Chapter 12: Emily: Lost in my Dreams

I fidget with the seam of my jeans. "Can I please go to the hospital and see Matt?"

Mom makes a noise that sounds an awful lot like a grunt. "You can't be serious. You really think we're going to let you see any of your friends right now?"

"He's in the hospital. I just want to know he's okay."

"Then you can call him when we get home." Mom turns to stare out the passenger's window.

"Dad?" I turn toward him, my gaze pleading. "Please? Ten minutes. I just want to make sure he's okay. And to say goodbye." My breath catches, and my throat burns with unshed tears. I'd given up fighting them about going to Alaska because I know that's a fight I can't win, but they have to let me say goodbye to my friends. I won't stop until they do.

"You have ten minutes. Not a second longer. Understand?" He's using his no-nonsense tone again, and I take the small victory.