Goodbye Earl(56)

The machines next to Caroline did their work of hushing and beeping, while the IV dripped. Rosemarie took a good look at what she could see of Caro’s face. Her head was wrapped in gauze and her eyes were swollen, one of the lids tinted pale purple as if there were a lilac light behind it. A gnarly hot-pink scratch slanted across her top lip, and there were slices on her forearms and hands. Fingertip bruises on her neck. Her right arm and shoulder were wrapped up too. She looked like she’d been in an explosion, and when Rosemarie gave it more thought, she realized it was true—Caroline’s emotional and physical world had blown up because of Trey, and he’d probably be out in the Goldie sunshine again soon like nothing had happened.

“In my dream, your Rosy Magnolia had hair as red as the strawberries on those teeny shorts you used to wear all the time when we were in high school, and she had big brown eyes like my Rosy Magnolia,” Rosemarie said, wiping her nose. “You and I both know I’m not gonna have my Rosy Magnolia, Caro. I’m not able to…it won’t happen, so yours is gonna have a double spirit for us, and I know she will. She lived through this, and you’re gonna live through this too.

“I read Trey’s texts last week…the ones he sent to you. I shouldn’t have done it, or I should’ve done more about it. Or I should’ve asked you the right questions, and I’m so sorry I didn’t do that,” she said. “I’m gonna play a song for you and the baby now. My favorite. No worries, ‘Ripple’ is next.” Rosemarie pulled out her phone.

She turned “Sugar Magnolia” on soft and low and set her phone in her lap. She closed her eyes and listened, kept them closed and breathed with Caroline. Prayed for Caroline. Felt the wildfires in her heart flicker and grow.



Rosemarie didn’t know what time it was when the nurse came and woke her up, told her visiting hours were over. Caro was still breathing and sleeping as the sun went down.

*



Ada and Kasey had waited at the hospital. Mimi was going to sleep there overnight, and she let them know Caroline’s mom said she’d be there sometime too.

Rosemarie, Ada, and Kasey went to Myrtle’s Diner for coffee and to compose themselves the best they could. After they filled Myrtle in on the latest, she brought them coffee on the house and a plate of fries to share if they were hungry. They thanked her, and Myrtle said Caroline was a tough old bird and reassured them she’d be all right.

“I feel so guilty and I’m not making this about me, but I really should’ve been paying more attention—I know that,” Ada said, unfolding the paper napkin and setting it in her lap.

“You have your own life, Ada. I know it used to feel like we were all the same person sometimes when we were kids, but we’re not. This isn’t anyone’s fault but Trey’s,” Kasey said.

“Please don’t say his name. Not anymore tonight,” Rosemarie said, holding up her hand.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. You’re exactly right,” Kasey said.

“When are you going back home?” Ada asked Kasey.

“I don’t know. I canceled my flight without making a new one. Told Devon I’d let him know. I’m not leaving anytime soon. I’ll be at the farmhouse. Free house, right? I’m the idiot who spent so much money crashing at the boutique hotel,” Kasey said, picking up a fry and putting it down. She drank her coffee.

“Is Esme coming soon?” Ada asked Rosemarie, trying to keep track of everyone. Rosemarie knew that was another reason Ada felt so guilty about Caroline. Their entire lives, Ada had made it her mission to know where they were and what they were all up to.

“Yeah, but I don’t know when. This film she’s working on…constant reshoots or whatever. It’s a mess, but it’s okay. I kind of only want to be with y’all right now anyway. Well, and Leo. I’m supposed to record with him tonight, but there’s too much on my mind. I’m supposed to be at his place right now,” Rosemarie said.

“Go. Go to Leo’s. Let’s meet at the bakery in the morning, and we can take some goodies to the hospital for the nurses and everyone else. Caroline will probably wake up tomorrow, don’t y’all think?” Ada asked, lighting up a bit since she was planning again. She ate one fry, then another.

“I think so,” Kasey said, nodding. She was ripping the paper napkin in front of her to shreds, surely thinking about her stepdad, all the Earls in this world who weren’t worth a shit.

“I’m praying for it. Hoping for it. I feel it,” Rosemarie said, finishing her coffee and nodding too.

*



Caro’s still in a coma. Going back

to the hospital in the morning. I

love you, Esme.



I love you too, Rosie. I’m so sorry

and I’ll keep praying. I’ll be down soon.



Rosemarie didn’t feel like singing, and she told Leo that first thing. Leo knew everything about what was going on, and he’d made tea and peanut butter cookies, but she didn’t feel like drinking or eating anything. She forced herself to take small sips of water. She was so tired and her head hurt; she needed to sleep and sleep. She’d been avoiding the calls and voicemails from her doctor, and the day had been too much. She felt so fragile, like a feather could split her in two. They got on the couch with Basie snug next to them. Rosemarie lay in Leo’s arms and he held her like that. She fell asleep quickly with her ear pressed to his chest, listening to his heartbeat thumping like a train over tracks.