The House Read Online Free Page A

covers, swung his legs around, and placed both feet on the floor. “You’ll get the answers when I give them.” The contradiction Edward exhibited toward being called Mr. Manning surprised Anna.
    “Okay, Edward, let’s talk about what the next couple of months are going to be like in that—”
    Edward stood. “You may be knowledgeable in what you’re doing, but one thing you seemed to have forgotten, Dr. Grimes, is that this is still my life .” Edward poked his forefinger on his chest pointing to himself. “These next few months are mine. ”
    “I don’t think he meant it that way,” Anna chided Edward.
    “The only way he can help me is to continue my chemo. And since he won’t do that—” Edward brushed past Grimes and headed for the closet.
    “Where will you go?” the young oncologist asked.
    “I sure as hell won’t die here.” Edward began pulling his clothes from the hangers.
    “Contrary to what you may think,” Grimes said on approaching Edward, “I care about my patients, each and every one of them. I want to know what’s going to happen to them once they leave the hospital.”
    “You mean you feel guilty for having failed at your job, giving me the death slip,” Edward said.
    “Mr. Manning, Edward , the chemo is not working.” The oncologist spoke to Edward’s back.
    “I said I’d pay for more.” Edward turned from dressing; fear shadowed the amber hue of his eyes. Edward was fighting a battle that neither his money nor his craftiness or expertise could help him win. “I can’t give the order for more chemo,” Grimes said. “I won’t.” Edward clinched his fist.
    “Your system can’t tolerate another round,” Grimes said. “The chemotherapy is robbing you of valuable time. You may have already lost weeks. It’s killing you.” The oncologist’s shoulders slumped.
    A solemn silence overtook the room. Like Bryce and all young men who worked under Edward Manning, Dr. Grimes had submitted himself as one of Edward’s followers. He revered Edward as a god. Now life had summoned the deity from his pedestal to enter the world of mortals.
    What can I ever say to David and Theo? Anna pondered . Outside Edward’s hospital room, Grimes explained the prognosis. “Mrs. Manning, your husband—”
    “Please call me Anna.”
    A faint smile stole upon Grimes’ lips. The name tag above the pocket covering his heart seemed to pulsate. “Anna, your husband is dying from advanced stage gall bladder cancer.”
    “How much time does he have?”
    “Five months at the most, six if we’re lucky,” Grimes said.
    It was then late August. Anna took in a deep breath. Her heart settled.
    “In my estimation, three is your safest bet for clearing up all financial and emotional matters.”
    Anna’s hands grew cold. She felt even more nauseated. She looked at the nameplate beside the doorway, Edward Manning, then glimpsed at Edward back in the hospital room. He was fully dressed and ready to leave.
    “This is hard work you do,” she said to Grimes.
    “Patients like your husband are the worst.”
    “You don’t have to tell me that. I was married to him for over thirty years.” Anna fought back tears with a bitter smile.
    “I thought you were still married.” Grimes frowned. “You said you were his wife.”
    “Technically, I am. We’ve been undergoing divorce proceedings for the last year.” Anna glanced at her watch. Two-thirty. Henderson would be filing the papers at 3 P.M. She needed to call him.
    “I appreciate your honesty.” Anna ended the conversation and started back to Edward’s room.
    “Anna,” the young oncologist called after her, “what I said about Edward being the most difficult of patients—I didn’t mean that in a negative way.” He walked toward her. “People like your husband have fight, spirit, and gumption. They’re willing to work with their doctor.” A misty sheen slid over Grimes’ dark eyes. His brown face took on a sad glow. “But despite