurry."

I sped all the way to the hospital, constantly checking my mom to make sure she was still breathing. She kept on gasping for air, and I worried one of her ribs may have punctured a lung.

We made it to the hospital five minutes later, thanks to the roads being empty enough for me to speed the whole way there. I cradled my mom in my arms as I ran to the emergency room doors, Brielle following closely behind.

The waiting area was empty and no one was at thedesk. "Is anybody here?" I panted, having a hard time drawing in a good breath after my sprint. "Please! Someone! My mom needs help!"

The door behind the desk opened and a very startled-looking hospital worker stepped forward. But she soon smoothed her face, probably used to scenes like this.

"How can I help you?"

"My mom's been hurt. I just got home and found her on the floor. She's having a hard time breathing."

I had no idea what Paul had done to her, but if I was ever within ten feet of him again I might just kill him. I gritted my teeth as I imagined taking that smug face of his in my hands and beating the crap out of it.

"And what's the patient's name?" the lady at the counter asked.

"Seriously? You're asking me that stuff? She needs help right now!"

"It's hospital procedure, sir. I have already pushed the button and help should be here soon."

"Her name is Shelley Stavros. Her birthday is..." I tried to remember, but in my state of mind, it wasn't coming.

Brielle stepped forward, hugging my leg. "June eighth," she whispered.

"Her birthday is June eighth,” I repeated louder so the receptionist could hear.

A moment later the doors behind her opened, and two nurses came through with a hospital bed on wheels.

The nurses then instructed me to lay my mom gently onto the bed. "Can you tell us what happened?" the male nurse with swept-back blond hair asked.

"I just got home from my friend’s house and found my mom lying on the floor. My sister was home." I looked down at Brielle and spoke to her gently. "Can you tell the nice nurses what happened?"

She nodded, and when she spoke, it was with a shaky voice. "Daddy was mad. He hurt Mommy."

I couldn't help but notice the dark look the nurses gave each other before turning back to us. "Is your sister okay?"

"I-I think so." Then I turned to Brielle, realizing I had no idea what might have happened earlier this week while I'd been gone. Who knew what Paul had done while I'd been out of the way? "Are you okay, Brielle? Did your dad hurt you, too?"

She shook her head quickly, her eyes wide with fear. "I was hiding."

The nurses seemed to look my sister over for a moment before addressing me. "We'll take your mom back and check her out. It might be best if you stay out here with your sister."

I nodded and tried to draw in a deep breath. I had tobe strong for Brielle. "Please take care of her." Everything needed to be okay.

The male nurse’s eyes were sympathetic. "We’ll do our best."

And then they disappeared with my mom through the doors.

"You can come backand see her now." One of the nurses came out to get me and Brielle after one of the longest hours of my life. While they'd been helping my mom, another nurse had asked if she could talk to Brielle some more. She had a comforting countenance and Brielle had been able answer her questions without seeming too nervous.

And from what Brielle said, it sounded like she had truly been left untouched. Thank goodness for that, at least.

My mom was lying on the hospital bed when we came in. She still didn't look good, but she did seem more comfortable and was breathing a little better now.

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