How can Kelly be dead? I literally saw her a few days ago?
Suddenly, the door flies open, and a tall woman with brown hair, blue eyes, and big boobs swoops into view. She holds the door wider, her chest heaving and an apologetic grin on her face.
“Miss Merna, what did I tell you about opening the door while I’m hanging out the clothes?” The woman looks at me and smiles. “Hi, who are you?”
I blink unsteadily. Should I admit to being Kelly’s friend or not?
“She’s here for Kelly.” Merna makes the decision for me.
Now that the door is wide open, I can see her more clearly. She has deep wrinkles, beady blue eyes, and lips that look slightly asymmetrical. Thanks to my years at the hospital, I recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Given the way she’s not moving her left arm, she probably had a right-side brain stroke, and now the left side of her body is paralyzed.
“Oh!” The younger woman’s eyelashes flutter. “Hi, I’m Abigail. I’m Miss Merna’s live-in nurse. I hope she didn’t sayanything to upset you. She suffers from dementia and isn’t that nice to strangers.”
“She’s a scam artist!” Merna points a gnarled finger at me. “She’s a thief!”
“Don’t be rude to the nice young lady, Ms. Merna. We talked about this. What’s your name, dear?”
“Uh… my friends call me J.”
“Would you like to come in?”
“Liar!” Merna thrashes her head, and her grey hair bounces around her bony shoulders. “She’s a liar!”
“Merna, calm down.” Abigail hugs Merna’s frail body and then frowns worriedly at me. “I’m sorry, J. I don’t think now is a good time. I need to settle her down.”
“I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Scammer! Don’t let that scammer into my house!” Merna’s crazed eyes fix on me, and fear shoots through my veins. She looks like a zombie come to life.
“I’m so sorry,” Abigail says, holding her back. “Next time, you should come here with Kelly, and hopefully she’ll be more calm.”
I mutter my apologies and dart out of the house.
A moment later, the door slams shut, and Merna’s agitated shouts turn to creepy silence.
Well… that was something.
Kelly’s aunt has dementia and doesn’t remember her. Maybe that’s why she feels so attached to Shawn? Her parents are dead, and she doesn’t have any siblings. Her only family is an ailing aunt off her rocker.
I turn back to look at the mansion.
Something feels off about this, but I can’t put my finger on what.
By the time I return to the hospital, the sun is setting. The emergency room is busy as always, and I wave to several of the nurses who notice me walking by.
Bailey is noticeably absent.
Thank God.
I don’t like being around her anymore. The way she looks at me expectantly, like she’s waiting for an order or something… it just gives me the creeps.
Back in my room, I pull the curtains, change out of my outside clothes to my regular hospital gown—it’s surprisingly comfortable—and sit behind my computer.
The whole Kelly situation will take a bit more thought, and I have more pressing matters.
Like Finn.
