It's My Life Read Online Free Page B

belt.” Then Steph began to cry.
    “It seems he got out while Beanie wasn't looking,” continued Mom. “And she saw him heading straight for the street, and a car was coming–”
    “And the driver said that Beanie shoved him out ofthe way just in time, but she got hit!” sobbed Steph, her voice shaking. “Beanie actually risked her own life for my baby!”
    I grabbed Steph's arms, tears now tumbling down my cheeks too. “But is she okay? Is Beanie okay? Please, tell me!”
    “We don't know.”
    And for the longest time, we didn't know. We waited and waited for what seemed like years. And finally, at about seven o'clock, the nurse said Beanie had been stabilized and was being moved to a private room for the night, and that one of us could go visit her shortly. After a brief discussion, Mom and Steph both decided that, as her best friend, I should go. And so I went in to see Beanie. Her head was bandaged and a tube came out of her arm, but she was awake and her eyes, though sad, were fairly clear. “Beanie?” I whispered as I gently touched her bruised hand. “Are you okay?”
    “I'm alive,” she said in a raspy voice.
    “I'm so thankful. I've really been praying. I couldn't stand to lose you, Beanie. I've just been realizing how important your friendship is to me.” I started crying all over again. But I didn't care. I was just so glad to see she was okay. “How do you feel?”
    “I've felt better.”
    I smiled. Same old Beanie. “But did you break anything?”
    “A couple ribs, and a concussion.” Then she began to cry, silently, but the tears were flowing down her cheeksin two steady streams, and I could see she was in bad pain.
    “Are you okay?”
    “I lost my baby.” She choked on the words.
    I just stared at her, not knowing what to say. I was sad for her, but to be perfectly honest, part of me was relieved. And even as I write these words, I know it's so very wrong of me (PLEASE FORGIVE ME, GOD!), but I actually thought, at least this is one less thing for Beanie to bear. But somehow (THANK GOD!) I knew that wasn't what she needed to hear. “I'm so sorry,” was all I said, and then I carefully put my arms around her, not wanting to hurt her further, and then we both cried together for what seemed a pretty long time.
    I pulled up a chair and just listened as she talked about all the things she wouldn't get to do with her baby. Once again, I must be honest and say I really didn't understand much of what she was saying, and I'd had no idea she was looking forward to having a child like that. And I just kept thinking this whole thing was a real blessing in disguise. But believe me, I NEVER said it. Not even once. I just listened and nodded and told her everything was going to be okay, that it'd get better, and that she'd get over this in time.
    I could tell by the commotion in the hallway that Lynn Jacobs was here and she was demanding to see her daughter immediately. I could hear Steph trying to reason with her, but finally it was of no use and Lynn just burst right into Beanie's room. I stayed in the chair, positioningmyself between Lynn and Beanie, determined to lay down my life if necessary to protect Beanie from Lynn's wrath. But I couldn't protect her from her mother's cruel and heartless words.
    “I just learned from the doctor that you lost your baby!” Lynn exploded. “What I want to know is what baby? What the – is going on with you, Sabrina Jacobs? You went and got yourself knocked up and then you didn't even tell your own mother–” Thankfully that was when a strong orderly (I later learned he was accosted by an angry Aunt Stephie) came in and literally dragged Lynn out of the room, loudly warning her that they could have the police there within minutes. Then Steph came in and comforted Beanie. I was so glad to hear Steph soothing Beanie, saying all those important things that I could never have thought of.
    Anyway, we stayed there until really late. Until Beanie finally seemed to