Chapter 11: What the Capsule Was

"What do you know about it?" I said.

Joelle held up the paper bag.

"Last week I saw the same kind of box in the glove compartment of his car," she said.

"I asked what it was, and he took it out of my hands. He was angry for hours."

"So you stole one."

"I took a capsule out of the bottle while he was in the shower." Her voice shook.

"I came here because the label said this pharmacy. The lady at the counter said the pharmacist would see me at eleven."

"I came because of the same label."

"I know," she said. "I didn't think you'd be here. I swear I didn't."

Jude had crossed the street.

He stopped three steps behind me and did not say a word.

Joelle looked at him, and at my face, and at nothing.

"Come inside," I said. "Both of you."

The pharmacist was a tall man in a white coat, with a pen tucked behind his ear and a kind, tired face.

He took us into a little consultation room with a table and three chairs.

I set the shipping box on the table.

Joelle took a small plastic bag out of her purse and put it beside it.

A single white capsule sat inside, no bigger than a grain of rice.

"I need to know what this is," I said. "My husband gives me one every morning."

The pharmacist put on his glasses.

He turned the box over and read the label, and he frowned and read it again.

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