Chapter 3

Isaac snapped impatiently, "What kid doesn't cry? A mother who coddles a child too much ends up spoiling him. She's got postpartum depression, so she's always paranoid and hysterical. Everyone, just ignore her." My chest clenched so hard that it hurt to breathe each time. The world spun as I lifted Benjamin and cried out desperately, "Look at him! Benjamin can't hold on much longer!" Unexpectedly, Nancy was the first to step forward. "Don't panic, Eliza. I know some basic first aid." She pulled a small, unmarked vial from her pocket and tilted it to Benjamin's lips to feed him. Then, she turned her back to the crowd and flashed a menacing smile. "Relax. It's just something to help him sleep. The dose is tiny, so he'll only sleep for a day or two," she said softly. I stared at the vial of liquid in her hand and froze. "Get away from us!" Nancy leaned close and whispered in my ear, "Eliza, if two of us fell at the same time, who do you think Isaac would help first?" Before I could react, she shoved me hard and then deliberately fell backward. I instinctively protected Benjamin, taking the full impact as my knees slammed on the ground. "That hurts!" Nancy sat on the ground and looked at Isaac with teary eyes. "Eliza, I know you hate me, but you shouldn't have pushed me." Isaac stormed over and kicked me in the shin. "Are you crazy, Eliza Ridge? How dare you bully Nancy in front of everyone?" His foot landed exactly where my knee had already taken the hit. Pain exploded up my leg, and my vision went dark. Benjamin nearly slipped from my arms. The crowd began whispering and pointing at us. "That old hag must've gone crazy." "She can't keep her man, so she's lashing out. What a disgrace to women." "She's raising a child, but she acts as jealous as a teenager. Has she even looked in a mirror?" I fought through the pain and tried to explain, "She pushed me first." Nancy protested with a tear-streaked face, "Eliza, how could you say that? I only wanted to comfort Benjamin because he was crying so hard." Isaac shook his head in disappointment and said, "I was going to speak up for you and Benjamin, but it seems unnecessary now." Nancy's friend added mockingly, "Maybe we should dump her on the highway. You're so unfortunate to be traveling with a shrew." Benjamin's face grew paler by the second. I struggled to beg a passerby for help. "Please, call me an ambulance. My child is almost dying." The woman frowned and stepped back. "Listen to my advice. When you're out in public, don't embarrass your man. How is your husband going to command respect, given your public outburst? Just lower your head, apologize, and it'll all blow over." I nearly passed out. I tapped Benjamin's cold cheek, whispering, "Benjamin, don't sleep. Look at Mommy." Just then, the police loudspeaker sounded. "The traffic is clearing! Everyone, please return to your vehicles!" With the last of my strength, I reached out to the fluorescent figure in the distance. "H-Help…"