Chapter 26
On the third day, the tension got to be too much for Abbey's body to handle. She had not slept a full night's sleep since the trial had begun and eating was hit or miss.
A severe migraine started that morning and only intensified as the waiting progressed during the day. By two o'clock she was in excruciating pain. Millie persuaded her to go to the hospital to get some relief.
As soon as Abbey and Millie entered the ER, Abbey's knees gave out as she fainted. Her agent picked her up and quickly placed her on a stretcher. She was taken to an exam room.
"Damn. Her blood pressure is 200 over 120. She's damn lucky that she hasn't had a stroke." That was the aide helping with Abbey's treatment. "I know she's worried about going to jail but something should have been done about this before now."
"Please leave." Millie was angry. "If you can't separate your personal opinion from your professional care, then I don't want you here."
The aide looked briefly at Millie and turned to leave. But then she turned back. "You know she did it. She's guilty as hell. She killed her own husband. It wasn't for love. It was greed."
"GET OUT!" Millie stood up and pointed to the door. Her face flushed, she caught her breath while the aide decided what to do. Finally, the aide turned and left.
Turning back to her unconscious friend, Millie shook her head and verbalized her feelings. "Oh, Abbey. Why? Why? I asked you before was it worth it. Well, my friend, I don't think it was. The cost is way too high." Placing her hand on Abbey's arm, she rubbed her friend's arm, trying to let her know that Abbey still had at least one person she could depend upon.
Emotions in Manchester were running high and everybody had an opinion about the case. Abbey had managed to stay away from most of it, but Millie had been around town and had heard the talk.
And most of it wasn't pleasant. And that only served to increase everybody's tension.