Page 26 of Rebound

“This is Barbara,” a woman says.

“Who?” I ask, already regretting picking up the phone when I have more important work to do.

“Barbara Poynette,” she says with attitude. “You have my grandchild,” she states, and I stare at the sky and ask myself why the hell I have to be a responsible adult and answer the phone. Of course, it’s her. I was hoping she had gone away for good, but things hardly ever go my way.

“You mean my daughter?”

“I’m coming to get her,” she says. If she was normal and asked to come see her, I’d agree, but no one is going to take my child.

“I guarantee you’re not,” I say right before I hang up. I shake my head free of her and focus on the task at hand. I count to ten and call Layla again.

“Now’s not a good time, Whorekowski,” she says, but her voice lacks the usual fire. She even sniffles.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“Why? Are you outside my house with food again?”

“Yeah,” I lie. “Are you hungry? Is that why you have an attitude?” I’ve heard my teammates mention how their girlfriends' moods seem to change after they eat.

“Funny,” is all she says.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” I expect her to hang up on me, and if she does, I’ll only call right back. But she surprises me when she speaks.

“Gaga fell. I was supposed to be watching her, but I was in the bathroom and she managed to get away. We just got to the emergency room. Now she’s—” She stops talking and starts crying on the other line. I’m up and out the door in seconds. I don’t even put on my sneakers. I pick them up by the door and decide I’ll put them on in the car.

“It will be okay,” I say, doing my best to reassure her. “Who is there with you?”

“No one. We just got here, and I haven’t reached my mom yet.”

“I’m on my way. Text me where you are,” I order, even though I already know.

“You don’t have to—” She sniffs, but I can tell she doesn’t mean it.

“I’m already on my way to the elevator.”

“Don’t bring Jazzy Girl to a hospital, you big dummy.” I almost laugh in relief at the insult.

“She’s at a playdate. Text me. I’m getting in the elevator.”After a few seconds and a few sobs, she says, “Okay. Thank you, Seth.”

Chapter 16

Seth

After tossing the keys of my sports car to a fangirling valet, I run inside the emergency department. I find her sitting down with her face in her hands. The room is full of people, and I don’t make it halfway to her before I’m discovered.

“It’s the leader of the Sethheads,” someone yells.

Thankfully, Layla doesn’t hear or she doesn’t react. I shake my head no at the person, who has enough sense to read social cues and to back off. I take the seat next to her and put my hand on her shoulders. Her head snaps up, and she looks into my face. Her eyes are red and puffy. Her nose is runny and she looks scared. She bursts into tears, and I pull her into my arms. She comes and cries on my chest. I run my hands down her back and try my best to soothe her without words. I have no idea what’s going on, and I don’t want to tell her everything will be okay when I don’t know if that’s true.

After several minutes, she pulls away. She digs around in her purse and grabs some tissues to wipe her eyes and nose.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles. Then she bursts into tears again and says, “It’s all my fault. She snuck out and fell down the stairs outside the house. They said her hip is broken and she needs surgery.” More tears fall, but before I can console her again, hermother comes rushing into the room. Layla runs to her, and the two hug.

“It’s not your fault, baby,” Stella says while she cups Layla’s face. “She ran from me the other day too while I was making her lunch. It’s not your fault.”

Layla cries again and stays wrapped in her mom’s arms. I think her mother’s reassurance was what Layla needed to hear. I put a hand on her shoulder for more comfort.

Stella notices me, and she opens her arms to me and the three of us hug.

---