Officer Robinson shook his head. ‘I promised I’d take you to the hospital,’ he said.
‘I can get a cab,’ Alex demurred.
‘You can get a cab home,’ he said. ‘Once you get over there, they may try to tell you that it’s too late for you to see her. I can smooth the way with that.’
Alex thanked him profusely and, in a few minutes, she was in the car and on her way to Boston General.
As Robinson had predicted, the nurses on duty told Alex she was too late and couldn’t visit at this hour. They immediately deferred, however, to the oversized corrections officer who insisted that Alex be allowed in to Dory’s room. As Alex reached the doorway, Officer Robinson greeted the uniformed corrections officer who was standing guard there. ‘Hey,’ he said, ‘I am going to head home now. Hannity here will help you. Whatever you need.’
Alex held out a hand to Robinson and he shook it. ‘I can never thank you enough,’ she said. ‘I owe you my life, for heaven’s sake.’
‘Buy me a hero sandwich one of these days,’ he said, ‘and we’ll call it even.’
‘You’re on,’ she said.
He waved as he disappeared down the hall and around the corner to the elevators. Alex waved for as long as she could see him and then, giving Hannity a shaky smile, she took a deep breath and tiptoed into Dory’s room.
Dory had been looking out into the darkness but she turned her head when Alex came in and fixed her with a vacant stare.
‘Dory,’ Alex exclaimed. She rushed to the side of Dory’s bed and peered down at her. She put a gentle hand on Dory’s shoulder. There was an abrasion on Dory’s neck that was turning purple. ‘Oh my God, Dory. I’m so glad they found you in time.’
‘How did you know I was here?’ Dory asked dully.
‘Somebody from the jail told me. It doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you all that when you’re better. There’s just one thing that I have to tell you right now: you’re not going back to jail. These charges against you are going to be dropped, just like the other ones were. You’re going to walk out of this hospital free and clear.’
Dory looked at her blankly.
‘I mean it, Dory,’ said Alex. ‘Joy has been arrested for attacking me and for hiding the knife in your room. The police know it was her. They may have dropped the charges already.’
‘Joy?’ Dory asked. ‘Joy Ennis?’
Alex looked at the door and then back at the frail woman on the bed. ‘It’s all going to come out. She told me what happened. It was Therese who killed your sister. She killed Lauren. Everything Joy did was to cover up for what Therese had done.’
Alex expected to see surprise. Relief. She did not know what form it would take – smiles or tears – but she certainly expected one or the other. What she did not expect was the grave, unchanging look of hopelessness in Dory’s eyes.
Dory frowned and turned her head to the window. The view from her room was a blur of lights on the expressway below. Dory looked out at the moving traffic under the inky sky without speaking.
Alex pulled up a chair and sat down beside her sister. She wondered if perhaps Dory had sustained some kind of cognitive impairment from the lack of oxygen she suffered before they found her, hanging in her cell. ‘Dory. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?’
‘Yes. I think so,’ said Dory. ‘Therese. Why? Why would Therese hurt Lauren? Lauren was her idol.’
‘Well, it turns out that Joy and your sister were secretly lovers. When everyone thought Joy left her family to go to a yoga retreat, she was actually living with Lauren. The day that Lauren died she was trying to convince Joy to come back to her, to move back to Branson with her. Therese overheard it and flipped out.’
‘Wow,’ said Dory thoughtfully.
‘Joy just reacted. She thought she was protecting Therese. And she didn’t care who got hurt.’
‘Meaning me,’ said Dory dully.
‘Yes. She sacrificed you for her daughter. And when you were set free from prison, she attacked me to try to blame you. To have you sent back. She didn’t care what happened to anybody but her daughter.’
‘That’s what mothers do, right?’ said Dory bleakly.
‘But it’s all going to come out now. At least now we know who really killed Lauren.’
‘That’s good,’ said Dory.
‘Thank God you didn’t succeed with this,’ said Alex, putting her hand over her own throat. ‘You are cleared, once and for all.’
‘I wonder if my mother will believe it,’ Dory said, a rueful note in her voice.
‘She’ll have to believe it. She won’t have any choice,’ said Alex impatiently.
