I tore it open.
There were only two sentences.
‘Please return to the hospital immediately. Please don’t make any decisions about Hailey until you hear what we found.’
I read it twice.
That’s everything Dr. Carter asked us to give you.
Hailey leaned toward me. “What does it say?”
“It says Dr. Carter wants us back.”
Her smile disappeared. “Now?”
“Yes.”
I crumpled the edge of the paper in my fist.
Please return to the hospital immediately.
“N-no. Absolutely not.”
The ranger shifted awkwardly. “Ma’am, I don’t know what this is about.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m not angry at you.”
Hailey touched my wrist. “Mom.”
“We d-drove all night for this.”
I don’t know what this is about.
“Mom.”
“They told us there was nothing else. They d-don’t get to drag you back into a hospital because somebody changed their mind about one more test.”
“Slow down, Mom.”
That stopped me.
She only said that when my childhood stutter started creeping back into my voice.
Stress had always brought it back, especially when I was scared or angry.
They told us there was nothing else.
I closed my eyes.
Hailey squeezed my hand. “If Dr. Carter sent a ranger after us, maybe this isn’t another goodbye.”
