“Amanda and I used to talk about getting out of that place and making a good life for ourselves. I hoped she’d succeed, but then I heard she was here.”
Sherlyn nodded sympathetically. “She won’t be making a good life for herself any time soon, I’m afraid.”
“That’s a shame. I live in San Jose and thought I’d come to say hello, to let Amanda know not everyone has forgotten about her.” I looked down. “I guess it was dumb.”
“No, no. Your heart was in the right place, dear. And San Jose, you say? That’s a five-hour drive!” She glanced around, although it was clear we were alone. “I tell you what: visiting hours are almost done, but I can slip you in without all the bureaucracy. Just promise you’ll keep this between us, capisce?”
I gave her a grateful smile. “You’re a peach, Sherlyn.”
She waved her hand, slightly blushing. “Let me holler for someone to take you in. We don’t let anyone walk around unsupervised. Some of our patients can get riled up easily.”
I nodded and took a step back as she picked up the phone. If anyone other than Frank came out, this would end up being a waste of time. I couldn’t imagine slipping in again without official clearance.
“I have someone here to see Amanda,” Sherlyn said on the phone. “Amanda Tulip, you dummy—we only haveoneAmanda.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s waiting at the reception.Don’t keep him waiting.” She hung up. “He’ll be here in a heartbeat.”
I opened my mouth to ask who was coming, but that would’ve been suspicious. “Thanks a million.”
She smiled and returned to her magazine. I waited anxiously for the nearby iron door to open. When it finally did, a tall black man walked out. “You’re for Amanda?” He sounded ready to be done with his shift.
“Yes.”
“Come with me.”
I walked toward him and was about to read his name tag when he turned around and started walking. Annoyed, I hurried to follow him through an overly bright hallway. He walked quickly, his legs longer than mine. I almost had to jog to keep up.
“I’m Jonah,” I said.
“Hi.” He kept walking.
“Wait. I think I forgot something in my car.” I stopped and made a show of tapping my pockets.
He turned around. “What did you forget?”
I hurried to read his name tag. James.Damn it.
“Never mind.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Okay…”
We continued walking. I hoped to get through to Amanda regardless of her state, but I wasn’t optimistic. Hayden had said it was pointless. We reached another door that James needed to open with a security tag. Two men were on the other side, leaning against another reception desk and talking. James walked past them, but I slowed down to read their name tags. One was called Andy, and the other one was Frank.
I halted in front of them, causing them to stop talking. Frank appeared to be in his late forties, the owner of a beer belly and a crooked nose. His dark hair was long and unkempt.
I cleared my throat. “Hi, Frank. Haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Huh? Do I know you?”
I was painfully aware of three sets of eyes watching me. “C’mon, you remember. We met at Eliot's party.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You’ve got the wrong guy. I don’t know any Eliot.”
Well, fuck me sideways.“Sorry. I must’ve gotten you mixed up with somebody else. I’ll just head over to see Amanda Tulip.”
I returned to James, who seemed impatient. We barely took five more steps when Frank called, “Hey, wait! I remember you now. Yo, Big J, I’ll take him to see Amanda.”
James didn’t need much persuasion. “Be my guest. I’m heading out.”
Frank hurried to catch up, then led me deeper into the building. The pressure in my chest subsided with another hurdle taken care of, yet the biggest challenge still lay ahead.
