Page 3 of Watercolor Skulls

The nurse walks over to a cabinet and pulls out a bag my parents must have brought for me and then she reaches in for my purse. Oh, thank god. “Your clothes were pretty torn up from the accident, so your parents brought you something to change into. An officer brought your purse. I guess you left it behind on the bridge.” She doesn’t make eye contact, her face turns pink, clearly embarrassed on my behalf. “There was also a necklace.” She reaches in my purse and pulls out a clear bag to show me. “It’s right here in the front pocket.”

When her eyes finally meet mine, I nod. “Thank you. My father called a few minutes ago.” I point to the phone. “He said my ride will be here sooner than originally planned, two hours earlier. Could you let someone know to have my dismissal papers ready by then?”

The nurse puts my things back in the cupboard. “Yes, I’ll make a note on your chart.” She pauses before walking out of the room. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No. I’m fine, thank you.”

She nods sadly before closing the door.

I spend the rest of the evening alone with my thoughts.

In my mind the dragonfly was a sign to let go and maybe it was, just not in the way I thought. Maybe it’s time to let go of being my father’s daughter. Maybe it’s time to find myself.

My aunt had a plan. I should have followed it but the thought of putting it into motion without her just didn’t seem possible.

Chapter Two

Lily

???

If I thought I hurt yesterday it’s nothing compared to today. The nurse brought my release papers in early so everything would be ready when my ride arrived. She told me the doctor had prescribed some pain medication but due to my circumstances she was entrusting those to the security guard still posted outside my door. Great, he’s still here.

After she removes the I.V. she sets my bag and purse on the end of my bed. “If you need any help just push your call light,” she says cheerfully. At least this one isn’t looking at me like I’m a freak of nature.

“I’ll let you know when your ride arrives,” she adds before walking out.

I reach for my bag, sighing when I see what my mother sent for me to wear. A bright cheerful sundress with tiny pink flowers all over it. I roll my eyes. At least it should be comfortable. I slip the dress over my head and push my feet into the matching flats.

I pull the clear bag out of my purse and dump the necklace in the palm of my hand. “I don’t know where to go,” I whisper to the charm. My finger brushes over the silver dragonfly.

A knock on the door interrupts me. “Come in,” I say as I clasp the necklace around my neck.

My father’s security guy, Rudy, steps inside my room. “The car is here.” He checks his watch before narrowing his eyes on me.

“They’re early,” I say, not taking my eyes off his.

“They are.” He runs his thumb over his eyebrow. “There must have been a misunderstanding. But it looks like you’re ready?”

“Yeah.” I stand, grimacing as I straighten. He rushes to my side to help me.

“The nurse is bringing a wheelchair.”

“That might be best,” I tell him. “Before we head to the estate I need to pick up something I left at the bridge. Well, not at the bridge but in a locker near the bridge.”

The nurse comes in with the wheelchair before he can respond.

I notice they don’t take me out the main exit. We leave the building through what looks like a service entrance. I suppose the media is still hanging around, hoping for a glimpse of the Senator’s crazy daughter.

When we get in the car Rudy stares at me for a long time. “What is it you need to pick up?”

“My bag.”

He looks at the bag on the seat beside me, raising an eyebrow in question.

“This is the bag mother brought up for me. I had one with me the day I fell. I left it at Bay Storage.”

He shifts awkwardly in his seat. “Okay.”

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