The House Read Online Free Page B

everything, I can’t save them.”
    “I know.” Anna touched Dr. Grimes’ hand and left.
    Nurses whisked past Anna as she moved in stride with the family members of other patients and continued toward the end of the corridor. Reaching an alcove, she sat on the couch and dialed Henderson.
    “I was worried,” he answered when Anna spoke.
    “I’m here at the hospital with Edward.”
    “Hospital?”
    “It’s a long story. No, in fact, it’s quite short. Edward is dying of cancer.”
    Henderson’s silence revealed his shock.
    “I don’t want you to file the divorce papers,” she said.
    “Are you sure about this?”
    “No. But I don’t want you to fight me. You still have the papers?”
    “I do.”
    “And you can file them any time?”
    “Whenever you ask, but Anna—”
    “Then, that’s the way I want it. Don’t tell Bryce. Don’t tell Edward. Not even the children.”
     
    Bryce stood as Anna reentered Edward’s room. Edward was sitting on the bed. Bryce and Edward were eyeing each other, waiting for the other to speak the next words in this futile battle.
    “I should be on my way,” Edward’s young apprentice said. He appeared more frustrated than ever. “I have a couple of papers to file at the courthouse.”
    “Would that be Edward’s will and trust?” Anna said. Bryce glanced over at Edward who had begun fumbling with his tie. Receiving no response, Anna said, “There’ll be time for that later I suppose.” Anna shuddered. A chill overtook her as she considered her words.
    Bryce sighed and left. Edward unzipped the black duffel holding his clothes.
    Anna closed the door, slid a chair to the bed, and sat. “Well, what do you want to do?” She interwove her fingers.
    “For now, leave this place.” He let go of the zipper of his duffel. “No one here seems to be willing or able to help me.” He turned to the window across the room.
    Joining him, Anna looked through the window to the garden beyond. A ring of stones encircled a bed of violets. Their bright purple petals shimmered in the Northern California sun now past its zenith.
    “They’re beautiful,” Anna said.
    “Hmmm.”
    “Looks like the garden that was outside my room at Hammond. It held geraniums,” Anna said. “I promised myself after the birth of each one of the children that when I got home I’d plant some flowers, geraniums, roses, irises, pansies, whatever.” She knew nothing about flowers or planting other than how to adore them. “A bed of flowers for each of the children, each with its own type.”
    “What stopped you?”
    “Time. Never had enough. Someone always needed their braces tightened. There was a soccer match I needed to drive them to. Or a violin recital.” Anna cringed at the thought of pain her children would feel when learning their father was dying. “I committed to giving,” she said.
    “It’s your nature.”
    And yours was to take. Anna’s heart pounded with the thought, old angers fuming to the surface. A wash of memories flooded her. I was a fool. I endured sleepless nights alone at home with the kids while Edward was in South America wining and dining the women he’d romped and played with. He was their greatest monarch.
    Edward zipped his bag closed.
    “What are you going to do?” She rephrased the question.
    “I won’t die here. Not in this hospital.” The look in Edward’s eyes became that of a little boy, not unlike David on the many occasions when Edward had been away and he asked, “Mommy, why are you crying? Do you miss Daddy? Why isn’t he here? When I grow up, I’m never going to let you cry.”
     
    Minutes later Dr. Grimes returned. A young woman in a long, white coat accompanied him.
    “Edward, Anna. This is Mrs. Reid, the hospice liaison,” Grimes said. “She’s going to talk to Edward about his plans at home.”
    “That’s easy,” Edward said. “I live in a two-bedroom apartment. I figure I’ll pay someone to come in when I ...”
    “It’s not that