Gloria took the baby from its mother’s breast and wrapped it securely in the brand new fluffy pink blanket. Then she turned to Olive Overland who was lying weak and distressed against the piled-up pillows. Her lifeless eyes were circled with gray, and her cheeks were hallow and dark. She looked imploringly at Gloria and reached out her hand. Gloria shuddered inwardly at the touch of this miserable woman but fixed a professional smile on her face. “There, there, Missus Overland. You just rest now. I’ll take care of baby Roberta.” “Where is everyone?” Olive asked in a weak and tentative voice. “Oh, having supper, taking a walk, shopping for a few essentials. But I’m here with you, dear. I’ll not leave you alone.” “You are a dear, Gloria. You understand how I feel. You worked with my husband every day. What am I going to do without him? I just can’t go on alone.” “I know how you feel,” she answered in her best nurse-voice. “It’s just not fair, is it? But I guess life’s not fair after all. Here, I’m going to give you something to help you sleep so you’ll be feeling better when they bring Mark to see you tomorrow. Poor little child is so sad.” Gloria was actually enjoying toying with Olive’s emotions. Her hatred and jealousy for the doctor’s wife had eaten her up long enough. She had plans. Her own plans. But first, she’d see Olive suffer, and suffer good. “Yes, your husband and I spent hours, nights and days together, Missus Overland. We had a lot in common. We were a great team. You aren’t the only one who will miss him.” To her dismay, Gloria felt hot tears burning her eye lids.
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