City Of Dreams

Fifty-Six

I reach up and put two fingers to my neck to make sure I was still alive and breathing.

My pulse thumped into my fingers.

The call from Andrea played through my brain.

___________________

Alex and I were sitting in a little cafe by the shop.

Andrea was watching the shop and Allison was home resting.

"You'll love this place, Char."

She said, putting her arm over my shoulder and walking right next to me.

I flinched and pulled it off my shoulder, linking arms with her.

She gave me an odd look.

I pointed to my shoulder.

"Shoulders been giving me trouble."

She nodded and held the arm I had linked with hers.

"This place is awesome. They only play songs from movies. Like musical movies!"

My heart flutters.

"Really?"

She smiles proudly and nods.

We step into the cafe and I automatically smell tea and chocolate.

I notice a waterfall thing on one side of the room.

"It's basically fancy Starbucks with showtunes."

I smiled, spinning around to get the 360 degree view.

Alex giggled at my twirling and ordered our food.

We sat down in a booth that was a bright red.

The color reminded me of Addie's favorite lipstick and the blankets on mine and Darren's bed.

We ate for about twenty minutes when I got a call.

I showed Alex the number.

"Who's number is this?"

Alex's eyes widened and she took it from my hand.

"Andy? What's wrong?"

She handed me the phone.

I held it to my ear.

"Andy?"

"Charlotte! Allison fell down the stairs! She was trying to get to the laundry room and fell! I don't know how long she's been down here but it looks pretty bad! Meet us at the hospital."

She hung up.

I just stared at Alex for a brief moment.

Another hospital.

How could I possibly have to go to so many hospitals?

"Let's go."

I explained what happened to Alex on the way there. 

She stared at the road with wide eyes and white knuckles.

___________________

We sat in the waiting room in silence until I spoke up.

"I need to go to Walmart."

__________________

We came back with three big balls of different colored yarn.

"Why did we get all this again?"

I stuck a crochet hook that I for some reason carry in my purse in my hair.

"I have two baby blankets to make before August."

She didn't ask questions as I began working.

"Who taught you?"

She asked eventually.

"Mom."

I said without looking up.

"Can you teach me?"

I nod.

"Who's the other one for?"

I look up finally.

"Addie. I may be angry at her, but I'm not about to let her baby freeze to death."