Page 63 of A Lie in Church

“I need you to keep checking his pulse while I send our team to you. Can I have your address?”

I didn’t know the address, but Morris arrived right in time.

Then, we waited.

The paramedics arrived and took Tristan on a stretcher while putting an oxygen mask on his face. We followed behind in a different car. Morris assured me that everything was going to be fine as I cried like a baby.

I was an emotional mess when it came to losing someone. I didn’t do well with deaths even if we were not related in any way. I was a wreck every time I was close to losing someone I knew.

And now,here I was, saying a silent prayer in my heart for him. I wished I had approached him sooner. Who knew how long he had been on the cold floor, helpless and unconscious?

I brushed my brown locks back and squeezed my knees with my hands. Adrian was still not answering my calls or my texts. I hoped he was okay.

“Where is Tristan?”

I turned to look at the source of the voice. Mrs. Sanchester’s fast strides approached me. The click-clack sound of her transparent slippers irritated my ears. Nora and Nana trailed behind her.

“Is my baby okay?” She had tears in her eyes, appearing so fragile like a single touch could break her. She looked so young and gorgeous in her red designer dress and silky hair. Everything about her screamed expensive, even her face. She stared at Morris, waiting for him to say something.

“We haven’t heard anything from the doctor. She is still in the room with him,” he told her in a soothing voice.

“Is Tristan okay?” Nora asked, sitting next to me.

I was surprised she’d spoken to me; I wasn’t sure the Sanchesters liked me. I turned to look at her with a small smile. She was so pretty.

“He will be.” That was all I told her.

His grandmother had a rosary in her hand as she listened to my answer.

“I told you to check on him every hour, so this wouldn’t happen again,” I heard Mrs. Sanchester say to Morris.

They were talking in a low tone, but luckily for me, I was very close to them.

“He forbade me from coming into his room,” Morris explained.

“Is he still seeing his therapist?”

Therapist? Tristan had a therapist?

“No,” Morris replied.

“Oh God,” she groaned, placing her palm on her forehead, as if it would make her feel better.

It seemed this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. The door to his room finally opened, and we all turned to look at the tall doctor who stepped out with two nurses behind her.

“How’s my baby? Please tell me he’s okay,” Mrs. Sanchester asked.

“He‘s okay, but he won’t be accepting visitors until tomorrow,” the doctor said with a soft smile. “Can I speak to you for a minute in my office?” the doctor asked Mrs. Sanchester.

“Sure.”

I watched them as they walked away. Tristan was okay. I could finally breathe again.

Whatever the doctor was going to tell his mom, I wasn’t that curious. I’d found pain medication on the floor in his bathroom. The small bottle for the medication had been empty, so how many had he taken? Why would he even want to hurt himself?

It was obvious something was going on with Tristan. Something they all knew, except me.

My phone rang, making every eye turn in my direction. I answered the call quickly when I saw Adrian’s name on my screen.