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Newark, Ohio
I hate it here.
I’m trapped at some assisted living place for people in a vegetative state. I hear everything, but so far I haven’t mustered the power to keep my eyes open or move my limbs. So, I’m stuck here for who knows how long.
I can’t believe my high-priced necklace foiled my plans. And I’m starting to believe Kate had a hand in my accident, too. Because I’ve had some time to think, and I’m certain she gave me a little shove that night. Yes, that’s what happened. When I started to pull the suitcase down the stairs, I didn’t realize the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace was wrapped around the wheel of the trunk. The necklace didn’t break, and the trunk wheel didn’t come off, so my necklace yanked me forward until the trunk and I both hurtled to the bottom of the stairs, gaining momentum as we tumbled. I don’t remember anything else, but it must have hurt. The doctors come into my room on occasion, mumble words like “freak accident,” “too young to die,” and “what a waste” to describe me now. Me. Tish Nelson. I am not a freak or a waste. And I know I didn’t get here on my own.
Kate must have had something to do with it.
Somehow, the cops found my little margarita thermos hidden in the garage and tested it. Sure enough, they found cherry pit cyanide. I guess it’s not a common mixer up here, not like it was back home when Momma was tired of a pet or I was tired of my stepdaddy. I overheard a nurse say they were going to charge me with John’s murder. I think I heard a gasp, some doctor or nurse or someone. How did they look at me when they heard that news? Do they all think I deserve to die now?
No one comes to visit me at the hospital. I’m stuck here in this semiconscious state, unable to move or speak. I don’t know how long they’ll keep me alive. Apparently, Uncle George, the traitor, is smoking cigars and enjoying island life somewhere that won’t extradite folks to the US, leaving me here, all alone, hooked up to tubes and machines, with plenty of time to think. Too much time, actually.
The door opens with the telltale swoosh. It’s likely that police chief guy checking to see if I am faking it. I’m not. He comes once a week, sniffs around, pokes my arm. He’s itching to put me behind bars. I don’t know what would be worse, that or the nonlife I’m living now.
“This is pretty much how she spends her days.”
Ah, it’s Nurse Retched, as I’ve become fond of calling her. I don’t know what she looks like, but I don’t like her voice. It irritates me with its singsong monotone.
“How sad, really. Even after everything she’s done.”
Oh my god. It’s Kate. Maybe she has pity on me? Maybe she didn’t really push me. I could be making that up. Maybe she’s here to rescue me. Get me out of here. I can forgive her for trying to take John back. I mean, she got the better of me on that one. She doesn’t even have to pay me what she promised. I’ll take half and get out of town. Promise. I wonder where my signed copy of the agreement is?
I wonder if Kate destroyed them.
“You don’t really feel sorry for her, Mom, do you?”
What? It can’t be. Is it Ashlyn? Maybe she misses me. Maybe she forgives me. It’s not easy being the second wife, I need to tell her that. I made a few mistakes, sure, but everyone does. I’ll apologize and all will be forgiven. We’ll go shopping. Hi, Ashlyn. I’m in here, I am!
“How long do you plan to keep her like this? It can’t be any way to live.”
That is Kate’s voice. I’d know it anywhere. Is she telling them to kill me?
NO! I’m in here.
“In this case, without next of kin, and without her attorney, we’re moving to make her a ward of the state. They’ll take it from there. There will be a set time frame for her recovery and milestones. If she doesn’t reach them, and she hasn’t so far, well ...”
Well? Wait! No. I’m here.
“Strange to see her like this.”
A man’s voice. Who is that? Oh, it’s Seth, the stupid boyfriend. I don’t want him here.
No one is talking. What are they doing? I want them to take me with them, to get me out of here.
But then they’ll arrest me.
“She killed my husband.”Kate again.
“I know. We have the evidence from her garage, all thanks to you, Katie.”The police chief is sucking up to Kate. Shit. Did he just call her Katie? Are they dating? That’s what John used to call her. Shit.
“If she does survive, she’ll be left destitute. The state already has a claim on her clothes and jewelry to pay for her care.”
Kate. You promised me money. We had an agreement. How could you? If only I could open my eyes. You should be scared to say such mean things about me. You should know by now who you’re dealing with.
I’ll tell them all she pushed me. She’s the one who should be locked up. That’s what I’ll do.
Wait, my eyes are opening. I can see. It’s bright light. But yes, there’s Ashlyn and Kate, and the boyfriend. I need water.
