These Women - Book Three: These Women, #3

By Turtleberry

In this final book, find out what happens in the lives of These Women.

(Content Warning: death, miscarriage)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turtleberry Press
• Release date: Sep 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223928980

Book preview

Bianca

The focus of my life changed drastically with Junior in the picture. Prior to him being with me, I spent most of my days trying to enjoy my life. It was easier some days than others. I always had Q and Tony in the back of my mind. After Junior came into my life most of my days were spent trying to hurry up and get home to him. I got spoiled over the summer being able to take him to camp with me. He was so good at sitting on the side when I needed him out of the way. Naomi still kept him two days a week during the summer. On those days I had summer classes that I was taking.

Junior liked to sit in the library with his books while I studied. He liked to say he was studying like I was, even though he couldn’t read. Not that you could tell him that he couldn’t read. One thing Junior had was an overabundance of confidence in himself. His only insecurity seemed to be me.

We went to family therapy to try and figure out about his nightmares. He was afraid that I was going to leave him. The therapist even discovered that Junior knew I didn’t give birth to him. Even knowing that, he believed me to be his mother in every other aspect of the word. I had decided long before that to be that person for him. I knew Tamesha wasn’t able to do it. Our last few sessions focused on ways for me to help Junior deal better with times when I needed to be away from him.

Separation hadn’t come up much in the spring or summer. My dad used Junior as an excuse to come to every track meet that I ran in. They were both there. During the fall semester I was focused on classes and our line of caterpillars. The week before our girls crossed was also hell for me. Junior would be up waiting for me to come in no matter how late it was. My stress level was high and he would give me hugs and kisses and curl up with me. I would read him a story and then we would go to sleep.

He had grown very attached to my dad as well. Despite attempting to schedule otherwise, my dad ended up needing to be out of town the week of my finals. He had actually left town right after Thanksgiving for what was supposed to be four days of testimony and a quick decision. It turned out not to be so quick. Junior enjoyed going to Naomi’s so it wasn’t a problem as far as he was concerned. I just began to miss him.

That didn’t mix well with a tough set of six classes. Two were my final business classes. Three were law school classes. The last one was a thesis class that involved me needing to create a successful business model. I thought that would be easy when I decided to use my dad as a model but my professor tore my initial write up to shreds. I panicked and emailed Cris. The email had to be three pages or more printed out plus I attached my presentation and my professor’s comments. Cris let me know that the only reason my dad was successful was because he is who he is. Both he and Davis used support from Pop’s firm and Aunt Lauryn’s firm. With Cris’ help I was actually able to find a way to fix all of the flaws and have a successful business model.

Finals for the five classes were brutal. The last final left me completely numb. Contracts were my dad’s specialty and he tried to offer help but I refused to let him help me at all. I didn’t even discuss the class with him. I wanted to do it on my own. Then it didn’t help that Tiffany Andrews, a former federal judge, taught the class. Davis had begged her to come and join the team teaching the pilot program students.

After her final I felt like a zombie. I made my way to my car and was half way to Naomi’s when I realized that Avery was passed out in the passenger seat next to me. He almost gave me a heart attack. I wouldn’t have noticed him except his phone started going off.

Jesus Avery!

He jumped. Yeah, what?

I smacked him in the arm. Where did you come from?

You didn’t notice me follow you to your car? You are slipping. Avery picked up his phone. Hello?

After he got off the phone I pulled up in front of Naomi’s house. He only gave one word answers when he was on the phone. That was a weird conversation.

It was Cris telling me that Marie touched down in Chicago.

She went to Chicago while we were taking a final? I scrunched my face up. How long were we in there?

Three hours. Avery shook his head. Were you part of the mayhem of last night?

If you mean when my brother was going postal because his wife didn’t come home to a house he wasn’t even at, yes I was. I turned to him. How were you involved?

This is one of those long stories that we keep saying I am going to tell you but never had the time with the shit load of work we had to do.

So we will go and get Junior and then talk.

Best plan I have heard in a minute.

