Oh, hi there. You're early today. Something keeping you up at night?
Don't worry too much, days change and so will your fears.
I'm sorry, I can't help being a poetic mess… it's my therapy.
If I had hands, I'd take up knitting. But alas, all I have are words so, brace yourself.
Veronica's out of danger now, thank the stars. But we hit a snag: The hospital needs an adult's signature to finish her admittance forms. A family member in particular.
And that got me moping.
She had no adults in her life, growing up… just perverted coworkers. And the rest? Just nine girls who slept on that cold hospital hallway all night. And the other nine at the police station. Waiting. Praying. Breathing together.
"So, what are you saying?" Asked Vicky for the nth time.
"I'm saying I need her family for the next procedures. If not… we'll have to call the police" Explained the receptionist, calm as ice, to Vicky—who was trying her best to understand.
"Is the problem money?" Vicky asked, already feeling her heart break twice in one night.
First, she failed to help the residence with their bills. Now this?
What's the point of money if it can't help the people you love?
Who said that money could buy you anything?
"Miss, I'd advise you not to use those words with me or anyone here ever again. Please step aside so I can do my job. I'm still on duty"
snapped the receptionist, just as an older woman shuffled to the counter feeling sorry to the clearly disoriented girls at the lobby.
Meanwhile, MG turned to the girls, "I was thinking of going to the police station myself. Maybe I could do something about it"
It broke her a little to realize the first time they were all in the same place at once, it had to be for this.
Could they be… bad for each other? She'd have to ask Joy for some cleansing when they reach home.
Yeah, I get MG.
Sometimes it's easier to chase reasons than face consequences. Excuses hurt less.
"Stay. She'd want you here when she wakes up" Said Sonia gently, cradling some snacks she'd bought before passing them around. Nobody ate anything anyway.
"Out of all of us, she's more comfortable with you" Added Joy, already done with her morning rituals. At the hospital! Brave, that one. Bold too.
"But… Gravel. I pushed her to drive us here…" MG muttered, her voice cracking.
And then came the waterworks.
How could they depend on someone like her? A crybaby? Someone who didn't even notice Veronica falling apart?
"Leave Gravel to me" Vicky chimed in, "I called my lawyers last night. She'll be out any minute now"
Get yourself some well-off friends. Life ain't that hopeless. Too harsh? Blame the nerves.
"You sure?" MG asked, looking like a child trying not to break.
"It's just a driver's license. Nobody died" Joy replied, plopping beside her and leaning her head on MG's shoulder envied by Sasha. She just loves MG's warmth.
And just like Vicky said, the case was closed quickly before, Lawyers poured into the hospital later on, followed by the other girls, handling paperwork like professionals, boring me half to death with their politics.
But hey—if that's what it takes to keep Vero breathing and return home to us then I'll take it.
It even made Jessica think of something beyond the next government free meal. She wants to go back to school now. Law school.
Good for her since she's almost as sharp as my beloved Bertha.
Wait, where is Bertha?
Who was in charge of counting heads last night?
Because I clearly said that due to the car being small and all, some of the girls had to follow behind...
And they dared to leave Bertha behind?! My small bean?! Alone all night?!
Oh… So, the breeze just told me that she was also taken to the police station…
for assaulting an officer...?
What the hell is happening to this residence?
Is it me? Am I jinxing them?
Somebody, please... tell me what to do.
With love and a rising sense of dread,
Mother Nature