Page 45 of Risks

She’s unconscious.

21

A pained moan leaves her, drawing exhalesof relief from our neighbors.

But Mom isn’t opening her eyes.

The paramedics carefully place her stretcherin the back of the ambulance. Even if Varen never nudged me to climb in withher, I still would have done it.

Seeing my mom out cold was all ittook to realize that I don’t have an ounce of hatred, even if I had exhaustedmyself over the years trying to make her happy.

I hold her hand the entire ride tothe hospital, letting go when the nurses usher her into the emergency room fortreatment.

Immersed with anxiety, I pace backand forth in the waiting area until Varen arrives. Daniel and Alison are nottoo far behind.

“Toya.” Daniel pulls me into hisembrace. “Was she responsive? Have they told you anything?”

I ease back and shake my head. “Shewas still unconscious. The paramedics didn’t notice any broken bones. We haveto wait for the x-rays to know for sure.”

“What happened?” Alison asks, sniffling.

“She must have tripped,” Varen saysand drapes his arm around me. “We only heard her fall.”

Daniel drags his hands over his hair,which appears to have gotten more gray strands amid his dark brown since thereveal on Christmas night.

A doctor finally approaches us.

“How is my wife?” Daniel blurts out,shifting from one leg to the other.

“She’s awake,” the older man sayscalmly. “She has a concussion. Shaken, as expected. Some bruised ribs and asprained wrist—no broken bones. She’ll need a neck brace for a week or so.Other than the obvious pain, she’s fortunate.” He looks around at our faces.“Quite the holiday scare, I’m sure.” He pats Daniel’s arm. “You can all seeher.”

Daniel quickens behind the doctordown the corridor, the rest of us following.

My heart rate elevates even morewhen I enter the room and see Mom in the hospital bed.

She looks so fragile and out of it,like a pitiful creature left behind after a disaster.

“I’m sorry,” she mutters, voicehoarse from apparent discomfort. Her head appears stiff from the neck brace. “Iwasn’t paying attention.”

Daniel and Alison move to her right side.He touches her hand gently. “Don’t apologize. You fell down a flight of stairs.Thank god it wasn’t worse.”

Tears pool in her eyes, drenchingher deep browns. They stream down her cheeks as she glances at me. “Toya…”

I move to the other side of the bed.

Words fail me. The only thing I cando is sob and touch Mom’s bandaged hand.

She sniffles. “You’re all already upsetat what I did, and now I’m troubling you with—”

“Stop,” Daniel rasps. “Please…” He wipeshis face with the palm of his hand.

Mom coughs a little and groans frompain. “Maybe this is my punishment.” She looks at me, shame marring her face.“It’s what I deserve for hurting you so much.”

“You don’t deserve this,” Varen saysin a firm tone. “It was an accident. Focus on the fact that you’re still here.”

Feeling the weight of his words, Iturn to him.

He sighs deeply and cuts his gazeacross the room.

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