Page 54 of Fragile Kiss (Fragile 2)
“Lillian, we’re at St. Therese hospital here if you can make it.”
She sank to the ground at the mention of the hospital—the same one Amelia had been rushed to after her accident. The same one Amelia never walked out of. Amelia, his sister and the closest thing to family she’d ever had.
“Lillian, we don’t know what’s going to happen. If you can make it over, I’m positive that Andrew would know you were here.” The last message ended with a whimper, then cut off.
She looked at her hands holding the phone and saw them shaking so hard they were blurry.
He won’t die. She repeated it ten times. He can’t die. I was just texting him yesterday. Was that yesterday? He won’t die. Oh shit, I have to get to the hospital. I’m coming, Andrew. I’m coming.
Operating on autopilot now, she found herself calling Katharina.
“Hi, darling, are you here? You’re early.”
“Katharina,” she said, forcing herself to take a breath.
At the sound of her panicked voice, Katharina knew instantly something was going on. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“I need you to book me a flight for right now.” The words felt foreign as her lips and tongue shaped the sounds.
“Did something happen?”
“My...brother. My brother. There was an—I need to go.”
“Oh, Lillian. Of course, I can arrange it. Which airport?”
She had to wrack her brain for the city Andrew lived in. “Rodney. They live in Rodney. It’s only a few hours away from where I live.”
“Got it,” Katharina said slowly. “I’ll call you back, dear. Keep your phone with you.”
Unable to speak, Lillian dropped her hands into her lap and stared at the wall. Her heart felt like it was about to pound through her ribcage and burst into the room. She hugged her knees, rocking back and forth. Her stomach felt hot.
No flare-ups right now, please, she begged.
The phone rang. Lillian put it on speaker.
“I’ve called my agent. You have a flight in two hours. I sent the ticket to your email; it should be there now. A car is coming for you now. I’ll take care of your hotel and check you out.”
“Can I get through the airport that fast?”
“If you hurry, it won’t be a problem. Get your stuff ready; the car will be there in a few minutes. Meet him out front. It’s the same driver as yesterday.”
“I don’t know if I can make it,” Lillian blurted.
“You can make it, just hurry.”
“I’m not talking about the flight.” She felt bile rise in her throat.
“Oh.” Katharina paused. “You’re going to be fine. Don’t think about anything right now except getting on that plane. One step at a time.”
“I can’t think.”
“Don’t think about anything. Not even your brother. Just the plane. Do you hear me?”
She nodded, not understanding that Katharina couldn’t see.
“Go get your things and call me in a few days when things are better, okay? I have a lot of work for you to do here. I gave your contact info to a few people today.”
“I...” Lillian looked around, overwhelmed at her small amount of luggage. “I have to go, I think.”
