Though he hadn't been aware of falling asleep, Garret knew he hadn't been asleep for long. He also knew he wasn't alone in the room. He could hear her breathing and smell the cologne she was wearing. It was a simple light fragrance that reminded him of springtime in the country, but did nothing to dispel the blackness of his mood.
"I thought visiting hours were over," he grumbled and opened his eyes to Amanda sitting to his right, reading a book under the dull yellow light of the bedside lamp. "Oh, it's you. I thought. . ."
"I hope you don't mind, Mr. Macy. Is there anything I can get for you?"
"Call me Garret. And I could really use a scotch." And some cyanide.
"I'm afraid that water is all that's on tap for you tonight." She rose from her chair and poured from the pitcher on the bed stand, then added a straw. While handing him the cup, he noticed the faint scars on her inner wrist that her purple cardigan didn't quite cover. "Take small sips at first," she added.
He finished the water, but declined the offer of seconds. "What time is it anyway?"
She consulted her watch. "It's about 2:00 a.m."
"Isn't it a little late to be playing Candy Striper?"
Her mouth twisted in a way that reminded him of Jordan. "I'm a volunteer, Garret. I can give of my time at any hour, but I do prefer the night shift."
"But why are you here? In my room? I mean, if it's so quiet, why not grab an empty room, or go home?"
She sighed and sat back down, though she left her book on the bed stand. "Well, to be honest Garret, there's nothing waiting for me at home. Also, I thought you could use the company."
He looked away. Outside the window, the Boston skyline shimmered in the night. "Well, I don't. I'd like to be alone."
"I see," she replied. She rose and collected her book and dragged the chair to the wall near the door. She looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "If you change your mind Garret, I'll be here for a few more hours." She turned and slipped out of the room.
He waited, the darkness of his thoughts settling at last onto a plan.
He sat up, waiting for the lightheadedness to pass. When he was sure he wouldn't pass out, he stood up carefully and waited for the second wave of vertigo and nausea to pass. He then yanked out his I.V. and the rest of the wires and tubes connected to him and limped toward the door, wincing at the pain in his feet.