"Grab me that bottle on my desk – the one right there in the middle. You can't miss it."
Opal had settled Thackery into his leather chaise longue and in the dim light- she hadn't had enough hands free to turn on the electric lights – and her fingers danced across desk, her eyes squinting.
"It's right there."
"Got it," Opal said as secured the glass bottle in her gloved hand and hurried over to where Thackery lay sprawled out, half collapsed, on the lounge. Opal settled down next to him with the swish of her skirts.
Thackery snatched the bottle from her hands and took a long, desperate swig.
"What is this stuff- it smells awful," Opal remarked.
"It's turpentine, "Thack gagged, handing her back the bottle.
Opal looked uneasy, "This is supposed to help? I'm not sure Algie would agree with your remedy, Doctor."
Thackery clutched at his belly as the turpentine oil made its way like a snake down to his gut, temporary easing his belly with its thick coating.
Opal set the bottle down on the floor and sat back up. She was surprised that Thackery moved his arms around her waist in a hug, shivering uncontrollably. His face pressed against the smooth dark skin of her shoulder and let his eyes close in weary exhaustion.
Opal didn't move but her eyes were wide. She cleared her throat patiently.
"You smell like oranges and jasmine," Thackery remarked.
"Its tuberose. A perfume I use."
"She's gone forever. I know when one is dead and when one lives; She's dead as earth."
"Doctor Thackery," Opal asked softly, "What are you going on about? I think you've been drinking something besides the turpentine."
"Do you know Shakespeare?"
"I'm from London. Of course I know Shakespeare."
"Do you know King Lear?"
"Certainly. The mad old king who loses everything. Everyone always dies at the end of Shakespeare's tragedies," Opal commented.
"Everyone dies."
Thackery's voice was a faint whisper and Opal though she felt a cold, wet tear on her bosom from Thackery's closed eyes.
"Did someone die today, Doctor? One of your patients?"
"Abigail," Thackery rasped, his throat tightening.
Opal took in a breath, shocked.
"The woman you took to the ball?"
"The very same."
"How?"
"I don't know. Something was wrong with the anesthesia. We put her to sleep and she didn't wake up."
Opal was silent for a long moment, her mind searching for the appropriate response. Instinctively she let her arms tighten across Thackery's body, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Suddenly a flood of amber light ignited the room in a blaze. Someone had turned on the lights and stood at the entryway of the office.
Both Opal and Thackery looked up from the chaise lounge, entangled in their awkward embrace to confront not one but two people staring at them, dumbfounded.
"Good evening, Algernon," Opal said calmly.
Doctor Algernon Edwards gaped at the scene as did Nurse Lucy Elkins.
Opal stood up from the chaise lounge with radiant dignity, gently removing Thackery's arms from about her waist. Thackery's hands hovered in mid-air away from her as he tried to sit up, woozily, by himself.
"We were just talking about today's tragedy. I was helping Dr. Thackery with – his state. I came to find you but, well as you can see, I found Dr. Thackery instead."
Algernon nodded hesitatingly, "So I see."
Opal turned back to Thackery, "Good night, Doctor. I'm sorry about your loss today. And please, whatever you do, at least for tonight, don't think too much about King Lear. "
Thack nodded, still in pain, but assuaged by Opal's kind words and her manner, "You are a handsome woman. I thank you for your help."
"It was a pleasure, Doctor, " Opal turned and made her way over to Algernon, taking his arm, "It's time to take me home, husband. Shall we go?"
Algernon gave Thack a look of concern himself, "Dr. Thackery, Nurse Elkins and I had been looking for you anxiously. Will you let Nurse Elkins see to you before you leave here tonight?"
Lucy lowered her eyes, the words tapping at her wounded desire.
"I'm not going anywhere tonight, Doctor Edwards. This is where I sleep."
Algernon looked concerned, "Good night then."
Opal paused as Algernon lead her out, giving Thackery a sparkling smile.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow."
Thackery acknowledged her words with a perfunctory nod as they left. His expression darkened as Lucy warily made her way towards him.