Earth Angel

Chapter 12

Since I wasn't sure what time Dominic would be picking me up, I got up early the next morning. I just out on a simple lavender blouse with white capris that reached the bottom of my knees. I didn't get all fancy like I normally would have.

I was up so early that morning, that my dad still hadn't left for work. I was met with his surprised face when I reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Gee, aren't you up early!" He said, sipping his coffee.

"Yeah, I hope you don't mind that Dominic's picking me up to go to the hospital with him."

"Uh.. why the hospital?"

I sighed, "His mother's in the hospital. She was in a real bad crash last week." He lowered his eyes and shook his head.

"How awful."

Later when I told my mother what was happening, she covered her mouth with her hand and her eyes were all glossy. She got very emotional over bad news.

"That poor boy..." Was all she said, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with her finger.

Even though I had only met his mother once, it was still a shock to me. She was so kind that night, and I just knew she was probably always that way. I couldn't even think about my mom being put in the hospital.

Dominic ended up picking me up at noon. I gave him the tightest hug I could when I saw him. He looked so tired. The light circles of purple under his eyes showed that he probably hadn't gotten a lot of sleep lately. His eyes weren't filled with that same little charm they always were, either.

The whole ride to the hospital was quiet. I held his hand tightly as he kept his eyes on the road in front of us.

When we got to the hospital, we were still holding hands as we walked in. After he talked to a nurse, we were walking down the long hall to her room. Even with all the white and all the bright lights, it was still dark and gloomy. I never liked hospitals.

"I'm pretty sure my Uncle Antonio and Aunt Isabelle are in there, with my father and my Nonna. Six people is the maximum so.. it may be a little crowded. The room's small." He informed me as we entered the room.

Dominic's father and grandmother stood up immediately. His father shook my hand and his grandmother gave me a hug. Dominic quietly introduced me to his aunt and uncle.

"Oh, what a pretty girl you are." His aunt said. I smiled.

"Thank you," I said.

Dominic held my wrist and led me next to his mother's bedside. He got on his knees.

"Look, ma. Margaret's here," He said quietly. "Isn't she so beautiful?" I bit my trembling bottom lip so hard I was afraid my teeth would puncture it. I couldn't cry right now. How terrible would that be? I had to keep myself calm, cool, and collected for Dom and his family.

His mother had a large bandage on her head, and she wasn't awake. She looked peaceful as her eyes were closed and her chest moved slowly up and down.

Dom picked up her hand and kissed the back of it before getting back on his feet. He looked at me.

"You alright?" I felt all of the heat in my body rush to my face. I didn't want to be caught crying.

"Yeah.. yes, I'm fine, Dom." I smiled. He looked unsure but he let it slide anyway. Dominic's uncle walked over to us.

"You two want to come with me and Isabelle to go out and get a bite to eat?" He asked, pointing to the hospital room door.

"We can always just eat here.."