I willed myself not to cry. “I wanted to have friends and go to parties like everyone else. Not be Freaky Tessa who sits at home on the weekends reading books and watching TV with her parents. Begging her brother to hang out with her.”
Mom sat down next to me, holding my good side. “I know it’s hard, but you’re here for a reason. You have to have faith in God and in yourself. If there is anything I’m sure of, it’s that you’re meant to do something great with your gifts.”
I snorted. “Right. Because these ‘gifts’ are so useful for oh, I don’t know, nothing.”
She kissed my forehead, and her guilt surged through me before she could block it.
I felt like a real jerk for not being nicer about what she said. But I couldn’t get my hopes up that one day I’d find my curse was useful.
“This is my fault. I’ve kept you away from my side of the family for too long. You are meant for something.”
What the hell was she talking about?
“I have something to tell you later. First, let’s get you to the hospital.” She started for the door.
“Mom,” I called after her. “I’m sorry. Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Anything for my baby.”
I’d make it up to her. Tomorrow. When my shoulder wasn’t hurting so bad. Sliding on my sweatpants and flip-flops took all the energy I could muster.
I was so out of it that I nearly forgot my gloves. Number one place I didn’t want to have a vision: the emergency room. Talk about a minefield of pain and drama. I grabbed a pair of white cotton ones that stopped halfway to my elbow.
Axel was waiting with my parents at the door by the time I got down the stairs.
“Ready?” Dad’s arms were still folded in front of his chest. No hint of a smile on his face.
“Yeah, but I’m feeling a little—” Gray dots filled my vision. Then, there was nothing.
Chapter Ten
The car bounced over the gravel road, but I couldn’t muster the energy to lift my head. It took a second to make my eyes open. “What happened?” I was lying across the backseat in Dad’s SUV.
“You fainted, sweetheart.” Mom brushed my hair out of my face. “We’re almost to the hospital.”
“That’s good, I guess.” A cold drop of sweat rolled down my forehead. My mom’s face spun in my vision, and I had to close my eyes to keep from throwing up.