Chapter 39
Ilifted my head when I heard a soft knock on my door, and said come in. My mom didn’t say a word as she walked to my bed, leaned down, and pulled me into the fiercest gentle hug that only a mama bear can give. “My baby girl. I’m so sorry.” She cried onto my shoulder. I had no idea what she had to be sorry for. I was the one who brought Craig into their lives, I was the reason my dad had a concussion and I was in the hospital beaten black and blue.
I couldn’t find my voice to say any of that, so I hugged her back and let a fresh wave of tears fall. When I finally found my voice I asked, “Are you okay? How’s Dad?”
“I’m better now.” She pulled back and patted my hand. “Dad’ll be okay too, but they’re keeping him overnight for observation as a precaution. How are you? Are you in any pain? I can have the nurse get you something.”
“I’m okay. Nothing’s broken and the bruises will heal. The doctor already gave me something for the pain.” I didn’t tell her I’d asked him for something that wouldn’t put me to sleep, so it’d only taken the edge off. I didn’t want anything stronger until after I’d seen her.
And hopefully Jamie.
I vaguely remembered him being there, but the details were fuzzy. I remembered the pool of blood on the kitchen floor, but not seeing Craig. Had Jamie told me he was dead?
“Mom, is Craig dead?”
She nodded. “I’m sorry honey, but he tried to shoot John.” She squeezed my hand. “John had to defend himself.”
“That’s what I thought.” I thought about it for a second. “I’m sorry he’s dead, but not that Mr. Sheppard shot him. He wanted to kill me.” She flinched at my directness. “And he may have killed you and Dad, too.”
On second thought, I’m not sorry he’s dead.If he’d survived, I would’ve spent the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. Terrified.
“I’m not sorry.”
My eyes opened so wide I thought they’d pop out of my head. “MOM!” I winced, yelling hurt my head and my bruised ribs.
“I’m sorry honey, but after what he did to you, to us, he deserved what he got.”
It was good to see the color back in her cheeks. To see her fired up. She’d looked so scared and shocked in the kitchen that I’d been worried it’d be a good while before I saw the real her again.
“Thanks, Mom.” I sniffed. “I’m sorry-”
“None of that.” She handed me tissue just as someone knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Chris came in and practically ran to my bed. He glanced at my mom before bending down and squeezing me in a big brotherly hug that made my ribs hurt like hell.
“Be careful, Christopher.”
“Right, sorry.” He pulled away, his eyes searching my face. “Are you okay? How bad is it?”
“I’m okay, honestly. My ribs are bruised, my face is a mess, and I have a killer headache, but there’s nothing that won’t heal in a few days.” Or maybe weeks.
Chris nodded as he searched my face.
I reached out and held his hand, “I’ll be fine Chris, I promise.”
Chris turned to Mom. “Are you okay?” He asked as he pulled her into a tight hug. “How’s Dad?”
Mom teared up a little as she filled him in. Luckily, her only physical injuries were a few bruises on her face and wrists, but Dad hadn’t fared as well. He had a concussion, and needed stitches for the gash in his forehead, plus several nasty bruises.
My brave, foolish father. He shouldn’t have tried to stand up to Craig.
After Chris was convinced I was okay, he said he wanted to go visit Dad. Before leaving, he said, “Emily, Jamie’s outside and wants to see you. Do you want to see him?”
I did but I was worried about him seeing me like this. Then I remembered he’d seen me looking even worse on the kitchen floor. I nodded. “Yeah, I do. Thanks.”
Mom and Chris each hugged me before leaving.
Then I waited for Jamie.