Page 69 of Sweet and Salty
I have to remember. I trust Laura and her family, as much as Einstein trusts that if he just follows the arc of the sun, he will bewarm. As much as Lucretia Borgia trusts that carrots will solve all her problems. As much as I trusted my grandmother to take care of me when my world fell apart.
Family. We’re family now.
“Okay.” To the hospital we will go.
The St.Olaf Hospital is attached to the medical clinic where Marie Marshall works and is a low concrete building that looks like it was built as an alternative to a bomb shelter. I still have my doubts about Frank the security guard, particularly as his arthritis seems to be flaring, from the way he barely stands when we approach the building. He looks like a horse with angry fetlock swelling.
I stride toward the door, but when I try to bring Laura with me, she stands stock still, staring across the parking lot toward the clinic.
“Laura, we need to get inside,” I say.
“My mom’s car is at the clinic,” she replies. Her voice sounds almost ethereal.
“What do you mean?”
“She shouldn’t be at the clinic. She had a shift at the hospital last night.”
“It’s right next door.” I take her hand again and try to pull her toward the entrance, where Frank yawns at his post. “Let’s go see if she’s inside.”
“Frank!” Laura turns to the security guard, her jaw tight. “Is my mom inside?”
“No, Ms. Marshall,” Frank says with a degree of respect that I’m sure is because he’s eaten at Laura’s bakery. “She went to the clinic with Dr. Sieber about thirty minutes ago. They said theyneeded to pick up a few things, but they haven’t come back yet.” He taps his radio. “I’ve got an eye out for them.”
Laura’s expression turns panicked. “Shit, Jesse, what if they’re in trouble? They should have been back by now. Right?”
“I don’t know.” I wish I did but she looks so distressed. “We don’t have a lot of time. Let’s go check.”
“I’ll call the sheriff and tell him to high tail it over here,” Frank says, settling a pair of glasses on his face and holding his radio at eye level. “Do you two want back up?”
While I turn to Frank to thank him, Laura doesn’t wait. She’s halfway across the parking lot, her hair flying in a cloud behind her, before I can take my first step.
I really hope they’re okay.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Laura
My heart poundsin my ears, drowning out the sound of my feet against asphalt.
Not Mom. I’m wrong. I’m sure I am, but I have to check. I can’t lose her, too. Not after Ma. I can’t take a chance.
Without waiting for Jesse, I throw open the door of the St. Olaf Medical Clinic, frantic, the handle scraping my palms. “Mom! Are you here!”
Jesse steps in behind me. “Are you okay?”
I don’t answer. I don’t have time. I push through the empty waiting area and open the door that leads to the exam rooms. “Mom!”
Then I see her, at the far end of the hallway, in the open door to the break room. My heart splinters into a thousand pieces.
Mom stands still, hands in the air. She doesn’t turn to see me, but from the set of her jaw and the way not even her eyes shift in my direction, I know.
She’s in danger. That bitch Esme and that dickhead animal abuser who ruined Jesse’s life have put my mom in danger.
I’m going to kill them. With my bare hands. I wish I had my rolling pin with me.
I unleash a scream and rush toward the break room door, but then a figure steps into the doorway. I stop mid-stride, the screech dying in my throat, as every nerve ending on my body is set alight.
Honestly, my vision is so red and my hearing so filled with buzzing, I’m shocked I can recognize his face and voice.