Twenty-nine
Cassie
The cool air hit my face as I walked into the county hospital with Willa Mae by my side. My eyes darted around the reception area.
Two elderly women sat in a couple of seats against a pale-beige wall. One of them peered at me over half-moon glasses. She pursed her lips, then leaned over to whisper in her neighbor’s ear.
They know. I turned away, hanging my head, ashamed.
“Sit over there, Chile. I’ll get someone to tend to you.” Willa Mae pointed to an empty seat next to the two women. “Mike will sit with you once he parks the car.”
“Don’t leave me,” I whispered frantically, latching onto her arm.
“I’m not going far. Just going to check you in. You can see me from where you’re sittin’. It’s right over—” She looked over my shoulder and gasped. Her usually warm, frie
