Page 3 of Crash into me

Boots scuff against the ground. “I need to talk to Foster. Alone.”

Envy.

“Well, go somewhere else,” Kate orders.

Foster places his hand on top of mine that lays on my stomach. “I’m not leaving her. Just say what you have to say.”

Envy taps her boots against the linoleum. “At least without her here,” she barks. I can imagine her nodding her head from Kate to the door, a sweeping trail of neon green marking the exit.

“Fuck, whatever will make you hurry up and leave.” Kate sighs, trudging out of the room.

Foster doesn’t let go of my hand. “What is it, Envy?”

She walks over to the side Foster isn’t on. “I’ve been trying to call you for weeks. No one would tell me where you were.” She pouts.

Weeks.Weeks.

“As you can see,” he breathes, “I’m a bit busy.”

It grows quiet, and I worry I’ve fallen asleep, but finally Foster sighs. “Kate will be back soon. What do you need?”

“Here.” She hands him something. I hear her lips spreading as she smiles. “We’re going to be parents!”

A moment of silence stretches between them, and I think this time, I do pass out.

* * *

I’m spiraling,dozing in and out of consciousness.Why is this happening to me?

Grace whispers in my ear, “I’m thinking of you, Skyler. You’re going to make it through this.”

“She will.” That’s Mom. Her hand brushes away the stray hairs on my forehead. Her and Grace talk for a moment, and things grow quiet. Mom leans down. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers. There’s no scent of wine coming from her breath.

The sweetest day nurse, who takes care of me as much as Foster, comes in for her shift.

They sit beside Sophie’s bed, and muffled words travel in my direction. “It’s not looking good, Foster,” she cries, taking a moment to breathe between ragged breaths.

“She’ll be okay. She has to be.” Foster’s voice is quiet, determined.

A chair squeaks against the floor, screeching. “I think our time with her has run out, dear boy.”

Foster’s voice is broken and thin, like shattered glass. “I’ll give her my time.”

“I know you would, but I can’t lose both of you. If we just had the money …”

Foster sighs, “What’s the weather like tonight?”

“Hot and humid, dear. Why?”

“No reason.”

Then, I tumble like Alice.

Scattered memories and moments float through my mind like butterflies. Motorcycles, grease, tattoos fade in my mind like aged ink. Bad boys with a heart of gold and kids who need more time in this world are replaced with bright stadium lights and cheers. Football.

A dark, lonely tunnel made up of my short life.

* * *

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