“Eunika is her nurse, but she works for a private home aide company. She just comes and does whatever needs doing, but it’s not like she was sent by a hospital system or prescribed in some way. Mother’s not on any medication and she’s not actively seeing any doctors. Isn’t that strange?”
“That’s incredibly strange. Seriously, it’s almost criminal.” How could Hugh keep that poor woman from a doctor? She clearly needs to talk to someone, and now I feel dizzy. What if her illness was preventable—or curable?
“When I figured it out, I made some appointments for her, but now she’s saying she doesn’t want to see anyone, almost like somebody tried to convince her not to talk to any doctors.”
“I find that hard to believe. Who would actively keep her from medical care?”
“That’s what I keep asking myself, and there’s only one person that benefits from my mother being sick.”
“Hugh.”
“That’s right. It makes me wonder what else he’s been doing since he took over the family.” He turns his head, studying me in the darkness, and goes quiet for a long moment. “You’re pretty with your hair like that.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Messy. Pulled up. I like it.”
“That’s an insane conversational one-eighty.”
“We’re going to sleep soon and I didn’t want you to start dreaming without hearing it.”
“I don’t understand you at all.” But I’m smiling anyway, smiling at his stupid compliment, at his ability to be a normal person, and at his worry over his mother. Beneath that hard exterior, Kellen’s a man like any other. It makes me feel at least somewhat safe, like he’s not going to ravish me in my sleep.
“Good night, wife.” He rolls onto his side, turning his back to me.
I wonder about Hugh. I wonder about what’ll happen when Kellen finally gets his mother to see an actual doctor. I worry things are only going to get more violent from here—and I’m surprised they haven’t yet already.
I want to reach out and touch him. I want to trace a finger down his spine. Instead, I say, “Good night,” and keep my hands to myself.