Chapter 35

Leigh woke in the hospital with tears already on her face. Dr. Diat had been in touch with Dr. Hallace and had given her something, but it just deadened the fear. Jim was lost! She was lost!

Leigh sat up and looked around the dark, empty room. She got out of bed and went to the washroom. The face she saw in the mirror was familiar. She'd seen it every day for most of the year before she and Jim had come here. If she hadn't run away from her problems, Jim would still be alive. She banged on her face in the mirror and screamed at her reflection.

The nurse came in and guided her back to bed.

"It doesn't get better, dear," the nurse said, "but it does get easier."

Leigh looked at the nurse's nametag. Betty.

"Thanks, Betty," she said then sobbed again. Betty rubbed her back and pulled the blankets up when she curled into a little ball on the bed.