Anna hesitated. “It’s going to take a long time to deal with those feelings, and work through them. But in time, you will.” She felt her own eyes turning wet. “We’ll talk about this again later.”
Suddenly Consuelo leapt up and ran toward her. For a frightened instant Anna thought she was going to attack her. But Consuelo flew past her into the kitchen.
“Oh no! I forgot, the casserole’s still in the oven! It’ll be ruined!”
The food was, in fact, a little overdone. As they ate Anna became more and more angry. From a strictly biological standpoint, she believed, Consuelo was “cured.” But like anyone recuperating from a severe prolonged illness, psychologically Consuelo was still weak and vulnerable. It was going to take time for her to become mentally strong—able to resist all the hateful things ignorant, spiteful people might do to her in the future. Until her sense of self-worth was restored, Consuelo needed to be protected. Especially from the brutally vengeful gray-haired woman Anna knew had to be responsible for those cruel “gifts.”
Krueger was right about one thing. That woman was a bitch.
And I’m doing a damn poor job of protecting Consuelo from her.
Finally Anna decided. “I’m going to cancel all my appointments for the rest of the week. We’re going to spend tomorrow and Friday together.”
“No, you shouldn’t change your plans just for me! I know you have other patients to take care of, too.”
“It’s all right. I’ll reschedule those patients for next week.” Yes, they can live without your support and guidance for a little longer. Can’t they? “I’ll tell my secretary to phone or beep me if there are any problems.”
Anna smiled slightly. “You’ve been cooped up in this house since Sunday. Why don’t we go out shopping tomorrow?”
Consuelo’s eyes widened. “Do you really think we could? What if someone—?”
What if someone recognizes you? Well, if anyone tries to hurt you, they’ll have to deal with me! “It’ll be fine. We’ll go downtown, and have a great time!”
Anna kicked herself mentally. Why hadn’t she realized it sooner? By keeping her locked up in the house, from Consuelo’s point of view it must be like she’d just exchanged one prison for another. True, this one was more opulent. But it was still a prison.
The telephone rang. A little afraid of who it might be, Anna walked to the living room and answered it.
“Hello?”
“This is Krueger. Glad to hear you’re still alive. Been out of town the last few days, and just got your message on my answering machine. What’s up?”
In a low voice Anna told him about the package and the envelope. Krueger grunted. “Well, it is a little late for April Fool’s day.”
“How can you joke about this? She’s trying to undo everything we’ve done to help Consuelo! She’s a malicious, vindictive—”
“Wait! Let’s not jump to conclusions! Maybe she isn’t the one who did it. There’re a hell of a lot of people out there who wouldn’t mind making your ‘friend’ sweat a little—or worse.”
“Well, you’re her lawyer! What are you going to do about it?”
“What am I going to do about it? Hmm. I’ll have to give it some serious thought.”
Anna pictured Krueger picking his nose at the other end of the line. “Listen,” she said, “I’m coming downtown tomorrow. I’d like to stop by your office to discuss this in person.” “Sure. How about three o’clock? If I’m still seeing anybody then, I’ll kick ’em out.” He paused. “One more thing. Wear that tight white blouse you had on at the parole board hearing. It’s my favorite.”
Anna found herself listening to a dial tone. The delicately balanced opinion she had of Krueger tilted down towards “He’s scum!”
Later, after Consuelo went to bed, Anna placed the package and envelope in an old shopping bag and put it in the trunk of her car. Maybe, when Krueger saw what that vicious grayhaired woman had sent Consuelo, he might think of some way to stop her. But she doubted it.
Next morning, while Consuelo cleared off the breakfast dishes Anna called her secretary.
“No problem,” Mike told her. “I’ll phone all your patients and reschedule them.” Then she and Consuelo headed downtown.
It was a beautiful spring day. Tulips and daffodils were in full bloom along the streets and highways. They spent the morning flitting from store to store. After a while, when everyone seemed to pay no more attention to Consuelo than to any other shopper, Anna relaxed and started to enjoy herself.
Once, she saw Consuelo examining a small painted porcelain figurine. It was a cherub-faced little boy about five years old, with a fishing pole slung over one shoulder and a puppy tagging along beside him. After checking the price tag, Consuelo reluctantly put it down. She saw Anna looking at her, and said, “They only gave me back a little money when I left.”
Anna picked up the figurine. Overpriced, but if it made Consuelo happy—
“I like it too. Let’s buy it.”
Anna sighed sadly. With the nest egg she and Charles had accumulated before the accident, and the life insurance policy, money was the least of her problems.
After lunch, Anna remembered she hadn’t bought Easter gifts for her nephews yet. In a nearby candy store they were surrounded by rows of chocolate bunnies, pink and yellow marshmallow chicks, and boxes of brightly colored jelly beans. After they carried two large Easter baskets filled with treats and small toys back to her car, Anna had an idea. “Would you like to visit my nephews with me this Sunday? The boys would love to meet you!”
Consuelo looked at her a little fearfully. “How old are they?”
“Christopher is six, and Matt turns three next month.” She frowned seriously at Consuelo. “There’s one thing you have to remember when you meet them. It’s very important.”
Consuelo leaned forward anxiously.
“Christopher is pretty sophisticated for someone in kindergarten. He might ask some embarrassing questions about where their baskets came from. Just remember, the Easter Bunny left them at Aunt Anna’s house. That’s our story, and we’ve got to stick to it!”
For the first time Anna saw Consuelo give a real smile. It was a nice, happy one. The first, she hoped, of many.
She made a mental note to call Karen. But if her big sister said it was safe, Karen wouldn’t mind. And as for her nephews—well, their minds would be on their gifts.
Besides, they still had a few more precious years of innocence left.
Euthyphro: People do all kinds of wrong, and then there is nothing they will not do or say in order to escape the penalty.
Socrates: Do they admit wrongdoing, Euthyphro, and, while admitting it, deny that they ought to pay the penalty?
Euthyphro: No, not that, by any means.
Suddenly Anna remembered the appointment with Krueger she’d made the night before. And realized she’d forgotten to tell Consuelo about it.
The latter’s smile disappeared. “Do you want me to go in with you when you talk to him?”
Anna grimaced, imagining what kind of sensitive and compassionate things Krueger might say to Consuelo. “It might be better if I talked to him alone.”
For someone who was supposed to be on her side, the lawyer was sometimes incredibly hard on Consuelo. Anna had asked Krueger once why he’d even taken her case. He’d shrugged and said, “Everybody’s entitled to legal representation.” Then he’d looked at her strangely. Almost—guiltily. “And I have personal reasons too.”