Regret is the Punishment novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: Darla's Question

Wanda's words stayed with me all afternoon.

They were still there that evening, when the nurse came to tell us Darla was being moved.

She was breathing well enough to leave the intensive unit.

The new room was on the fourth floor, with a window and a rocking chair.

"One parent overnight," the nurse said. "The rule is one."

Jerome looked at me.

I thought he would say it was him.

He had every right, and I would have walked away.

"You take the first night," he said.

"What?"

"I haven't slept in a bed in two weeks. I'll sleep at the apartment. You stay."

"Jerome, are you sure?"

"If she wakes up and asks for me, call me. I'll be here in four minutes."

He heard what he'd said.

His mouth went tight.

"In five," he said. "I'll be here in five."

He went to the bed and bent over Darla, who was drowsing against a stack of pillows.

He kissed her forehead, right where the blisters had begun to flake, and put his hand over her short hair.

"Be good for Mommy, bug."

"I'm always good."

"I know you are."

He straightened, and for one second his eyes met mine over her head.

Neither of us said anything about the night before.

Then he left.

The new room was quiet, with the hum of the monitor and the amber glow of the hall light under the door.

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