Page 123 of Unsteady

“Is this Sadie Brown?”

Rhys’ eyes flicker to me in mild concern and I know in the quiet of the room he can hear every word.

“Yeah, who is this?”

“I’m Samantha, a nurse at Greenwood General.” My stomach drops at the mention of the hospital one town over from Waterfell. “We’ve been trying to reach you. Your father was brought in about an hour ago after a drunk driving accident.”

My eyes burn, but I try to keep it together until she finishes.

“But, um, your brothers, I think? Liam and Oliver? They were in the car with him. And you’re listed after your father as next-of-kin.”

“Oh my god,” I cry, already running barefoot for the door and into the bright, loud hallway. “Are they okay? Are they—”

I can’t breathe, I can barely hear what she says. My vision grays out for a moment, and I stumble into the wall.

Rhys is there, like he always is, his hand wraps around mine and gently pries the phone from my grip, taking over.

And I still can’t breathe.

* * *

The room is cold; I know because Rhys’ mom is wrapping her husband's jacket around her arms as we listen to the doctor speak about my father. But I can’t feel anything, just numbness.

And embarrassment.

Rhys’ mother and father took me straight back, but I didn’t see where Rhys went. He might’ve told me, but I can’t remember. I feel like I’m watching it all from far away.

Finally, they let us in.

My father is in a four-point restraint. I’d heard the nurse try to warn the Koteskiys about that before we went up, but it’s a bit worse to see than I thought. He’s still flailing, yelling at the nurse who ignores everything and finishes her dosages and notes, before leaving with a sympathetic smile.

No, not sympathetic. Pitying.

“Sadie,” he saws out, chest heaving. His gray, reddened eyes a mockery of my own. “God, Sade, please get me out of here. They’re trying to take the boys. C’mon, sweetheart.”

I can’t look at him; I feel a bit like I’m dying.

He switches like a trapdoor. “Don’t be a fucking brat, Sadie. I need you.”

Anna Koteskiy stands in front of me suddenly, arms crossed. She’s a small woman, but still taller than me, and she covers me completely; intentionally.

“Calm yourself down if you want to speak to her,” she demands, keeping her voice semi-quiet but firm. “You need to calm down either way.”

“You’re the people trying to take my kids.”

He’s turning manic, but I don’t say anything. No one is trying to take anyone. Doesn’t he realize he’s already fucked us up enough? That no family like the Koteskiys would want us?

“Stay away from my fucking kids,” he shouts, tearing at the restraints, kicking against the bed. “Sade and I take care of them just fine.”

A fire lights within Anna’s eyes, her slight form seeming to expand in the room as she continues to stand in front of me, her beautiful gown brushing the harsh hospital flooring.

“Your child is taking care of your children. Sadie should not be responsible for those little boys, all while going to school, working and taking care of her alcoholic father.”

I stand in shock, floored by the overwhelming wave of emotions that roll through me. Anger, fear, confusion all muddled under the weight of shame and embarrassment. Even still, I can’t recall a time that someone has stood up for me like this—and not just someone, a mother.

“You fucking bitch,” he shouts, spitting towards her in a move that makes my stomach drop.

“That’s enough.”

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