But the paramedics arrived before she could repeat herself.
At the hospital, doctors told me she had suffered a major cardiac event.
For three days, I barely left her room.
Caroline arrived from out of state and refused to speak to me unless necessary. I slept in a chair beside Evelyn’s bed, waking every time a monitor changed rhythm.
On the second night, Evelyn opened her eyes.
I moved closer immediately.
“I’m here.”
She looked at me for several seconds.
Then she whispered, “Michael, I need you to stop punishing yourself.”
My throat tightened.
“For what?”
Her weak smile broke me.
“You know.”
I stared at her.
There it was.
The truth between us.
Not spoken.
But known.
My eyes filled.
“Evelyn—”
She squeezed my fingers.
“Not now.”
I shook my head.
“No. I have to tell you.”
