Jack? came a voice from behind them. Startled, they both turned to find a small woman with dark, curly hair and large green eyes that shone with warmth. Sarah recognized her from Christmas photos exchanged each year and the photographs didnt do her justice. Her heart-shaped face was unlined and pale, a stark contrast to her black curls. Her full lips curved into a disarming smile revealing a deep dimple in her left cheek. She was beautiful.
Jack, the woman said again, and Sarah sensed a tone of relief in her voice.
Celia, he said, and smiled, perhaps for the first time since they had arrived in Iowa. The woman stepped forward to wrap her arms around him and Sarah felt as if she had suddenly disappeared into the rooms white walls.
Its so good to see you. I cant believe youre really here, she said into his ear.
Sarah had never met Celia, the woman married to Jacks cousin, Dean. In fact, the last time Jack had gone home to Penny Gate was for Dean and Celias wedding. Sarah had stayed behind with the twins, who were under a year old at the time. It was a quick trip, just two nights and three days. Three days in Penny Gate is more than enough, Jack had said, but looking back, Sarah wondered if Jack was relieved that she opted to stay behind.
Sarah had looked forward to finally meeting Celia in person. They had talked briefly on the phone several times over the years, exchanged Christmas cards. But now she couldnt help but feel intimidated by the woman.
Jack pulled away from their embrace and took a step backward, holding Celia by the forearms to get a better look. Of course I came.
For the first time Celia seemed to notice Sarah. Sarah? she asked, and Jack nodded in affirmation.
Its so wonderful to finally meet you in person, Celia said, drawing her into a tight hug that felt a little too familiar. All the nice things Jack has said about you, I feel like Ive known you forever. Celia looked around the room. Where are the girls? Did you bring them?
No, no, Sarah said. They couldnt make it. She was about to explain how the girls were tied up with school when Jacks cousin, Dean, appeared in the doorway and diverted her attention. He was a tall, broad man who wore the weathered look of a tired farmer and a son worn down with worry.
He didnt look like the same recklessly handsome man she had last seen twenty years ago when he was the best man at their wedding. He had gained well over fifty pounds and his thick dark hair had disappeared. His face was scoured and lined by hours spent out in the fields beneath the blazing Iowa sun.
Jack, Dean said, and the two men embraced with heavy claps on the back. Thanks for coming. Dean pulled away and swiped at his eyes with the back of one large hand. I know it means a lot to Mom that youre here. She thinks the world of you.
Im so sorry about Julia, Sarah said, and reached out her arms as he pulled her into a hug. What are the doctors saying?
Dean shoved his hands into his pockets. She has a fractured skull and broken bones. Almost too many to count. But shes a strong old bird.
What happened? Jack asked, looking down at his aunt. Sarah knew that he was thinking the same thing she was: it was a miracle this elderly wisp of a woman was still alive.
All we know is that she fell down the stairs sometime early yesterday evening. Amy was the one who found her and called 9-1-1.
Hows your dad doing? Sarah asked. I bet hes just sick about it.
Hes doing okay. I dont think he can believe this is happening. Hes down in the cafeteria with Amy, getting something to eat.
Ive been trying to get ahold of Amy for weeks, Jack said, but she never answers her phone.
Dean hesitated before speaking. That was something I was hoping to talk to you about.
Why dont we take a walk and get some air, Celia said to Sarah, but Jack shook his head.
I dont mind if Sarah stays if you dont, Jack said. Is something wrong?
Its about Amy, Dean explained. Lets go outside.
They moved into the hallway and Jack looked expectantly at his cousin. Is Amy okay? Did something happen?
Were worried about her, Celia said uncomfortably.
I hate to spring this on you, Dean said, scratching the back of his neck. And I know this is the last thing you need to hear right now, but Amys been having a hard time lately.
Of course shes having a hard time, Jack said with confusion. Julias like a mother to her.
Its more than that, Dean said. She was acting strange before the fall, too.
Has she been drinking again? Jack asked. Sarah thought of Jacks dad and his drinking. Alcoholism ran in families, but Jack drank only socially, never allowing it to impair his thinking.
I think so, maybe pain pills, too. She lost her job at the motel a few weeks ago.
