Ashley

it was 3 a.m. the next day. I had ballet in an hr. from 4 – 6. I'd been fired from my waitressing job but still worked at the bookstore and at the strip club. I'd applied for another waitressing job during the lunch hr. I'd gotten soda from the kitchen and had brought it up to the bathroom where Anna was awake and sick.

"Hi honey. Here's your soda," I said putting it on the floor and closing the bathroom door.

I sat down on the floor.

"Thanks ," she whispered.

"Sure. Anything else I can do for you?"

"No I….just stay here untill our parents wake up. Ok?"

"Ok."

I opened the bottle for her and handed it to her.

"Why cant Evan take me?" she asked referring to our brother who was 19.

I sighed.

"I've explained this to you anna. They need parents to sign you into the hospital sweetie."

"Oh. But I don't feel good."

"I know and I'm sorry . There's only so much we can do for you."

"Oh," she was disappointed.

"I have ballet in an hr. and then I'll come back here for breakfast. School's at 9."

"But..." she began to protest not wanting me to leave.

"I know. I'll ask hannah or um Kate. Or maybe dad er I mean mr. er your dad will stay w/ you until we get back from school."

"oh."