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Backstabber

“Sarah, honey. Look who it is.” Meghan rubbed Sarah’s shoulders.

“Backstabber.” She muttered. Tears flowed.

“But she rushed back from Empire City just to see you. Would she do that if she didn’t like you?”

Carol pulled a chair beside Sarah’s. “I brought this for you.” She handed over the enormous box wrapped in red and green foil.

Sarah looked down at the package. “Not Christmas yet. Can you put that in the corner for me?” She pushed it off her lap.

Meghan caught it before it fell on Sarah’s feet. “Sure. We can look at that a little later. Did you want to say thank you?”

Sarah rolled her head toward Carol. “Are you better?”

“Yes.” Carol smiled. “I’m feeling better now. I missed you.”

“Missed rubbing my nose in it?”

“What? No.” Carol reached for Sarah’s hand. “I don’t want to rub your nose in anything. I never meant to hurt you.”

Sarah pulled her hand away to itch her shoulder. She looked up at Meghan. “Can I be alone now? It’s really loud in here.”

“Sarah, let’s be courteous. Everybody came to see you. We want you to be okay, especially Carol. She rushed back from the city to—”

“Steal Paul.” Sarah rubbed at her eyes with the heels of her clenched fists.

Meghan winced.

Carol hung her head a moment before getting up. She moved over to a cluster of women by the kitchen. “What’s the word?”

“Pam said we ought to get her an ambulance.” Maggie whispered. “Sarah’s in a really bad place. We’ve been trying, but she’s sinking fast.”

“What does that mean?” Carol looked at Pam.

“She’ll have a few days in evaluation. Depending on what they find, she might go for more specialized care or she might be able to come home.”

“How can I help?”

“Right now, all we can do is pray for her and let her know she’s not alone.” Pam turned to look at Sarah.

Meghan slipped in the front door. Greg turned off the TV and got up to hug her.

“Where’s Ryan?”

“Marta took him out to see the lights in Pine Hollow. They’ll be back later.” He held her close.

“Greg, I’ve never seen anything like that.” She looked into his eyes, hers brimming with tears. “I’ve seen sorrow and even despair. This was…”

“Shh. You did what you could.”

“I don’t understand.” She rested her head on his chest.

He caressed her hair and back. “I’m just glad you found her in time.”

“I’m not sure I did.” She buried her face in his sweater. “She’s not dead, but she’s not really alive. Greg, she’s so far away.”

“Where there’s life, there’s hope. The doctors will tend to her body and mind while we continue praying for her soul.”

Meghan nodded as she nestled in his embrace. “Can we go to bed? I’m so…”

“Sure. Let’s get some rest. It’s been a lot for a Tuesday.”

She stretched wearily as he led her to the bedroom. “I have something else I need to tell you.”

“Did you get anything to eat? Want me to make a plate for you?”

“I couldn’t possibly.” She shook her head. “No, just come to bed. I need to be with you.”

“Okay. Get changed. I’ll leave a note for Ryan and join you in a moment.”

She ran her fingers down the side of his face. “Hurry back.”

By the time she had climbed into bed, Greg slid in behind her. She smiled as she wrapped herself in his warmth. He kissed her ear.

“Greg.” She cooed.

“Meghan.”

“And baby makes three…” She pulled his arms tight around her.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” Marta asked as they drove out of town.

“I’m not supposed to leave the state without notifying my PO. Pine Hollow is in the same county, so it should be alright.”

“That’s good. They’re serious about their lights. Wait ‘til you see them.” She smiled.

“Can I tell you something?”

“Uh-oh. Do I have cookie crumbs on me?” She swept at her neck and chest.

He smiled. “No, you’re perfect.”

“Perfect, he says.” She nodded. “Guy really knows how to score points inadvertently. Feel like double or nothing?”

“You make me feel comfortable.”

She glanced over at him.

“I haven’t felt that way in years. Honestly, I can’t remember when I’ve felt this way.”

“Double it is.” She nodded. “Surprising.”

“What is?”

“Most guys don’t go for subtlety. Scoring brownie points without swinging a big manly mallet at it.”

He shrugged. “Just wanted to let you know how you make me feel.”

“You’re killing me, here.”

“Huh?”

“I thought I had a pretty good sketch of you.” She pulled onto the country highway between towns. “Go ahead. Take a bowling ball to my preconceived notions.”

He shook his head. “Is it a strike or a spare?”

“7-10 split, pal.” She gave him a fake frown. “How you like those apples?”

“Sweet, just like you.” He smiled as he shifted in his seat.

“And he makes the spare with an expert play. Are you a ringer or something?”

“Honesty is the best policy or so they say.”

“I’d sure like to know who ‘they’ are.” She looked in the rear view mirror. “Hmm, cherries and berries. Somebody’s gonna get got.”

He looked back. “Looks like it might be you. Have you got a tail light out or something?”

“Driving while Asian.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions and don’t make waves.”

“Grab the registration card for me.” She pulled to the shoulder and put her four-way flashers on.

Ryan fished around in the glove box as the policeman approached. “Here.”

“Thanks.” She pulled her license from her purse and held it up with the registration card. “Everything okay, Officer?”

The Chief leaned down to look in. “Yes, ma’am. I’d like to have a talk with your passenger. Step out of the car, please.”

“Chief, what are you doing?” She offered him the license and registration.

“I need a word with Mr. Doyle, ma’am. Please don’t interfere.”