It takes ten minutes for the sirens to reach my ears, and an additional three for the team to knock at the door.
They load Luna’s mom into the back of the ambulance and sweep away to the hospital. Luna and I pile into the truck with Phillip and Miri and make our way, not nearly as fast, to the same destination.
Everyone is steeped in awkward silence for the drive. My heart and head are heavy. Breaking for Luna. And yet, my mind is churning around and around the idea of the bokor and what he could have possibly done to have caused this condition in Luna’s mom.
I have no proof he is responsible, but my gut tells me… yells at me… that it is so.
Phillip parks the truck what feels like a mile away from the emergency entrance. The parking lot is jam packed, suggesting a busy day in the ER. Holding Luna’s hand, granting her what comfort and support I have to offer, we cover the distance in motions that pain the chest. Too slow.
The entrance to the emergency room glides open, and we are immediately assaulted with the pungent stink of blood, urine, and massive amounts of disinfectant. Phillip and Miri make their way to the front desk and ask after Luna’s mom. I hang back with a somewhat distraught Luna.
“Belle, is that you?” Someone grabs my arm.
Chapter Twenty-One
With a jolt and a spin, I come face to face with Jeanna’s mom. “Mrs. Davis?”
“What are you doing here?” she asks. “Are you alright? Is everyone in your family alright? Your mom?” She leans closer. “Jeanna mentioned you were staying at your grandmother’s.”
“I’m okay,” I say, avoiding the “mom” question. “This is Luna.” I shift to the side, allowing Luna a better view of Jeanna’s mom. “She recently joined our Monday group. I’m here with her. They just brought her mom in by way of ambulance.”
“Oh dear. I hope it isn’t anything serious,” she says and leads us over to the front counter. “What’s her name?” She pulls a clipboard out and runs her finger along the list of names.
“Flores,” Luna says. “Camila Flores.”
Jeanna’s mom looks up from the clipboard. “This isn’t the lady Jeanna asked me to check in on, is it?”
Luna turns her gaze to me, confusion plastered on her face. With all that has happened since our coven meeting, I don’t blame her for forgetting our original plan to help her dad, check in on her mom.
“It is,” I say and nod at Luna. She blinks and joins me in the nod.
“Ah.” Mrs. Davis sets the clipboard down and slides it to the side. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help before now.” She frowns. Shakes her emotions into order and adopts the calm appearance of a trauma nurse. “It doesn’t look like she’s been logged in yet. But if she was brought in by the paramedics, she would bypass the waiting room mess and be rolled straight to the back. Let me go check on the situation.” She grabs Luna’s hand and mine, squeezes. “Hold strong, girls. I’ll be right back.” She disappears through the door to the row of curtained exam spaces.
“There you are.” Miri steps up and pulls us into a group hug. “Can we get you anything?” she asks of Luna.
Luna shakes her head. “Do they need me to sign anything? She tilts her head toward the check in desk.
“Oh, no,” Miri says. “You’re not old enough.”
“Right.” Luna drops her gaze to the scuffed vinyl floor.
“Where’s Phillip?” I ask.
“He’s using his connections to get us some information on Mrs. Flores’ condition.” Miri grabs my hand and leads me toward a cluster of open seats. We settle in next to each other. “Apparently his fireman status gives him some sort of clout or something. He gets treated differently than the rest of us poor emergency room peeps.” A touch of irritation scratches at the undertones of her delivery.
“Tell him thank you for me,” Luna says.
“You can tell him yourself.” Miri lifts her chin, and I follow the direction indicated. Phillip walks our direction, sporting his blue with gold department t-shirt. He scratches at his shoulder blade.
“They’re doing the blood work now,” he says, coming to a stop in front of us. “And she’s going to have a few other tests done, which means, it could be awhile before we know anything. So… get comfortable.”
Miri bolts to a stand. “What do you say we get some coffee,” she says to Phillip, tossing me a fleeting glance. It’s short but meaningful. Her unspoken message: she’s giving me and Luna some alone time. Phillip nods with approval, then turns to me and Luna.
“You girls want anything?” he asks.
“Like some coffee?” Miri adds.
“Gross. Why would you even ask that?” I say to her.
“You never know,” she responds. “Today could have been the day you decided to grow up.” She smirks, then turns and walks away.
“Drinking coffee does not make one a grownup,” I call after her. She keeps walking, doesn’t respond. But then, she has her head tilted into Phillip’s. She likely had the rest of the world tuned out and didn’t even hear me.
Luna links her arm through mine and lays her head on my shoulder. “Thank you for being here with me.” I rest my head upon hers. “Do you think it’s something medical they can actually cure?” she asks of her mom.
“I’m praying so,” I say. “Of course, this is New Orleans, so maybe the ER has the fix for a voodoo curse.”
A semi-strangled laugh jumps from Luna’s lips. “Maybe.”
“Found you.”
Luna and I raise our gaze.
