Chapter 38

Charli

"Momma? How are you?" I asked after Silvia stepped away.

Her chest rose and fell. "I'm alive."

"Are you in pain?"

"Some, but it's getting better."

I rested my hand on her blanket-covered legs. "Can you take anything?"

She smiled and shook her head. "No. I'm an addict."

"No, you aren't. They did that to you."

"No, sweetheart. Alton poisoned me or at least we think he did. I guess we'll never know for sure, but I poisoned myself too. No more pain medicine. No more alcohol. I'm thinking clearer than I have in years and I like it."

"But I don't want you to hurt."

"Tell that to the physical therapist who visits every day. He just left. That's why I'm here on the sofa in front of the fire. The man is a tyrant, and instead of trying to help me, Oren and Silvia encourage him."