Brittany spent the night in the hospital looking after Jeanette. Alvin wanted to stay with her, but she insisted that he go home and get some sleep. He reluctantly agreed. Ellie was still upset, but Theodore insisted on taking her home. Brittany had fallen asleep in a chair in Jeanette’s room and had only been awakened by the attending nurse that came into the room.

“How is she doing?” Brittany asked, watching the nurse taking her sister’s vitals.

“She’ll be fine,” the nurse said. “All she needs is rest, so we’ve given her something to help her sleep.” The nurse looked up at Brittany. “You’re the sister, right?”

“One of them. Since our mother died it’s been just the three of us. I just don’t know what I would do if I lost her.”

“I know how you feel. I have a brother. He’s a policeman. I wonder everyday if today is the day I get the call telling me he’s… well, you know.”

“But Jeanette’s has anyways been the rational one, the careful one, the level headed one. I just never expected any of this.”

“We never do,” she said.

She soon exited the room, leaving Brittany alone with her sister. She looked so fragile, and that made Brittany feel even more guilty. If only she had taken better care of her sister. After their adoptive mother died she vowed she would always look out for her younger sisters, but she failed.

She heard footsteps coming down the hall and stop at the door to Jeanette room. She quickly turned around to see a familiar face.

“Alvin,” she , just above a whisper. “I thought I told you to go home.”

“And when do I ever listen to anyone?” his tone sarcastic.

“Good point,” she said. “So why did you come back?”

“I thought you could use a change of clothes and something to eat, since dinner got canceled.”

“Sorry about that,” she said. “But I’m glad you’re here.”

“So how’s she doing?” Alvin asked.

“She been sleeping most of the time. The nurse told me they gave her something, but earlier she was asking for Simon. Where is he, anyway? He should be here.”