* * *
Tanya stopped, puzzled by the sobs coming from Kevin's room. She checked the room number-two hundred fifty-two-it was correct. She hesitated, wondering if Kevin had been transferred to another room. Uncertain, she stood outside.
"Mr. Matwin has a visitor, Ms. Caldwell," a voice behind her said. "She went in more than half an hour ago." One of the floor nurses smiled at Tanya as she walked by. Tanya thanked her. Making the least possible noise, she entered Kevin's room.
The area seemed covered in flowers. Vases, baskets and pots were on the night stand, on the window ledge, even on the floor. Kevin lay still and pale, an IV inserted into his right hand and oxygen tubes in his nose. A woman, dressed in black, knelt beside his bed with her head cupped in her hands. She turned and rose as she heard Tanya approach.
She wore a satin dress which adhered to her like a second skin, outlining a slender waist, well-shaped hips, and generous breasts. A white cameo on a pink background peeked from the open high collar of the dress. Her hair, long and brown, had been hastily gathered at the nape of her neck, though loose locks framed her beautiful face. Her warm brown eyes held tears suspended in her thick lashes. She parted her small, sensual lips and smiled.
At once, Tanya felt like a duck in the presence of a swan.
"Milena Simpson," the woman said in a soft voice, offering Tanya her hand. "I was…"
"Kevin's second wife," Tanya said, extending her hand in response. "It's nice to meet you, Milena, even though I wish it were under different circumstances."
In silence, Milena hugged her. "It's terrible," she said in a whisper.
Tanya nodded. "Yes. But now, at least, Kevin has begun to make a few movements with his arms and legs. Actually, he jerks his body." Tanya smiled ruefully. "I was lucky. I saw him move a couple of times."
"Do the doctors have a better idea of his status now?" Milena asked, her soft voice trembling.
Again, Tanya nodded. "They found two more slivers. They hadn't seen them at the time of the surgery."
"Can't they operate again?"
"They've been debating that for two weeks. I've been praying they would, that they would try-" Tears appear in Tanya's eyes. "I'm afraid they won't go ahead with a second operation." Her voice broke. "The odds of Kevin dying are too high. They have been explicit."