‘I guess not,’ said Dory in a dull, scratchy voice.
Alex nodded. ‘Well, I guess it will take a little while for all this to sink in. It’s got to be a little bewildering.’
‘I hope it won’t upset her too much. She loves Therese like a grandchild. I don’t know how she’ll take this news,’ Dory murmured.
‘Therese is not her child,’ said Alex with a trace of bitterness.
Dory nodded slightly. ‘No one believed me,’ she said.
‘I know,’ said Alex, blushing. ‘You’re right. I’m so sorry about that.’
‘Doesn’t matter,’ said Dory.
Alex reached over and covered Dory’s hand with her own. Dory’s was icy cold. ‘Everyone will believe you now,’ she said.
Dory sighed. ‘Maybe.’
‘Look, Dory. When you get out of here,’ said Alex, ‘I want you to come back home with me. You can stay there as long as you like. Remus keeps looking for you.’ Alex didn’t actually know that to be true, but she felt as if Dory needed something to hold on to. Something to give her the will to recover. Alex wasn’t about to tell her that Joy had tranquilized Remus and locked him up. There would be time to explain all the details another day.
Dory’s faint smile came and went, like a fleeting ray of sun on a cloudy day. ‘He’s a good dog,’ she said.
‘He really is,’ said Alex.
An awkward silence fell between them. Dory seemed to have no further interest in all that had happened. No more questions about the events which had led to her exoneration.
Finally Dory sighed. ‘Well, you better get going. Remus will need walking.’
‘You’re right about that,’ Alex said.
There was a rustling noise near the door of Dory’s room and voices in the hallway. Dory glanced past Alex in the direction of the door, and suddenly there was a stunning change of expression on her face. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then a smile began to break across her face like the dawn.
Garth and Elaine had entered the room. Garth was holding his hat and steering Elaine by the elbow. His eyes were fastened onto the pale figure in the bed. Elaine hung back, looking frightened.
‘Hey, darlin’,’ Garth breathed. He came over to the bedside, leaned down and scooped Dory carefully up in his arms. ‘Wow, I’m glad you’re OK.’
While her father embraced her, Dory stared past his shoulder at Elaine.
Garth reluctantly loosened his grip and let Dory back down onto the pillow.
‘Dory has company, Garth,’ said Elaine, nodding toward Alex.
‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Dory hastily.
Alex tried not to take offense. She stood up. ‘Well, I need to be going anyway.’ She stepped away from the chair and offered it to Elaine.
Elaine sat down. Immediately Dory reached out a hand to her. ‘Mom. You’re here,’ she whispered.
Elaine hesitated and then took the proffered hand. ‘You’re like ice,’ Elaine observed. But she continued to let her hand rest in Dory’s.
‘OK. I’m gonna go. I’ll be back to see you tomorrow,’ said Alex to Dory. ‘Remember what I said about staying with me.’
Dory nodded but did not reply. She was oblivious to everything but those intertwined hands on the bedsheet. Elaine frowned and shifted uneasily in her chair. But she did not let go.
EPILOGUE<
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‘Do you know when Dory will be back?’ Alex asked.
Elaine glanced at the clock and shook her head. ‘She should be here now. Maybe something happened with one of the dogs.’
Alex nodded and nibbled at the cookie which Garth had offered when they arrived. She glanced at Seth, who looked relaxed in the other corner of the sofa, eating his third cookie.
‘These are great, Elaine,’ he said.
‘Thank you.’
‘So,’ said Garth, rubbing his jeans with his open palms. ‘I hear you two are planning on making it official.’
‘That’s right,’ said Seth.
‘Well, I wish you all the best,’ said Garth.
‘Thanks,’ said Seth.
