"Oh, dear. Oh, dear," she fretted. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She tossed the slippers she'd found to the bed and raced from the room.
Trissa made a grab for the slippers and tried to clamber off the bed again, her terror giving her a strength and purpose she had not had before. Edmonds pulled her back and held her down with one strong hand. "Lie still," he ordered her.
"Let me go! I have to go!"
"Not until this glass is cleaned up and someone tells me what's going on here."
It was useless to struggle against his strength and Trissa was flagging quickly. "I won't go back to him. You can't make me. You can't," she whimpered. She sank back to the pillow, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs.
"Don't worry. I won't let Brewer touch you!"
Trissa responded with renewed determination. "No! Let me go! Nicholas! Nicholas!" she screeched as she tried, in vain, to twist away from him.
The social worker intervened. "Doctor, let me try," she said firmly as she placed her hand on his forearm. Edmonds eased up almost immediately and a fleeting look of chagrin crossed his face.
"It's all right, Trissa," Georgia tried to soothe her. "I'll explain to Dr. Edmonds. We'll be right outside the door. No one will get past us to harm you." Two orderlies entered with broom, mop, and bucket. Georgia pulled the covers over Trissa's oversized garments disheveled by the struggle. "I'll be back to help you dress when these guys finish up, okay?" Trissa nodded, the new audience giving her no other choice.
"Could you step out into the hall with me for a moment, Doctor?"
The orderlies went about their business then exited as both Mrs. Pulasky and Edmonds reentered Trissa's room to find her already sorting through her suitcase for clothes to wear.
"Any more headaches or dizziness, Trissa?"
She looked up and self-consciously clutched her gown and robe tighter around her. "None since this morning, Doctor."
"Is there not some relative who could take you home? An aunt? A grandparent?" he asked.
"Relative? But -- Nicholas will take me. Didn't Mrs. Pulasky explain?"
"She did. I guess I'm just too pigheaded to let go of my prejudices. But I have decided to let you go. However, you must promise to come back for a check up in a week, and to call me anytime you need me, day or night."
"I promise."
"Then I'll get the paperwork started. I suppose Brewer is lurking about somewhere," he muttered.
"He told us where he'd be," Mrs. Pulasky said. "I'd like to talk with him first."
"Be my guest," he said. "Trissa, I wish I'd been able to help you more than I have. Remember your promise."
*****
When Nicholas found that a cigarette or two did nothing to calm his nerves, he gave up and found a place to pace in the hospital reception area. That was where Georgia Pulasky found him. "Mr. Brewer, you've been very patient, and I think I have some good news for you."
"Then it was worth being patient."
"Trissa is being released and you can take her home in about an hour."
"I can? I mean, have you asked her if that's what she wants?"
"She and I had a long talk. She revealed a little more about last night than she intended to, I believe. And I have guessed at the rest. You are quite a hero to her, Mr. Brewer."
"I am?"
"Anybody who knew the story would say so. But I am afraid, considering the circumstances, only the three of us will ever know it. You saved her life."
"I think I saved my own life, Mrs. Pulasky."
"But you are not her husband."
"Did she tell you that?"
"No, in fact, she said the opposite. It's just part of what I've guessed. Whatever your motives for this lie, I suspect they were goodhearted ones. You know Dr. Edmonds does not share my belief."
"I know that."
"I also want you to know that his motives are goodhearted as well. I've seen her with him. He only wants to protect her. And she needs protecting. She may be more fragile than any of us know. She might not survive a tug-of-war between you two. Be careful."
"I will."
"And keep her from her father."
"I intend to."
"I gave Trissa my card. I want you to have it, too. She mentioned some concern about expenses."
"I'll take care of them. It may take time, but I will."
"I can work something out for you, if you'll let me. Call me tomorrow and we'll discuss it. And if you have any other questions