Stephanie couldn’t do anything but listen to Cecily as she started to pour out her heart.
Cecily wiped her tears. “You’re so lucky to have a sister. I would think they would make the best of friends. You can share almost everything with them; even the bad stuff. We’re Manchetti’s so I have to be so careful what I share with the people outside of my family.”
“I can see that has to be tough.” Stephanie nodded her understanding. “However, sisters can be something else too. Braylee can get on the last of my last nerves…but you’re right. Sisters are special even when you want to strangle them. And, I know Braylee, she already considers you her family. You know what that means? It means we’re family too. So, if you ever want to talk and Braylee’s being a bear, which is often, call me.” Stephanie couldn’t begin to understand what Cecily had been going through over the last year. Loss or just the potential loss of a loved one wasn’t easy for adults. It had to be ten times worse for someone so young.
Stephanie wanted to make her smile. “One other thing, older sisters can be so bossy, and Braylee is the real bossy kind. When we were kids, she wouldn’t let me wear her clothes. So, I would sneak into her room after she’d left for school and borrow an outfit or two. I also had a good time wearing her makeup. She wore the coolest stuff back then.”
Cecily smiled. “She does wear cool clothes.”
It worked. Stephanie was able to pull a small smile out of her. “How about you go on inside, and give them the good news. I’ll be there in a minute. I’ve got to make a couple of phone calls first.”
Cecily did as she was asked. Stephanie leaned back up against the wall and squeezed her eyes shut. She took a deep breath as she thanked God for letting Braylee be okay. After another minute or two, she took out her cell phone to call her father. He wasn’t perfect. As a matter of fact, he was still in rehab, but at least, he was alive.
Stephanie dialed the Chances Rehabilitation Center’s number. Typically, he wouldn’t be able to receive calls, but this was an emergency. They’d talked earlier, and she just wanted to let him know that Braylee was in the hospital but was going to be fine.
It took a moment for them to connect her to her father but finally he came to the phone. “Daddy?”
He was anxious. “I’ve been waiting for your call. Have they found her? Is she okay?”
“She’s good daddy. We’re at Mercy Hospital. Bray’s a little banged up, but you know how stubborn that girl is. The devil himself doesn’t want to be bothered with her just yet.”
She heard the relief in his voice. “Good. Have you called to tell your Mama?”
“Not yet. I’m going to call her as soon as we hang up.”
“She’ll be relieved to know.”
Stephanie could only hope.
“I’ve got a few more weeks in here before I can get out. When I do, I’m going to put my family back together.”
“I hope so Daddy, and I can’t wait. We all miss you.”
“You know these calls are monitored, and I’m getting that sign that I’ve got to go. I love you baby girl.”
She rubbed her still closed eyes. “Love you too Daddy.” She didn’t disconnect the phone until she heard the dial tone. One more call. Stephanie rolled her neck and shoulders before dialing her mother’s number.
“Hello.”
“Mama?”
“Who else would it be Stephanie? I’m the only one here.”
“Right. Um…I just wanted to let you know that they found Braylee. She’s a little banged up but should be fine in a few days. We’re at Mercy if you want to come.”
Katherine Hinsdale remained quiet.
Stephanie kept talking. “I can pick you up.”
She spoke softly. “Ain’t no need for you to drive all the way down here.”
“It’s no problem. And Mama, I’m sure Braylee would really want to….”
Katherine cut her off. “I said no Stephanie. It’s good that Braylee is going to be fine but let’s not pretend she and I are in a good space. We’re not. Have you told your daddy?”
“Yeah. I just talked to him.”
“Figures that you’d call him first. Anyway, I’ve got some things to do around the house so I’ll speak to you later.” Her mother disconnected the phone.
Stephanie wanted to scream. Why was everyone acting like two-year-olds? Why did everything in her family have to be so damned difficult!
Chapter 8
It was time to face the music. Alexandro had already taken off his jacket, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves. He put his hands in the pockets of his slacks as he moved swiftly towards Braylee. It was at this moment that Alex knew he wanted to love and protect Braylee for the rest of his life.
Her lungs felt as if they were going to explode. Braylee could barely breathe. Keeping her sanity while waiting to hear the words she knew would come had been near mission impossible. It was the little things that prevented her from having a complete meltdown. Instead of looking into Alex’s way too expressive face, she focused on each step it took for him to reach her bedside. Ten steps; it took ten steps to get from the door to her bed.
Hesitantly, Alex spoke as he touched her arm. “Braylee…”
Through the suffocating pain in her chest and throat, she responded. “You can’t tell me
