Page 147 of One Good Reason

“I kept telling y’all to watch her Willearl. Gema clumsy. I been saying that,” she sobbed.

“I know, Tali. And we been watching her. Mama knows she ain’t have no business getting up out the bed by herself. Louise was right down the hall. She knows to call for some help.”

“What they saying?”

“She bleeding on the brain. She been unconscious since we got here.”

“Oh my God!” she wept.

The sound of her wails had the folks in Gema room rushing out into the hall.

“Tali, I’m so sorry,” Louise advanced on us with her palms in the air. “I’m so sorry.”

Talitha’s body shook as she cried, eventually she spun around and buried her head into my chest. I felt helpless. Talitha was in pain and all I could do was stand here and hold her. Cupping the back of her head, I leaned my head down and prayed over her and her family. Prayed for God to heal them and Gema. Prayed that he’d allow her to wake up. When I finished praying, I asked her if she was ready to go into the room. She said shook her head no. I didn’t care how long it took; I would stand out here in the hallway with her until she was ready.

“My brother Meat on his way down,” her uncle mumbled as he leaned his back against the wall.

“What did the doctor say?”

“Tali, the power of attorney. We can’t make no decisions without her,” he let me know without coming out and saying it.

I nodded my head to let him know I understood what he was getting at. “Give her time.” Turning to Baker, I instructed him to go grab a couple of rooms for us. From the looks of it, we wouldn’t be leaving Warner Robins anytime soon.

Mrs. Jessie eventually followed the siblings into the room while Talitha and I stood out in the hallway.

“Baby, you’ve gotta calm down. At least long enough to speak with a doctor. Everybody is waiting on you.”

“I can’t Law.”

“You can. Gema and Papa Joe knew you could. That’s why the left you in charge. You gotta do it for her baby.”

“I was happy that she was gone for a few days. I said I needed a break.”

“Shhh… We not doing that. You not about to sit up here and blame yourself for this. You know just like I know that Gema is stubborn as hell.”

“I sent her away like she was a burden.”

“When you told me she was coming home for a few days, and I asked you how she felt about it… what did you tell me?”

“She wanted to go.”

“That means you didn’t send her away. She wanted to go.”

“It’s still my fault Law. I should’ve told her no.”

“And she still would’ve went anyway.”

“That’s my best friend, Law. What I’mma do without my best friend?” she sobbed.

“I don’t know, baby. I don’t know. But you need to go see her. I’m here and I’ll do whatever you need me to do. Whatever it’s going to take, we will do it. Together,” I avowed and meant every single word.

“Can we leave?”

“Is that what you want?”

“Yes. I need to get out of here. I feel like I’m going to suffocate.”

“How about we step outside so you can get some fresh air and when you’re ready, we will come back inside. What you say to that?”

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