Naomi was so glad to see me. She was even happier when I agreed to pick Isabella up from preschool and take her with me too. Caleb was not feeling well and he was not afraid to let everyone know it. Davis was doing depositions all day. Avery sat in the car with Junior when I went to get Isabella. Isabella wanted to be around other kids, little girls really, so Naomi and Davis put her in preschool part time. It gave Naomi a break because Isabella was a talker. As soon as we left her classroom she proceeded to tell me all about her day. Then she stopped and started the story all over again when she got in the car and saw Junior and Avery. We didn’t get a reprieve until the kids finished eating and ran to play in the play center that we took them too.

Avery turned to me. I can understand why Davis started doing more work outside of the house.

I laughed. Oh and she just adores talking to him. He is going to have to hear that entire story with probably even more details when we get her back home.

I’m not sure you even want to hear me talk now.

I raised my eyebrow. I do and I want you to start at the beginning.

Okay. Well, for starters, my father is a Russian Jew and my mother was from a small island in the east Caribbean called Dominica.

The flag you have in your back windshield?

Yes. Avery smiled.

Let me guess, her name is Rose. I placed my hand over his heart. Avery had a rose tattoo on his chest, directly over his heart.

Right again. Avery was quiet for a second. Rose was a model. My dad had just started out directing movies at the time. I did not get my looks from him and he was excited that she was even giving him the time of day.

I laughed. I’ve never seen a picture of either one of them.

Avery pulled out a laminated picture from his wallet. This is a photo from their wedding.

I was taken aback by how beautiful Avery’s mother was. She looked like she had the smoothest mahogany colored skin. Avery looked a lot like her. I had to laugh again when I looked at his dad. He looked exactly like what you would imagine a Jewish white guy to look like. He doesn’t look bad Avery.

I try to remind him he gets his looks from his power. Avery took the picture back and smiled when looking at it before he put it away. A tear formed in his eye.

I wiped it away before it fell down his cheek. Keep talking.

Rose couldn’t deal with the pressure of the life of a model. She was from a rural area and was discovered on a trip to the states to visit a cousin. She was only sixteen when that happened.

How old was she in that picture?

Avery chuckled. My dad swears she was eighteen.

Really.

She was seventeen. She was already pregnant with me. They got married out of the states where it was legal.

He married her before she had you.

Don’t get me wrong. He was insanely in love with Rose. Sometimes I think he still is. Avery got quiet again.

I looked around and saw Isabella and Junior in the bounce house just to the right of where we were sitting. There was something familiar in the look that Avery had on his face. I put my hand over his. What happened?

You want the story my dad tells, the one from the newspapers, or what I think is the truth?

All three.

My dad, to this day, says that she had a bad heart. The newspapers said that she accidentally overdosed.

I gave him a few moments then I squeezed his hand. That is only two.

She cracked under the pressure. A kid, a husband, and a career in an unforgiving industry caused her to crack. I got the coroner’s report just before my twenty-first birthday. She had been using drugs for a long time. She did have a heart condition from childhood. Avery paused and looked at me. I could see the pain in his eyes. Rose killed herself. She had alcohol and a combination of prescription and illegal drugs in her system.

Oh. I wasn’t sure what else to say. I knew the pain Avery was feeling so I didn’t even attempt to say anymore for a while. Then I turned to him. How old were you?

Avery simply pointed to Junior. He took some deep breaths and looked up at me. That is when I went to New York to live with my grandmother. She was not a fan of my parent’s marriage but I never knew that until I graduated high school.

I can’t imagine how she reacted when her son told her he was going to marry your mother.

You mean when he came home with a wife who was pregnant? Avery smiled. My grandmother told me that she did her best to not take her anger towards my father out on my mother or me. My grandparents had arranged a marriage for my father while he was in college but when my grandfather died, my dad backed out. My uncle, who is three years younger than my dad, ended up both marrying the girl and going into the family business.

What’s that?

Tailor.

I laughed. Is that why you always look so good?

Avery laughed. Oh wait until you see my suit for tomorrow night. It was handmade by my uncle. He makes all my dad’s suits.

I smiled. Oh I can’t wait.

Junior and Isabella came over. They both had to go to the bathroom. Junior went with Avery and I took Isabella. Then we went up to the store to get a small toy for each of them. First they had to pick out toys for Caleb, Jonathan, and Aiden. Avery paid for the toys while I bundled up the kids to head back to Naomi’s house. We pulled up at the same time as Davis. Avery started laughing because as soon as Davis opened up the car door to get Isabella out, she started in on the story of her day.

