Beyoncé
9 years prior
I run into the hospital room after picking my sister up from school to see my mother.
I'd just gotten home from work and a neighbor was quick to tell me that the ambulance had arrived and my mother was taken out the front door in a stretcher. My dad tried to act like she fell but the cops didn't buy the act. He's currently in jail trying to get bailed by anybody.
I'm livid with Matthew.
Solange clings tightly to me as our mother is hooked up to several machines. She's unconscious because doctors decided to sedate her to treat her wounds and so the pain wouldn't be as harsh to her. Like a coma but not a coma. I know Matthew is capable of abuse and laying my mother and I out, but I didn't think he would stoop this low. She's in the hospital.
I bring her to lay her head on my shoulder and look away for a second. I rub her back to soothe her as she sobs. It hurts me to see them like this because I try my best to protect both of them and I failed. All of us are hurt. I allow a few tears and let her hoodie soak them up.
Only it feels like I'm trying to comfort myself rather than Solange. While she sobs into my shoulder my mother slowly begins to move. We rush to her side and she finally opens her eyes.
"Hey girls." It hurts because her voice is barely there.
"Hey mama." We respond. "Feelin' good?"
"Yeah, I'm here I'm being taken care of."
I'm tempted to ask about what Matthew did but I simply do not care. He hurt her and sent her to the hospital, he's bringing my wrath to himself. Feel ashamed to be carrying his blood through my veins.
"What time is it?" She asks.
"Almost 4."
"Damn, get home please and get something to eat. Take my card. Either buy ingredients if needed or order a pizza."
"Mama, we wanna stay here—-"
"Nuh-uh, go home, they already contacted Aunt Flora she'll stay with me. Y'all need to be in y'all beds not up in here."
Right as I grimace because I refuse to leave her side at this time, she looks at me.
"There's nothing you can say or do to make me change my mind, I'll be okay and y'all can come early morning tomorrow."
I understand her though. She's covered in bruises and a few lacerations. Solange doesn't need to see her like this quite frankly neither do I. The more I look at her, the more I'm just memorizing her injuries so I can do the same to Matthew. I'm talking picture-like similar.
"Beyoncé, I'm trusting you to take care of your sister, if you want more company call Kelly over. Please have self control. Love you two."
The self control comment is irrelevant to me but I'm gonna put a face on for her. She's injured.
"Us too, mama."
Solange is reluctant to leave but I am able to drag her out of there. My Aunt Flora right at the entrance of the floor rushing to my aunt, not even noticing us.
_____
Solange sleeps in her bed peacefully as I get up from bed. I'm not even gonna hold her for needing me there to fall asleep. Who could care less if she was 16, she needs me after seeing what her dad did to our mom.
