Sunday night, Josiphene was under heavy sedation at the Cole Hospital, second floor, room twenty. On the other end of the hospital, barely hanging on, was Nicholas.
In the lobby were George and Helen Knapp, Thomas Moses, and Dr. Taylor Baker.
"How's Josiphene?" Thomas asked Taylor.
"She went back into shock when she realized what happened," Taylor replied. "Another shock like this, and she won't be alive!"
"You've got to be kidding!" George said. "Josiphene is a very strong woman!"
"I'm sorry," Taylor said, "but I don't agree! All these years--and I've kept quiet about it--all these years Josiphene has been hard working and beautiful on the outside, but going to pieces on the inside!"
"Are you serious?" Thomas replied.
"I've never been more serious!" Taylor answered. "If you don't mind my saying so, her life with Eli Michael has not been happy. Living with a man you hate is pure hell!"
"As Ginger Baker can assure," George said.
"George!" Helen snapped. "How dare you!"
"That's all right," Taylor said. "I'm used to it by now! Anyway, what I'm saying is that if Josiphene and Nicholas could have been married, instead of Eli and Josiphene--well, she could have been a healthy person!"
"Dr. Baker," Helen softly said, "just what has been wrong with Josiphene? Does she have a disease?"
"No," Taylor replied, "It's just her nerves. They are shot! For the past several years, she has been secretly taking shots and pills for the condition. No one knew. Nicholas Abraham didn't even know!"
Everyone was stunned, as Taylor arose.
"If you'll excuse me," Taylor said, "I better check on my other patients!"
"Son of a bitch!" George said. "I"m her brother--I didn't even know! I wonder if Eli knew?"
"You heard Dr. Baker," Helen said. "No one knew!"
"Well," Thomas said, "that just goes to show you can't believe anything!"
"Huh?" George, his mind elsewhere, said.
"I mean--with all that goes on in this town," Thomas continued, "and especially Taylor Baker's big mouth--you'd think he would have said something about it by now!"
"A well kept secret," George said. "A well kept secret!"
"You know," Helen began, after a short pause, "I've been thinking about writing a book about this place. It's funny, but there are so many unique, novel characters around here! What could I call it, though?"
"How about The Mystic Adventures of Cole, Mississippi?" George suggested.
"No," Helen said, thinking back. "There's something someone said to me about this place--yes! Winners and Losers--this certain person said Cole was full of winners and losers. Half the town is drunk, and the other half is chicken!"
Everyone laughed.
"Yes," Helen continued, "winners and losers. That's who makes up this place. I guess were are all winners and losers of sorts!"
"Well," Thomas said, "lately, it sound like everyone's a loser, to me!"
Taylor burst into the lobby again.
"I forgot to mention," Taylor said, "that I would like the news about Josiphene being on nerve treatement to be a secret. I told you this because you're her family, you know."
"Yes," Thomas answered. "I won't even tell Mary Kay and the children!"
"I'll bet," Helen mumbled.
Thomas looked at this watch.
"Well," said Thomas, "it isn't going to do me any good to just sit here, George and Helen, so I'm going on home. Will you please call me if there are any changes?"
"Of course," George said. "Don't worry."
"George," Helen said, "what about Eli?"
"What about Eli?" George replied.
"Is he going to be charged with murder? I mean, he did pull the trigger!"
"I don't know, darling," George, grabbing the nervous Helen's hand, replied. "I know how you feel. No one has pressed charges--and we are confident that Nicholas will pull through, aren't we?"
"Of course," Helen, crying, replied.
At that moment, an attractive young lady entered the lobby. She walked to the counter.
"Can you tell me the condition of Mr. Nicholas Abraham?" the lady asked.
"His doctor is Dr. Taylor Baker," the receptionist replied. "He should be here in a few minutes. Are you a relative of Mr. Abraham?"
"I'm his wife."
