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'They've had several muggings there,' I said. 'There was a shooting, too. About four months ago.'
Lucy was watching my face. She looked at my hands as I tucked the revolver in my pocketbook.
'You've got the shakes,' she said, alarmed. 'Aunt Kay, you're white as a sheet.' She stepped closer to my desk. 'I'm getting you home.'
Pain skewered my chest, and I involuntarily pressed a hand there.
'I can't.' I could barely talk.
The pain was so sharp and I could not catch my breath.
Lucy tried to help me up, but I was too weak. My hands were going numb, fingers cramping, and I leaned forward in the chair and shut my eyes as I broke out in a profuse cold sweat. I was breathing rapid, shallow breaths.
She panicked.
I was vaguely aware of her yelling into the phone. I tried to tell her I was all right, that I needed a paper bag, but I could not talk. I knew what was happening, but I could not tell her. Then she was wiping my face with a cool, wet cloth. She was massaging my shoulders, soothing me as I wearily stared down at my hands curled in my lap like claws. I knew what was going to happen, but I was too exhausted to fight it.
'Call Dr. Ze
'Where is there?' Terrified, Lucy dabbed my face again.
'MCV.'
'You're going to be all right,' she said.
I did not speak.
'Don't you worry.'
I could not straighten my hands, and I was so cold I was shivering.
'I love you, Aunt Kay,' Lucy cried.