“Lisa, let’s go,” said Josh. “We don’t have to listen to this.”
He said goodbye to his father and guided Lisa out of the apartment.
“I’m sorry,” said Shannon, rushing after them. “I’m really not trying to be offensive. I’m just clueless when it comes to giving compliments. Lisa, that corsage you’re wearing is a nice touch. I almost bought one for myself, but I decided against it. I don’t see the point of tying a dead plant around my wrist. Flowers are pretty, but I always get depressed when they eventually shrivel up.”
Lisa knew better than to reply. She got into the car, arranging her dress carefully to avoid wrinkling it. Josh sat down beside her, while Shannon scrambled into the front seat, acknowledging Lisa’s mother with an awkward nod.
“Shannon, you look very nice,” said Lisa’s mother.
“Thanks,” said Shannon, rummaging around in her purse. “I got this dress for my mom’s funeral, but I figured I’d wear it tonight since she’s already dead to me. Ah, here’s what I was looking for.” She pulled out a flask and took a sip from it while Lisa’s mother watched in horror. “Oh, don’t worry. My dad is totally okay with it. I actually borrowed it from his secret stash. He’s got a serious drinking problem.”
“No, he doesn’t,” said Josh. “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. Shannon, he bought that stuff for Mom because it helps her sleep, and you shouldn’t have taken any of it. Besides, if the chaperones see you with it, they’ll throw you out.”
“I won’t get caught,” said Shannon, rolling her eyes. She turned on the radio and gazed out the window in silence as if she knew she had pushed the limits as far as she safely could. Lisa felt relieved. She hoped Shannon wouldn’t continue to be a nuisance. All she wanted was to focus on Josh and ignore everything else.
The hotel where the festivities were taking place was in the oldest part of the town on the near side of the river. As Lisa climbed out of the car, she paused to look around in wonder. The building was several stories high, with arched windows covering its facade in neat rows and marble steps leading up to its doors. Tiny lights twinkled like stars in the delicate trees that grew outside the entrance, and a warm glow radiated from the foyer.
Lisa was still admiring her surroundings when her mother told her to have fun and drove away without another word. Lisa was surprised. She knew her mother trusted her, but at the very least, she had expected a brief lecture about propriety. She wondered why her mother was so preoccupied and decided it had to be due to the divorce. There was no other explanation. Time was running out, and she still hadn’t talked to her father.
“Shall we go inside?” said Josh.
With an effort, Lisa decided to forget about everything that was going wrong with her family and enjoy Josh’s company. They took the elevator up to the ballroom and found themselves in a place of lavish beauty. The floor was shiny, and a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. A balcony wrapped around the perimeter of the room, providing an unobstructed view of the river, which glittered like molten gold in the fading light.
Lisa thought she had never seen a more romantic place before. She followed Josh out onto the balcony. In the ballroom behind them, the pleasant sounds of conversation and music mingled together. Stars began to appear, twinkling through the mist. Lisa barely noticed the clouds gathering in the western sky.
“Thank you,” she said, looking up at Josh.
“For what?” he said.
“Everything,” said Lisa. “I don’t even know where to start. You’ve done so much for me. Because of you, I feel happy when I think about the future. I used to be afraid to look too far ahead, but now that you’re here, my life makes perfect sense. You’re not just a person, Josh. You’re a place I go when I need to feel safe.”
Josh didn’t reply right away.
“You know how it is when something happens and there’s someone you immediately want to tell because you know they’ll understand?” he said at last. “You’re that someone for me.”
Lisa closed her eyes.
“Nothing can ever change the way we feel,” she said. “The whole world could come crashing down around us right now, and we would still be standing here together. No matter where we go or what we do, we’ll always have this moment. We really are the two halves of a single person. I can’t imagine living my life without you, Josh. I don’t think I could survive.”
“I feel the same way about you,” said Josh. “It’s terrifying to realize how lost I would be if it weren’t for you. You make everything better. I don’t know how you do it. You’re incredible, Lisa. I should be thanking you, not the other way around. You have no idea how lonely I was when we first met.”
“Well, you’ll never have to worry about that again,” said Lisa. “It’ll be complicated, but we’ll figure it out. I believe in us from the bottom of my heart. When all is said and done, Josh, we’re going to be incredibly happy.”
“Even more than we are now?” said Josh.
“Yes,” said Lisa. “It’s written in the stars. Everything is going to fall into place. We won’t have to worry anymore. It will be just us, Josh, with nothing getting in our way.” She studied his face, and he returned her gaze without any hesitation.
“I believe you,” he said.
“So that means we’re a real couple?” said Lisa.
“I think so,” said Josh. “To tell you the truth, Lisa, I’m not entirely sure we’re doing things in the right order, but I don’t really care. The rules don’t apply to us anyway.” He extended his hand. “Do you want to dance?”
“Yes,” said Lisa. Her heart swelled with joy. Josh was finally hers. She took his hand, and they returned to the ballroom together.
∞∞∞
Lisa felt like she was dreaming. Her conversation with Josh had transformed the dull world into a place of swirling color and exquisite beauty. As they danced, she forgot about everything else. She would have been content to remain forever with her arms around his neck and his hands around her waist, but dinner was eventually served, and they sat down to eat. Lisa expected Shannon to reappear, but she was nowhere to be seen.