Daddy, you will not believe what happened today in preschool.

Davis sighed and picked her up out of the car. Thank you Bianca.

You are welcome.

How was the final?

Avery and I groaned at the same time. Avery shook his head. Do we have to take her for another class or is that it?

Davis laughed. Pop is trying to get her to teach one more.

My eyes rolled back in my head. I can say this Davis, I have a new appreciation for your teaching technique.

Davis laughed harder. Good, because I’m teaching the second half of contracts next semester.

Bye Davis. I motioned for him to get away from my car.

Bye-bye Davis. Junior waved.

Thank you Bianca and Avery. Isabella waved.

Goodnight guys. Davis shut the door and head into the house.

Avery looked at me as we pulled off. Are you sure that kid is three?

Three going on twenty-three seems more like it to me.

JUNIOR KEPT US FROM continuing our conversation until about ten o’clock. He wanted to play, watch a movie, eat, and then watch another movie. We had stopped past campus so Avery could get his emergency overnight bag out of his car. Junior was excited that Avery was coming over. They really adored each other. I was actually able to get some laundry done while occasionally being invited to play with them. I took a shower while they watched their last movie. Then I gave Junior a bath and put him to bed. Avery took a shower while I calmed Junior down with a story. He was so excited.

Junior, why are you so pumped?

Mommy, Pop-Pop is coming home tomorrow.

I raised my eyebrow. I didn’t think my dad was coming back until Monday. How do you know?

He called to talk to me at lunch time. He said he got me a present.

I shook my head. Okay. Well, you have to go to bed so it will hurry up and be tomorrow.

Can you read another story mommy?

I smiled. Sure. You pick one.

Junior climbed out of bed and grabbed another book. When he got back in bed he looked up at the doorway. Avery read.

I turned and Avery was standing in the doorway. He smiled. Sure little man. Let’s see what we got.

I wasn’t sure Junior was going to go to sleep with all the sound effects and foolishness that Avery added to the story. I looked up at Avery as he slowed the story down. He got softer with each turn of the page until he closed the book. I looked back down and Junior was passed out. I tucked him in his bed, complete with Little Einstein’s sheets that my dad got him when he returned from his last trip. Avery and I crept out of the room and headed downstairs. I grabbed some snacks and Avery lit the fireplace. As soon as I sat on the floor across from him he smiled at me and continued his story.

My dad was a mess after my mother died. They both worked and I had a nanny. My mother’s family wanted to take me back to Dominica but my dad refused to let them take me. He sent me to live with my grandmother. Hence began my Jewish upbringing.

I laughed. Nothing about you struck me as Jewish. I can’t believe I was spelling your last name wrong all these years.

You mean when you doodled in your notebook about being Mrs. Avery Kohlman, you spelled it wrong?

I threw a pretzel at him. No. I actually don’t think I have ever written your name. I meant in my head.

Avery laughed. I know what you meant.

So what happened? I mean do you even go to temple?

I do. There is one about five miles from here that I like. I don’t go like I should."

Did you go to a Jewish school?

How do you know about Jewish school? Avery paused. Wait, Baltimore has a huge Jewish community. I forgot.

And my best friend, from high school, is Jewish.

Rachel, right?

Yup.

Well, yes I went until my bar mitzvah.

I raised my eyebrow. Okay.

Avery grinned. I kinda got caught having sex with the Rabbi’s daughter and got thrown out of the synagogue and the school I was attending.

I burst out laughing. At 13?

Yes. She was sixteen by the way.

It took me a moment to stop laughing. Why does that not surprise me?

Not a clue. Avery winked at me. So my grandmother was pissed and sent me back to my father. He was on wife number three at this point. No kids other than me and she was not excited about having me around.

Sounds like a recipe for boarding school. Tons of kids at Green Meadows had that story.

I went through three my eighth grade year. I was trying to get in touch with the half of me that is black and fumbled quite a few times.

What about high school?

My dad found one in California that was exceptionally diverse and extremely exclusive. He used his connections in the entertainment world to get me in. I loved it. There were so many mixed kids like me and we were all rich. I think you would have had to kill someone of importance in a fashion that couldn’t possibly be covered up in order to get kicked out.

