“You scared me.”
“I scared me too.”
He laughed and cried at the same time.
I stood beside the bed.
“You knew about the contract.”
Rosie’s expression changed.
“Ben told you.”
“You asked him to.”
She nodded.
“In case I did not wake up.”
“You woke up.”
“I did.”
I wanted to be angry with her for hiding the truth.
Then I saw the exhaustion in her face.
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
“I would have helped you.”
“I know that too.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
Rosie looked toward Ben.
Then back at me.
“Because everyone always fights over me.”
Her voice was weak but clear.
“Mom and Dad fought about where I should live. Doctors talked to them instead of me. Teachers asked you what I wanted when I was standing right there.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“I did that too.”
“Sometimes.”
She squeezed my fingers.
“You protected me because you loved me. But sometimes you acted like I could not protect myself.”
The truth hurt.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
She looked toward the door.
“Are Mom and Dad here?”
