Old Friends (Janet and Toni Fanfic)

Chapter 29

Janet

We were on our way to the hospital now, Toni in the driver's seat. Though not nearly as bad as before, her body was still tense and her voice seemed strained when she spoke the few words that she did. I tried to soothe her with a hand on her thigh as she drove. But I just wanted everything to be alright.

  After a nearly silent car ride, we found ourselves on the elevator to her room in about 15 minutes. For some reason, my hands were sweaty with an angst, though I'd only met her a few times a long while ago. I just remembered how much she reminded me of my own mother, and how similar their stories were. So when something happened to Evelyn, it was almost as if something had happened to Katherine.

  "Remember what I said about Tamar, just smile and wave," Toni warned as we stepped off onto the cold, white tile. My heels echoed through the entire floor.

  "I'm sure it'll be alright." I had a thought to grab her hand as we walked down the hall, but then remembered what we agreed on. I just shoved them in my pocket.

  "You say that now. Oh, there she is. Tay!" Toni called. A woman with long, blond twists turned her head, sending them all into a whirlwind around her face. After the initial look of her trying to figure out where Toni's voice was coming from, it was soon replaced with confusion, and then some sort of shock. Our eyes locked immediately, and I forced an uncomfortable smile as my hand went straight to tugging my ear.  I felt Toni's hand lightly rest on the small of my back, not necessarily putting me at any more ease, but it was nice.

  "You remember Janet, right? Y'all met a few times years ago." She said as we got closer to where Tamar was standing. She just stood there, mouth agape. I wanted to run away. I hated when people stared at me.

  "Uh, hi, Tamar. It's nice to see you again."

  "How you just gon bring Janet Jackson up in the hospital and not tell nobody?" She muttered to Toni, still looking at me now with furrowed eyebrows.

  "Tamar quit being rude. Say hello," Toni scolded.

  "Hello, Ms. Jackson. What brings you here?"

  "Janet is fine. I've just been catching up with Toni, and when I heard something happened, I wanted to be here."

  "Isn't she sweet? Now come on, let's see Mommy," Toni interjected before it could get any worse. I started to think this was a bad idea.

  "After ya'll...." Tamar trailed, letting us go first into the room while her eyes continued to burn holes into me. I shifted uneasily.

  "Thank you," I said as I squeezed past her.

  "Hi, mommy, how are you?" Toni said,  nearing the hospital bed where Evelyn lay. She set the roses that we bought for her on her bedside. Even when she was sick, it didn't look like she'd aged a day since the last time I saw her. Now I knew where Toni got that from. She kissed her cheek and stroked her hair lightly. I smiled at the sight, though my heart was breaking. Soon, Tamar did the same. 

  "Mama, come on and wake up. This ain't funny no more," she pleaded as her tears penetrated the hospital blanket.

  "Wait a second," Toni chimed. "Her hand just moved. I swear to god I saw it." She leaned down to her mother's wrist, now watching it closely for another movement.

  "Toni Braxton, quit playin." Tamar sulked.

  "I'm not, I saw it!" She motioned for Tamar to come to her side of the bed, and I moved out of the way.

  "You guys, she's opening her eyes," I said as Evelyn's eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks now. They both shot up to look at her face. The beeps on her cardiometer increased slightly.