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Grateful for her effort, I sit down in the chair she pulls out.
“Do you feel like anything special for lunch?” she asks, leaving the tray on the mantlepiece.
“No, thank you.”
She sighs. “Your appetite will return.” Fluffing out one of the sofa cushions, she continues, “Traveling always messes up the metabolism. If you have any cravings, you just have to shout.”
“Thanks,” I say again. “I appreciate that.” Picking up the fork, I ask carefully, “Has he left?”
“Yes.” Her smile is soft. “Don’t worry. He’ll be back as soon as he can. The business is always demanding.”
I want to say I didn’t ask because I’ll miss him, but I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. She knows how things are between us. There’s no point in reminding her.
Popping a piece of bacon into my mouth, I enjoy the crispy texture and salty taste. After the sandwiches in the house that lacks a stove or microwave, a warm meal on such a cold morning is welcome. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I took the first bite.
Heidi rearranges the cushions, not seeming in a hurry to leave. I welcome her presence, but I don’t want to keep her from her work.
I load my fork with the fluffy eggs. “I appreciate the company, but you don’t have to worry about me. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
She shifts her weight. “That’s all right. I’ll wait. That way, I can take the tray back when you’re done.”
Her discomfort gives me pause. Then it clicks. She’s not hanging around to make conversation or to take back the empty tray.
The delicious food turns sour in my stomach. “Did he tell you to check that I eat?”
A flush works its way up her neck. “Mr. Russo is just worried about your health. He wants to make sure you eat enough to sustain you.” She doesn’t meet my eyes when she adds, “These last few days have been strenuous. He’s worried you’re losing weight.”
He’s no doubt only worried that the breeding machine won’t be effective.
Having lost my appetite, I put down the fork.
“Sabella,” she says in a beseeching tone, sitting opposite me. “Don’t let that spoil your hunger. You need your strength. His intentions are good.”
If only she knew.
“I can’t leave until you’ve eaten at least half of that,” she says, waving at my plate. “So, please try.”
“I’m sorry.” I push the plate away. “If I eat another bite, I’ll vomit what I’ve already eaten. You can just scrape it in the trashcan and say I cleaned my plate.”
“I’m not going to lie about something that impacts your health. It’s not in your best interest. At least try to drink the juice. Stress lowers the immune system. You need to boost your vitamin C intake.”
To appease her, I pick up the glass. “You’re very loyal to him.” And I can’t figure out why. Why would anyone be faithful to such a monster?
“I’ve been working for his family for a long time.”
“How long?”
She says with a note of pride, “The late Mr. Russo employed me when he married Mrs. Russo.”
“That’s a long time indeed. You must be happy here if you’re still staying on.”
“I like the job.” She folds her hands in her lap and shrugs. “I like taking care of people. Plus, the salary and fringe benefits are excellent. I won’t earn the same money elsewhere, not even if I decided to become a heart surgeon.”
“Did you want to? Become a heart surgeon?”
“Oh, no.” She laughs. “But the idea of a general practitioner did appeal to me when I was younger.”
I think about Mom, about what she said that day at my sister, Mattie’s, house about wanting to be a doctor, and my heart squeezes. I miss them so much—Mom, Mattie, my little nephew on my brother’s side, Brad, and my best friend, Colin. And Benjamin, Mattie’s and Jared’s baby, whose face I’ve never seen. Everyone.
