Page 2 of Watercolor Skulls

When consciousness returns I hear my father whispering harshly to my mother. She is crying. She never cries out loud, but I can tell by her sniffles. “Get control over yourself, Margaret.”

“You know who is responsible for this. She made Lily question the path we’ve laid out for her. If not forher, Lily would have accepted her life without complaint.”

She’s wrong. I’ve never complained. Not once.

My mother hiccups, still unable to control her emotions. “What are we going to tell people?”

“We are having a press conference in twenty minutes outside the hospital. Doctor Hodges is going to announce that Lily had been taking a medication for a minor illness. He is going to say that an adverse side effect caused a temporary mania, which lead to her jump.”

Fall. It was a fall.

“Do I have to speak?” my mother asks.

“No. You just have to stand there and pretend to be a caring mother for five minutes. Do you think you can handle that?”

She sniffles again. “Yes, of course. You know I care about our daughter. I don’t have to pretend.”

“Sure, whatever you say, Margaret.”

The door opens. Benjamin, my fiancé, tells my father that everything is set up outside.

“Margaret, wait for us in the waiting room.”

I hear shuffling and then the door opening and closing. Squeezing my eyes shut tight, I pray they all left, but I know that’s not true. I feel their presence.

“What a fine mess you’ve made, Lily,” my father says in disgust.

Reluctantly I open my eyes, the light in the room is bright, too bright. I blink a few times, trying to sit myself up but the pain in my ribs prevents it. My gaze falls over my dad and Benjamin. Both stand stoically in their designer suits with their hair combed back into a perfect slicked back gentlemen’s style. No hint of emotion on their faces.

Benjamin, my fiancé, is almost a carbon copy of my father. Disturbing, isn’t it?

I don’t say anything. He didn’t ask me a question, so there’s no need. In fact, he prefers it that way.

“The hospital will be releasing you tomorrow, early afternoon. I’ve arranged a car to pick you up.”

“Yes, sir,” I manage to croak out. My mouth is so dry. I could use a sip of water. My eyes go to the cup and pitcher on my bedside table. My father follows my gaze and pushes the tray beyond my reach.

I close my eyes and bite the inside of my cheek to keep my tears at bay.

“Do not speak to anyone. We will discuss this when you get home.” He turns and walks out of the room.

Benjamin lingers by the door. He runs his hand through his hair before settling his gaze on me. “The wedding will not be delayed. I advise you rest up.” He winks before turning to leave me alone.

A nurse bounces into my room next. She pushes my tray back by my side, checks my I.V. and leaves. I’m sure she has been instructed not to speak to me.

My hand unconsciously searches for the pendant around my neck, my only source of comfort. It’s gone. My heart breaks as I realize it probably washed out to sea.

Gingerly, I try to sit up again. My ribs scream in pain but slowly I right myself, pulling my gown up to my chin to access the damage. Bruises cover my upper thighs and around my rib cage but otherwise it looks like I’m in one piece. I lower the gown and stare at the door that is sure to be guarded by one of my father’s security men.

Scouring the room for answers, my eyes land on the phone sitting on a little table by the bed. I lean over, grabbing my mid-section for support as I search the drawer for a phone book. Oh, thank god they still have these. My finger runs down the page of transportation services. Finding the one my father uses, I make the call. When the receptionist picks up I take the first step towards my new life.

“Yes, I need to change the arrangements that were made for Ms. Lily Ramsey’s pickup tomorrow at Mercy Medical.”

“Of course.”

I finish the call and then lay back against the pillows.

When the nurse comes in with my supper I take the opportunity to push my plan. “Excuse me, could you tell me where my belongings are?”

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