Song for the Chapter: Good Things Fall Apart ~ Illenium ft. Jon Bellion
SAGE
"I hate that it had to come to this, Sage."
I spare a glance over my shoulder at Birdie after exiting the mediation room and scoff. "No, you're not." Facing her fully, I cross my arms across my chest. "You threatened me with court the first time I met with you or did that just skip your mind suddenly."
"It's best for Obie."
"Best for you, you mean. Some things never change." I shake my head in disgust. "You're getting what you want. And as mandated by the mediation, you and I only communicate when it comes to Obie, otherwise stay out of my life."
I turn away, pulling my phone out and stop; shocked at how many missed calls I have from Joanna, Oli and a couple of missed calls from numbers I don't recognize.
I call Joanna first, but she doesn't answer, and then I try Oli, but she also doesn't pick up. I call one of the unknown numbers next and my heart stops when a woman on the other end answers.
"Loretto Hospital, how may I direct your call? Hello?"
I'm unable to form any words for a few seconds before I find my voice. "Yes, sorry." I swallow hard. "I have a few missed calls from this number."
"What is your name, sir?"
"Sage Kingston."
"Just a moment, please." The seconds seem endless before she returns to the phone. "Yes, a patient by the name of Joanna Lozano was admitted about forty minutes ago, following a shooting at the Atrium Mall. She gave us your number—"
"What? Is she alright?" I tug at my tie, trying to take a full breath.
"She's fine, sir—sprained wrist looks like. But that's not why we called. Your son...Obediah James Kingston was also admitted. Unfortunately, his injuries required surgery. We need you to come down right away."
"Sage? Sage, what is it?" Birdie tugs at my arm as I struggle to breathe.
"Obie...hospital...shooting...mall."
"What?!" She screeches, ripping the phone out of my hand and begins speaking to the hospital worker.
Staggering my way out of the court house, her heels clicking in quick succession behind me as she follows getting more information. My mind is only on Obie and the fact that he's in surgery, failing at not thinking the worst.
Once we are outside, I don't even register the shuttering of cameras from reporters camping out on the sidewalk and stairs of the building. They yell out for Birdie, only they're using her stage name of Stacie Lane.
"Sage, get in the car!" She yells. I shove a camera out of my face in order to get to the car and crawl in before slamming the door behind me.
"Shit!" Birdie glares at me. "Did you have to shove him? The news is going to have a heyday with that!"
"Are you more worried about that asshole or our son who's in surgery right now?" I bark out. "Get the damn car moving!"
"Sawyer, take us to Loretto Hospital as fast as you can."
"Right away, Miss." Her driver acknowledges and pulls away from the courthouse. He weaves in and out of the traffic during rush hour in downtown Chicago, luckily the hospital is only a few blocks from where we are.
"What was he doing at the mall alone? Shouldn't he still be in school?"
I work on loosening my tie, buying some time. "Friday's are early days. And he wasn't alone."
YOU ARE READING
Imperfect Fit
ChickLitA jilted, curvy accountant joins a gym on a journey of self-love. The last thing she plans for is to fall for her grumpy trainer. ***** Who needs men, anyway? Certainly not Joanna Lozano. The youngest of five and the only girl, she has learned at a...