Shes worked there for over two years. Do you know what happened?
She was showing up late, not showing up at allthats what I heard.
Two nurses dressed in green scrubs brushed passed them and Sarahs eyes followed them down the depressingly dim corridor. She noticed on the ceiling that a brown spot had bloomed against the white plaster and rainwater dripped rhythmically into a large bucket below. She imagined mold and mildew festering behind the walls.
Amy walks around like a zombie half the time and shes lost a lot of weight. I just dont want you to be shocked when you see her.
Hows she paying her bills? Jack asked. Has she found another job yet?
I dont think so, but shes still living in that little rental house on Oleander, so she hasnt been evicted yet. Im guessing that my mom and dad have been giving her some money to get by. Dean shifted his weight uncomfortably. Theyre on a fixed income themselves and dont have a lot of extra cash to spare.
Hal and Julia shouldnt have to pay Amys way, Jack said quietly. Shes a grown woman.
We just thought youd want to know, Celia said. Ive tried talking to her, but she hasnt been answering my calls, either.
Jack opened his mouth to speak when something down the hallway caught his eye.
Jack? Sarah asked, but his eyes were fixed on a point in the distance, down the hall. He didnt answer and Sarah repeated his name, this time more loudly. What is it? she asked as she turned and followed his sharp gaze, but all she saw was a doctor standing at the nurses station taking notes on a chart.
Nothing, Jack replied, and shook his head. Sarah thought he seemed confused. Its nothing, he repeated with finality, and turned his attention back to them. So, you think Amys been abusing pain pills? Have you talked to her about it?
My mom has. I know she was worried about her and they argued about it a few days before the fall.
Thanks for letting me know. Ill try and talk to her before we go back home.
Here comes Hal now, Celia said.
An elderly man wearing work boots and a frayed tan barn jacket approached. Though he was nearly six feet tall and broad-shouldered, he was a smaller, softer version of Dean. His bald head was speckled with age spots and sun damage, and his weary, deeply lined face lit up when he saw them. Jack, he said warmly. Behind thick glasses, his eyes glistened with emotion and worry. Thank you so much for coming.
Uncle Hal, Jack said, reaching for the older man. They clung to each other for a long time and Jack closed his eyes as he settled comfortably into their embrace. Im so sorry, he whispered.
Hal pulled away, smiling through tears. He took Jacks face in his hands. You know when she wakes up shes going to give you hell for taking so long to come back home.
Dean snickered and suddenly the tone felt lighter. Easier. Hes right, you know. I can hear her when she wakes up. You mean all I had to do is fall down a flight of stairs to get that boy to come home? Deans voice rose an octave as he mimicked Julias voice.
That sounds about right, Jack said, giving a small laugh. You remember Sarah, dont you?
You havent changed a bit, Hal said as he embraced her. Thanks for coming.
Sarah watched as her husband fell into the comfortable banter of a family catching up after so many years of lost time. She was surprised by how easy it was, not even a hint of the devastation that had befallen them all that time ago. Jack and Hal interacted like a father and son, and Sarah could see the mutual love and respect in their eyes. She was so enrapt by this unseen side of Jack that she almost didnt notice the small frail woman who had seemed to arrive from out of nowhere.
Amy, Celia said, look whos here.
Amys brown eyes were flat and expressionless, and Sarah thought she looked even thinner than the last time she had seen her. Her pale skin was pulled tightly against her bones and seemed paper-thin. Almost translucent. Her hair was bleached a nearly colorless blond and was pulled back into a lank ponytail. Sarah could understand why Dean and Celia were so concerned about her. She looked sickly.
I wasnt sure youd come, Amy said almost accusingly. She hesitated and then wrapped her reedlike arms around her brother. At first taken aback, Jack returned the embrace.
The last time they had seen Amy was four years earlier. She had called out of the blue all the way from Spokane, Washington. From what Sarah could gather, Amy had traveled there with a man and it ended badly. Jack made the drive to collect her and six hours later Amy arrived in Larkspur, haggard, bruised and hungover.