I laughed. And that is where you met Marie?

Avery sighed. Yes. Her parents were getting divorced and she was by far and away the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Well, until I met you.

I tossed another pretzel at him. Keep telling the story.

Okay. Okay. She was thirteen and I was fifteen and within three months both of our fathers tried to kill me.

Why?

I got her pregnant.

I began to choke on the water I was drinking. Avery held my hands over my head and patted me on the back. Once I collected myself I looked up at him. You got her pregnant?

Yeah. I mean I was her first but she already knew a lot about sex. We just fucked up on the using protection part.

Avery, she doesn’t have a kid though.

Avery looked down. Naw, she doesn’t.

Keep talking.

She is going to kill me for telling you this. I don’t think she has even told Ben yet.

Keep talking. I raised my eyebrow at him.

Marie’s relationship with her dad was already pretty tricky and she just blurted out to him that she was pregnant. I didn’t even know at that point. I was there because her dad was talking to my dad, trying to get him to tell me to leave her alone. Her dad tried to choke me. My dad stopped him only because he wanted to choke me. Avery paused at the slight smile on my face. It’s not funny.

Sorry.

Marie threw things at both of them until they backed off me. She told her dad that she was going to tell her mother. Neil flipped out. He actually took her out of school and didn’t bring her back until after Winter Break. Avery paused and closed his eyes for a second. He took her out of the country to get an abortion. It took me a week to even get that out of her. I knew that neither one of us was ready to be a parent but Marie was Catholic. She was devastated.

Did she ever tell her mother?

I would guess no because both me and her father are still breathing at this present time.

I shook my head. Yeah. Anna Moreno strikes me as the type who would have exploded.

She once beat the crap out of me because I couldn’t get out of Marie’s room fast enough. Avery smiled. That woman is no joke.

So, why did you screw things up with Marie?

Avery sighed. I don’t want to at all blame her for what is mostly my addiction to women. Marie has had her mind set on having the family that she didn’t really have for a long time. She wanted to be like her Uncle and his wife. She wanted to be like her mother’s parents. She still believed in the happily ever after.

And you don’t? I could tell the answer to that question just by the way he looked up at me. Why not?

My father finally found a good woman. My step mother is amazing. She is his fourth wife and by far the best since my mom. He loves her. She loves him.

So what's the problem?

Love is not enough.

How you figure?

They fight constantly. I don’t mean your everyday arguments either. She has left him six times. I think he cheats on her but I refuse to get proof because I just don’t really want to know for sure. I am sort of attached to this wife.

I smiled. She is the one you refer to as mom.

Yes. Avery smiled. I actually made a pass at her when they first got married.

Did she smack you?

Nope. Even worse. She laughed at me. Then she helped me to step my game up.

I giggled. Okay.

She is thirty-three.

How old is your dad?

Fifty-one.

Wow.

Anyway, I fucked up with Marie and she wouldn’t forgive me. I hadn’t talked to her since I graduated. Then she pops up here.

And marries my brother.

Avery smiled. They are perfect for each other. When she started seeing Cris I told myself that she got the wrong one.

I shook my head. She is going to give my brother an ulcer.

No, he is going to bring out the tameness in her. I’ve seen it. It is there. Avery got up with me and we cleaned up. Then we came back in the living room. He stretched out on the couch. I tossed him a blanket and lay on the couch across from him. He smiled. If she isn’t still on that super powered birth control her dad had the doctor put her on when she was thirteen, you may be an aunt soon.

Well Ben said they are waiting until she graduates. I yawned. So what was the deal with last night and earlier today?

Avery yawned. That is a story for tomorrow.

I smiled at him as my eyes closed. Okay.

Good night beautiful.

Night.

THAT NIGHT I DREAMT of Amy. For a while I had been able to dream only of the good times we had together. That night I dreamt of the night she sold me to Tony. I could feel how cold it was that night and remembered the way that Tony looked at me. I remembered how at first it was a look of pity but it warmed. I remembered Slim being there and Tony telling him he was going to take me home. The dream was different from reality in that he took me home to Q. Q and I made love and then walked through a park. Everything was wonderful until it got dark and suddenly we were out in front of the hospital. The gunshots and hearing someone yell my name woke me up.

