Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
A couple of hours later, Lacie had arrived home with a medical letter ensuring she was safe to travel until the third trimester, and while in the waiting room had booked a one-way flight to Sydney, Australia, for 6pm the following day. She had no idea how long she could stay or what would happen next, all she knew was that she had to be there.
She plonked her bag on the bed and collapsed onto it, tears bursting out of her eyes.
Ellie, oh Ellie!
Matt had texted not too long ago that their sister was responding well to the treatment, but as some of the medication had already taken effect in the brain, they’d need a few more hours to encourage the excretion of the drug and determine the residual effects. More waiting.
It’s going to be okay , she soothed herself. She’s responding, that’s a good sign.
She sat up and texted Matt, not wanting to further upset her mum:
Did she do it on purpose?
Not sure. The fact that she called Mum means she knew she’d made a mistake, accidentally or otherwise.
True. Please let me know once she’s stable, and when someone can talk to her. I wish I was there right now.
You will be soon enough, and Penny and Chris are arriving soon. Please look after yourself. And try to get some sleep on the plane. Have you got an ergonomic travel pillow?
Always helpful and practical, her chiropractor brother , even in times of crisis.
Yep. Don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep but I’ll try.
Well, try to get a good rest tonight at least. Let us know once you’ve checked in for the flight.
Will do. Tell Mum I’ll be there on Tuesday morning and I’ll come straight to the hospital.
Matt sent a thumbs up and Lacie’s stomach grumbled, and she realised she hadn’t eaten in several hours, as she’d been planning on having lunch after her shopping trip. She heaved herself up from the bed and rubbed her belly.
‘It’s okay, baby. Everything’s okay.’
She made herself a peanut butter sandwich and a hot chocolate and devoured it rapidly. The boost in blood sugar must have kicked her brain into gear, as she got a pen and paper and jotted down a list of what she’d need to do before tomorrow:
1. Pack bags – don’t forget vitamins, travel pillow, and passport.
2. Contact Madeleine to cancel appointments for the next week, and put those booked in the following week on notice of possible cancellation, if I can’t return by then.
3. Throw out perishable food tomorrow morning and empty the trash.
4. Reschedule next week’s OBGYN appointment.
And that was all she could think of for now, though she felt like she was forgetting something.
A while later, Penny sent a text:
Lacie! Matt said you’re coming. So glad. Doctors tell us Ellie is responding but it’s still critical. She’s had her stomach pumped and is on IV fluids and medication and oxygen. Just have to wait it out. I can’t believe it.
Lacie’s hand flew to her chest.
Oh man. Me neither. I spoke to her before it happened, she was going to try and get some sleep and that was the last I heard.
I wish I’d known she was struggling.
I knew, but I didn’t know how bad it was. I wish I’d called her before she went to sleep, made sure she was okay.
Best thing is to focus on what we can do now. Look after yourself and have a safe flight.
Lacie longed to be with her family, have a group hug, and just be in their presence. Most of all, she longed to see her sister’s funny facial expressions again and feel her arms around her. How could someone with such a great sense of humour feel so sad?
On Sunday morning, Lacie had surprisingly slept longer than she’d planned, apart from two trips to the bathroom during the night.
Crap! She got up and ate a quick breakfast, got dressed and ready, and opened her suitcase to pack. She’d only been able to sleep thanks to the fact that her mum had called last night and told her Ellie was now stable. The relief was like a warm blanket around her heart. She’d need to stay in hospital a while and recover, and have a psychiatric evaluation when she was up for it. Apparently, when Martha had been able to see her, Ellie had apologised profusely. She’d said she’d felt so depressed and exhausted and couldn’t think straight. Desperate for sleep and relief, before she realised what she was doing she’d tipped several tablets into her hand and swallowed them all. It was only a little while after that she’d panicked and called Martha, but by then she was getting drowsy and confused. If Martha hadn’t got to her in time…
Lacie’s phone pinged.
Hope all is okay? Xo
Nathan! She’d been so preoccupied with her family emergency she hadn’t told him what had happened. Or, what she had been planning on telling him, and now wasn’t the time.
Sorry for the delay, something awful happened. Ellie took an overdose of medication and is in hospital, she’s stable but will need further treatment and evaluation. It’s been an anxious 24 hours!
Oh, Lace, I can’t believe it! Do you want to talk? Can I go help your mum with anything? I’ll check in with her.
It’s okay, I’ve gotta get busy packing and preparing, I’m flying over tonight. Can’t bear not being there.
You’re coming back? Please let me know if there’s anything I can do. I hope she’ll be okay. And I’m here for you. I can’t wait to give you a big hug. Xo
A bittersweet smile softened Lacie’s lips. So much for him flying over to the States, and so much for her secret being revealed. No doubt he would find out soon enough, but she would speak to him properly once she’d seen Ellie and knew she was okay.
Thank you. Once I’ve seen Ellie and settled in the house, I’ll give you a call so we can have a proper chat. And… maybe meet up after that, if you want to that is.
Of course I want! I’ll wait for you to make contact. Just be with your family and look after Ellie. I’m here when you’re ready.
Anticipation and dread shared space in her heart. She didn’t know if he would still want what he wanted once he found out she’d kept something important from him. She’d thought their flirtation wouldn’t go anywhere, but suddenly it had morphed into something else before she had even realised. And she’d had no idea he felt that strongly until he’d told her his plan to visit. Everything had happened all at once. Anyway, she couldn’t think too much about it now, she could only think about her sister and being there for her.