Chapter 21

The doctor hesitated, his face somber. "We're not sure yet," he said. "But her heart rate and blood pressure are both low. We need to run some more tests to figure out what's going on." 

Carmela felt her legs go weak, and she sank into a chair, her eyes fixed on her daughter's face. Sarah put a hand on her shoulder, her own eyes full of worry. "We're going to take good care of her," the doctor said, his voice reassuring. "We'll do everything we can." 

Carmela nodded, but she could barely hear the doctor's words. Her mind was racing, her thoughts jumbled and confused. She couldn't bear to sit there, waiting for news about her daughter. 

"I need to get some air," she said, her voice shaking. "Do you want to come with me, Sarah?" Sarah nodded, putting an arm around Carmela's shoulders. 

"Of course," she said. "We'll go to the cafeteria and get some coffee." 

The two women left the room, their hearts heavy, their minds full of worry.