"Dad? Is that you?"
She heard a sigh over the phone, "Yeah, it's me Amber."
"It's Ember."
Another sigh. "Not now Amber. It's something important."
"What? What is it? What's wrong?"
"Your ma…"
"What's wrong with mama?"
"Well, she's," Mr. McLean interrupted with a sob, "she's not doin' so well."
Ember was close to tears. More assertively, she asked, "What's wrong with mama?"
"Her liver… it's failing Amber. She ain't got long to live."
She let out a small sob. "I'll be home soon."
"Hurry Amber."
Ember hung up the phone, rushing to take Maverick's keys. She was bombarded with questions about what was happening.
"My mama. She's sick. I knew this would happen sooner or later. She loved her liquor, and Daddy he," she stopped short as she felt the tears well up again and closed her eyes. She quickly reopened them to find Lex with his arms around her.
"God speed, love."
She smiled at him, and Johnny then came in for his hug. "Sorry," he whispered. She then looked to Maverick. Sighing, he got up and stood in front of Ember.
"Well, um… sorry," he said softly, not one for words. He lent out his hand for her to shake, but was instead tackled with a hug. He, surprised, returned it, and she was soon on her way.
…………………………………………………………
Finally Ember was home: what she called and knew as her home. An ambulance was parked outside her house.
She ran out of the car to find her dad, willowing over an occupied cot. Ember let out a shrill cry, one that wasn't heard since she was a child. "I'm sorry Amber. You're too late. Mama's gone."