Amanda Stevens - The Dollmaker

Claire had been dreaming about Ruby, and when she awakened, it took her a moment to realize where she was. Then it all came back to her. She was in the hospital, and Charlotte was just down the hall from her. Her sister had made it through surgery and was expected to make a full recovery.

Lucille was sitting in a chair by the bed, and when she saw that Claire was awake, she got up and came over to her side.

“How are you feeling?”

Claire lifted a hand and flexed her fingers. They were still weak, but the muscles were responsive. “Almost back to normal. I don’t need to be in the hospital, Mama.”

“You let the doctors decide that, honey.” Lucille brushed a strand of hair from her daughter’s face.

“How’s Charlotte?”

“I just came from her room a few minutes ago. She’s still out, but she seems to be resting comfortably. They’ve got her all doped up, so she’s not in any pain.”

“Why don’t you go back and sit with her, Mama? I really am fine.”

“I will in a minute.”

“Have you heard anything about the little girl?” Claire asked softly.

“Her family’s on their way from Alabama to pick her up. I can’t even begin to imagine what they must be feeling tonight.”

Claire was silent for a moment. “She must have been so scared.”

Tears flooded Lucille’s eyes as she lifted Claire’s hand to her cheek.

“I can’t help thinking about what she went through,” Claire said. “How she must have wanted to cry out for me, but couldn’t. She must have thought I would come and get her, but I never did. I couldn’t save her, Mama. My own daughter.”

“You couldn’t save Ruby, honey, but another little girl’s life has been spared. Be thankful that another mother doesn’t have to go through what you did. And Ruby’s safe now, Claire. She’s safe and warm and Maw-Maw is there to look after her. You can rest easy now, baby.”

“I love you, Mama.”

“I love you, too, Claire.”

After a while, she drifted off again, and when she woke up, the chair beside her bed was empty. Her mother had gone back to Charlotte’s room, and Claire lay there for a while, staring into the darkness. Then she turned her head and saw someone at the window.

“Dave?”

“I’m here, Claire.”