Mimi dug through her straw purse and pulled out a pack of mint gum, offering a stick to Rosemarie, who took it. Both of Rosemarie’s grandmothers had died when she was a teenager. Being around Miss Mimi was always comforting in the best way. She was funny and warm, and there wasn’t a phony bone in her body. She called Rosemarie Ro-Ro when she was a little girl, and when she spent the night, Mimi would warm her apple juice in the microwave because she’d done it for her once and Rosemarie loved it. God had gifted Miss Mimi the ability to make people feel better simply with her presence, and Rosemarie felt it, holy and radiating in that hospital.
*
After Ada and Kasey came back and they’d eaten and drunk what they could, Kasey got a call from Silas, who was supposed to update them about Trey behind bars as soon as he knew what was up. Silas had been the one driving on that street in his patrol car, the one a neighbor flagged down because she thought she’d heard screams, the one to put Trey in handcuffs.
Kasey relayed the new info from Silas.
Trey was going to be kept in custody even though he claimed it was all an accident and that everyone knew how clumsy Caroline could be, especially if she’d been drinking. She’d fallen down the steps, and when Trey tried to catch and help her, she freaked out on him and panicked. Maybe she’d been sleepwalking? Either way, she pushed him off so hard she’d fallen against the window, breaking it. Her head, her eyes, the scratches, and bruises? Those were from the fall and the window glass. Trey was horrified anyone thought this was something he would do to his wife on purpose. Of course he loved his wife. This was all bullshit. Nonsense. He wanted out of there soon so he could get to the hospital to see Caroline. Silas told Kasey since the restraining order had been filed that morning, they could maybe find a reason to keep him locked up for a day or two, but probably not since Trey’s lawyer was already down there raising hell. His parents too.
Of course Trey was going to be able to spin this. He was a Foxberry and they owned half the town. Their grandfather’s name had recently been added to the new wing of the hospital they were sitting in.
The girls held hands and sank into a deep quiet when Mimi went back inside the room to sit with Caroline. Patients in the ICU could only have two visitors a day; any more would be too much overstimulation. Despite the fire burning and burning in Rosemarie’s heart, Ada and Kasey told her they felt like she gave off the most natural, peaceful presence and should be the one to sit with Caroline right now.
When Mimi came out, Rosemarie went in.
*
“Caro, it’s Roses,” Rosemarie said, sitting in the chair next to her bed. She watched Caroline’s chest move with her breath, and Rosemarie started crying all over again, this time out of gratitude. “I’m going to talk to you and Baby, okay? Your little Rosy Magnolia. Remember years ago when I told you I had a dream that you and I both had little girls we named Rosy Magnolia? And I heard Grateful Dead in my head, singing it like ‘Sugar Magnolia’？ Don’t ask me how I know you’re pregnant with a girl—I just do. Both my grandma Rose and my grandma Marie had The Gift about this, and I don’t question it.”
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.