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these prying eyes on me.On her.Every minute of the day.This place is driving me mad.
"I'll be careful," Ginny assured her as her gaze drifted to Lindsay's ribs."You'll be careful
and not tear anymore stitches while I'm gone?And be nice to your pathetic excuse for a
doctor?If you don't you'll never get discharged."
"Yes, Mother, I'll try," she grumbled good-naturedly. "But this hospital, and especially
Doctor Asshole, is sadly mistaken if it thinks it can hold me here longer than I want to
stay."Lindsay hadn't meant to say that last part out loud and when she glanced up into
Ginny's face she realized her error.
Ginny eyes widened."Oh, no.No, no, no, no.That doesn't mean you're going to try
something crazy, does it?Lindsay-"
"Who me?"Lindsay gave Ginny her best innocent look.But most of the effect was lost when
her friend actually snorted out loud.
"Lindsay, I'm serious," Ginny persisted."This island has a prison on it.Do you really think
you can just waltz onto a ferry and not have anyone notice?"
Lindsay's face was suddenly transformed by an expression so wicked that Ginny actually
shivered.
"God, you are stubborn!"
"MmmmÉ. Miss Chisholm." Lindsay made a clucking noise, but her eyes twinkled."If I'm
not mistaken, blasphemy is the ticket straight to you know where."
Ginny narrowed her eyes."Just be careful, please.You still need those stitches to heal."
That reminded Lindsay that she was uncomfortable and she shifted in the bed.
Ginny carefully reached behind her and fluffed her pillows.
"You don't have to worry about me, Ginny.You have enough concerns without one more."
Ginny's hands stilled."Why shouldn't I worry?" she snapped, truly worried that Lindsay
would hurt herself."There's no one else out there worrying about you, is there?"The words
had barely passed her lips and she already regretted them.
Lindsay froze for a second, stunned by the unexpected jab."No," she finally answered, her
voice low and dejected."I guess there isn't."
God."I'm so sorry, Lindsay."Ginny closed her eyes, her heart in her throat."I didn't mean
toÉ" She sniffed."I only meant that it's no bother worrying about you."When her eyes
fluttered open, she used them to beg Lindsay not to be upset."I don't mind,
honestly.We're friends, right?Best friends, even?" she asked hopefully.C'mon, please
Lindsay, please don't be mad.
The look on Ginny's face tugged at Lindsay's heartstrings and her gaze dropped to delicate
lips threatening to tremble.She felt the oddest urge to take Ginny's face in her hands and
lean forward andÉ
"Lindsay?" Ginny was beginning to panic, fearing that she'd finally stuck her foot so far
inside her own mouth there'd be no retrieving it.She stood up.
Light-brown eyes snapped up to meet Ginny's."No.I mean, yes," she blurted out, clearly
confused.She reached out and tugged on Ginny's dress until the younger woman
reluctantly sat back down."I meanÉ" Lindsay shook her head as if to clear it.What was the
question again? Oh, right. She was apologizing for telling the truth. "It's okay that you
said that.You're right.I don't have anyone who cares what happens to meÉ" She clamped
her hand over Ginny's open mouth."Except you."Her mouth shaped a lop-sided grin."My
friend."
Ginny exhaled raggedly and they both exchanged relieved grins
"So you'll go to the church I told you about?"Lindsay set her jaw."And you tell them you're
Catholic and fifteen and not a day older?"
"I may not be a very good one, but I am Catholic.I'm almost eighteen and I'm not lying to
a nun!"
"Huh, I didn't know you were Catholic." Lindsay's scratched her chin."Chisholm sounds
English or something. What makes you not a good-?"
"My stepfather was Irish," she interrupted, "and he insisted that Alice and I convert when
he married Mother." Ginny waved an irritated hand and asked defensively, "Do you have
something against Catholics?Does it matter?"
Lindsay blinked."No.IÉ I."She stopped and tried again."No."
"Good.But I'm not lying."
Lindsay's face suddenly hardened."Ginny, would you rather sleep outside, alone in the
cold?Because that's what you'll be doing."And I won't be there to look out for you. Don't
be a fool, girl.
Ginny thought about that and mentally cringed. Forgive me, Father, but I have a feeling
I'm going to be doing a lot of sinning in the near future. "I'm fifteen. Got it."She looked
away."But after tonight, I'll have the entire day tomorrow to start looking for the kids. I
don't think I should just do nothing."
Lindsay knew that the first thing they'd agreed to do when they were released from the
hospital was make a trip back to Ginny's tenement.The surviving residents would likely be
scattered throughout the same area and one of them might have seen what happened to
the Robson children."We'll go back to your building tomorrowÉ together.Okay?"
"Tomorrow?"Ginny's forehead creased."But you're not being released-"
"When they think I am," Lindsay finished."I'll be fine.You just need to trust me.I need a
little time, but I'll be on the morning ferry tomorrow.We'll go to your building together and
talk to your neighbors."
Ginny wanted to argue Lindsay out of trying to leave the island early, but one look into
resolute eyes told her it would be useless."Thank you," was all she said, but the softly
spoken words conveyed more than gratitude.They were laced with affection, and Lindsay
found herself willing to do whatever it took to ensure she'd see that particular look more
often.
It had taken her nineteen years but the rail-rider finally had a true friend.Lindsay wasn't
sure which surprised her more, that it had happened at all or how much she loved it.She
still craved quiet and the relative solitude of the tracks and a rhythmically moving
boxcar.But she admitted that, even though she wanted those things, they would be just as
enjoyable if Ginny were there too.Maybe even more so.
As their time together in the Charity Hospital lengthened, each woman had appointed
herself the other's keeper and the staff had been left with little choice but to back off in
deference to that simple reality.Except for the dispensing of medication, which was by
necessity left to the nurses, Ginny and Lindsay each helped the other with the care of their
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