“Phoebe, Phoebe, are you awake? Phoebe?” Annoyingly shrill, the voice pierced through her slumber, causing Phoebe’s brow to furrow. “Mom, I don’t want to go…” She was still trapped in her dream.
Mrs. Ziegler, seeing her clearly awake yet feigning sleep, snapped and smacked her arm. “Open your eyes when you’re awake. What’s the act for?” The stinging pain prompted Phoebe to fully awaken. Gone were the lush mountains and the fields rich with the scent of earth.
Instead, a stark white ceiling blinded her, and the strong smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils.
Memories rewound: the fight between Theodore and Edward, her rushing to shield Edward from Theodore’s blow…
She closed her eyes and felt a dull ache in her chest.
Mrs. Ziegler’s prattling continued, “Phoebe, I don’t mean to nag, but you’re Theodore’s wife now. Why are you getting involved with Edward again?”
Unable to listen further, Phoebe cut in, “When did I get involved with him?”
“Well, how else did you get hurt if it wasn’t for Edward?” Mrs. Ziegler asked suspiciously.
Stumped into silence, Phoebe recalled her impulsive dive to take the punch meant for Edward-a guilt-driven act, unable to simply watch him get hurt because of her.
“Look at you, look at this mess!” Mrs. Ziegler’s voice became immediately aggressive. “Phoebe, how many times did I tell you to stay away from Edward? You just don’t listen. Now see what he’s done to your life?”
Phoebe had just woken up, bombarded like this by Mrs. Ziegler, and her head was buzzing. “Mom, please, can you just give me some peace for a moment?”
Seeing Phoebe’s pale face, Mrs. Ziegler felt a pang of compassion. “I made you some chicken soup. Let me help you sit up and have some.”
Weakened, Phoebe was propped up by Mrs. Ziegler, who arranged a couple of pillows behind her before bringing over a bowl of chicken soup.
Phoebe reached to take the bowl, but Mrs. Ziegler swatted her hand away. “Look how weak you are. I’ll feed you.”
So Phoebe sat obediently, sipping the chicken soup, and asked, “What’s the date today? I feel like I’ve been asleep for ages.”
“Out cold for two days. Does that seem like a long time to you?” Mrs. Ziegler replied irritably. “Phoebe, tell me the truth, how did you and that Fitzroy girl end up falling from the second-floor balcony? Lucky for you it was the pool below, otherwise you’d be dead or crippled.”
Two more days gone; she might as well have made up for a year’s sleep.
“What did Vanessa say?” Phoebe asked.
Mrs. Ziegler’s face twisted uncomfortably. “Well… what could she say? Sniveling about how she didn’t know how she fell off the balcony herself. When pressed, she told everyone to ask you.” Phoebe didn’t catch her mother’s expression, only scoffed coldly.
Vanessa was clever, indeed. By saying nothing, she made everyone come to Phoebe, effectively shifting the blame onto her. Whatever Phoebe might say now, people would question its truthfulness, making silent Vanessa look innocent and pure. Vanessa’s talent for manipulation was top-notch!
Hearing her daughter’s scoff, Mrs. Ziegler prodded, “Why the laugh? What actually happened that day?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Phoebe knew her mother’s temperament. If she said it was Vanessa who pulled her down, it would become public drama.
“I’m your mother; you’re keeping secrets from me?” Mrs. Ziegler stared incredulously. “Even if you were the one who pushed her, I’m on your side.” “Mom!” Phoebe’s voice rose in exasperation. “Why would I push her?”