“I’m feeling tired,” she said. “I can meet her another time.”

“That’s fine. Since you’re so curious about the two of us, I just thought that you’d want to come up.”

Kathy patted her stomach. “Believe it or not, that was a big meal for me. I have to lie down and concentrate on my digestion.” She gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. “I had a fabulous time. You’re a neat guy, Simon.”

Her tone was sad and it made him wonder. “Thanks. I had a great time as well. Will you be around tomorrow?”

She glanced up in the direction of his apartment. “No. But the day after that, let’s get together. Give Amy my regards.”

“I will,” he promised.

Two days later Kathy was not answering her door. For some reason he sensed something was wrong, and when she finally did respond—long after sunset—she looked terrible. Her face was streaked with tears and she held her right side.

“Kathy! What is it?” he cried.

She was having trouble breathing. Her bathrobe was soaked in sweat. He struck out a hand to support her as she bent over.

“I’m pretty sure I’m passing a gallstone,” she whispered. “This has happened to me before after … after my injury. But it has never gone on so long.”

“How long have you been in pain?”

“Six hours.”

“Kathy! You have to go to the hospital.”

Her head shot up. “No. If I go to the hospital, they’ll take out my gallbladder.”

“But if that’s what it takes to get better …”

She shook her head and tears crept from the corners of her eyes. “No. You don’t understand. I can’t have another operation. I can’t let them take any more out. This stone will pass, it has to pass. It’s just stuck. Please, just come in and help me. But don’t make me go to the hospital.”

“I’ll help you,” he promised. “Give me a minute to take Jimmy to Barbara. She can watch him tonight. But Kathy, why didn’t you call me earlier?”

She closed her eyes and grimaced. “I didn’t want to bother you.”

“How could you ever think you were bothering me?”

Matt hurried and turned his son over to the babysitter. Jimmy was comfortable with Barbara; the girl had a good head on her shoulders. As he rushed back downstairs, he was determined to talk Kathy into going to the hospital. But once inside her place he realized there was no chance. She would rather die first than go under the knife again, she said.