by Ben Miller
“Right,” Jack agreed. “But he couldn’t stand trial in that condition.”
“Right.”
“So he’d just lie here. And languish.”
She nodded slowly, sadly. “Probably.”
There are things in this world worse than death, he thought again.
“I’m sorry I’m asking so many questions,” Jack apologized.
“No need to apologize,” she said.
Jack stood immobilized for a moment, regarding the hollow shell of a once brilliant—albeit very troubled—man. Finally, he said to the woman, “I’ll get out of your hair. I should get going.”
She put her needles down and raised her eyes to Jack. “Before I retired, I was a hospice nurse for fifteen years, and I worked as an intensive care nurse for twenty years before that. I’ve seen hundreds of people die, and hundreds more people react to it. Everyone deals with loss in their own way. No matter what that loss is.”
Jack wasn’t quite sure what prompted her to say this, but he appreciated it. He contemplated this statement for a while, reflecting on how loss had affected his life in the last six months. And the lives of his wife and son. And Heath Reilly. And Carl Coulter, and Sara Gardner and Tina Langenbahn and countless others. And Randall. Randall too.
Suddenly the enormity of this stranger’s wisdom fell upon him. An equally profound response eluded him. All he could think to say was, “I suppose.” He thanked her and left for his home and his family.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I owe many thanks to my editorial team of friends and family who provided priceless feedback and advice. Michael Byrne served as a main content editor, and I received significant contributions from Jason Blair, Andy Findlan, Bob Miller, Marsha Miller, Nate Miller, and Nicole Verdecchia. They put up with my numerous pointed tasks and found insight in the characters and plotlines. Erika Drayer, David Matteson, and Sara McIntire also edited copy, and their contributions helped to eliminate typos and grammatical faux pas, and to streamline the narrative.
Graphic designer Natasja Hellenthal of Beyond Book Covers created the cover art, and she was delightful to work with. She produced several iterations and helped me to find ideas I didn’t know I had.
Once again I owe thanks to Thomas Kavanaugh, who provided advice on some of the legal aspects of the book. He is a fantastic attorney, and an even better friend.
Most of all, thanks to my immediate family—Julie, Katie, Lexie, and Maggie—for their love and support. They continue to make every day a fun adventure.
BGM
January 2014 – November 2016
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ben Miller was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Yale University and his Medical Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh. Since completing residency training in pediatrics, he has worked as a Pediatric Hospitalist and Diagnostic Specialist.
Ben is the author of A Bustle in the Hedgerow, the first book in the CASMIRC series. He resides with his wife and three daughters in a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA, where he continues to work on his next novel while practicing and teaching pediatrics.
