Adopted

Chapter 23

"She's just fallen asleep," I heard Sarah whisper. "She needs her rest, Grace, and I am not waking her up.

"Can I sit here with you and her, and wait until she wakes up?"

"I can't stop you," Sarah said.

"I know you're all upset, and I can't apologize enough. I don't know what I was thinking to say such a thing," I heard.

"I don't know what you were thinking, either. But your words caused more than a little hurt feelings. Because of what you said, my daughter is now in the hospital because she got pneumonia. She probably already had it, but being out in the cold and rain made it worse. Her doctor says we're lucky they caught it early. Her health isn't something we can just play around with, Grace. She is a smart and mature young lady, but she's also still just a kid. A kid with needs and trauma in her past that need to be considered. Despite her maturity. What you said was not only insensitive, it was cruel."

Sarah was trying to stay calm and whisper, but she was also losing her cool.

"Sarah, I don't know what to say that will make it any better," I heard Grace say.

"I really don't know, either," Sarah said.

They were quiet, and I fell asleep for real.

I didn't sleep long, and I was still in Sarah's arms when I woke up. She was running her fingers through my hair and humming.

"Hey there, sleepyhead," she said as I opened my eyes.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi, Jessica," a voice to my left said. I looked over and Grace was sitting there. I didn't answer her.

"Jessica, honey," Grace said, pulling her chair closer to the side of my bed. "I am so, so sorry you heard what I said. And I am so sorry I said it. I don't know what I was thinking. I know my son and Sarah better than that. I was out of line and it was not fair of me to say such a thing."

I still didn't say anything.

"I know I can't make you forgive me, but I can only tell you how sorry I am that I said what I said. I don't know how to make it up to you, but I do want you to know that we do see the reason Brendon and Sarah adopted you. You really are an amazing, mature and bright young lady. You're funny and we really are happy you're a part of our family now. I can only reiterate how sorry I am not only that you overheard me, but that I even said what I said."

I just looked at her. I wasn't ready to forgive her. I mean, I still barely knew her, and she barely knew me, but she'd already decided initially that I was a publicity gimmick.

"I understand you're upset. I know. Again, I'm sorry. I'm going to leave you and your mom, but please think about forgiving us, will you?"

I shrugged. Grace stood up and said goodbye to us, and left.

A few minutes later, Brendon walked in.

"How are my two favourite ladies?" he said.

"We're just relaxing. Someone just had a nice nap," Sarah said.

"Hey kiddo, how're you feeling?" he asked.

I shrugged.

"Okay, I guess," I said.

"You have impeccable timing," Sarah said. "Your mother just left."

"I know. I was watching," he said. "I'm avoiding her right now."

"Brendon, you can't avoid her for ever. Especially since they're still at the house."

"I know. But I'm still really pissed about what happened. How about you, kiddo?"

"What?" I asked.

"Did my mom apologize?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Well, if you forgive her, I'll forgive her," I said.

"I dunno yet," I said. "I haven't decided if I've forgiven you yet."

"Wait, you told me this morning that you forgive me. Even though you're still mad."

"Oh, yeah," I said, a twinkle in my eye.

"You're a brat. Doc was right. We shouldn't have taken you to Disneyland," Sarah said.

Brendon sat on the side of my bed and picked up my hand.

"Kiddo, I know you're still mad, but I hope you know, Sarah and I really do love you."

"I know," I said. "I'm not mad anymore."

"I'm glad," he said smiling. Sarah gave me a hug and a kiss on the head.

"So, what do we do about my parents?" Brendon asked, looking at both of us.

"Brendon, truly, that's up to you. They're your parents, and they are definitely aware of just how mad you are at them," Sarah said. "You can't force Jessica to forgive them right away, but you can't expect her to be the reason you do or don't forgive them yourself. That's an unfair burden to put on her."

"Yeah," I coughed.

"Aw, kiddo. I hate how that sounds. It sounds like it must feel horrible."

"It doesn't feel great," I said. "But it feels better than it did."

"I guess that's good."

Brendon and Sarah and I chatted for a while. A little while later, there was a knock on my door. Zack and Kala walked in.

"Hey, Kiddo," Zack said. "How're you feeling?"

"Okay," I said.

"She's doing much better," Sarah smiled.

"We wanted to come by, check on you, and bring you this," Kala said, holding up a bag from Barnes and Noble. "Sarah says it's hard to keep you in books."

I looked into the bag and saw the series I had wanted to start, but didn't want to spend money on, because they were still in hard copy.

"Thanks!" I exclaimed.

They stayed to visit for a little while longer, and I think I fell asleep on them, because one minute they were there, and then they weren't.

Both Brendon and Sarah were still there when I woke up, though Sarah had moved into a chair.

"You kick a lot in your sleep, you know," Sarah said laughing.

"Sorry," I said.

"No problem, don't worry about it. Your dinner came while you were sleeping. Do you want it?"

"What is it?" I asked.

"Macaroni and cheese," Sarah said.

"Could be worse. Okay. I'll try a bit."

I raised the bed so I was sitting more, and Sarah rolled the tray table over and took the cover off the plate. I ate most of the macaroni and there was jello for dessert. And a carton of milk.

After I finished dinner, Brendon found a movie on the TV and we all watched together. Sarah had climbed back into bed with me and made me feel safe. I know I fell asleep watching the movie, and I did so feeling the safest I'd felt in the hospital in the longest time.