Saving Cayli

[Natalie Grey]

Cayli Carpenter

"I know Doctor Diaz discharged you, sweetie, but please think of my nerves -- you should be resting until we know you won't relapse. Thank goodness for the Pastor! I just about fainted when I realised you weren't in bed, Cayli. By God's good grace you shouldn't be wandering about alone in a place like this! Anything could have happened to you." 

Cayli's wet hair was dripping all down her back, sinking cold into her t-shirt. She trailed miserably after her mom. Jay's hoodie was bundled in her arms, hiding the bright pink nails she knew mom would despair at. She gave her a flat look and tried very hard not to roll her eyes as they bundled into the elevator. 

"I wasn't on my own, mom." 

Mom's lips twitched as though to purse, but she said nothing. She didn't need to. Cayli's chest surged with the desire to say what had really happened at the hospital, only to sigh petulantly instead, like oxygen was a very affront to her lungs. She needed to ask Natalie about that. Or Jay. But since she was categorically NOT speaking to him right now it'd have to wait. 

"Can I have my wallet back, mom?" 

Mom's eyes narrowed this time, and Cay already knew the answer. Frustration bit hard but she bit her tongue harder. That just wasn't fair! She'd already missed so much of her life this past year staring at hospital walls and enduring a battery of tests.

"Pleease?"

But mom was not swayed.

"Maybe later, sweetie. Now go and get yourself cleaned up whilst I look for your dad and your brother. If I knock their heads together hard enough perhaps we can actually have a nice meal, all of us together. I hate to think what Pastor James must think of this family." 

Yeah. If you can even find dad in here. Cay watched the ding of the floors in silence, foot bouncing impatiently. Anger and resentment made a bitter cocktail, too much to bear, but somehow she sank it deep. Pissing mom off now would only make it more difficult to escape later. There was NO WAY she wanted to sit and squirm as dad and Jay took chunks out of each other, or stifle down the horror of what Jay had done to Anna Marie while mom tried to play happy families.

When she got to the room, the door just about slammed off its hinges behind her.