She was seated again, on the front edge of the chair. She nodded and slowly scanned the room, taking in everything in turn. After another minute she stood. “I still have your letter.”
He searched for something to say. “The doctors tell me my leg’s going to be okay.”
She took a step toward the door.
“If you ever … maybe we … At least tell me your real name. You won’t even call me Toad. I won’t tell anyone. I need to know.”
She smiled brittlely. “Judith Farrell is dead. Now I am someone else, with a new past and a new future.”
“Not your new name. Your real name.”
“My new name is real. It can’t be any other way.” The smile was frozen.
“The name your parents gave you.”
The smile disappeared and she twisted the strap of her purse. She stepped over to the bed and leaned over. “Hannah Mermelstein.” Her lips brushed his cheek. “Good-bye, Robert,” she whispered. He listened to the fading sound of her heels clicking in the corridor. He listened long after the sound was completely gone.
The sea was so blue, with flecks of light reflecting off the swells. He watched it through his tears.