Thanks to The Boots

Chapter Thirty-Two

I slowly walk into the hospital, fear twisting my stomach into knots. Valerie is in here, she's okay thankfully. But barely. She lost a lot of blood and was in the ICU for a couple days, but she's being released today. Thankfully.

I walk to the elevator, gently pressing the 'Up' button. I watch as the digital screen above the doors count down floors. They pause on flour two, then resume, so I step to the side so they can get out first. The doors slide open and Uncle Chuck walks out with Aunt Heather and a baby in her arms.

They gasp at me, tears fill Aunt Heather's eyes. I smile brightly at them.

"Is this Riley?" I ask quietly, gesturing to the baby.

"Yeah," Uncle Chuck says, sounding surprised.

"Hey, little girl," I mumble kindly, smiling down at the little one who's smiling happily back up at me.

"Would you like to hold her?" Aunt Heather asks, sounding just as shocked.

"I would be honored," I tell her honestly.

She carefully hands me her baby.

"Hey, Riles," I whisper. "I'm your cousin, Brianna. Sorry I couldn't meet you early. You're beautiful."

I look up at Aunt Heather and tears are silently slipping down her face. I hand Uncle Chuck his daughter and wrap my arms around my young aunt.

"I missed you so much," she whispers in my ear.

"I missed you too."

"I'm glad you're okay."

"Thank you. I'm glad you're okay, too."

"Thank you. I assume you're here to see Valerie?"

I frown, "Yep."

"It's not your fault."

"It was," I sigh. "I'll let you guys go."

"Know we love you!" Uncle Chuck calls.

I laugh, then go up the elevator to see my sister. She's alone in her room, which is a first. Normally one of our family members is in here with her, and if not then a nurse will be checking up on her.

"Where's all your company?" I ask, sitting on a chair that's set next to her bed.

"I made them all leave. I just wanted to be alone for a second," she sighs, laying down.

I nod silently, standing up to give her the privacy she wanted and deserved.

"Hey, where are you going?" she raises an eyebrow at me.

I jab my thumb over my shoulder at the door, "I was going to leave, you said you wanted alone time, right?"

"Yeah, but I haven't seen you since they threw me in this hellhole," her voice flashes a bit of hurt.

"I, um, I," I look away; suddenly not able to meet my sister's eyes knowing that she almost died because of me. If I paid more attention to the guns that I had, my sister wouldn't be in the hospital right now. She would be partying like teenagers do over the summer.

"Bri, did I do something?" her voice is laced with worry and it hurts me deep down, my sister has always been strong. When she was held at gunpoint at the gang headquarters, she kept perfectly calm. But now she is worried, and its because of me also.

"No, not at all, Val. Its what I did--or didn't do, I guess. If it weren't for my idiocy, you would be okay. I'm so sorry. I haven't visited because I'm ashamed and feel horrible-"