Page 23 of Crash into me
“I’m happy you’re taking out your rage, dear, but do it when we have more time before your parents come back.” She laughs, making me giggle.
I look outside to the murder scene. “What are we going to do with the bodies?”
She winks at me. “I have the landscapers coming to get rid of the remains. No worries.”
* * *
Kate went home,thank God. I’ve got to figure out this lying thing. It’s so difficult to live eight different lives. Since Rita knows, it’s easier with her. “Skyler, are you sure I can drive this thing?”
Rita looks at the control panel of my Rover, a worried expression lining her face. “Yes, you’ll do fine,” I assure her. She’s used to her little Honda; the cherry red car suits her so much.
I still feel woozy from last night’s events. That, and visiting the doctor for testing made me not want to drive.
* * *
I siton the cold hospital chair, chills rising in me from the familiarity. Although I was in a coma, my senses were alert. The cold, medicated air is at the forefront of my memory.
Adeline walks into the room slowly, her face turned to a frown. “Skyler.” She breathes, wrapping me in a hug. I know we don’t know each other well, but the hug is wrapped with love. Love for me helping her granddaughter. “How have you been?”
“I’m good,” I tell her, smiling when she doesn’t believe me. “I’ve been better,” I admit. I’m wearing thin.
She runs some tests, and I think twice about what I’m going to do, but I can’t stop myself. “How is he?” I ask. I saw him last night, but I’m wondering how he is, mentally.
She hesitantly looks up. “Do you want the truth?”
I nod.
“He’s a mess,” she states. “He’s always gone, busy with riding.” She doesn’t know about the racing. “And now with that …” She lowers her voice, adding, “Evil green bitch.”
I snort. “I call her his little green girlfriend.”
“She’s terrible!”
“I know,” I say. She looks at me uneasily, and I know what she’s thinking about. “I know …”
She shakes her head. “I just can’t believe it.”
I wring my hands. “Do you think he’s going to be okay?”
She thinks on this for a moment. “Honestly, he’ll be okay … not happy, but okay.” She gives me a pointed look. “Will you be okay?”
I nod, not wanting to talk about myself. “How does everything look?”
She throws herself back into nurse mode. “Your vitals are great. All of your bruises are nearly healed. I’d say you’re at the very end of your recovery and you can return to doing physical activity.
Ballet … could I?
“How’s Sophie?” I finally ask.
“She’s doing splendid! Her surgeries have all went amazing.” Adeline turns to Rita who just came back with a hot coffee. “I’m about to head that way if you want to join.” She places her hand on my arm. “Skyler, I just want you to know I’m in talks with a realtor to sell my home. It isn’t much, but I can’t sleep knowing where you are.”
“Please don’t do that. I promise, Rita’s with me every day. It hasn’t been that bad.”
She sighs, knowing in this cruel situation no one wins. “You deserve more.”
* * *
“Skyler!”Sophie sings. I rush up to her side of the bed, noting the way she has that little teddy bear with Foster’s name on the foot attached to her side.