Free The House of Roses by Holden Robinson Page B

lived,” Rita rambled, approaching hysteria.
    Caitlin laid her sleeping son down and rang the nurse's station.
    “ What are you doing?” Rita asked.
    “ I'm coming with you.”
    “ No, Cate.”
    “ Yes, Mom. Sometimes I cannot stand you, but there is no way in hell I am going to let you do this alone.”
    “ I love you, Caitlin.”
    “ I know, Mom. I love you, too.”

 
     
    Eleven
     
     
    Ella Simons knew she was dreaming, but the dream felt wonderful, and she remembered the pain that had come just before she gave in to the darkness. She knew she could will herself into wakefulness, it was just outside the dream, but she had no desire to meet the pain again. And so, she dreamed. She stood among the trees, and although she was alone, and the woods were bathed in shadow, she was not afraid. Suddenly the entire forest came alive with golden light, and only then did she feel a trace of fear. It was the light that frightened her. It was unexpected, and amazing, and she was drawn to it. She turned and felt the warmth of the light on her face, its heat on her skin. Was it heaven she was seeing around her?   The trees danced together in the breeze. The light reflected off thousands of blades of grass, each fresh with morning dew. The wind lifted her hair. Was this heaven?   Despite her fear, she smiled. She turned to her left and Charles stood waving. Roses in every color of the spectrum bloomed at his feet. She was surrounded by the smell of the flowers, and although they smelled like roses, they also smelled like peace and happiness, if such a magnificent scent existed.
    She waved. Charles waved. She had missed his blue eyes, his smile, and for a moment, she simply stared at him, her heart nearly bursting in her chest. There was something else. A sound. She turned. A beautiful child with golden hair stood in a far off field. The little girl waved, and giggled, and Ella waved back.
    “ Caitlin?” she called out in the dream, straining to see the child more clearly. “Caitlin?” she called again. “Wait!” Ella watched as the little girl turned with one last wave, and eagerly, she followed her toward the light.
     
    ***
     
    The elevator opened on the first floor of the hospital, and Rita and Caitlin stepped out into the chaos. The ER was to their immediate right. The waiting room was filled with patients of varying age, injury and illness.
    Rita walked quickly to the triage station. Caitlin followed. A nurse looked up when she heard them approach.
    “ May I help you?”
    “ My best friend, Ella Simons, was brought here earlier. She was in a car accident,” Rita said, her voice filled with anguish.
    “ Are you family?” the nurse asked.
    “ I'm almost the closest thing she has,” Rita said sharply.
    “ I can't give out any information on a patient without notifying the next of kin,” the nurse said, looking at the computer in front of her, and although her voice was firm, her eyes were kind. Caitlin knew she was only doing her job, and she put her hand on Rita's arm, to try to quiet the anger she knew was brewing.
    “ It's okay, Mom,” Caitlin said, turning her attention to the nurse. “Her sister is her only immediate family. Have you called her?”
    “ No next of kin has been notified,” the nurse said, and Caitlin winced.
    “ Would you like to call her?” Caitlin asked. “We know how to reach her.”
    “ Yes, thank you,” the nurse said, not quite meeting their eyes.
    “ Mom, do you have Elizabeth's number?”
    “ Yes,” Rita said, opening her cell phone.
    “ Her name is Elizabeth Simons-Parker. This is her number,” Caitlin said, writing the number on the piece of paper the nurse had handed her. “We'd like to wait if that's all right,” Caitlin said, and the nurse nodded.
    “ I'll be right back. I'm sorry, you are........?” the nurse asked.
    “ Rita Hollings and Caitlin Goodrich,” Caitlin offered.
    The nurse disappeared through the door behind her, leaving Rita and Caitlin alone