I sat up and heard my name again. My dad walked past the living room. I wiped my eyes. Daddy, stop yelling. I’m right here.

He came in the room. An old classmate of mine called me and said you had been in a car accident the other night and totaled your car.

Dad, my car is in the driveway.

I saw it. My dad leaned on the wall. He said Avery came to pick you up but you need to go back to the hospital.

I threw a pillow at Avery. He sat up. We have another final?

No. I put my feet on the floor. You picked me up from the hospital yesterday?

Avery looked up at my dad. Shit. Um... not you. His other daughter.

My dad scratched his head for a second and then sighed. Marie.

I turned back to Avery. You didn’t tell me about her being in the hospital or crashing her car.

That was going to be today’s portion of the story. Avery sat up.

Where is Marie now? Timmons said that the Radiology technician was adamant that Marie get to a hospital.

Avery looked at his watch. It was eight. Cris said something about flying back here at eleven.

That gives me time to call Neil and get another doctor to look at these films. Any chance of Ben and Cris getting her here earlier?

She was not in a good mood yesterday. Perhaps by force. Avery shook his head. She said she just sprained her wrist. That is what the discharge papers said.

She was at a shitty county hospital. My dad already had his cell phone out. Neil, can you get a doctor to look at an MRI now. We may have a serious problem.

I watched my dad walk towards his office. Junior snuck into the room and curled up under me. He looked up at me. Is Pop-Pop mad?

I smiled at him. No baby. He thought something was wrong with us. It isn’t us but he has to make a lot of calls.

Okay. I wait to give him a hug?

Yes. That's a good idea. I looked at Avery. Avery is going to make us some of his famous French toast.

Avery smiled. Yeah, while I tell your mother about my morning yesterday.

I made sausage while Avery made French toast. Junior sat at the kitchen table and watched television. My dad walked in and picked him up out of the chair. There is my grandson. I missed you.

I missed you Pop-Pop. Junior hugged my dad.

I have a present for you after breakfast.

Yeah. Junior held his hands up in the air.

My dad put him down and came over to the counter. Did Avery start this story yet?

Nope. I was waiting for you. Avery smiled. Apparently she fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed the truck. She called me from an orderly’s cell phone and asked me to come get her. When I got there she was talking to the deputy. She called Ben from my phone. Then she had me drop her in DC for the closing on her condo. She said she was flying to Chicago. I was worried but felt better that she would be with Ben. She swore she would tell him what happened.

Well he isn’t answering his phone.

You know he won’t. I looked at my dad. What was that technician talking about?

He thinks she has blood clots. The archaic doctors at that hospital don’t think so. He said he wants to show it to another doctor outside the hospital but can’t due to confidentiality. Neil is the primary policy holder on the health insurance so he can authorize the technician to send the records to another doctor.

I raised my eyebrow. She shouldn’t be flying if she has blood clots.

You want to tell her that? My dad raised his eyebrow at me.

I sighed. Marie was not someone I really wanted to battle with. She had so much going on in her life right now that I was shocked that she hadn’t really snapped. That is probably what the headaches were all about.

Ben told me about those. She kept saying it was stress. He thought it was because she didn’t eat.

When we dated she ate like a bird in order to keep in shape for ballet.

I looked up at Avery when he said that. I went into the living room and grabbed my phone. The text from Wendi was still there. I showed it to my dad when I got back in the kitchen. Wendi sent me a text Thursday saying that she felt like the Dance department head was inappropriate to Marie. She said that at first she thought Marie was okay with it until the way she reacted when Wendi said something to her.

That dude is a pervert. Avery whispered to us when he saw Junior looking at us instead of the television. Then Avery took some food over to Junior. Okay sir. Here is your big man breakfast.

My dad looked at Avery when he came back over. Elaborate.

Some of the girls in the dance department have said that there are ways to get better grades and recommendations to some of the top dance companies in the world.

I shook my head. You truly know all the gossip.

My dad smiled. I used to know it all when I was at Jefferson.

I laughed as he walked out of the room. I turned back to Avery. So she wasn’t in a good mood for a number of reasons.

She read me pretty good.

How so?

She told me that I’m not in love with you.

I smiled at him. Well I could have told you that.

Really?