“Do you think she left?” said Lisa.
“It’s possible, but I don’t know where she would go,” said Josh. “She couldn’t really sneak out without being noticed. I’m sure she’ll turn up eventually.”
Despite his apparent lack of concern, Lisa noticed him glancing around. She knew he wouldn’t be able to relax while Shannon’s whereabouts remained a mystery, and since she felt partially responsible, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
“Josh, maybe she’s in the bathroom,” she said. “I’ll go and check.”
Sure enough, one of the stalls in the bathroom was occupied, and Shannon’s purse was perched on the cabinet near the sink. Lisa pulled out the flask. It was empty. She heard Shannon being sick.
“Shannon, are you okay?” she said.
Shannon stumbled out of the stall without looking at Lisa, turned on the faucet, and splashed water on her face. Lisa couldn’t tell if she was more intoxicated or distraught.
“How much did you drink?” she said.
“Who cares?” said Shannon.
“I do,” said Lisa.
“Oh, please,” said Shannon. “How many times do I have to repeat myself? We’re not friends, Lisa. The only reason I put up with you is because I don’t have a choice. Josh won’t dump you until my mom dies. You’re her precious angel—the daughter she always wanted. How can I compete with that?”
The despair in her voice confirmed what Lisa already knew: Shannon didn’t hate her because she was dating Josh. She hated her because Lisa had damaged her relationship with her mother—or at least that was how Shannon perceived the situation.
“Maybe we don’t have to compete,” she said.
Shannon’s eyes filled with tears.
“Look at yourself, Lisa,” she said. “There’s no comparison between us. Do you know where I got this dress?
It was on sale at a department store, and it was all I could afford. My mom has never given me a special piece of jewelry. She’s never paid any attention to me at all. If I don’t compete with you, I won’t have anything left. I’m sure everyone would be delighted if I faded into the background, but if I’m going to do that, I might as well just disappear. Maybe if I were gone, my mom would stop ignoring me.”
“Don’t say that,” said Lisa. “I know it looks like your mother has been giving me a lot of attention, but she doesn’t really know anything about me. She’s obsessed with me because she thinks I’m good for Josh. That’s all. It’s only a matter of time before she realizes I’m not perfect.”
Shannon turned on her in a rage.
“Don’t tell me to be patient,” she said. “My mom is dying. Every moment she spends with you is a moment she could have spent with me. You’re stealing her from me, and you don’t even care.”
“That’s not true,” said Lisa. “I have no control over your mother, and if you had any idea how much she’s hurt my family, you’d understand how disgusted I feel every time she tries to be friendly. If you want to hate me because you feel like she doesn’t love you, then that’s your decision, but she would never choose me over you.”
Shannon didn’t seem to have heard her.
“Why does she think you’re so special?” she said, wiping her eyes and smearing makeup across her face. “You’re a prissy little crybaby. Your own parents don’t even like you. Your dad probably left because he didn’t want to have to put up with you anymore.”
Lisa wanted to tell Shannon what had actually happened, but she knew Shannon wouldn’t believe her. As she hesitated, Shannon shoved her out of the way and left the bathroom. Lisa hurried after her, but when she reentered the ballroom, she nearly collided with Josh. He was standing there with his cellphone in his hand and a stricken expression. Shannon was with him.
“What’s wrong?” said Lisa.
“My mom had to go to the hospital,” said Josh. “I just talked to my dad. He said she started running a fever, so he took her to the emergency room. Apparently, it’s serious. She’s in the intensive care unit with some sort of infection.”
“Is she going to be okay?” said Lisa.
“Of course not,” said Shannon. “This is the end.”
“Lisa, my dad will be here soon,” said Josh. “He said my mom can’t have visitors right now, but he wanted us to at least get a chance to see her from the hall outside her room. I know this isn’t how we were planning to spend the evening, but I’d like you to come with me.”
Lisa didn’t want to infuriate Shannon, but Josh needed her, so she agreed. She called her mother and told her what was happening, and then she went with Josh and Shannon down to the foyer to wait for Josh’s father. He arrived a few minutes later. He was alone, having left Stephen and Yvonne with Lisa’s mother, and he looked miserable.
“How is Mom?” said Josh.
“Not good,” said his father. “She’s getting fluids and antibiotics, but she’s struggling. The doctors think she has pneumonia. We’ll have a better idea of what to expect after she’s stabilized.”
They drove to the hospital and went up to the intensive care unit. Only two visitors were allowed at a time, and even then, they weren’t permitted to enter the room. Josh’s father took Shannon inside first, while Lisa and Josh waited in the same place where they had spied on Graham. Lisa wanted to comfort Josh, but she couldn’t think of anything encouraging to say. He paced up and down.
“This is all happening so fast,” he said. “When she started chemotherapy, I expected her to have bad days, but I thought there’d be some sort of warning before she crashed. My dad wouldn’t have brought us here if he didn’t think there was a pretty good chance she’s not going to make it. I don’t want to lose her. I’ve tried to prepare myself for it, but there are so many little things about her that I’m afraid of forgetting. I’m actually having trouble visualizing her face.”
