“You’re okay,” I said, relief washing over me.
“Smoke burned my throat. Can’t talk loud,” she whispered.
I grinned, some of the tension easing. “So you’re saying I can tease you, and you can’t yell back? This might be my lucky day.”
Her weak smile lit up her face, and she reached out to swat my arm. “You’re silly,” she whispered.
For the first time since the call, I let myself breathe. She was alive. She was safe. And for now, that was all that mattered.
Chapter Nineteen
Savannah
The phone in my room rang and jolted me out of my thoughts. It was Mya.
“So how are you? Is everything alright? What do you remember, honey?” It was good to hear Mya’s voice. I felt like I hadn’t spoken to her in some time.
I chuckled, looking down at the hospital sheet that covered my body. My arms lit up with goosebumps as a cold chill ran over me. I hated hospitals for this very reason.
“Everything will be good,” I said quietly. “My throat still hurts but they gave me a numbing medicine that helped a lot. It did make it less painful to talk but made my tongue feel thick. “I need a warm blanket.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I know hospitals are always cold. Will you be there long?”
"The whiteboard across from my bed had my name and a bold ‘GO HOME’ under GOALS." It also had the names of two nurses and the doctor who was apparently on duty.
“I have no idea,” I murmured.
“I will bring you a blanket.”
I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. “No, Mya, you don’t have to do that. Marcus is probably coming down and Jackson is probably here in the hospital waiting to see me.”
“Jackson?” Mya sounded very curious. My heart did another skip in my chest. She was going to ask about him. What would I tell her? Should I open up about how I was feeling? “Is that the Jackson who called Marcus?”
“Yes, that’s him.” This time I shook my head, glancing up at the ceiling. “How many Jacksons do you know, Mya?”
“Yeah, L. O. L.” She spelled out the acronym. I heard the smile in her voice. “ I just wanted to make sure, we were speaking about the same person.”
“Sure is.”
Mya paused. I bit my lower lip, waiting for her question.
“So, when did Jackson go from being your neighbor to your knight in shining armor? You took my advice?”
“Yeah,” I responded. “I mean, I do live next door. He’s been helping me with...” I didn’t continue, though I knew I’d have to. She wasn’t one to let a sentence go half said.
“Yes?” She prompted me to continue.
“With some issues with Roger."
So you heard from him.... Mya gasped so loud I easily heard it. “What he threatened you? Is he the one who set fire to your house? It’s a good thing Alana wasn’t with you.”
“Yes, she’s actually staying with Jackson’s parents. I only wanted her to stay there for the weekend but it looks like that might be longer. I don’t know how long it will take to fix my house. Insurance and all. I just don’t know.”
“Yes, Marcus told me Alana wasn’t there when he called. He explained all of that to me. He’s a real good brother to you, girl. My brothers don’t talk to me much. Granted they’re marriedwith children but still. What’s a lonely sister to do?” She laughed, which brightened my spirits more. “You want me to come see you tomorrow? I don’t mind. I’ll take a long lunch.”
I took a deep breath. “All right, Mya. Of course you can come. But I’ll let you know the minute I leave so you won’t waste your time. I don’t know yet how long I’m going to be here!”
“All right, let me know when and where I can visit you.”
