Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

added. "He wants us to have Linden committed

immediately. I told him what happened, and he thinks

we're playing with fire.'

"I know." she said. "It's been on my mind ever

since I saw what he has done."

"Haw was he after I left tonight?"

"The same. He ate a little better, but he was just

as distant. What I found him doing on and off was

going into my room and looking at the painting he had

done of you."

"Oh, no, he wasn't going to tear it up, too, was

he?"

"I don't think so. He seemed more intrigued by this particular work than anything else he has done. It was as if he thought there was some answer sleeping in it, something he could nudge awake that would

solve his problems.'

"Maybe there is." I said. "Did you ask him

about it?"

"I kept asking him if he was all right. Most of

the time he didn't answer, but sometimes he nodded,

and once he said. 'Soon.' That frightened me a bit.

You know, what did he mean by 'soon'?"

"I've decided to spend as much time with him

as I can," I told her. "But let's agree about one thing.

Mother. If he doesn't show any sign of improvement

in the next few days or weeks, we'll get him into

treatment."

She nodded and sighed deeply.

"But let's be optimistic," I insisted with a smile.

"When he sees us, sees you changing, looking bright

and hopeful, it will have a significant effect on him.

You'll see."