I hung back to let Lily talk to her sister first. Kanesha joined me and Dr. Sharp in a corner of the small room.

“How is she?” I asked. Azalea looked exhausted, and her skin had a gray tinge to it that alarmed me.

“Doing better than she looks,” Dr. Sharp said. “It was a minor cardiac incident, and fortunately Kanesha was with her when it occurred. She’s going to be fine, but she’s going to have to cut back on the salt and fried foods.”

Kanesha muttered something that sounded like “Ain’t gonna happen.” Sharp slipped an arm around her, and she leaned against him for a moment.

“I’m glad she’s in such good hands,” I said, greatly relieved by the cardiologist’s confidence.

Lily called to me. “Mr. Charlie, ’Zalea wants to see you.”

I moved toward the bed, and Lily stepped out of the way. I squeezed one of Azalea’s hands gently. “How are you feeling?”

A ghost of a smile flitted across her face and then disappeared. “Tolerable, Mr. Charlie. Tolerable.” Her stock answer when I inquired about her health. I had a sudden lump in my throat and couldn’t speak for a moment.

“Looks like they’re taking good care of you,” I finally said. “If there’s anything I can do for you, you let me know.”

Azalea nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Charlie. They say I got to take it easy for a while. Can’t do no lifting much and things like that. Be okay with you if Lily come help me awhile?”

“For as long as you need her,” I said firmly. “The important thing is for you to get to feeling better. Nothing else matters.” I would make sure she didn’t have to worry about the hospital bill, either. Unbeknownst to Azalea, Aunt Dottie had left money for just such a contingency, with firm instructions to me to take care of Azalea and not to let her talk me out of doing it. This was one battle with Azalea I would win, I promised Aunt Dottie silently.

“Can you pull up a chair and sit close?” Azalea said. “Need to tell you something.”

I glanced at Dr. Sharp, and he nodded as he approached the bed. “It’s okay as long as you don’t talk too long. You need to rest.” He smiled down at her. “I don’t want Kanesha carrying me off to jail if something happens to you. All right?”

Azalea nodded, and Sharp withdrew, taking Lily and Kanesha with him.

“What did you want to tell me?” I asked as I scooted the chair close to the bed.

Azalea’s eyes were closed, and one hand plucked at the blanket covering her. She sighed heavily. “I sure am sorry, Mr. Charlie. Should’ve told you this earlier, but I was feeling like a foolish old woman.” Her eyes opened, and she blinked at me.

“Don’t worry about that,” I said and risked patting her restless hand. Her fingers curled around my hand for a moment and squeezed briefly. “Is this about what happened in that stairwell the other night?”