Page 93 of Justice for Samara

“There is,” Marjorie said, echoing Samara’s statement.

The voice answered, “Yes, ma’am. I’ll have someone come right up.” And the call box went dead.

“I’ll just go out here and talk to them at the nurse’s station.” Debra stormed out and the four people in the room watched her leave.

Samara’s eyes were practically begging. “Can you please call Michael and ask him to come up here?”

“Yes, honey. I will.” Marjorie whipped out her cell phone and found her recent calls. It only rang twice.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. I’m at the hospital with Samara, and she wants you to come up here. Right now. This minute. Get on the road.”

“Yes, ma’am! I’ll be right there. Tell her I love her. Please.”

Marjorie smiled. “I will.” Her free hand patted Samara’s as the call ended. “He’ll be here as fast as he can get here.”

“Thank you.”

“MissFutrell, could we pray with you before we leave?” FatherIgnatius asked.

Samara smiled up at the priest. “I’d like that very much.”

They only stayed in Samara’s room for a few minutes, and when they were finished praying with her, Marjorie thanked the priest and the nun and followed them to the door. They almost ran straight into a member of hospital security. “You folks call for us?”

“I did.” Samara’s voice was strong. “My parents have been here with me, but I want them kept out of my room. Please.”

“Samara, honey, are you sure?” Marjorie began.

But Samara stopped her instantly. “Yes. I’m sure. They’ve been keeping all of you from me, but I’m well enough to make my own decisions, and I’m finished with that. I’ll say who comes and goes from my room.”

“What is going on here?” BruceFutrell boomed from the doorway behind all of them.

“Dad, you and Mom will have to stay outside the room. I can’t have you in here if you’re going to try to control who sees me and who I see. I won’t have it, not now, not ever.”

Debra appeared beside Bruce. “But all we’re trying to do is?”

“Control my life. You’ve always tried that. You did it for all four of the rest of the kids, and not a one of them is doing what theyreallywant to do. They’re doing whatyouwanted them to do, and that’s not fair. I’m not going down that road. This is who I am, this is what I do, this is where I want to be, and these are the people I want to be with. And right now, I need Marjorie to help me a little, because Michael will be here any minute, and I don’t want to look like death warmed over when he gets here.”

“Sweetie, you look fine,” Marjorie assured her.

“No. I don’t. But I will. Go on, both of you. You’ll just have to sit out in the hallway or down in the waiting room. Sir, could you?”

The security guard nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Come on, folks. The patient doesn’t want you in here, and I have to make sure you leave. Please don’t give me any trouble.”

Marjorie couldn’t help taking a bit of delight in the distress on the Futrells’ faces.They had no idea who they were dealing with, but they won’t make that mistake again, she told herself, grinning inwardly. As soon as they were gone, she set about to help Samara get her hair straightened up a bit, brush her teeth, and freshen up as best she could. Then she smiled at the younger woman. “Michael will be here just any time. I’m going to go, but if you need me, ask Michael to put my number in your phone. I’m sure he’s bringing the phone with him for you.”

A tear rolled down Samara’s cheek, and Marjorie felt horrible for all the things that had happened to the detective over the previous few days. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, honey. You make my son happy, and that’s all any mother wants. I’ll see you later. Rest.” She’d no more than stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her when the elevator doors opened and Michael stepped out. “Son!”

“Mom, is she okay?”

“She will be in just a minute when you walk through that door. Did you bring her phone?”

“Yeah.”

“Be sure to put my number in it so she can call me if she needs me.”

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