Infraction Read Free Page B

emotion than the other unknowns."
    “Well, when I heard you had no one and Nathan was there all of the time –”
    I interrupted her. “Wait. What about Nathan?”
    “You didn’t know?” she asked, genuine surprise in her expression.
    “Know what?”
    “He spent every free moment they would allow outside your hospital door.”
    I was in shock from her revelation. Not only that, I was pissed. I had suspected he
     was there, and she had just confirmed it all.
    “I know you’re upset with him, it’s written all over your face, but I want you to
     know and realize he didn’t abandon you,” she said, her tone urging and pleading with
     me. “Let him explain, let him tell his story. I hope when you hear all he has to say
     you’ll try to forgive him.”
    “I can’t promise you anything.”
    “I’m not asking you to. I’m imploring you to hear him out, before you write him off
     for good. He cares so much for you.”
    “Okay.” I hoped she was right, but I had my doubts.  Nathan walked away, not me. Was
     I supposed to act like he hadn’t kicked me to the curb like garbage?
    I felt confused.  I wanted to believe her so much – every fiber of my being begged
     for it – but my heart was still bleeding out over his rejection. Letting him talk
     to me might be tantamount to ripping the bandages back off my gushing, wounded heart.
     How would I survive?
    I was already a step away from being completely obliterated by him the first time
     he ended things with me. Wasn’t being in the hospital proof enough for them? Yet,
     his mother sat in front of me, begging me to hear him out.
    I closed my eyes and tried to calm my fraying soul.
    Just listen to her, Lila.  She seems like a nice woman, and she’s a mother.  She wouldn’t
     do anything to hurt you…
    That thought died as an image of my father, Steven, popped into my head. He was supposed
     to be the one to protect me and love me, but he’d hurt me the most.
    No, she’s not him.  Stop thinking that way!
    I took in a slow, even, measured breath, opened my eyes, and tried to silence my mind,
     focusing on what else she might want to say to me.  She took the time to visit me;
     the least I could do was listen to her.
    She steered the conversation away from Nathan and me and into a more neutral territory
     by asking about me. I was grateful for that.
    We’d been talking for a little while when I heard my name being called by a familiar
     voice. I turned as Teresa ran through the door.
    She was frantic, her words reverting to Spanish. “Ay dios mio!” I only caught about
     every third or fourth word, but the overall gist of it was understood. “Mi niña!”
    “Teresa, it’s okay. I’m okay, calm down,” I said, trying to soothe her.
    Tears ran down her cheeks. “Oh, Lila, when Andrew finally got hold of me this morning
     and told me what happened…my sweet girl.” Her hands caressed my face and hair. “You
     look a mess!”
    I grimaced. “I figured as much.”
    “Andrew says you were hit by a reckless driver.”
    “That’s what I hear.”
    “You don’t remember?” she asked. I shook my head in response. “Well, I’m here now,
     so if you need anything, okay?”
    “What about your newbie?”
    “He’ll be fine. He’s in school today, and he has a cell phone. Kids in this day and
     age. Though, I would have felt a lot more secure knowing you had one. I always dreaded
     that he would come after you…” she trailed off, her gaze lifted from me, and she blinked.
     “Oh, hello.”
    Sarah smiled back at her before leaning forward and presenting her hand. “Sarah Thorne.”
    Teresa smiled back and took the offered hand. “Teresa Desanto. I’m sorry, I didn’t
     mean to interrupt.”
    “Oh, no, no. I’m just here to keep Lila company and her mind off of her injuries as
     best I can.”
    “How sweet of you,” Teresa said, a smile brightening her face. “I’m so happy to hear
     Lila has met such nice people.”
    Teresa moved back