Johnny knocked at the front door a third time, hearing the echo within the drafty old mansion, turning his hat in his hands.
At long last, the door creaked, opening just enough to allow him to see the shadowed face of Erik Destler. "Go away," the old man hissed. "You're not wanted here."
"Mr Destler, sir.." Johnny moved forward, jamming his foot into the opening of the door just as Erik attempted to slam it shut. They glared at one another. "Please," Johnny said, and in a rush, without thinking, he said, "I'm her husband, Mr Destler!"
"You won't be for long! I've started annulment proceedings." Erik's eyes, two faintly glowing yellow points in the darkness beyond the door, narrowed at him. "You know she's underage."
"Please!" Johnny dropped to one knee, hands outstretched. "Let me see her, Mr Destler. I.. I love her! Don't you understand?"
"Perfectly." Erik kicked Johnny's shoe out from the foot of the door and slammed it shut in his face.
* * * * *
Johnny paced before the steps for hours. He watched the doctor arrive, exchanging a hopeful look with him as he entered the house, and then pressed him for information as he left.
"How is she, doc?"
"She's failing, Johnny. Doesn't seem to want to live!"
* * * * *
Retta lay in her bed, gasping for air, her eyes puffy and sore from crying. "Johnny," she said, as her father moved through her room to look out the window. "I.. I want to see Johnny."
"No." Erik looked down to where the young man sat on the steps, head in his hands. "You're finished with him. Finished!"