Chapter 9
"I just wanted to apologize to you," Mrs. Hastings began, "I misjudged you and I appreciate you saving my daughter today."
"I really do care about her Mrs. Hastings," Toby explained.
"I know that now. You must understand where I was coming from when I asked Spencer not to see you. I was trying to protect her, but I guess you did a better job of it than I did."
"You've been dealing with a lot lately," Toby acknowledged, "Spencer has too. She needs you on her side. She needs to know that you are behind her, whatever happens."
"I really am sorry Toby. You understand my daughter better than I do right now."
"I know what it's like to be accused of something you didn't do and that's what Spencer needs. She needs someone who she feels she can talk to about anything."
"Feel free to come by the house anytime," Mrs. Hastings permitted, "If Spencer wants to see you, she can. You're a good man Toby, don't let anyone tell you different."
Spencer watched as her three best friends came into the room. Dr. Wallace had checked her and he was allowing a short visit with her friends. Hanna entered first, followed by Emily, and finally Aria.
"Oh Spencer," Hanna greeted, "You really can't do anything halfway, can you?"
Spencer smiled, "I guess not."
"How's your stomach?" Emily asked.
"Better," she explained, "I still feel like someone kicked me in the stomach."
"In a sense you sort of did," Hanna explained, "I mean your appendix did explode."
"Hanna," Aria scolded.
"What?" Hanna answered.
"It's okay, Aria."
"Sorry," Aria started, "I just don't want Hanna to get too animated. She might slap someone."
"What?" Spencer questioned.
"Hanna slapped Melissa," Emily explained.
"Hanna," Spencer started.
"She didn't tell your mom that you were in the hospital. Talk about a Bitch move."
"Let me finish. Hanna, thank you. I've been wanting to slap Melissa across the face for a long time."
"You should've seen it Spencer," Aria started, "I thought I was going to need a tranquilizer to stop her from killing Melissa."
"I wasn't that bad," Hanna defended.
"Hanna, I had to grab you around the waist and remind you that Spencer was in the hospital to stop you from gouging her eyes out."
"Okay, I was that bad, but she deserved it."
The girls all smiled and it took all of Spencer's energy to not laugh. Just then Dr. Wallace came into the room, "Sorry girls, but I'm gonna have to insist that you leave. Spencer needs to get some rest."
Hanna, Emily, and Aria all gave Spencer a hug and disappeared out the door. She smiled as they left. Her friends had saved her life, her sister had dug her own grave, and her mother seemed to be on her side again. Although the day had started off bad, it had ended well.