Avery, if you wanted me I think you would have put up way more of a fight than you have. I’m happy we are friends. You are like my best friend. One day you are going to meet a woman who takes your breath away and you will tear up the earth trying to make her yours.

He smiled at me. Yeah. You are my best friend. I’m not so sure about the last part of your statement though.

Mommy, Avery, come eat. Junior turned and looked at us.

Yes sir. Avery laughed and turned the stove off after taking out two more pieces of French toast.

Junior kept the mood light. He talked all through breakfast, telling my dad all about what had gone on while he was out of town. Junior also wanted to know everything my dad did while he was away, and by everything that meant what he ate. Then he was ecstatic when my dad gave him two big picture books. They were both alphabet books but one was completely of animals and the other was of random things. The books were larger than the usual kid books so Junior was convinced they were for adults and he loved them that much more. He made us all sit and read the books with him. My dad cleaned the dishes but had to come over a few times at the request of Junior. It was almost eleven when my dad’s phone rang. After he answered it the smile left his face. I nudged Avery and he looked up at my dad.

Hey Junior, why don’t we go upstairs and get ready.

It’s time to go to Granny already? Junior looked at me.

Yeah babe. I know that Pop would love to read your books with you.

Junior smiled. He makes good voices like Avery.

Avery picked Junior up and carried him out of the kitchen. My dad hung up the phone a few moments later. Damnit.

I jumped a little when he yelled. Daddy, what’s wrong?

That was Donna. She said Neil is on a plane. He was in London. Anna is in the air already.

She was coming tonight.

Yeah. She doesn’t know.

Doesn’t know what? I stood up.

Marie definitely has blood clots. They are in her brain and lungs. The doctor isn’t sure how close they are to her heart. He needs another MRI for that.

I sat back down. I need to get Ben on the phone.

Donna tried him. He won’t pick up. Cris is on a conference call and won’t pick up either. Marie isn’t picking up.

I thought for a second. I can call Mike. Maybe he can get Ben on the phone.

I have to get Davis on the phone. My dad walked out the room.

I tried reaching Mike but he didn’t pick up either. I called Mina but Lisa picked up. Are you coming?

We have a big problem. I highly doubt I am even going to be there tonight. Where is Mina?

Driving me to drink. If she changes her mind about what she is going to wear one more time.

Tell her I need her to get Cris on the damn phone and tell him to call my dad.

Bianca, what is going on?

Don’t tell everyone because we can’t cancel this thing. Marie is really sick and going to be in the hospital as soon as we locate her.

Oh shit. Okay. Lisa paused. I will get her to leave the house and head home then. We can handle the cabaret. I just need you to text me to let me know what is going on.

For God’s sake please don’t say a word to Karmen.

Lisa laughed. Oh no. I can’t deal with that chick. She is a bit much in a crisis.

Yes.

Okay girl.

I hung up and went upstairs. Both Avery and Junior were dressed and sitting on Junior’s bed. They seemed to be having a serious conversation. When I walked into the room they stopped talking. Junior looked up at me and then at Avery.

Avery smiled. Go ahead.

Mommy, can I go to school like Bella?

Everything that had just gone on left my mind and I sat on the other side of Junior. You want to try school now.

Bella is learning and I want to learn.

You learn with Naomi.

I know. Junior looked back at Avery.

Remember what I said. Avery coached him.

Junior looked up at me. I want to be a big boy.

I smiled. Okay. We can see if you can start after the holiday.

Yeah. Junior stood up on the bed and hugged me.

You hang out here with Avery while I get dressed.

I got dressed quickly and took Junior over to my grandparent’s house. Granny came out of the house and Avery helped her get in my truck. I looked at her. You riding with us Granny?

No one is going to be able to keep Ben calm. Lauryn is coming but she is going to need me as back up.

I smiled at her. Where is Mina?

On her way to the airport to pick up Marie’s mother. She should have gotten Cris on the phone by now.

Avery was sitting in the back texting on his phone. Davis said the plane is in the air. Ben is on it with Marie and Cris. Marie is in a lot of pain. Pilot is flying as low as they will allow him to.

Did he talk to my dad? I got on the road.

Yes. Ambulance is meeting the plane at the air strip. They are going to GW Hospital from there.

I looked at Granny quickly. So what do we do until then?

She thought for a second. We should head to the hospital.

