Page 49 of Evidence of Secrets

They got their name tags, and the nurse showed them the bay Laura was in.

Sam was unprepared for the sight of the sad-looking woman lying in bed. She didn’t recognize her best friend.

“Laura. What happened?” asked Hailey as she lifted Laura’s hand.

Laura sighed, closed her eyes, and opened them. “My life.”

“Oh, sweetie. Can you tell us?” asked Sam. She brushed Laura’s hair behind her ear, not staring at her but noticing the bruises on her forehead.

“Someone attacked me on the way to the bank, threw me to the ground. I have a sprained shoulder and aches and pains in my knees and ankles.” Laura started crying. “They stole my bank deposit.”

Sam held her while Laura sobbed. When was Laura’s streak of bad luck going to end? Finally, Laura hiccupped and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do anymore.” She shook her head. “It’s just so hard.”

“I know, sweetie.”

“Anyhow, I called because I need a ride home. I don’t have any money since the creep stole my purse.”

“We can do that.”

The doctor came in to talk to Laura. “You need to take some time to heal. Go to your doctor and get a recommendation for physical therapy. I’ll write a prescription for pain that you can fill.”

“Can she go home now?” asked Hailey.

“Yes. I’ll sign off, and she can leave,” said the doctor. He started to hand the prescription to Laura, but Sam intercepted it. She’d get it filled after they dropped Laura off at her apartment.

A half hour later, a nurse wheeled Laura to the door.

Hailey had pulled her car around, and they helped Laura get in.

“Why don’t you come home with me instead,” said Hailey. “We have the room, and our condo is on the first level, no climbing.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to trouble anyone.”

“Laura, it’s no trouble. I’m driving you to my house. I can drive your car to your apartment and get some clothes and toiletries and bring them over.”

“I don’t have my car,” she whispered.

What the hell? Sam was confused. “Is it at your apartment?”

Laura looked away. “No. I sold it.”

Sold it?

Sam hung her head. She knew things were bad at the restaurant and offered to help. Laura said she would accept help but hadn’t yet. What a clusterfuck. It was time to call the women for an intervention. Laura would get the help she needed, whether or not she wanted it.

Not only that, but Sam also bet Laura didn’t have money for the hospital, doctor, or physical therapy. Or prescriptions. She would need to take it easy at the bistro, too. No wonder Laura was stressing; Sam scraped her hand over her face. Solutions were needed. They couldn’t run roughshod over Laura, but they had to help her. Laura was in way over her head, and not her fault.

Again, this went back to that damn Colin Woods. She was going to fix it this time. As soon as they got Laura settled at Hailey’s condo.

* * *

“Okay,Laura, there’s only one small step up, and then we’ll be inside. Can you handle it?”

“Yes, mom. I can.”

“Wiseass.” Hailey laughed. “Come on. I want you settled in bed so you can rest.”

Sam left to get Laura’s things. Wasn’t this embarrassing? Her failure was now public knowledge.

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