Page 43 of Wicked Promises
“Anything,” I answer. “But… apparently he wasn’t sentenced for drug possession, or whatever you told me. He wasn’t dealing… or even using.”
Her lips purse, then smooth out. “I don’t remember saying anything about drugs.”
“What did he go away for, then?”
“Margo.” Her tone is exasperated. She opens and closes her hands on the steering wheel. “You were young. I’m sure you’re misremembering something. With your mother’s drug addiction, it would’ve been easy to transpose that onto your father.”
She’s trying to make me think I’m crazy.
I slowly nod. “You must be right.”
We’re quiet for a minute, and then she says, “It’s sad, really. Your parents… The whole thing is unfortunate.”
“Lydia came to see me, didn’t she?”
Angela hesitates, but only for a split second. “Lydia Asher? Um, yes, I think she did. She was like a second mother to you.”
I focus back on the road. We’re nearing the hospital.
I wonder what she’d say if I told her I went to see Dad. She’d probably freak out on me and the Bryans.
But… she never asked where we were coming from when the accident happened. So maybe she knows the only way we’d be out on that side of town would be if we were visiting the prison.
I shift. My hand feels for the knife in my pocket, and the knot in my chest loosens.
She stops in front of the hospital. “Lenora said she would take you to your therapy appointment, okay? Call me if you need anything.”
Need anything.
I need answers. The truth.
But I can’t really say that, now can I?
I get out and walk toward the entrance, but her voice calls me back. “Margo, sorry, I forgot! Here.”
She reaches toward the open passenger window, extending a cell phone toward me. “To replace your other one. It was recovered in the car at the scene of the accident, so the insurance covered the new one. Isn’t that great?”
It’s an upgraded version of my previous one.
I smile because that’s what I’m supposed to do. Thank her. The phone reminds me of the collision. Weird how these little things can be so triggering. But even so, it’ll be nice to be back in contact with Riley and Lenora. And Caleb.
She pulls away while I’m still looking down at it.
As long as Unknown hasn’t messaged me… But why would they? Their master plan succeeded.
Or did it?
I mean, Caleb is still a free man.
Taking a deep breath, I slip it into my jacket pocket, turn on my heel, and go into the hospital. I can deal with that later.
I have the room number on a piece of paper in my pocket. After helpful direction from a nurse, I step into a busy wing. Lenora sees me almost immediately and jogs toward me.
She throws her arms around me, hugging me close.
I breathe in her scent—a mix of lavender shampoo and perfume—and relish the fact that it’s become familiar already. It reminds me of safety. And while I just saw her yesterday, it feelslonger. More than just wanting to settle back into normal… I want to gohome.
“I’m glad you’re here. How are you feeling? How was school?” She brushes my hair back, scanning my face. Worry creases her eyebrows, and she briefly touches my forehead, near my stitches.