Chapter 22: Chapter 22

They told him she was malnourished and had not filled her prescriptions, so her heart condition worsened.

He met her at the hospital, and though her condition was grave, Irene survived. A hospital charity organization paid some of the bills, but the rest were her responsibility. Thus, it became Brian’s load to bear. It took almost a year of work before Brian cleared out the last of the outstanding medical bills. He managed to do so by living in Miz James’ Hilton.

He got up from his chair and pulled a can of lukewarm Coke from his small cooler. Damn it, I forgot to buy ice. He sat down on the chair and attempted to read the newspaper, his one indulgence. He couldn’t sit still. Memories kept intruding on his concentration.