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“Go ahead,” I say as I place her left hand on the keys.
Lenora knits her brows, thinking. Then she types four words before nodding, signaling for me to hit the return bar.
i wont hurt you
My pulse quickens as I read the sentence.
“I appreciate that,” I say, not sure how else to reply. How did Lenora know I wanted to hear this? Are my emotions as easily read as hers?
Lenora resumes typing.
i suppose youve heard the song about me
“The rhyme?” I say, surprised she knows of its existence. It must behorrible having her life—and her family’s deaths—reduced to a childish chant. “I have. It’s... cruel.”
i find it amusing
Another surprise. “You do?”
all that effort for little old me
“Is it true?”
you can find out
Curiosity tugs at me. As does fear and a healthy dose of uncertainty. “How?”
i want to tell you everything
“Everything? What does that mean?”
things ive never told anyone else
“About the murders?” I say, surprised I can hear myself over the sound of my heartbeat pounding like a drum in my ears.
yes about that night
I look at Lenora. The dim light of the room somehow makes her green eyes brighter. They glint fiercely now. Emeralds lit from within, holding me hostage in their gaze.
My God, she’s serious.
“Why me? Why now?”
because i trust you
“Are you sure?”
Lenora’s hand slides from the typewriter and drops to the mattress. Her body language is crystal clear. She’s sure.
“I’ll think about it,” I say as I carry the typewriter back to the desk. By the time I return to the bed, Lenora is asleep. I can tell by her breathing—a deep, steady rhythm. I switch off the lamp and place the call button next to her left hand before tiptoeing away.
Back in my room, I finally ditch the nurse’s uniform. Taking it off feels like removing armor. I feel freer, yes, but also oddly vulnerable. Gone is the sense of purpose I’d felt when I first put it on. Now I’m back to being aimless, slump-shouldered me.
After putting on a nightgown and fuzzy socks, I press a hand to my heart. It’s still galloping. This time, I know exactly why.
After decades of silence, Lenora Hope wants to tell all.
And I need to decide if I want to hear it.