Page 40 of Just for Her
“Have you seen Allison? How is she?”
“Pretty banged up,” I said honestly, “but she’s tough.”
“Yes, she is,” Miriam agreed.
She looked like she’d been through the emotional wringer too. Dark circles stood out against the paleness of her skin. Nearly half of the hair she’d tried to tie back at the nape of her neck was hanging freely. She needed a shower, a decent meal, and a good night’s sleep—in that order.
“The woman at the front desk told me they’re moving Allison to a room upstairs,” she said. “Are you going to see her?”
“Yes.”
“Would you give her a message from me? Tell her I’m so, so sorry.”
“Why don’t you come with me and tell her yourself?”
I’d expected Miriam to jump at the opportunity to see Allison, but to my surprise, she shook her head.
“She must hate me right now.”
“I doubt that. You were the first person she asked about.”
Miriam sniffed. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
“No, it shouldn’t have,” I agreed. “But we’re going to make sure it never, ever happens again.”
She looked up at me then, her eyes tired and filled with moisture and something else I hadn’t seen before—determination. “You know what, Mr. Cerasino? I believe you.”
Chapter Seventeen: Allison
“Ready to get out ofthis place?”
I turned toward the doorway and saw Paul grinning at me with Miriam standing beside him, and I felt my heart swell. It was probably the only thing that didn’t hurt.
“So ready.” I’d been in the hospital for less than twenty-four hours, and I’d slept through most of it, but I still couldn’t wait to get out.
Miriam stepped into the room with a bag in her hand. “I brought you some clothes.”
