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Show Moon - 207 made me blind. I didn't think it would happen quite so soon. I'll need a little help getting off the train. Will that be too much trouble?" She could hear him move closer as if to study her. She hoped she'd done a decent job combing her hair. "You travel alone with a disease like that?" His voice was soft and deep, intensely comforting. "I'll call for an ambulance to meet you." "Oh, please, no. Not at all necessary! My sister will be on the platform, so all you need to do is make sure I've put everything in my bag and help me out." He took her arm, sat her down, and placed a blanket across her lap, so gentle that her careful defense against weeping was nearly undone. After he left, she strained toward the window, as if she could will her vision to return just long enough for a glimpse of the San Francisco hills and the bay leading to the ocean she'd sailed in a long-ago life of sun drenched color. Finally the brakes gave their familiar scream and lurched her forward. The porter opened the door, took her bag, handed her the cane, and carried her down the steps easily, for she was so tiny, so light. She heard him say, "You her sister? She's a nice lady. Take care of her." Anne reached out to touch him in thanks, but he was gone. Esther was by her side, exclaiming, "My God, Anne, you look terrible. How could James have let you come alone?" "I can't see," Anne said. "It happened overnight. I'm sorry. I'm afraid I have to go home now. Isn't this silly, but I think I need to be put on a plane." "Til take you to a hospital." Anne clutched her sister's arm. "No. They'd keep me. Imustgohome.lt doesn't matter. They can't help me anyway." |