Read Online Second Chance by Linda Kepner - Free Book Online

it with fanfare.”
    “I guess that’s true, but I’m going to take an awful lot of heat for this.”
    “I know better,” said Marie, “and I’m on your side. Dean Chambers or anyone wants to complain, bring ’em on.”
    “Thanks so much, Marie,” Bishou sighed.
    “He is attractive, though,” Marie mused, “and I’m a judge.” Considering Marie’s head-resident stories, this was probably true.
    “I know. But it’s no secret he’s a widower and still carrying the torch for his first wife. I’m safe as safe can be.”
    “Unless he starts walking in his sleep.”
    “My brother the Sergeant Major has taught me some self-defense tricks. I’m still safe as safe can be.”
    The front doorbell sounded. Marie left to answer it, saying, “Back to work. Keep the faith, Bishou.”
    “Right.”
    She sat down again on the chair near Louis. She heard creaking stairs and the sounds of whispers and murmurs in the hallway, so she was ready for the tobacco people when they appeared in the doorway.
    Gray Jackson grinned and asked, “We got the right apartment, Lady?”
    Bishou smiled and motioned them in.
    Sukey Hansen took the easy chair, and looked very chastened. “I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t expect this to happen when I sent you both over for his coat.”
    “Yeah,” said Gray, “she expected maybe a little nooky in the hallway.”
    “Shut up, Gray Jackson,” said Sukey.
    “What the hell happened?” asked Vig.
    “The EMTs say he’s just been overdoing it,” Bishou replied. “Between the jet lag and all the socializing he’s been doing with you guys, he just fainted. It’s exhaustion, nothing more.” Saying more felt unnecessary, too.
    “How’s he getting back to the hotel?” asked Gray.
    “I’m not even going to worry about that until he’s conscious,” Bishou replied.
    “I’m gonna stay here with you, honey,” Sukey said quietly. “At least for a while.”
    “Thanks, Sukey,” Bishou said, equally quietly. “I appreciate the support.”
    “My pleasure, honey.” She looked up at her husband and Gray. “You know, Bishou never did get any lunch. Why don’t you boys go over and pick up a box lunch for her, and something for us to drink?”
    “That’s a plan,” said Vig, as the men left.
    Bishou rubbed her eyes. Then she realized Sukey was looking at her, very thoughtfully.
    “Want to tell me what happened?” Sukey asked, in that same quiet tone.
    It was a strong temptation. “Not yet.”
    “All right. Then later.”
    Louis groaned.
    They both turned to look at him.
    “Carola.”
    Sukey looked at Bishou. “Carola?”
    “His wife,” Bishou said.
    Louis spoke again. A second time, a third time. Bishou felt sick to her stomach.
    “What did he say?” Sukey prodded.
    “He said, ‘I know what you are doing. Don’t you think I know you are poisoning me? Fill it up! I love you more than anything. I don’t want to live without you.’” Bishou took a deep breath as he spoke a fourth time, then translated. “He said, ‘Kill me. I would rather die than leave your side.’ ”
    He repeated, “Carola. Carola.”
    Bishou got a handkerchief and wiped tears from his face. Once again, Louis fell silent.
    Bishou stood, went to her tiny bathroom, got a washcloth, and dampened it. She knelt beside the couch, and wiped his face with it.
    “ Merci ,” he said, either in his dreams or not.
    “ De rien ,” she replied quietly.
    “ Si froid .”
    “‘So cold.’” She turned to Sukey. “Could you get one of the blankets off my bed?”
    Sukey nodded. In a moment, she returned with a coverlet, which the two women wrapped snugly around him. They returned to their seats.
    “So tell me about him,” said Sukey.
    “I’d rather not.” Bishou rubbed her eyes. “It’s not my secret to tell, really.”
    “But you stumbled across one of Louis’s secrets?”
    Bishou nodded. “An item in my research for my doctoral dissertation. And he saw it on my desk.”
    “Lordy. And he fainted. It