Thirteen: Bailee

BAILEE

My phone ringing startled me awake, though I hadn’t intended to pass out on the couch. Usually, when Brinley was sick, I would sleep in her room to ensure she was okay.

I jumped for the phone to keep the ringer from waking Brinley.

It had been pointless, though, because I cursed loudly as my knee connected with the coffee table, and my arms flailed as I tumbled off the couch and onto the floor with a 'thud.'

My vision was still blurry from sleep, and the room spun from the quick movement, but I managed to grab my phone and answer the call, unable to see the number on the screen as I blinked rapidly to moisten my eyes.

“Hello,” I said breathlessly, rolling onto my back and pulling my knee up to my chest.

“Ms. Evans,” A man said, and my eyes shot open as a jolt of excitement went through me at hearing my maiden name. I had no clue who it was, but it was the first time since the hearing yesterday that I had been called Ms. Evans without me having to correct them to it from Mrs.