Not that Holly minded picking Jersey up, but she wondered why her mother wasn’t. And then her phone chimed with a text. It was from Nick.

Rachel’s being discharged today. I’d love to see you again sometime, but right now I need to focus on my sister. A lot has happened in the past few days. I hope you don’t think that’s a blow-off. I genuinely like you…

Holly bit her cheek as she wrestled with how to respond.

I understand. Concentrate on being there for your sister. And text me when you’re ready.

Isaac backed out of her room, throwing his hand up in a salute as he did. ‘I’m gonna bounce.’ He disappeared around the corner but popped his head back in a second later. ‘Hey, Hol?’ Holly twisted around to see unshed tears in her brother’s eyes. ‘Jersey’ll be okay. She has you two. Talk to you later.’ And then he was gone again, the sound of his bedroom door closing behind him.

She watched him go, her heart turning into a liquid puddle of mush, before turning back to Sophie. ‘Not that I mind, but why isn’t your Aunt Natalia taking Jersey home?’

‘She told her mom there was something she needed to do, and she thought it would be easier with us.’

‘Did she say what?’

‘Said she’d tell us when we got there.’ The fingernail on Sophie’s index finger went into her mouth, muffling her words as she spoke around it. ‘Do you think that’s because she knows we’re not going to want her to do whatever it is either, and she doesn’t want to give us time to think of a way to talk her out of it?’

‘I don’t know.’ But Holly had wondered the exact same thing. ‘Let’s go, so we can find out.’

Nearly three hours later, the nurse finally delivered Jersey’s care instructions, a list of names and numbers for counselors to assist her in dealing with her ordeal, and instructions on how to keep her wounds clean and safe from infection.

Before they left, Jersey excused herself to go to the restroom, and Aunt Natalia took the opportunity to speak to Holly and Sophie. Her knees bounced, and her eyes darted to the closed door as she lowered her voice. ‘I’m not sure where Jersey wants you girls to take her, but please use common sense. And watch out for her.’

Sophie squeezed her aunt’s hand. ‘We promise. And we’ll send a message when we’re on our way to your house.’

‘Thank you.’

When Jersey reappeared a moment later, her watery eyes caught her mother’s and then her friends’ worried gazes. ‘I think I’m as ready as I can be.’ Tremulous words gave evidence of her fear of what was beyond her hospital room door.

Holly and Sophie each linked an arm with Jersey as Aunt Natalia walked behind her.

‘Are you sure you won’t let them get you a wheelchair, sweetheart?’

Jersey kept her focus straight ahead as she answered. ‘I’m okay, Mom. I’m just a little weak, still. Walking will do me good.’