It was time to face the ghost. I drove across town, my hands gripping the wheel so hard my wrists ached, preparing to walk into Delaney’s hospital room and completely destroy her.
A small voice broke the silence: “Dad… my little sister won’t wake up. We’re so hungry.” Without a second thought, he grabbed them and rushed to the hospital. But what he learned there about their mother would change everything… 11
Chapter 5: The Visit Across Town
The halls of Nashville General smelled of strong bleach and stale coffee. I found Room 412, pushed the heavy wooden door open, and stopped in the frame.
Delaney was sitting up, staring blankly at the wall. Her left arm was encased in a thick white cast. A violent, purple-yellow bruise painted the entire left side of her face, swelling her eye shut. Her hair was greasy and matted. She looked frail, broken, and much older than thirty-two.
She turned her head slowly. When her good eye registered me, she flinched, shrinking back into the pillows.
I stood at the foot of her bed. I didn’t yell. I didn’t raise my voice. I just looked at her with an absolute, freezing emptiness.
