Page 71 of We Own Tonight
“Just gethere.”
The phone drops to the floor, and Eli’s arms encircle me. Everything I thought I knew about how I’d handle this moment is false. I feel my body start to protect itself. My mind goes to a place where I can’t feel or do anything. I’m not sure how I got to the bed. I don’t know how my shirt is on my body. Nothing is real right now. It’s as if time has ceased to exist forme.
I feel hollow andlifeless.
Eli lifts me in his arms, carrying me like a child down the stairs. He barks orders to someone as we move to the car. He must be on the phone, but I truly can’t process anything aroundme.
The car is moving, but I can’t see anything passing by. I didn’t need Anthony to tell me she died and I wasn’t there with her. I can feelit.
My world is without mysister.
I’malone.
Chapter Nineteen
Heather
“We did everything we could,Ms. Covey. I’m truly sorry for your loss.” The doctor explains as I stand with a steady stream of tears trekking down my cheeks and dripping off the tip of mychin.
My sister has drawn her lastbreath.
Three days ago, we were at an amusement park. We were laughing, enjoying our time together, and now she’s dead. No warning, no time to say goodbye, nothing butagony.
Now I stand in a cold, stark room while they try to give me some kind ofanswers.
“How did this happen so fast?” I ask. “I thought there would be a warning, something to tell me it wascoming.”
Anthony comes forward. “She begged us not to tellyou.”
“Tell mewhat?”
Dr. Pruitt touches my arm. “Stephanie was being treated for pneumonia after her seizure. It’s why we kept her a few extra nights. The antibiotics weren’t working, but she demanded we stop all treatment and discharge her. We did the best we could with the parameters sheset.”
Anger floods my veins, searing the pain in every limb. She chose this? She knew? They were lying to me? Don’t they know what this cost me? My chest heaves as I struggle to understand how this couldhappen.
I look to Eli and then back to the doctor, and I erupt, “I don’t understand! How could no one tell me? How didn’t you think I should know?” I scream at them. “I was her caretaker! She wasn’t thinking straight! I’m her sister! I should’veknown.”
Eli pulls me into his embrace, and I wail. I smack his arm and then his chest, angry at everyone. Angry at him because I was with him when this happened. Angry at Stephanie because she didn’t tell me. I could’ve had another three days with her. If they’d kept me informed, I never would’ve allowed her to come to a fucking amusement park. I would’ve pushed her to have treatment, not let it kill her. There were so many things I could’ve done, and now, it’s toolate.
My rage turns to Anthony. “You knew!” I rage at him. “You knew she was sick, and you brought herout!”
His head drops, and when he looks back at me, his eyes are brimming with tears. “I know you don’t believe this, but I cared about her. She asked me if I would help to keep her stable so she could have that day with you. She wanted one day of normal with you. Your sister knew she was dying and didn’t want to drag it out. I was there with her, holding her hand, and giving her what she askedfor.”
“You knew her for what, a week? I was there every single day throughout the last seven years! I should’ve been the one beside her. You took that fromme.”
A lone tear falls down his face, but there is no room in my broken heart to feel anything but hatred for him. “Believe me, your sister loved you so much that she wanted to spare you. It was all fromlove.”
I hate myself. I hate him. I hate everyone, and I can’tbreathe.
I gasp for air as Eli rubs my back. “Easy,baby.”
I look to him, his image blurry. “She’s gone and I didn’t say goodbye. I wasn’t there, Eli. I wasn’t withher.”
“Iknow.”
The doctor clears his throat. “We had specific instructions from Stephanie in her medical directive. They were followed to the letter. I’m truly sorry for your loss, Ms. Covey. Take as much time as youneed.”
He and Anthony both walk away, leaving me to do the last thing I ever wanted to do . . . say goodbye to my babysister.
