Deeper than deal

13

Jill and Sam surrounded Marley, who sat on the hospital bed. They watched quietly as she gulped down a glass of water after finishing her allergy pills.

The door clicked open, and a nurse entered with a smile. "I was asked to give you this by the doctor," she said, pulling out a small can filled with cream.

"Use this for your skin sore. And please, avoid cats or anything furry from now on," the nurse advised. Marley gave a curt nod.

"Thanks," Marley said. The nurse turned to Jill with a smile. "Take care of your sister," she added before leaving.

Sam and Jill heaved a sigh of relief. "Good job, Jill. Now you've got yourself a sister," Marley joked with a sad smile, making them laugh.

The laughter died down slowly. Marley looked up at them with a faint smile. "Thanks," she said. "For saving my ass, bitches!" she beamed, causing Sam and Jill to laugh again.

"Marley will always be Marley," Jill smiled.

Just then, Marley's smile faded as she began counting her fingers absentmindedly. "You know..." she began, her voice trembling. "That plan was awesome, Sam! But... what could've happened? I mean, we all followed it, right?"

"Marley, I'm really sorry..." Sam leaned in closer. "I didn't think it would turn out like this."

"Yeah, it's like she vanished and found her own way... Summers wouldn't ditch us like that, right?" Jill asked carefully.

Marley shook her head sadly. "No... I don't know. She's never been like that. She doesn't turn her back on anyone. She's never-"

"-Then what could've happened? We all followed the plan and worked together," Sam interrupted.

"Sam, are you trying to say Summers left us? Girl, come on," Jill said, facing Sam.

"Then what do you think happened?" Sam shot back at Jill.

Jill sighed and placed her hand on the bridge of her nose. "Maybe... maybe..." she trailed off.

"Will you two just shut up already!" Marley snapped.

She glared at Sam, eyes blazing. "And Sam, what makes you think Summers left us, huh? She's the one in trouble. She's the one running away. How could someone like that ditch her friends who are trying to save her? Do you even think before you talk? That's my best friend out there, somewhere, lost without a phone, and I can't reach her. Do you think this is some kind of movie? Do you know what she's been through? Summers was sold to Kelvin for Christ's sake and-" Marley stopped abruptly, realizing she'd said too much.

Oops.

Jill gasped, her eyes wide. "What the..." she started, unable to finish her sentence, just as flabbergasted as Sam.

"Sam..." Jill nudged her, urging her to say something to Marley, who was now staring into space, seething with frustration.

"Marley... I'm sorry. I didn't know," Sam said, looking helplessly at Jill.

"Marley... Marley, I'm sorry. I didn't know," Sam said, now looking at Jill for support.

"I just thought there was no other reason she wouldn't come back-"

"Well, there are other possibilities!" Marley cut her off sharply.

"That's true, Sam. You could say she was captured by Kelvin again," Jill suggested, offering a sheepish smile. Marley shot her a glare.

"Or you could say she got hit by a car," Jill added, still smiling awkwardly, hoping she wasn't pushing Marley too far.

"None of you are making any sense." Marley sniffed, quickly wiping her eyes before the tears could fall.