Page 18 of Wishing for La Luna
What the hell is going on? Why were Adina and her mom screaming like that?
“Luna, can you hear me?”
I barely have any strength left, but I nod.
“Go to sleep. It’s going to be okay.” Mami begins to rub my forehead to the middle of my head, but I'm in so much physical pain. Worst of all, something happened, and I'm in the hospital. Adina was accusing me of something, but what was it? I’ve never heard her or her mom sound like that. I just don't get it.
Exhaustion wins over my body, and I can't keep my eyes open, so I drift off. Tomorrow. I’ll remember and clear the air with them tomorrow.
6
Luna
My gaze doesn’t move from the beige walls. In the time since I've been awake—ten minutes, according to the clock on the wall—I've been trying to make sense of what’s happening. I’m alone, confused, and my head hurts.
Acidic sand coats my tongue—not that I've ever tasted something like that—and I can barely swallow. When I manage it, the nausea rises in waves.
“I can’t let you in there. Only family can come in.” Someone’s voice rises outside the room, rattling my head and blurring my vision.
“We are like family,” Mrs. Belmont bellows.
I open my mouth to call out her name, but the wave of nausea has me pressing my fist against my mouth and doubling over. Their panicked voices seem urgent, but I don't have the strength to move or call out. I feel too shitty to deal with whatever emergency Adina has concocted. As much as I love her, I don't have the energy for her.
“Mom, calm down. They won’t let us in this way. We grew up together. I need to see her.” Adina’s voice rises as well.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry, Nurse Krista. Can I show you something?”
After a couple minutes of silence, the nurse says, “You have two minutes. Hurry up before the head nurse comes.”
My heart quickens.They’re coming in.I pull the blanket up to my neck to cover myself. In the next second, they open the door and walk in.
Mrs. Belmont is by my side in my next breath. “You’re going to keep your mouth shut and go away.”
“Keep my mouth shut about what?”
Her face moves closer to mine. “Don’t fuck with me, Luna. I’ll make sure you and your mom have to sell your asses to live.”
I’m shocked into silence. I’ve known this woman since I was seven. She’s never spoken to me like this before.
“I can’t believe I thought we were friends. How could you?” There’s so much venom in Adina’s voice my stomach turns.
“How could I what? Are you high?”
“Shut the fuck up,” her mother says. “Don’t ever let that come out of your mouth again.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” A tall woman in scrubs is standing at the door. “Only her family is allowed to see her. Please leave.” The nurse’s voice is final.
“She owes me an explanation,” Adina insists.
“You’ll have to wait for that.”
“Do you know who I am?” Mrs. Belmont says, in a tight, between-the-teeth kind of tone.
A snort follows amusement as the tall woman openly stares at her. “We do know who you are. You are the queen of the East Side. But here, I am the head nurse, and outside, there is a police officer. Either you leave, or I will have him escort you out. If I were you, I would leave before Mrs. Santos or her niece comes in, because I’m sure they won’t take kindly to you being in here.”
Mrs. Belmont curls her lip like she’s about to spit on me. “Remember what I said.”
Adina’s look is pure hatred as she follows her mom out. Angry steps fade away, and the door swings open. The nurse comes closer, checks on the machines, and then meets my eyes.