Alex said nothing. After Dory got out of the hospital, she moved directly back into the Colsons’ apartment, explaining to Alex that she wanted to revive her pet-sitting business and it was easier to do it right there, in the South End. At first, Alex saw Dory regularly. They would have lunch while she was working at the gallery, or Dory would come out to Chichester for dinner. Dory’s depression seemed to have lifted, and she reported that she was feeling good and making plans for her future. But lately she seemed glum and evasive, and no matter how often Alex had invited her to come to dinner Dory always had an excuse. She had to get up too early the next day, or she couldn’t get the truck from her dad, or she wasn’t feeling well. Finally, with her upcoming wedding to Seth, Alex had the perfect reason to pay Dory a visit. She asked Seth to come along, partly for moral support, and partly because she had come to trust his impressions of people.
‘Right, Elaine?’ said Garth. ‘We’re happy for these two.’
‘Of course,’ said Elaine.
‘I’m kind of glad that Dory’s not here,’ said Alex. ‘I wanted to talk to the two of you. How do you think she is doing?’ she asked. ‘Do you think she’s gotten over the trauma of all that happened?’
Garth glanced uneasily at Elaine, but Elaine stared straight back at Alex. ‘She’s fine,’ said Elaine. ‘She’s perfectly fine. There’s nothing for you to be concerned about.’
‘Now, honey,’ said Garth, ‘you and I were talking about her moodiness just the other day. I’m sure Alex is worried about her the way any sister would be.’ He looked earnestly at Alex. ‘I think it’s nice of you to care.’
‘There’s no question that these days life is very different around here. With the changes in our building,’ Elaine said in a faintly accusatory tone.
‘Dory told me that Chris Ennis moved out to be near the prison where Joy is waiting for her trial, and the group home where Therese has been placed,’ said Alex.
‘Yes,’ said Elaine tartly. ‘We have some very noisy students upstairs now.’
‘That’s too bad,’ said Seth. ‘Although, after what happened, I can’t imagine you all living in the same building any longer.’
‘No, of course not,’ said Elaine.
‘I imagine you miss Therese though,’ said Alex.
Elaine looked at her indignantly. ‘Miss Therese? After what she did to Lauren? I hardly think so.’
‘I know, but after all those years of treating her like a granddaughter . . .’
Garth’s face seemed to lose all its color and he quickly, furtively wiped his eyes with the heel of his hand.
‘Therese is dead to me now,’ said Elaine angrily. ‘I never think about her.’
Just then the front door opened and slammed shut again, and the heavy thud of boots being kicked off could be heard upstairs.
‘I’m home!’ Dory cried out. She appeared at the top of the steps in her stocking feet. Her strawberry-blonde hair was pinned up in a messy knot, and she could have passed, from a distance, for a teenager. She was wearing an old, shapeless sweater and jeans, the colors of which were dulled by a gossamer layer of animal fur. She was carrying a bouquet of flowers. ‘Mom, I brought you . . .’ She stopped short when she saw Alex and Seth sitting with her parents in the great room.
Alex was actually surprised at how happy she was to see her. ‘Dory,’ she said. She stood up and reached out to embrace her.
Dory looked anxiously at her mother, and then back at Alex. ‘Oh, no,’ she said, pulling away. ‘I’m covered with dog hair.’
‘So am I,’ said Alex, insisting on a hug. ‘Remus is missing you.’
Dory’s smile was painful. ‘That’s good,’ she said. ‘I mean, good that he still thinks of me.’
‘Regina called me the other day. She said she’s got a beauty of a pup and she’s hoping for someone to adopt him.’
‘Are you going to take him?’ Dory asked.
‘Not me. I meant you.’
‘No. Not in this house,’ Elaine said immediately.
‘I thought the only reason you couldn’t have pets was because of Lauren,’ said Alex.
‘I’m not adopting anyone else’s problems,’ said Elaine. ‘Thank you very much.’ If Elaine was sorry for how cruel her remark sounded, given Dory’s origins, she gave no indication of it.
Dory’s gaze was blank. ‘I don’t need a dog,’ she said.
‘Maybe when you get your own place,’ said Garth encouragingly.
‘Are you moving?’ Alex asked.
Dory looked taken aback. ‘No,’ she said.
Alex nodded. ‘Oh. Well, never mind.’
‘Mom, I brought you these flowers,’ said Dory. ‘Down by the Back Bay station.’
Elaine looked at the flowers without expression. ‘There’s a vase under the sink, Dory. Put them in water or they’ll die.’
