“What Rick said is partially true, although there’s no call for him to be so mean about it,” Lorelie continued. “Leann is a lesbian, but so what? That doesn’t make her some kind of freak. She’s also good hearted and caring. And, no matter what, she’s still my daughter.”
Joanna hadn’t guessed Leann’s secret, but Lorelie’s matter-of-fact treatment made the whole topic seem less shocking, even with Jenny standing right there beside her. And that’s why you’re still Leann’s hero, Joanna thought.
Glancing at her watch, Joanna knew it was time to take Jenny and head back. “Is there someone you could call to come stay with you here at the hospital?” she asked. “I hate for you to be here alone.”
“I suppose I could always call Kim,” Lorelie said.
“Who’s Kim?”
“Kimberly George. Leann’s friend.” Lorelie paused, then added, “Her former friend, that is. Lover, really. The two of them had been together for five years at least. They only split up a month ago. They got in a big fight over Leann’s new job.”
“Why’s that?”
“Kim was afraid something might happen to Leann. That she’d get hurt at work . . .” Lorelie sighed. “Anyway, they broke up, and it’s just like someone getting a divorce. But still, I am going to call her. I know Kim would want to know what’s on, and she’ll be happy to give me a ride home if I need one.”
A nurse bustled into the waiting room. “The doctor you can go in for five minutes, Mrs. Jessup. But only one person at a time, and only immediate family.” She shot a meaningful look in Joanna’s direction. If the nurse was expecting an argument, it didn’t materialize.
“Right. We were just leaving,” Joanna said to the nurse, then turned to Lorelie. “If you can’t get in touch with Kim, or if you need anything else, please call me. I’m staying at the Hohokam in Peoria. I’ll be there all weekend.”
“Thank you,” Lorelie Jessup said. “And thank you for coming. I appreciate it far more than you’ll ever know.”
“What’s an abomination?” Jenny asked, once they were back in the corridor.
“Something that’s evil or obscene,” Joanna answered.
“Is your friend evil?”
“I don’t think so.”
“And neither does her mother.”
“Evidently not,” Joanna agreed.
“But her brother does.”
“It certainly sounds that way.”
Jenny and Joanna walked along in silence for several seconds. “I always used to want a little brother,” Jenny said. “But now that I’ve met that Rick guy, I think I’m glad I don’t have one.”
Joanna shook her head. “Maybe a brother of yours wouldn’t have turned into someone like Rick Jessup.”
Back at the hotel, Joanna was
