Miracle Worker

Chapter 20

I visited her in the hospital the next day. I brought Maria with me. Payton was on a blood pressure monitor. The nurse moved out of the way so we could see her. She didn't look so good. She looked like she was just barely sleeping, and as pale as, well, pale.

Someone rushed in. It was her mom; and behind her was Lily. Lily rushed over and picked up Payton's hand gently. She kept mumbling "no, no no no Payton, no". Maria started to cry. I just stood there, and watched Payton's body slowly move up and down with each breath she took. Her mother looked as if she had not slept all night. The doctor came in and asked us to leave. Payton's mom stayed and Lily, Maria and I had to leave.

"This is all your fault!" Lily said to me, anger and rage in her voice. "How is it my fault?" I asked. "You choked her." Lily looked shocked. She looked at Maria for support. She just put her head down. "You, are the one who moved out of the way." Lily said, as if we were in a court meeting. A nurse came over. Lily acted like she was crying. I pretended to comfort her. Maria put her head up. "Don't touch me, idiot." Lily warned.

Once I got home I called Derek and told him what happened. "Dude, legit?" He asked when I was finished. I said yes. "Whoa, she must be in bad shape right now." He said, sounding astonished and confused at the same time. I saw mom's car pull in the driveway. "Gotta go." I say. He says bye, then we both hang up. Mom came in the door wearing a blue satin dress I haven't seen in forever, and silver flats.

"What's the occasion?" I ask, admiring her new look. She squealed and said, "remember that dating website I told you about?" I nodded yes. "Well, I'm on a date!" She said. I clapped. She gave me a to-go box and she scurried out the door. I opened the box. fish and French fries from Mack's Shack. Yummy.

I got a call the next day. It was Payton's mom. "You might wanna come down here." She said. I hung up in amazement and shock.