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no way to tell if his procedures will be effective
or not.”
    Willie
nodded. “Thank you,” he said, his voice surprisingly calm. “I suspected as
much. I didn’t think you’d have the courage to tell me.”
    “To be
honest, neither did I .” Sinking down into the chair at
Willie’s bedside, Hattie let the tension drain from her body. “All the same, I
think lying is a horrible thing. I’ve never been very good at it.”
    “No, I
wouldn’t expect you to be.”
    “Why do
you say that? You don’t even know me.”
    “Yes, I
do.” Willie shifted enough to look directly at her. “I know you’re kind. I know
you’re gentle. You have a good heart.”
    The
heat coursing through Hattie’s body rose to her cheeks. “You don’t need to
flatter me. I’m only doing my job, Mr. Morse.”
    “Of
course.” He
leaned his head back on the pillow. “Yes, of course, you’re only doing your
job.”
    “Which
reminds me,” Hattie said, jumping from the chair and rushing to stand at the
bed again. “I was supposed to tell you this yesterday evening so you wouldn’t
be concerned, but then, well, when I realized you’d broken out in a fever, I
completely forgot, and…”
    Willie
stirred.
    “…oh,
dear, I’m rattling on something awful, and I’m disturbing you.” The nervousness
returned full-force. Hattie bustled about putting the room in order. “What I’m
supposed to let you know is that we’re sending word to your mother today to
notify her of your accident. I know we should have done it yesterday, but—”
    “No,
don’t tell my mother.”
    The
sharpness—and sudden strength—in Willie’s voice caused Hattie to spin around.
    “We
must. She needs to know where you are. She needs to know what’s happened to
you.”
    “I
don’t want to worry her.”
    “I’m
sure she’s worried enough already, don’t you think?”
    “I
doubt she’s worried at all. I haven’t seen my mother in months, Miss Richards.
She threw me out on my ear, if you must know.”
    Hattie
hid a gasp. Although his remark left her wondering, she refused to pry. Her
role was to provide care, not advice and counsel.
    “All
the same, she’s still your mother. She has a right to know.”
    “No, I
don’t want anyone telling her—” His words failed as he choked and coughed.
    Hattie
rushed to get a glass of water. “Here, drink this. Slowly,” she instructed. His
agitation upset her greatly, but she couldn’t skirt around the facts. “Please,
listen to me, Mr. Morse.” She placed a hand at his cheek. “Dr. Kellerman has
already written the letter, informing her of the accident, and explaining your
condition to her. I have it here.” She patted the pocket of her uniform. “I’m
supposed to post it as soon as possible this morning so it doesn’t miss the
mail service.”
    “I’m
asking you not to post that letter. Please.” He looked up into Hattie’s eyes
with an expression she couldn’t decipher.
    She
waited. Willie said nothing more, offered no further explanations. But she saw
a look of hope shining in his eyes. Hattie could do so little for him. She had
no way to ease his pain and suffering, but perhaps she could honor this simple
request. And, perhaps by doing so, she could set Willie on the road to
recovery. So much depended upon him, after all.
    “All
right.” Hattie nodded. “I won’t tell your mother, but in return, you’ll do exactly as
Dr. Kellerman says. You’ll follow all of his instructions, be an exemplary
patient, and you’ll do everything you can to get well.”
    Willie
tilted his head and looked at her. “You’re bribing me?”
    She
hadn’t thought of it in those terms. “Yes, I suppose I am. Or perhaps we should
think of it as negotiation.” A smile rose quickly to her lips. “Of course, if
you don’t want to follow the doctor’s orders, then I’ll have no choice but to
carry out his instructions and inform your mother of your whereabouts.” She
bent forward. “I’m putting my