Sophia, who art thou?

18. OLIVIA

8th January, 2018

The only thing I had asked of Ace was to stay alive until we came back. She's lucky the oxy didn't kill her, because I swear I would have. Jade's sitting next to Ace's bed, holding her hand, trying to warm it up. I hate seeing Jade like this. And I can't help but think this is my fault. I was the one who wanted to take Jade out for all those movies and dinner. She seemed so pissed after brunch I thought it was the least I could do. No, the least I could've done was make sure her sister didn't use again. And I did the exact opposite.

"Ms. Cassidy?"

"Huh?"

"I'm Dr. Olvera. Amelia's doctor."

"Oh, yeah. Hi, umm...hello. Is she...is she going to be-"

"Yes. She is going to be just fine. You brought her in just in time. Just ten minutes later and...ah, I shouldn't bring you down."

"Please don't tell her next of kin."

"Ma'am-"

"Olivia, please."

"Olivia, it's my duty to tell them."

"I know. I know that. But her family's gotten news like this so many times from doctors who don't care I think just this one once if they got it from a friendly face..."

"Okay. But I still need to tell them about all the medical implications and-"

"I'll let you handle the jargon, Dr. Olvera."

"Olivia?"

"Yeah?"

"She's okay now. That's good news."

No, it really isn't. She'd been sober more than a year and she flushed it down the drain the second I stepped away. So no, it is not good news. But the good doctor's trying to help. "Thank you, doctor."

"Take care of her."

*

"Jade?"

"Ollie. Did you speak with the doctors?"

"She's going to be okay."

"But she hasn't woken up. It's been two hours, Ollie. Why hasn't she woken up?"

"She's probably just exhausted."

Oh no. I can see Jade's eyes glisten in the dark room and I know it isn't the fluorescent lighting. I walk over to her and hug her. It's the only way I know how to make her feel better.

"Did you call Sophia?"

"Umm... yeah, but it went to voicemail."

"It's pretty late, isn't it?"

"It's okay if you want to take a break, Jade."

"From what?"

"Worrying. Lecturing."

"Caring?"

I sigh. I know exactly what she means by that. We've had the same conversation over and over and over. I think she cares too much, she thinks she cares too little. "Maybe it's okay to let go for once in your life, Jade. I've known you for 21 years now and you haven't taken a break since then. She isn't a baby anymore."

"You're right," she whispers, scared to say the words above this level. "She's on her own now."

She what-?

"Get your coat, Ollie. We have work tomorrow."