Page 35 of A Fowl Match

Violet

“Whoareyou?”Darcylooks at me with her eyebrows furrowed. She’s lying in bed today, watchingThe Golden Girlson the television. I can hear the muttering of Blanche and Rose arguing over something silly. The sight makes me feel a little relieved that she remembers her favorite show. Even if it's only something small.

Today must be a bad day. I was hoping that it would be a good one. I wanted to tell her all about Dustin and me becoming friends. I needed to confide in her. I’m still scared to share my heart with someone after what happened with my last relationship. I thought she would have advice, because she always knows what to say.

“Oh, I know who you are! Lily, it's so good to see you. I missed you dear! How is my sweet Violet?” My stomach drops to my feet. Days like these hurt. She does this every so often where she mistakes me for my mom. It’s too hard to correct her though, because it makes her frantic trying to explain that Lily is gone.So I usually just play along, instead of reintroducing myself. It’s for the best.

“It’s good to see you too Darcy. Violet is doing well.”

“Oh, I am so glad to hear it. I love that girl. When are you going to bring John and her to visit?” My heart breaks again at the mention of my dad.

“Sometime soon, I promise.” I wish I could bring them in to visit.

“Have a seat, please. Have a seat honey.”

“I can’t stay long, but I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay. What did you have for dinner today?”

“They gave me meatloaf and green beans. I hate meatloaf, who enjoys that anyway? I’d rather starve.”

“I can go get you something from the diner?”

“No, it’s no bother. I ate it, I just didn’t like it. Sometimes we have to suck it up and hope for something better the next day.”

“Fingers crossed you get some type of chicken tomorrow, you always love that.”

“Wouldn’t that be a dream.”

“Okay, well I guess it’s time for me to go. I love you, Darcy.”

“I love you, Lily. Don’t forget to tell Violet and John I love them too.”

“I will.”

“Promise me you’ll bring them in to see me tomorrow. I miss them.Pleasepromise,” she says with determination.

“I promise.” My voice breaks. I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep, but this promise is one I have to make so that I don’t hurt her.

I just end up hurting myself instead.

Chapter 24

Violet

Myeyesflickeropen.The blackness slowly fades, and the bright light burns my eyesight. There is a person standing in front of me, but I can’t make out who it is. Everything is a blur of foggy, unrecognizable shapes. I blink a few times to focus on who it is. “Mom?” My voice croaks.

“No, honey—it’s Ms. Burton from the flower shop,” the woman says in a concerned tone. My eyesight is clearing and sure enough, she’s the only one in the room with me. It's a small room with light blue walls. I’m lying down. My arm is hooked to an IV. My body is numb, but I don’t feel any pain. Black and blue splotches cover my arms and exposed legs. A bright pink cast covers my left leg. I examine my arm and notice a long white bandage covering it. A few more bandages cover my other leg and arm.

What happened to me?

“Where am I?” I ask Ms. Burton. I’m glad to see her familiar face looking back at me. But her eyes are puffy and unfocused. I can tell she was crying.

“You are in a hospital in Virginia.”

“What happened? Why am I here? Where are Mom and Dad?”

“Honey, there’s something I have to tell you.” Her eyes glisten with fresh tears.

Then it hits me like a bitter revelation. I remember everything before my vision went black.

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