Our Hope

9 - Maria

"Holy Crap! You're Maria Gonzalez!"

"Language!" His mom called out.

"That's fine," Maria said, "I hear far worse when I'm on tour."

She had her sunglasses because it was bright out today but removed them to see in this car. It was hot and sunny, and she loved it. She wanted to find a pool to swim in before nightfall.

"I'm Cole. This is Hope and my mom." He pointed to a red-faced girl with strawberry-blonde hair.

"It's nice to meet you." Maria recognized each of them from the show. She was most eager to meet Hope, but she was asleep and red. "She does not look good at all."

The metal on the car burned her skin, so she backed away from the window.

His mom said, pressing, "We need to get Hope inside, and Skye passed out on our couch, earlier."

"Oh, really." She moved around the vehicle and met them in the driveway when they parked. Maria opened the door Hope was nearest. Then the three of them lifted and carried her inside.

Maria continued, "Poor Hope, it's gonna blister and peel. Do you have aloe?"

His mom said, "Yes. I was thinking the same thing."

They laid her on the couch.

"Skye was here," Julie said.

A blonde-haired woman with gray streaks entered the house and pushed Maria out of the way. "Oh, my little girl. That must hurt." She placed the back of her hand on Hope's forehead.

Cole shouted, "She's dehydrated too. I think that's why she passed out."

Her mom had a saline bag and she hooked it to the chandelier above her. Then she stuck Hope's arm with a needle and ran an IV line to it.

"Her dad said she needs it. Wow, Julie you were right. They're both in bad shape."

Julie said, "Her skin is pale, so it's gonna be worse for her."

She recognized Hope's mother too. Although the woman was an older mirror image of Hope. So, she could have guessed.

Hope's mom applied cream to her face and arms.

She announced, "Message Dave." She waited for the beep then said, "We need your help. Bring Hope and Cole ointments for their burns." She aimed the camera toward Hope for a second. Then stated, "End message."

Julie said, "She's fine here for now. We can let her sleep."

Hope's mother got to her feet and faced Maria. They had never met. What should she call her?

"Mrs. Anderson?"

"Yes?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you. You must be proud to have a genius for a daughter."

Hope's mom shook her hand, "Yes, I am. Although Hope does all the work. My name is Angela." She knew that and that her friends and husband Dave called her Angie.

"You are?"

"Maria. Skye's friend. Have you seen her?"

"Who?"

Somebody tapped her shoulder.

She rotated and Skye was behind her. They hugged, spun in a circle, and screamed. Then she kissed Skye's cheek and said, "I missed you." The aroma of her cherry blossom scented fragrance and sweat emanated from her. The perfume did not cover up the odor, it made it more potent. She did her best not to be sick.