Chapter 37
Adrian
T he weeks pass and while we know Scarlett is healing, she still hasn’t woken up. It’s taken a toll on all of us, the grief from so long ago intertwining with our worry today.
The healers eventually explained to us that Scarlett’s accident was a horrible mess of circumstances.
I’ve always known she struggled with chronic stress—the woman takes care of everyone in town and burns herself out all the time making sure everyone has it all together.
She’s the reason we got through losing our parents when we were young.
Scarlett had probably let stress build up over time. She always handles problems that she shouldn’t take care of. She didn’t take care of herself and her health enough.
That’s going to change. I’ll make sure of it.
I’m sitting by her bed along with my sisters and the silence is palpable. None of us really have words right now.
Hazel’s foot starts tapping furiously in the room. I look over to her. Her eyes meet mine and determination makes her gaze sharpen.
“We need to talk,” she declares.
Isabella’s eyes meet mine, sharp worry clear in them. But she turns to our little sister and gently asks, “What do you want to talk about, Hazel?”
“Stella. I’m sorry but she deserves better than this from us. Next week, she has her first fucking concert.”
We’re all in shock. This is the first time we’ve seen Hazel angry.
I get up too, understanding what she means.
Stella has been there for us through everything lately.
She brought food over so we didn’t have to leave the room, made sure we got back home safe every night, and checked in on us daily.
She didn’t even ask us to go to her first show and instead told us to stay here, said that she understood we were preoccupied.
“What do you suggest we do then, Hazel?” Isabella asks. “We can’t leave Scarlett here alone.”
“Isa, we are four people. We can be at both places at once.”
Layla steps in. “Adrian and Hazel, you both can go to see Stella. I’m sure it will mean a lot to her. I will stay back with Isa so we can make sure Scarlett isn’t alone when she wakes up.”
Isabella sighs, nodding along. “You’re right. She deserves our support.”
Hazel smiles. “Glad we all agree.”
When the mood goes peaceful, I clear my throat. “We’re going to be separated for a few days, but I want us to be able to keep in contact. I can get the phones I’d gotten us a few years ago.”
The next day, I join my sisters again, bringing the phones we used to stay in contact when I left town for a few months.
When I came back, I grabbed all the phones none of them used and stored them away.
My sisters all grab their phones and we check again that all our contact information is correct.
Knowing I’ll be able to reach Layla and Isabella when we’re gone will help me sleep a little better at night.