Sarah never quite understood the dynamic between Amy and Jack. She knew Amy had had a hard life and didnt think she ever quite forgave Jack for going away to college and leaving her behind in Penny Gate. He didnt talk to or see his sister very often, but when he did it was usually in conjunction with some major catastrophe, usually of Amys own making: a job lost unfairly, a poisonous relationship with a man, a brush with the law. After the phone calls Jack would hang up drained and distracted.
Jack murmured in Amys ear, too quietly for Sarah to hear, but she could tell by the way Amys demeanor seemed to soften that Jack had said something to ease her. She nodded and wiped her eyes, leaving behind black streaks of mascara beneath her eyes.
Sarah was suddenly overwhelmed at the sight of Jack comforting Amy. Blinking back tears, she could almost picture them as children, Jack the protective older brother, always looking after his fragile little sister. Amy, its so good to see you, Sarah said, taking a hesitant step toward her sister-in-law. Its been way too long.
Hi, Amy said hoarsely, surprising Sarah by giving her a hug. The odor of cigarette smoke clung to Amys clothes and Sarah could feel the sharp point of each rib. Sarah carefully returned the embrace, afraid of squeezing too tightly against Amys thin frame. Thanks for coming.
Of course. Sarah reached into her purse and pulled out a small package of tissues and offered them to Amy.
Amy, did you get something to eat? Celia asked.
Amy nodded and Celia gave her a pointed look.
I did, Amy said with annoyance. You can even ask Hal.
She did eat, Hal confirmed. Not much, but then neither did I.
You need to take care of yourself, Celia pressed. Why dont you stay at our house tonight? Get a good nights sleep.
No, I think Ill stay here tonight, Amy replied, hitching her thumb toward the hospital room. Im going to check on Julia. She hugged Jack again. You dont know how glad I am that youre here. She wrapped her arms around her midsection as if warding off the cold and moved past them down the hallway toward Julias room.
Shes taking this really hard, Hal said, looking fondly after his niece. But shes been great. Shes been glued to Julias side almost the entire time.
Amy loves Julia more than anyone else in the world, Jack said.
Is she the one who decorated Julias room with all the photos and things from home? Sarah asked.
No, Celia did that, Hal responded, rubbing his hand absentmindedly across his head.
Thats really nice, Sarah said. When Julia wakes up shell have some comforts of home nearby. She was not only beautiful, Sarah observed, but Celia was thoughtful, too. It was obvious she made it a priority to take care of everyone in the Quinlan family.
To confirm Sarahs observation, Celia started gathering up empty coffee cups and stray napkins. Hal, she said, didnt you have your hat earlier?
Hals hands went to his bare head. I think I left it down in the cafeteria.
Ill go get it, Jack offered. I could use a cup of coffee, anyway.
Ill go with you, Sarah said, not wanting to be left alone. Jacks family was nice enough, but she hardly knew them, and she was eager to avoid the grim scene inside the dark hospital room. The drawn shades, the stuffy air, the pneumatic hum of the oxygen machine. It was practically suffocating.
Sarah and Jack made their way to the elevators. Amy doesnt look good, Jack commented. Im worried about her.
Shes the one who found Julia after she fell, right? That must have been very traumatic.
Yeah, but theres something else. Jack pressed the elevators down button, and then again and again, as if the elevator couldnt come quickly enough. He searched for the right words. Something in her eyes, he added.
You should talk to her, Sarah said. She caught a flurry of movement out of the corner of her eye. A doctor was hurrying down the corridor, her long white coat flowing behind her. Sarahs first thought was Julia had taken a turn for the worse and held her breath until the doctor turned in the opposite direction of Julias room.
The elevator door finally opened and they stepped inside. The doors closed and Sarah leaned against Jack.
I dont know. I probably should, but Im sure it wont make a difference.
The old elevator creaked and groaned and was excruciatingly slow in its descent, stopping at each floor, though no one was there to get in. Sarah figured whoever was waiting gave up and used the stairs instead.
I think shed listen to you, Jack. She seemed so glad to see you.
Sarahs thoughts suddenly went back to their earlier conversation about Amy. She recalled how Jack had become distracted by something he had seen down the hallway.
What did you see earlier? Sarah asked. When we were in the hallway talking to Dean and Celia?
Jack pushed the first-floor button again as if it could speed up their descent. Im not sure what you mean, he said, feigning ignorance.