Dory obediently went to the sink and rummaged around for the vase. Alex walked over to her. Seth, understanding his mission, began to talk to Garth about an old church which was being demolished in Dorchester.
‘Hey,’ said Alex. ‘How are you doing?’
‘Good,’ said Dory, nodding. She took out two vases and compared them, holding the bouquet against each one.
‘I haven’t seen you in so long,’ said Alex.
‘I know,’ said Dory. ‘Which one do you think?’
‘This one,’ said Alex.
Dory put the other vase away and began to fill Alex’s choice with water. ‘So, you just decided to drop by? My mother always says to call first.’
‘Your mother’s right. I should have,’ said Alex. ‘But there was something I wanted to ask you. Seth and I have set a date for the wedding.’
Dory nodded, unsmiling. ‘Congratulations.’
‘Thanks. It’s only going to be a small affair, but I still need a maid of honor. I was wondering if you might want to do it. Be my maid of honor.’
Dory looked surprised, and then a smile broke slowly in her eyes. ‘Really? You want me to do it?’
‘Yes,’ said Alex. ‘You’re my sister.’
Dory glanced over at Elaine, who was watching her. ‘Wow. That’s really nice of you,’ she said.
‘Will you do it?’
Dory sighed, and then squared her shoulders. ‘Sure. I’ll do it.’
‘You may have to go shopping with me. Try on dresses.’
‘I guess I can do that,’ said Dory.
Alex embraced her once again, and Dory endured it stiffly.
Elaine came over and took the vase of flowers from the side of the sink. ‘These are lovely,’ she said.
Dory beamed. ‘You like them?’
‘Of course I like them,’ said Elaine. ‘What’s going on over here?’
‘Alex asked me to be in her wedding.’
‘How nice. What did you say?’ Elaine asked.
‘I said . . . OK. Probably,’ said Dory.
Elaine nodded. Her expression was placid. Alex could see no sign of judgment in it. She took the vase of flowers and carefully placed them in the center of the table.
Dory looked at Alex apologetically. ‘I’m not positive. Can I call you about it?’
Alex looked at Elaine. She felt as if Elaine had emitted some warning signal to Dory that was undetectable outside of El
aine’s sphere of influence. Dory suddenly looked miserable. Elaine returned Alex’s gaze with a mixture of triumph and disgust in her eyes.
Alex closed her eyes for a moment and then turned to Seth. ‘OK. We’d better be going,’ she said.
As soon as they left the apartment and began to walk, arm in arm, toward the car, Alex began to sputter. ‘I’m telling you,’ she said, ‘it’s like she’s a prisoner there. She was all set to agree. She was happy to be asked, and then one sidelong glance from Elaine . . .’
‘She’s thirty-two years old, Alex,’ he said. ‘If she wants to leave, I’m sure no one would stop her.’
‘It’s as if nothing has changed. Even though they now know that Dory was not to blame for Lauren’s death, they treat her as if she is still . . . not to be trusted.’
Seth shrugged. ‘You always thought Elaine treated her that way because of Lauren’s death. I suspect that she has always treated her the same way.’
‘It’s not fair!’ Alex cried. ‘She needs to get away from that woman. I mean, Garth’s nice enough. Ineffectual, but nice enough. Elaine though . . .’
‘She doesn’t want to get away from Elaine,’ said Seth. ‘That’s her life’s work. Trying to get Elaine to love her.’
‘Do you really think that?’ she asked.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I do.’
‘It’s never gonna happen, is it?’ said Alex.
Seth tightened his arm around her and shook his head. ‘Nope.’
‘That’s so sad,’ said Alex.
They walked on in silence for a little ways. Then Alex said, ‘Should I just leave her alone? Maybe Elaine is making Dory’s life more miserable when she sees me. I think Elaine believes that my meddling in Dory’s life brought about this whole collapse of their world. Now Therese is gone and she has Dory at home again, and there is no way that she is happy about it. I think Elaine was happier when Dory was in prison and she could blame it all on her.’
‘It does seem that way,’ he said.
‘Maybe that’s why Dory has been so scarce lately.’
Sisters Page 24
