“How is she? How is Ash?” Becca asked. Christian stood beside her, both anxiously waiting for any news.

“Mija, they wouldn’t tell us anything until you got here,” Rafi said.

“I’ll go find the doctor,” Virginia said, turning on her heels and disappearing down the hallway toward the ICU.

Rafi wrapped Becca up in a giant bear hug. “I’m telling you no matter what happens we will get through this.”

She wanted to believe him. She leaned into him and he wrapped his hands around her tightly. “I was supposed to protect her,” Becca whispered. Her father gently patted her back, the way he always did when she had a bad dream.

“No matter how hard we try, things happen that are out of our control. None of this is your fault,” Rafi whispered. Tears streamed down Becca’s face, and she could see the tears in Rafi’s eyes. This was a man who had buried his only son. He didn’t have to say a word. He knew exactly what she was feeling. She hugged him again, wishing she could stay right here. She could hear her mother’s footsteps and saw the doctor out of the corner of her eye. Becca broke away from Rafi and rushed forward. “I’m Becca Ortiz, Ash’s mother. How is… how is she?”

The doctor was in her mid-thirties with red hair pulled up in a ponytail and kind hazel eyes that made you trust her instantly. “Dr. Ortiz, I’m Dr. Osterman, the trauma surgeon that treated your daughter. Ash suffered multiple rib fractures, a fractured wrist, as well as contusions and bruising to her body. The main causes for concern at the moment are her internal injuries. She suffered bleeding in the lungs and has tubes on both sides of the chest, and a liver laceration from a stab wound to the abdomen. Interventional radiology treated her shortly after she was admitted, and we managed to stop the bleeding, though Ash’s condition continues to be critical.”

The doctor was kind, though her affect was flat, having developed the same trait cops employed, a careful detachment. This wasn’t one of those “she’ll be fine” speeches. Ash was in a fight for her life.

“Can I see her?” Becca asked.

“Of course. We ask that you keep visitors at a minimum. No more than two at a time,” Dr. Osterman said.

“I’ll go with you,” Christian said, stepping forward. She raised her hand to stop him.

“No. I want to… I’d like a few minutes alone,” Becca said. It was always Becca and Ash against the world. It should be just the two of them now. Becca was relieved no one put up a fight. Rafi kissed her on the cheek, and Virginia nodded obediently, silent for a change as she sank into one of the waiting room chairs, tightly clutching her rosary.

“We’ll be waiting right here,” Christian said. Becca couldn’t speak. She needed to stay strong for Ash.