When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 39

After she finished speaking, she immediately lowered her head, avoiding Nelly’s gaze.

If Nelly called her out, Carrie could just make a scene. She’d shout that Nelly was such a neglectful mom that she’d had to say Ms. Olson was her mother, just to get back at her. After all, since the accident, Ms. Olson had been the one looking after her the most.

Still, Carrie felt a wave of fear wash over her. What if she was found out? Would everyone laugh at her?

At that moment, Alan walked in. Brody had told him to keep watch outside Carrie's room, but a work call had pulled him away for a few minutes. He never expected to come back and find both Nelly and Sheila there.

“Mrs. G…” he started.

“I have something to do, so I’ll head out. Give this to Carrie for me, please.” Nelly spoke up, cutting him off.

She was right there, barely a step from Carrie’s bed, but she didn’t want to take another step closer or put the cake down herself.

Alan took the cake with an awkward stiffness, his mind spinning. What was even happening? Brody had specifically told him to keep an eye on Carrie. If all went well today, she could be discharged tomorrow and his job would be done. Why did Nelly and Sheila have to run into each other now, of all times?

He pictured Brody’s face when he found out, and his knees almost gave out.

By the time he snapped out of his daze, Nelly was already gone.

A heavy sadness spread through Carrie. Before Nelly left, Carrie had sneaked a peek at her. She saw the tears glistening in Nelly’s eyes, her whole face shadowed with loneliness and disappointment.

This woman, who always seemed so tough, who could laugh off even the harshest words… could actually look so heartbroken.

Nelly hurried down the hallway, her steps getting faster as a wave of nausea rose in her throat. She rushed into the restroom. This time, she didn’t throw up. She just let the cold water run over her face, the chill slowly calming her sadness.

She looked up. The woman in the mirror looked sad, no doubt about it. But after a few days of rest and self-care, even her sadness had a certain beauty to it. She couldn’t help but let out a bitter little laugh.

After touching up her lipstick, Nelly left the restroom and saw a little girl, about five years old, dressed in a white dress. The girl was crouched near the door, like a tiny ball of fluff. She kept her head down, rubbing her eyes over and over.

Jessie looked surprised to see her. “Mrs. Garland? You’re here to see Carrie?”

“Yes.” Nelly stood up, her eyes lingering on the little girl.

Jessie took the girl’s hand. “April, you can’t just run off like that. Your mom is worried sick.”

“What’s going on?” Nelly asked, unable to look away from April. “She looked so upset.”

“She’s here for a checkup. She really hates being at the hospital, so she always tries to sneak off.” Jessie shook her head, half exasperated, half amused. “She’s a little withdrawn, not easy to talk to. She keeps us all on our toes.”

Nelly walked with Jessie as they took April back to her room. Inside, April’s mother was waiting, pacing with worry. She kept thanking Jessie over and over.

April sat quietly on the edge of the bed, her head down, little legs swinging back and forth. She wasn’t crying anymore, but she looked even more lost than before.