Mistake by Brigitta Moon Read Free Book Online Page A

Cornflower backing out of the door. She slowly closed it and stood looking at it for a long few seconds before she retreated to the car. She opened the door as if it took all her energy and slumped into the car seat and held her face in her hands.
        “Cornflower, what’s wrong,” Beth asked in a whisper.
        “Let’s go,” she answered.
        “But you didn’t get what you needed.”
        “I’ll explain later, let’s go,” she said in a cracking voice.
        They rode home in silence. Beth was afraid to ask more questions. She decided to give Cornflower her space. Cornflower rode in silence, staring out the window and dabbing at her eyes every once in a while. A sniffle escaped and Beth’s heart splintered.
        “Please, Cornflower, how can I help you?”
        “I’m fine. Don’t worry. We’ll talk later.”
        Arriving back home, Beth parked her car and went around to help Cornflower out of the car.
        “We’re here,” Beth told Cornflower as she helped her out of the car.
        “Beth I’m going to take Kelly to the guest room and go to bed. I’m really tired.”
        “If Kelly isn’t tired I can play with her until she’s ready for sleep,” Beth offered.
         They entered a quiet house. It appeared everyone had already gone to bed. Once upstairs they found Kelly fast asleep in the guest room.
         “I’ll see you in the morning,” Cornflower said with a voice full of pain.
         “Good night,” was all Beth could think to say.
         Beth drifted off to sleep. Something awakened her. She thought she heard a noise. She pulled on her robe and cracked her door but saw and heard nothing. She looked back at the clock. She had only been asleep for two hours. She crept into the hallway still hearing and seeing nothing.
         Beth decided to check on Cornflower to see if she was still awake. She tapped on the door but didn’t get an answer. She cracked the door open to a dark room. She opened the door a little more to emit some light. Kelly lay on the bed fast asleep, but not Cornflower. She thought maybe Cornflower was downstairs so maybe she should check on the baby before heading down to talk to Cornflower.
         Beth started for the bed and let out a piercing scream as she tripped and fell over something. She landed hard on the floor. Beth’s parents came running down the hallway filled with alarm. Beth’s father pushed the door fully open and flipped on the light.
         Beth’s mother’s eyes filled with horror and dread as she looked toward the floor. “Oh my God, oh my God. Cornflower, Cornflower,” she screamed as she shook her where she lay on the floor. “Call 911, hurry, hurry,” she screamed.
        Beth lifted herself up and crawled over to Cornflower and began assessing her as her father ran off to call for help.
        “Her pulse is weak and irregular. She’s still breathing. I’ll stay with her mom while you get dressed. The ambulance will be here soon.”
        Cornflower’s eyes flickered open for a brief second before closing again. “Don’t worry. You’re going to be fine. I’m here Cornflower. I’m here with you,” Beth told her as she stroked Cornflower’s silky brown hair.

 
     
    CHAPTER 11
     
     
        Beth was the first to enter the Emergency Room in search of her cousin. She hurried to the desk to get information. While waiting her turn she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Tommy. His eyes were sad, his face sagged and his shoulders slumped.
        “Tommy, have you seen her yet? Is there any information?” Beth asked full of fear.
        “They won’t let anyone in yet,” he said in a pained voice.
        “What happened last night?” he asked.
        Beth thought about last night to see if she had an answer. For whatever reason she decided not to tell Tommy Cornflower was distraught after stopping past the house.
         She shrugged