Page 47 of Risks

Her lips tremble as the tears pooldown the sides of her face. “Toya…”

Daniel enters the room with papersin his hand. He passes a look between us before setting his focus on Mom. “Um, youcan check out tomorrow. I’ll fill your prescriptions.”

“Thank you,” Mom says tearfully.“I’ll call my friend. I’m sure she’ll let me stay with her for the time being.”

“Why would you do that?” Danielasks, perplexed.

“Well, I thought you’d want me outof the house. Isn’t that why you haven’t been home?”

“No,” he refutes softly. “It’sbetter you stay there. You’re injured and won’t be able to do much. The medswill need monitoring. I rather you recover at home.” He dips his head, jawticking. “I’ll take care of you until you’re better.”

I admire him for wanting to do thatdespite Mom’s crap. He’s a good man.

“Daniel,” Mom mutters, seeminggrateful.

He harrumphs and turns to me. “I’mgoing to grab some stuff for her at the house.” He walks out the door without aword to Mom.

Her shaky sobs fill the otherwisequiet room.

I can’t stand to look at her.

The instant Alison and Varen returnwith the food, I grab my boyfriend’s hand and lead him outside with me.

“Please take me home,” I implore.

Varen doesn’t question whathappened. He drapes his arm around my back, and we walk down the corridortogether.

22

It’s a game of avoidance with Toya regardingwhat happened in the hospital room. That concerns me because I don’t want herto lock her pain inside and fall apart in Los Angeles.

She was still in bed when I left forwork earlier. Not asleep, just in deep contemplation.

Leaving the hardware store thatevening, I call Alison before driving out of the parking lot.

“Hey, V,” she answers right away.

“Hey. Is Lisa home from thehospital?”

She releases a sad sigh before sheanswers. “Yeah, Dad walked in with her a few minutes ago.”

“How’s she doing?” I ask.

“Groggy,” she says after a low hum. “I’mgoing to make her something to eat. Is Toya coming to see her?”

“I don’t know, sis. She doesn’t evenwant to talk about Lisa.”

“Maybe she should take time fromschool to process,” she suggests.

Though she can’t see me, I nod whileanswering. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Sadly, I can’t stay longer tosupport her and Dad. I have case files, and I’d be risking my—”

“I know, Ali,” I assure her. “Don’t worry.I’ll be there for Dad.”

She pauses a beat before sayingsoftly, “Okay. Well, I have to run. Talk to you later.”

“All right.”

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