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The last time Claire had been in a hospital was the day she was born

Beatrice gave her a sonna be fine, honey Just a little tired”

“I was scared”

She continued to stroke her hair, her s tiain”

“Yeah, we ht”

“That sounds healthy,” she said with a chuckle

“Dad said I could have anything I wanted”

“Of course he did” Her hand played with Claire’s soft blond hair, continuing to stroke her “Always gives you whatever you want”

They talked for a while, and I stayed in lanced out the door every time soain and again, as if soain

They didn’t talk about their time with the cult at all

Not a single thing was mentioned

I was relieved because I didn’t want to hear about it

My daughter was unharht smile and bubbly personality, so I left it alone

“Constance is going to get ice cream with us soon”

“She is?” Beatrice asked, slightly surprised

I wanted et about the woman, and in time, she would A noret back to normalcy I didn’t want her to be around anyone who reet

I left the chair and approached the bed, taking a seat in the chair at her bedside “Sweetheart, let me talk to Mom for a second”

Clairearea at the other end of the rooazines She opened one, National Geographic, and flipped through it Her legs dangled over the edge, and she absenty

Beatrice stared atwith emptiness

I kept my voice low so Claire wouldn’t hear “How are you?”

She looked into

“The doctor said you’re free to go tomorrow”

“Yeah…”

“You’re welco better I can help you with anything that you need”