My father did not answer.
Instead:
“Anna, has anyone called emergency services?”
“No.”
David said:
“She doesn’t need an ambulance.”
I heard movement on my father’s end.
Then another voice.
A woman.
His security aide.
My father said something away from the phone that I couldn’t understand.
David heard it too.
His confidence cracked.
“Where are you?”
My father returned to the call.
“Anna, listen to me. Help is being contacted.”
David stared at the phone.
“You called the police?”
“I arranged for emergency services to be notified.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Anyone can report a medical emergency.”
David looked toward me.
Something ugly moved across his face.
“You did this.”
I almost laughed.
Even then.
Even with me on the floor.
Even with his mother standing beside the place where I had fallen.
Even with my phone broken against the wall.
Somehow I had done this.
