Page 106 of Notes About Vodka

*New Haven Psychiatric Ward.*

“Hello?” I answer, my voice unsteady, sensing that something’s wrong.

“Ms. Solyn? I’m calling about your mother,” the nurse says, her tone urgent. “You need to come to New Have Medical. This is going to be hard to hear, but listen because this is urgent. She’s had a suicide attempt. She locked herself in the bathroom, and it appears she’s been there for days. We reached out to your step-father but she says he moved out. A neighbor noticed a smell and called for help since she hadn’t seen your mom outside for a few days. She’s stable now, but...you should come.”

Her words hit me like a tidal wave. The floor seems to drop out from beneath me as I process them.My stepdad, Nick, left her? He actually just…abandoned her?

But James was just telling me that Nick was insisting they move into a bigger house with a fenced in back yard.

Ever since James started visiting my mother more often, I’ve stepped back. Mainly for my own mental health.

And it didn’t help that you tried to only focus on the happiness Val was bringing. You didn’t want to tell your mother you divorced Sam to just bring a new guy into her life. Nor do you want Val to ever meet her…

“Oh, my God,” I whisper, the realization washing over me in a sickening wave. I barely feel Skipper’s hand on my arm as he notices the look on my face.

What is wrong with me? I should have been there, I need to get there.

“Laura, what’s wrong?” Skip asks, his tone as gentle as his grip, but I can barely get the words out.

“We have to go,” I manage to say, my voice shaking, myentire body trembling. “Right now. My mom, she’s in the hospital.”

Skipper doesn’t hesitate. He nods, getting up immediately, understanding everything from the fear in my voice. As we rush out, a pang of guilt hits me for leaving without saying a word to Val, but I push it aside. Right now, all I can think of is getting to my mother and the guilt for not being a better daughter.

A few minutes later Val calls, "Laura, where are you? Did you just leave? And on my birthday? Like for real? I didn’t ask for a party, I didn’t ask for anything but your presence. I thought we were all going to go home, together. Where are you Laura?”

His words are sharp with hurt, his confusion palpable as I try to hold back tears.

When I finally gather the strength to answer, the conversation erupts into a storm of accusations and misunderstandings.

“My mom, Val,” I start, “she’s…. She’s in the hospital. And I’m so sorry.”

Val's voice crackles with anger as he loudly demands an explanation for my abrupt departure. "You just left, Laura! And without a word! After finally coming home for what, a day before you have to leave again… Do you know how embarrassing this is? And then you didn't even leave a tip! What the hell?"

I hold the phone away from my ear as he continues his diatribe. I look over at Skip who is sitting next to me in the back of a taxi.

“What, what do you want me to do Val?” I ask him when he finally stops yelling.

“I want my tip, bitch.”

What did Val just call me? I’m going to be sick.

My heart literally shatters, the pieces cutting through my emotional security.

I’m stunned. Silence hangs between us on the phone, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tension.

“Fuck you,” I whisper. Skipper grabs my hand.

I make a decision.

Asking the taxi driver to stop and wait a moment. I grab my purse, rush out to the ATM I spot and grab some money. Then, I ask the taxi driver to return us to the restaurant.

Val is outside, smoking a cigarette.

I can see his anger on his face as Skipper asks, “Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, you stay here with the driver. This will only take a moment.”

Tears sting my eyes, a mixture of guilt and frustration boiling over. Moreover, I’m angry at myself for not seeing this side of Val.

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