Chapter 2
The next morning, Douglas showed up at my door with breakfast.
I opened the door but didn’t let him in.
He handed me the food. “Maddie, I’m here to apologize on Sarah’s behalf. She lost control yesterday-she didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
“She can’t apologize herself?”
Douglas hesitated. “She’s still really weak.”
“Douglas, let’s not talk about her for now. Let’s talk about us. What are we supposed to do about the engagement par- ty? How are we going to explain this to our family and friends?”
He was quiet for a moment.
“Let’s wait a while, let things die down. Then we’ll have another one.”
Another one?” I looked at him. “You think this is something you can just redo?”
What else can we do? It already happened, Maddie. I know you’re hurt, but Sarah’s a widow-she almost died yester- day. Can’t we show her a little understanding?”
Understanding. Again.
I took the breakfast and set it on the shoe cabinet by the door.
“Got it. You should go back. She’s alone in the hospital-she needs you.”
Douglas breathed a sigh of relief, thinking I’d given in.
“You’re too soft-hearted. Don’t worry, once she’s discharged, I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
He left.
I tossed the breakfast, bag and all, straight into the trash.
Then I headed to work. Passing the inpatient ward, I stopped by to check on Sarah.
She was sitting up in bed, peeling an apple and chatting with the woman in the next bed. They were laughing, and Sarah looked just fine.
When she saw me, her smile faltered, then she put on a pitiful expression.
“Madeline, you’re here.”
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I nodded. “Just checking in.”
I picked up her chart and flipped through it. “Your wound’s healing well. You’ll be discharged tomorrow.”
She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. “Thank you for coming.”
“No need. Just don’t do anything foolish again. Your body is your own.”
She bit her lip, eyes reddening. “I know, but I just… I can’t take it anymore.”
I didn’t respond. I put down the chart and left the room.
That afternoon, I found my friend Wendy, who works in the ER.
“Wendy, do you remember the patient who tried to slit her wrists yesterday? Sarah?”
Wendy thought for a second. “Oh, her? Yeah, I remember. She came in with a pilot carrying her, frantic as hell.”
“How bad was the wound?”
Wendy snorted. “Please! It was just a shallow cut on her wrist-barely deeper than a kitchen accident. She didn’t even lose as much blood as a heavy period. It looked scary, but we all knew she was putting on a show.”
sank.
ng, Douglas picked me up after work. He was in high spirits, said Sarah was discharged and settled in.
a reservation. Let’s go out for a nice dinner.”
In the car, he held my hand the time.
“Maddie, I know you’ve
gh a lot. I owe you a perfect engagement party. Just wait-I’ll make it up to you.”
I stared out the
“Doug
you send Sarah every month?”
- I just… split my stipend with her.”
op pilot-his paycheck is generous. Half is no small sum.
esn’t work?”
He used to be a clerk at some company. After Gilbert died, she quit. Her health’s never been good, so she hasn’t Lound suitable work.”
“So you just support her?”
Douglas frowned. “Maddie, what kind of talk is that? Support her? I’m fulfilling my duty to Gilbert!”
His voice rose. “He died for me! Making sure his widow never wants for anything-is that wrong?”
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Chapter 2
I said nothing.
The mood in the car turned icy.
At the restaurant, we barely spoke. The whole meal passed in silence.
On the way home, Douglas’s phone rang.
It was Sarah.
He answered, his tone instantly gentle. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?”
“The lightbulb went out? Don’t move-I’ll come over and change it for you!”
He hung up and forced a smile at me.
“Maddie, I’ll drop you off, then I need to head to Sarah’s. She’s alone and scared.”
I looked at him. “Douglas, what is she to you?”
His face froze. “She’s Gilbert’s widow. My comrade’s family.”
“So you’re responsible for every detail of her life? Even changing lightbulbs?”
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“Madeline!” He was getting angry. “Why are you being so unreasonable? She just got out of the hospital. Her place is dark. How can I not help?”
“You could call building maintenance, or have a technician deliver a bulb.”
“That’s not the same! She says she can’t trust strangers!”
I laughed. “Right. She only trusts you.”
I opened the car door.
“Don’t bother driving me. I’ll get home on my own. Go ahead-your duty’s waiting.”
I got out and slammed the door.
Douglas’s car sat behind me for a while, then finally pulled away.
Heading straight for Sarah’s place.
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