Page 24 of I Saved Him Too

“But Mom, I haven’t seen her all day,” I whined, annoyed that my mother wouldn’t listen.

Mom sighed loudly and said, “You’ll see her at school tomorrow.”

“Mom, please?” I begged.

She shook her head and opened her mouth to say something, so I interrupted her before she could.

“What if something happened to her, Mom? Please!” I stomped my foot.

She turned around to wash her hands. When Mom turned back to face me, she sighed, “How about I call her mother to make sure she’s okay.”

That’s not going to work for me.

I shook my head. “No, I want to see her, Mom.”

“Donnie, it’s called a compromise.” She left no room for argument with her tone, and I had no choice but to agree.

I nodded and pulled the kitchen chair out to sit.

My knees bounced nervously as I wait to hear what Shorty’s mom had to say.

After Mom dials the number, she puts the cordless house phone to her ear.

Waiting.

Still waiting.

“Hi, Claudia, this is Jacquie.”

Finally.

“I wanted to see how Sadie was doing. We missed her at the game.”

“What did she say?” I mouthed.

“Uh-huh. Okay, please give her a hug from me, and I hope she feels better.”

Mom hung up the phone.

“So, can I see her?”

“Not today, sweetheart. Shorty is very sick. Just wait until tomorrow, okay?”

I don’t want to wait until tomorrow! I want to yell and throw things. Why won’t they let me see her?

I slide out of the chair and run to my room, ignoring Mom calling for me. Once I made it to my bedroom, I slammed the door shut. I moved toward the window and peeked through the blinds.

Shorty’s shades are still closed.

No light.

No movement.

A few minutes later, there’s a knock at my door.

“Go away,” I called, but the door opened anyway.

“Is Shorty okay?” Ash asked with concern.

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