“Josh, you’ll remember the things that are important,” said Lisa. He stopped pacing and stared at the floor. Lisa touched his arm. “She’ll never really leave you. You shouldn’t give up on her, though—not until you know for sure.”
Shannon trudged out before he could reply.
“Dad’s still in there, but you’re free to join him,” she said to Josh. “I’ve seen enough, and it’s not a pretty sight. Stay as long as you want. You’re not allowed to go into the room, but you can look through the window.”
Josh turned to Lisa.
“I don’t know how long this will take,” he said. “I wish you could come in with me, but that’s obviously not possible. You should call your mom and go home. I don’t want you to have to stay here all night. I’m sorry for ruining everything.”
“Josh, this isn’t your fault,” said Lisa. “Really, it’s okay. I just wish I could do more to support you. Take all the time you need, and don’t worry about anything.”
She embraced him, and he managed to smile.
“We’ll talk in the morning,” he said. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” said Lisa. It wasn’t until he disappeared through the doors that she realized what he had said and how she had responded. For a moment, she was stunned, but it felt so natural that she didn’t regret it. She took out her cell phone to call her mother, but she hesitated when she noticed Shannon crying.
“Shannon, I’m sure my mother would be happy to take you back to your apartment, or you could come to my house if you don’t want to be alone,” she said. “There’s plenty of room.”
“I bet there is, now that your dad is gone,” said Shannon. “I wonder how that’s working out for him? He’s probably got a nice little place all to himself with a crowd of sleazy women hanging around.”
Lisa decided she would never try to be friendly to Shannon again. She wanted to say something cruel in return, but she resisted the impulse. Retaliating against Shannon would accomplish nothing except to solidify Shannon’s belief that she was a vindictive person. She walked away, but it wasn’t until she was standing in front of the elevator that her head stopped spinning.
She glanced at the directory on the wall and saw her father’s name. She decided she would never get a better chance to confront him. The evening was already ruined anyway. She took the elevator down to the second floor and found his office. Gathering her courage, she knocked on the door.
∞∞∞
Josh stood in the hall outside his mother’s room and tried not to succumb to despair. His father had somehow gotten permission to go inside, so he was alone, surrounded by the beeping of monitors. Through an opening in the curtains, he could see his mother lying on the bed, looking for all the world like a corpse.
His only reassurance came from the screen above the nurse’s station. It was divided into sections, each marked with a room number and containing a fluctuating line. As long as the line was moving, he knew his mother’s heart was still beating.
He closed his eyes and wished Lisa were there. As he reflected on the events of the evening, he couldn’t understand why he had been plucked from the heights of heaven and plunged into the depths of hell. As he tried to steady himself, he heard a familiar voice. He couldn’t believe it at first, but there could be no doubt: the voice was Graham’s.
“Erica, I’m so glad you’re finally here,” said Graham.
“How is he doing?” said a woman’s voice.
“About the same,” said Graham. “If it weren’t for the ventilator, he’d be dead. The doctor will be here soon. Here, take my chair. I’ve been saving it for you. I can’t tell you how glorious it is to be with you again. You’re looking marvelous, by the way.”
Josh peered around the corner. He saw a tall woman hovering over Graham’s victim. She was wearing a severe gray suit that matched the silver flecks in her short hair. From her empty face, Josh couldn’t decide if she was overcome with grief or merely indifferent. Graham stood near her, watching her every move.
The woman eventually sat down. A moment later, a group of hospital staff entered the room and closed the door. Josh knew something horrible was happening behind the curtain, but there was nothing he could do about it.
He raised his eyes to the screen and watched the man’s heartbeat. The line fluttered on for a while, and then it transformed into a series of shallow waves. After a few moments, it stopped moving. Josh stared at the line. The murder was complete, and the mastermind was right there in the room. He was baffled by Graham’s audacity. After a few minutes, the door opened, and the hospital staff left. Graham and the woman remained behind with the body.
The more Josh analyzed the situation, the less he understood it. He didn’t think the man would be removed from life support unless a family member gave permission. Who then was the woman, and why did she appear to be familiar with Graham? He eventually stopped trying to figure it out. There were answers somewhere, but they were out of reach. Nothing made sense anymore: nothing except Lisa.
Chapter 18
Lisa stood outside her father’s office. She was already having second thoughts about her decision to talk to him, and she found herself hoping he wasn’t there. It was late. Maybe he had already returned to his hotel. She knocked one more time, and when she received no response, she turned to walk away. It was then that the door opened, and she saw her father. His face was haggard, and he looked as if he hadn’t slept.
“Lisa, what are you doing here?” he said. Before she could reply, he grabbed her by the arm, pulled her inside, slammed the door, and turned the bolt. Lisa had never seen him in such a state of agitation before. She didn’t know Graham’s deadline had recently passed, and her father had been trying in vain to contact Richard. Frightened, she backed away, collecting her swirling thoughts.
“Did your mother put you up to this?” said her father.
The Patient from Silvertree: Book One in the Silvertree Series Page 23
