Page 113 of Lucky Strike

“Hey, Bri-Bri,” she says quietly, stroking my arm.

“Hi, Mom.” I blink, trying to swallow.

“Do you want some water?” she asks, already reaching for a cup with a straw.

“Please,” I croak.

She holds the straw to my mouth, allowing me to drink. “How’re you feeling?”

“Out of it.” I try to sit up, wincing. “Head hurts.”

“I bet.” Mom settles me back, blinking back tears. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”

I take another look around my room. It’s nicer than I’d have expected. “Is this Mass General?”

Ma shakes her head. “It’s a private hospital. Real small and fancy. Guess it pays to have rich friends, huh?” She forces a smile. “Can you remember anything?”

I rub my forehead, trying to connect the bits of memory, but it’s murky. Also, there’s a small, persistent feeling that I shouldn’t say anything. “I don’t know.”

“Conlan said you were in a car accident recently.” She looks down, seeming upset. “Why on earth didn’t you tell me that?”

I stare back at her, overwhelmed.

She sighs, taking my hand again. “He said it was bad enough that you were concussed. I guess you got dizzy yesterday, fell, and hit your head. Cracked your ribs, too.”

“Oh, no,” I whisper. That explains why I feel like I was run over by a semi, but I feel like there’s something I’m missing, something important. Why is there a knot of dread in my stomach? Why do I feel so afraid? My heart skips a beat. “I can’t remember, Mom.”

“Shh, it’s okay,” she says quickly, delicately stroking my face. “Thedoctor says it’s not rare to experience a little amnesia after losing consciousness. It’ll clear up.”

“Where’s Lucky?” I frown, remembering how upset he’d been. “Conlan?”

Her eyes search mine for a moment, and whatever she finds brings a little smile to her lips. “He had to check on his son. Said he’d be back soon.”

Images start to surface like photos developing in a dark room.Pushing Liam out the door, telling him to run. “Where’s Liam?” I ask tremulously, my heart racing now.

“He’s with his grandma, I think. He came to see you earlier, but it was upsetting for him.”

A sob breaks free, and tears stream down my face. Relief, fear, and confusion collide inside me, making my head pound even more.

“Oh, honey,” coos Ma, trying to soothe me despite her obvious worry. “Everything’s okay, Bria. Just relax. It’ll all be okay.”

We talk for a little while, reconnecting. Grammy seems to be doing well at her new home and Taya has a new boyfriend. Ma’s looking at a promotion at work.

“Does Dad know I’m here?” I ask.

Ma nods, brightening. “I left a message for him—I’m sure he’s gotten it by now. And guess what?”

“What?” I ask, encouraged by the naked hope on her face.

“We just got word—this morning, literally right before I got here—he’s being paroled.” Big, fat tears spill down her cheeks. “He’ll have to go to a halfway house for a while, but it’s a start.”

“Are you serious?” Gasping, I squeeze her hand, crying a few tears of my own. It’s been so long I didn’t think they’d ever let him go.Surreal.

We chat for a while, the conversation evolving from my father to my job. A couple of her questions skirt around Lucky, and I get the impression she wants to ask what’s going on between us, but she doesn’t. When he shows up at the door, in clean jeans and a jacket, she rises.

“I’m going to grab a bite to eat,” she says, adjusting my pillow. “Can I get you anything from the cafeteria, Conlan?”

“I’m fine, thank you,” he says politely, barely able to meet her eyes.

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