Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

coffee. I was unable to eat very much. My stomach

felt as if it were full of baby snakes. Echo had some

juice and a little cereal. I thought she was suspicious

about my moving her along quickly and getting us out

so early, but she didn't ask anything about it. We got

into my car and started away. I couldn't stop my

nerves from twanging. Although getting a pacemaker

was usually not a terribly dangerous procedure, it was

for Mrs. Westington at her age and under her

circumstances. As she would be the first to tell me. I

knew enough to be dangerous. Mostly. I knew the

doctors were afraid of her having a much more severe

stroke.

Tyler was already in the parking lot waiting for

us when I drove in. He got out of his car quickly to

greet us. Echo was happy to see him, but very

surprised as well. She kept looking at me for more of

an explanation. I knew we could hold back the truth

only a few more minutes because once we were inside

and she saw we weren't going to her grandmother's

room, she would know something more was happening. I was glad I had Tyler with me to help

explain it all with his expert signing.

At the reception desk, we found out where to go

to wait. When we reached the lounge. Tyler and I

finally told Echo exactly what was going on. She sat

there absorbing it all and looking very frightened and

small. I held her hand and tried to reassure her. By

doing that I was reassuring myself. A little after eight

o'clock, Doctor Battie appeared. I held my breath until

I saw him smile. As he spoke. Tyler signed to Echo. "It went well," the doctor said. "That woman's