Mom
Chrissy, dear? Are you there? Please answer!!
Chrissy
I’m in the library studying. What’s up?
Mom
It’s your father. There’s something wrong with him.
Mom
He can’t stop coughing and he has a terrible fever.
Mom
And he’s soaked in sweat.
Chrissy
That sounds serious!
Chrissy
Can you get him to the car?
Chrissy
Or should I call an ambulance?
Mom
We’re going to try to make it outside.
Chrissy
Do you know what made him sick?
Chrissy
What? What are you talking about??
Mom
There was a strange noise in your room, like a rat or something.
Mom
It kept getting louder, until he couldn’t take it anymore.
Chrissy
Don’t tell me he went in my room.
Chrissy
You both promised not to do that!
Mom
That’s not the point right now.
Mom
He didn’t find the rat, but he found something under your bed.
Mom
How can you explain baby clothes?
Chrissy
A friend of mine is pregnant.
Mom
Don’t lie to me, dear.
Mom
After he found the clothes, we both wondered who they were for.
Mom
Your father…he opened your dresser.
Mom
The bottom drawer was locked, but he forced it open.
Chrissy
Why? I had a reason, Mom.
Chrissy
I had a reason for making both of you promise to stay out of my room.
Chrissy
I knew you’d never understand if I told you the truth.
Chrissy
But I couldn’t throw those things away.
Mom
It’s bad enough that you somehow hid the fact that you were pregnant…
Mom
But to never even tell us?
Mom
We just thought you’d gained some weight when you started wearing baggy clothes.
Chrissy
Someone I met last summer when you and Dad were in Mexico.
Chrissy
He talked me into drinking one night, and that’s when it happened.
Mom
He talked you into drinking??
Mom
I thought we raised you better than that.
Mom
To be smart, and not put yourself into situations where things can get outside your control.
Mom
You had sex with someone you barely knew?
Mom
And then gave the baby up for adoption without even telling us?
Mom
That’s not the Chrissy I raised.
Chrissy
I’m sorry, Mom. I did what I thought was best.
Mom
Where is the baby now?
Chrissy
Those papers Dad found — they say I can’t contact anyone about her in the future.
Chrissy
But the people from the orphanage said the baby would have a good life.
Chrissy
Better than I could ever give her.
Mom
She could have had a fine life with us.
Mom
You should have just told us.
Mom
And then to keep clothes and pictures in your room?
Mom
All while pretending the most important thing in your life was what dress you’re wearing to prom?
Chrissy
I said I’m sorry.
Chrissy
What else can I say?
Chrissy
I didn’t want to hurt you or Dad.
Chrissy
That’s why I just dealt with it on my own.
Mom
Well, you DID hurt your father.
Mom
He’s been coughing for twenty minutes now.
Mom
He has a virus that’s very dangerous.
Mom
It can be released by extreme stress.
Chrissy
So I might have it?
Mom
Yes, but there’s no danger to you yet.
Mom
The soonest it can activate is when you’re 20.
Mom
And even then, it will be harmless as long as you don’t get too stressed.
Mom
But if you ever stress out like your father just did, it can be very deadly.
Chrissy
Take him to the hospital then!
Mom
If they know how dangerous this virus is, they’ll quarantine him.
Mom
Once in the air, it can kill everyone within minutes.
Mom
I shouldn’t even be near your father now.
Mom
But I don’t know what else to do.
Mom
Someone’s at the door.
Mom
It’s Janet from down the street.
Mom
She was bringing us a pie.
Mom
I just asked her to call Doctor McMillian in Centralia.
Mom
He’ll know what to do.
Chrissy
Please text me once he gets there.
Chrissy
Mom? Are you there?
Mom
There’s something wrong.
Chrissy
Tell Janet to help you get away from Dad.
Chrissy
What do you mean?
Mom
There’s blood pouring out of her nose.
Mom
It’s worse than mine.
Mom
I think it’s too late.
Chrissy
What are you talking about?
Chrissy calls 911 and gives her home address, telling them to hurry.
Chrissy
Mom, are you still there?
Chrissy
Just wait for a few minutes.
Chrissy
I called 911 and they’re on the way.
Mom
Her face was covered in blood.
Mom
Not just from her nose…
Mom
But she was coughing it up.
Mom
And these huge blisters popped out all over her arms.
Chrissy
This can’t be happening.
Chrissy
Just hold on, Mom.
Chrissy
They should be there any second.
Mom
Always remember that.
Chrissy
I’m coming home now.
Mom
I told you…it’s too late.
Mom
Something terrible is happening.
Mom
I could see him through the front door.
Chrissy
He’s probably just really sick.
Mom
He’s not really sick.
Mom
That’s not what happened.
Mom
He went to the front door…
Mom
Looked at all the people…
Mom
And cut his throat with my Ginsu knife.
Chrissy
What are you talking about???
Mom
Stay away from here dear.
Mom
If you saw this town now, you’d also want to die.
Mom
Something’s happening.
Mom
Something beyond terrible.
Chrissy
I don’t understand.
Chrissy
What do you mean??
Mom
Brad Jenson ran over to check on Janet.
Mom
And then he also started coughing.
Mom
Then others on the street.
Chrissy
Mom…please…just hold on.
Mom
But my arms are covered in boils.
Mom
And my blood is pouring onto the phone screen.
Mom
I can barely see your messages.
Mom
Stay away from this town.
Mom
And no matter what, ALWAYS stay calm.
Chrissy
It’s going to be okay.
Chrissy
Please…just hold on a little longer.
