The Memory of All That Read Online Free Page B

front, and they would be warm and comfortable. She checked the drawers for underwear but found only scarves, belts, jewelry, and tank tops.
    Alice came to the open closet door and peered in.
    “Are you doing OK?”
    “Yes, but I can’t find any panties.”
    “You keep those in a drawer in the bedroom. You ran out of room in here.”
    “I can’t imagine why I would need all these clothes.”
    “Well, you might not need them, but you like them. You like to shop.”
    “I do?”
    “You sure do. You and Mr. David—” She stopped midsentence and turned back toward the bedroom. “Let me get you some underwear.”
    When Alice returned, Marnie asked, “Mr. David and I what? What were you going to say?”
    “Nothing. I’m not going to talk about what goes on between you two. And I’m not supposed to tell you anything about your past.” She closed her mouth tightly, as if to prevent any more words from spilling out.
    “Is that what he’s mad at me about? Buying too many clothes? Spending too much money?”
    “It’s none of my business. I’m not saying another thing.”
    Marnie put on the warm outfit and rummaged through the drawers until she found some socks for her cold feet. Even though she sat in the chair while she dressed, she was exhausted by the time she was through and returned to the bedroom.
    “Here, let me help you back into the bed. You’ve done enough for now.”
    “Let me just lie on top of the covers, Alice. I’ll rest a while, and maybe I’ll feel like getting up again.”
    When Alice spread a cover over her, Marnie roused slightly from her sleep and then sank back into slumber.
    When she awoke again, it was to Alice bringing a lunch tray.
    “That smells delicious! I’m getting hungry more often. When can I have solid food?”
    “The doctor didn’t say, but I’ll see what I can do about getting a more substantial supper tonight. You’re doing fine on soft food for now. This potato soup is good, and I brought pudding for dessert.”
    After Marnie had eaten, she set the tray aside and walked over to the large window that overlooked the yard. She was determined not to spend all of her time sleeping. She was surprised to see that a thick blanket of snow covered the landscape. She sat in one of the wingback chairs that were on either side of the window, separated by an accent table and lamp. As she looked around the room, she tried to remember having sat in the chair before, with no luck. The heavy drapes had been pulled back, allowing sunlight to brighten her mood slightly.
    This could be a pleasant room, she thought , if it were decorated with lighter colors. She couldn’t help but feel a little depressed and somewhat claustrophobic with the red patterned wallpaper, maroon drapes, and dark rug on the wood floor.
    Maybe light blue or pale green on the walls would help cheer the place up. And light-colored drapes to match and a rug with spring flowers or some other happy pattern. That’s what it needs. I can’t believe I liked this room before.
    Besides the bed, there were two large pieces of furniture in the room: a highboy and a dresser. Decorated ornately with carved flowers and leaves, their appearance added to the heaviness of the décor. Those furniture pieces would fit just fine in a room with a lighter color scheme, she thought.
    She walked across the room and opened a dresser drawer. It contained a mish-mash of items, from makeup to jewelry, pieces of paper, cards, and a jumble of unidentifiable items. The next drawer and the one after held underwear. All of the rest of the drawers were filled with clothing of one sort or another.
    She went to the highboy standing by the hallway door that led to the bathroom. The drawers were almost empty, and the few items she found obviously belonged to a man.
    David’s, she thought.
    She felt like she had been snooping, prying into someone else’s life. Silly, she thought. I’m snooping in my own life. I wish something would spark a