Page 12 of Fever Dream

“Daddy died of a heat stroke or a heart attack… We aren’t really sure.”

“How old were you when your father passed?”

The patient looked away.“Nine.”

She stared at the wall for a very long time before letting out a heavy sigh.“I watched as he took his last breaths.None of us were aware that what he was doing was dying.By the time I met Mrs.Solomon in the fabric store, it had been eleven years, but it still felt like yesterday.”

“And your mother?”

Her head snapped in my direction, and her entire expression shifted.She recovered quickly, but not so quick that I didn’t catch her reaction.“Mama was never really the same after Daddy passed.”

“I imagine not.”

She shook her head.“I’m not sure youcanimagine, Mr.— Dr.Branson.”

“Try me.”

“It’s hard to explain, but maybe it was on account of the drinking.”

“And you?How is your consumption?”

“Mama was a wild one, born ahead of her time… That’s what Alice used to say.”

“And you, Grace?What do you think?”

“I was too young to know what my sister meant, but I think maybe I understand now.”

Patient displays agitation, so I shift direction.“Let’s go back to your first date with Mr.Solomon.You attended the party?”

“I did.Alice was leery about me attending the Solomon’s New Year’s Eve party, but I insisted.Maybe I just didn’t want to be alone.Not that I didn’t have friends, but it’s not the same as havingfamily.”

“No, it isn’t.”

Grace stood and stretched.I asked her to take her seat, reminding her that our session wasn’t over.She appeared to ignore me and instead focused all of her attention on a painting that hung on the wall.

“What do you remember about the first time you met Charles?”

“It’s a funny thing about first impressions.Everyone has them, and they’re often wrong.”

“How so?”

“I remember arriving at the Solomon’s home—it was filled with cheerful partygoers—and seeing Charles in the center of the room.He was surrounded by a group of people, mainly young women, and he appeared to be soaking up the attention.”

“Would you say it was love at first sight?”

“I never thought of it that way.”

“And then?”

“His mother greeted me and then ushered me to the kitchen where the drinks were.We chatted briefly, and then she was called away.Later, I forced myself out of the kitchen and back into the main room where the actual party was.Charles was still engrossed in conversation.”

“He ignored you.”

“I wouldn’t call it that.He wasn’t expecting me.”

“Let me guess, you waltzed up, parted the crowd, and introduced yourself?”

Grace turned on her heel and narrowed her eyes.She realized she was being tested.“No, of course not.”