I wasn’t sure the reason for the traffic but it took us an hour to get to the hospital. By the time we got there Mina was already there with Anna. Anna was beside herself and Granny went straight to work calming her down. My aunt Lauryn and Davis showed up next. I was a little on edge but Avery kept squeezing my hand every few minutes. Cris came in with a guy.

The ambulance is right behind us. She passed out on the plane just after we landed. Cris opened his arms as Mina ran right in them. He walked her over to Anna with him. The doctor that came with the paramedics has five million questions that neither Ben nor I could answer.

Anna went over to the door with the guy who came in with Cris. Avery looked at Cris. She didn’t say a word.

Cris shook his head. She still didn’t tell Ben everything. I had to tell him what the technician told her.

Stubborn as fuck. Avery covered his mouth. Sorry Granny.

Granny smiled. She and Lauryn got up when the stretcher came in. Ben was holding Marie’s hand. We all got in the next elevator after they went up with Marie. The doctor was asking Anna questions about birth control. Anna was crying and kept saying that she didn’t know. I looked over at Avery.

Avery...

No. He looked at me.

We got off the elevator. Ben was standing at the door to a room. The doctor came over. Mrs. Richardson, there is a discrepancy in your daughter’s medical records. I need to know when she started on the birth control.

I told you, as far as I know she was sixteen. Anna leaned on Lauryn.

Avery! I punched him in the arm.

Damnit. He walked the few steps over to them. She was fourteen when she got the first implant.

Ben looked up at him. What?

Avery scratched his head. It was January, right after her fourteenth birthday. They took it out when she was a few months before her sixteenth birthday. Ms. Moreno, you took her after her sixteenth birthday but that was the second one.

Avery... Anna looked puzzled.

I can’t tell you anymore. Avery walked away.

I followed him down the hall. Ben was right behind me. Ben caught up to him first. What aren’t you saying to her?

I looked at Ben and then at Avery. Tell him Avery.

She is going to fuck me up.

Ben pushed Avery against the wall. She may not even wake up so you better start talking.

I put my hand on Ben’s shoulder. Ben, don’t hurt him. I don’t think Marie wants her mom to know.

Know what? Ben looked at me.

I got her pregnant when she was thirteen. It was just before her fourteenth birthday. Her dad took her out of the country for an abortion. Her mom doesn’t know. I know the doctor’s might need to know but I am not telling her mother.

Ben let Avery go. He took a few deep breaths. I’m not telling her either. That is on Neil.

We walked with Ben back down the hall. Everyone was an empty room the hospital quickly turned into a private waiting room for us. My dad came in and sat down with Ben, Granny, and Avery. Lauryn was sitting with Anna, who had her head between her legs crying and saying the rosary. Davis sat with Mina, Cris, and I. Time seemed to go so fast earlier in the day but it slowed down drastically. It didn’t help that I kept looking at the clock in between silent prayers. I rested my head on Cris’ shoulder and fell asleep.

I woke up when Cris tried to gently move me. I sat up quickly and looked around. Neil was coming down the hall. There was another man with him. I guessed it was Marie’s uncle because he looked so much like her mother. As soon as Neil came in the room Anna jumped up.

Why the hell was my daughter on birth control at fourteen? Anna switched to Spanish. She was talking fast but I could make out enough to know that we needed to leave the room.

Mina had gotten up when Anna started yelling. Avery and Ben ushered us out of the room, leaving just Neil and Anna inside. Avery stood on the other side of me. Every time I moved, he moved. I looked and realized that Marie’s uncle was on the opposite side of me.

He laughed. Calm down Avery. I already knew.

Avery sighed. I didn’t want to even mention that much.

Thank you for speaking up. Uncle Carlos patted Avery on the back and then put his arm around Ben. He started to walk with Ben when Anna screamed something. He rushed in the room as Anna swung on Neil.

My dad and aunt Lauryn went in the room followed by Granny. I put my arms around Ben and gave him a hug. I looked up as the doctor came down the hallway. Anna and Neil had stopped arguing and were sitting down talking when we all came in the room. The doctor told us that Marie was unconscious and they had to put her on a respirator. I looked up at Ben, who was still in my arms. Tears were coming down his cheeks. Lauryn and Granny were on