live to tell excerpt.pdf

7/27/2019 Live to Tell excerpt.pdf

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Chapter 1

Syrup. Thats what it felt like, on my eyes, gooped through

my lashes. I tried to force my eyelids open, but it was as if I

had no strength. I gave up and, instead, listened. Strange noises.

Clinking metal, weird humming and beeping, running water,

footsteps squeaking.My heart beat faster. It was the smell I knew that smell.

This time I tried harder to open my eyes, determined to break

through the sticky film. I could see my top and bottom lashes

stubbornly clinging to each other as my lids finally separated.

The first thing I saw was the whiteness of the ceiling. I kept star-

ing straight up, waiting for the fogginess to clear. I didnt want to

look anywhere else. I didnt want to be right.

There was a stain on the ceiling. I focused on that, breathing

slowly in and out. If only it had one more splorch on the side, it

would look like Snoopy. The racing of my heart slowed a bit and

I worked up enough courage to turn my head sideways.

Excruciating pain shot through my body. As a reflex, I raised

my hand to touch my head. More pain.

There was a gasp and a shuffling noise, a hand slipping into

mine. I didnt have to look to know who it was.

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Chapter 2

The sound of a curtain being dragged along a track made its

way into my sleep. I tried to ignore it but I could feel light

on my face, and reluctantly forced my eyes open. Nothing looked

or felt familiar. Panic rose in my throat, then I saw the stain on

the ceiling I remembered. I was in the hospital.Good dream or bad? someone asked.

I meant to say Huh? but my teeth were still covered in a thick

layer of paste, and my lips stuck to them when I tried to form the

word. My eyes darted around the room until I found the source

of the voice. It was a nurse.

You were mumbling and twitching in your sleep, she said,

sliding her hands into latex gloves.

Desperate to wet my mouth, I tried licking my lips, but all I

could feel were curling flakes of dry skin.

She came closer and, efficiently but gently, lifted my body

forward, then flipped and re-fluffed my pillow. She was humming.

I think it was Adele.

Im Trina, she smiled.

Oh, I mouthed.

So good dream or bad? Trina asked again as she popped a



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Chapter 3

Her words were like a bomb that I happened to be holding

when it went off. Then everything stopped, as if the air had

been sucked from the room.

Not caring about the tubes and wires, I struggled to sit up, my

breath coming out in gasps.Mom stood and put her hand on my heart. Calm down, Libby.

Try to breathe.

No, no I cant, I cant.

She slipped an arm under my shoulders and propped me up.

Here, have a sip of water.

I spilled most of it, but managed to suck some up the straw.

Then, pushing the cup away, I lay back down.

Mom held my hand and stood quietly beside my bed saying

nothing.

Hot tears leaked down the sides of my face and dripped into

my hair. When I saw the same tears on Moms face, they came

even faster, turning her into a watery shape.

Mom

Shhhh, she soothed.

But I cant remember! Why cant I remember?



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live to tell excerpt.pdf

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