Read Online Betrayed by Suzetta Perkins - Free Book Online

to his office.”
    â€œWho’s your dad?”
    â€œMr. Victor Christianson. He’s the director of the Admissions Office.”
    â€œOh,” Leslie said, her voice trailing. “Dog.”
    â€œThank you for your help.”
    Leslie stared after Asia as she left the room.
    Asia ran toward her father’s office, unable to keep her composure. She needed him in the worst way. The man on the phone said that her mother was in an accident and was being taken to the hospital.
    With the back of her hand, Asia wiped her face and walked into the lobby of her father’s office. Sheila, his secretary, was on the phone when she entered, but raised her hand and waved for Asia to hold on; she’d be with her in a moment. After a minute passed, Asia ignored Sheila and barged into her father’s office. Sheila was up in a second, running behind Asia.
    Sheila put on the brakes when she saw Mr. Christianson staring at her like she didn’t belong. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that the look meant
get the hell out of here.
    â€œWhat is it, Asia? Are you all right?”
    â€œNo, Daddy, I’m not all right. Mom was in an accident and we need to get to the hospital.”
    â€œAn accident? Are you sure?”
    â€œYes,” Asia said, somewhat annoyed. “I received a call from someone who was at the scene of the accident and had her cell phone. They’re taking Mom to Duke.”
    Victor got up from his seat. “Let’s go.”
    V ICTOR SAT STONE FACED IN HIS SEAT, HIS KNUCKLES WRAPPED tightly around the steering wheel, navigating his way to the hospital as if the car was on autopilot. Small beads of perspiration glistened on his face…a small droplet settling on his lower lip.
    Asia sat and stared straight ahead with earplugs plunged deep into her ears, her iPod offering a temporary distraction. Every now and then she’d steal a glance at her father who had yet to ask for details of her mother’s accident.
    â€œWe’re here,” Victor finally said with a strange, confused look on his face.
    Without another word, Victor and Asia hopped from the car and walked into the Emergency Room. The waiting room was full and screamed of sickness. People of all ethnicities, sizes, and colors were there for one reason or another. Young kids whined for their mothers to hold them and the drab-colored walls made Asia want to puke.
    Victor marched to the information window with Asia right behind him. “I’m looking for my wife, Brenda Christianson. She was in a car accident, and I was told she was brought here.”
    â€œJust a minute; let me check,” the plump lady with the rosy cheeks said.
    The rosy-cheeked lady got up from her chair and shuffled to a triage nurse and said something to her, pointing in Victor and Asia’s direction. In the next minute, she shuffled back to the chair.
    â€œYour wife is being seen by the doctor. I believe she’s going to be released. Go to window number three, and they’ll give you access to where she is being treated.”
    â€œYou say she’s going to be released?” Victor asked, relief in his voice.
    â€œThat’s what I was told, but the doctor can tell you more. Next.”
    â€œThank you, Lord,” Asia said out loud. “I was so worried.”
    Victor and Asia followed an orderly through the maze in the Emergency Room until he stopped in front of a closed curtain.
    The orderly pointed. “Mrs. Christianson is in here.”
    Victor pulled back the curtain and walked into the area, followed by Asia, and found Brenda sitting up and receiving instructions from the doctor who was attending her. Purple bruises were visibleon her face and arms, but there were no other severe lacerations as far as they could tell. Although her face ached, Brenda looked up and offered a faint smile, relaxing the moment the pain became too intense.
    â€œHi, Mom,” Asia said, reaching for