Before Jude leaves for the airport, we head to the hospital to see Stacy. At the nurses’ station, we learned Stacy’s test results returned positive for Covid-19.
“Her symptoms are mild, just a slight cough, nausea, and fatigue,” says the nurse. “Don’t worry. She’s strong and should recuperate fast.” The nurse leads us toward a glass partition so we can see Stacy.
I retrieve the aquamarine and diamond cross from my bag and hand it to the nurse. “Stacy asked about this during our last visit. Can you give it to her, please?”
Jude throws Stacy kisses and holds up the ornate Krewe of Muse’s stiletto he’d won for her.
“I’ll be back Monday, after the wedding. I love you,” he screams through the glass, brightening Stacy’s face.
The masked nurse in protective gear props the shoe on the table i
