Tracy stepped out of her car and into Carl’s arms. For a few minutes they didn’t talk; he just held her in the late-afternoon darkness.
“How did you find out?” Tracy asked, with her head still pressed against Carl’s chest.
“Being on the hospital board, I hear all the news,” Carl said. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you.” Tracy said. “God. I feel drained.”
“I can imagine,” Carl said. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”
They started walking up the pathway.
“I hear Kim really lost it. That must make it extra tough on you.”
Tracy only nodded.
“The man’s clearly out of control. Who does he think he is-God? I tell you, the whole hospital is in an uproar.”
Tracy opened the door without responding. She and Carl went in.
“Kim’s having a hard time,” Tracy said.
“Ha!” Carl commented. He took Tracy’s coat and hung it along with his in the hall closet. “That’s an understatement. As usual, you’re being generous. I’m not nearly so charitable. In fact, I could club him for carrying on the way he did in the Onion Ring restaurant last night about Becky’s getting sick there. Did you see the article in the paper? It’s had a big effect on the Onion Ring share price. I can’t tell you how much of a paper loss I’ve suffered from his lunacy.”
Tracy went into the living room and collapsed on the couch. She felt exhausted and yet wired and anxious at the same time. Carl followed her.
“Can I get you something?” Carl asked. “Like a drink or some food.”
Tracy shook her head. Carl sat across from her. “I spoke to some other members of the Foodsmart board,” he said. “We’re seriously thinking about suing him if the share price continues to fall.”
“It wasn’t an idle accusation on his part,” Tracy said. “Becky had a rare burger there the night before she got sick.”
“Oh, come on,” Carl said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Becky didn’t get sick there. Hundreds of thousands of burgers are made in the chain. No one gets sick. We cook those burgers to death.”
Tracy didn’t say anything. Carl quickly realized what he’d said.
“I’m sorry. That was a poor choice of words under the circumstances.”
“It’s okay, Carl,” Tracy said wearily.
“I’ll tell you what bugs me about all this,” Carl said. “Hamburger has gotten a bad rap with this E. coli brouhaha. It’s now like a knee-jerk reaction: E. coli and hamburger. Hell, people have gotten the same E. coli from apple juice, lettuce, milk, even swimming in a contaminated pond. Don’t you think it’s unfair that hamburger has to take all the crap?”
“I don’t know,” Tracy said. “I’m sorry I can’t be more responsive. I feel numb. It’s hard for me to think.”
“Of course, dear,” Carl said. “I’m the one who should be sorry for carrying on like I am. I think you should eat. When was the last time you had a meal?”
“I can’t remember,” Tracy said.
“Well, there you go,” Carl said. “How about we go out to some quiet place?”
Tracy looked at Carl in total disbelief. “My daughter just died. I’m not going out. How can you even ask?”
“Okay,” Carl said, raising his hands in defense. “It was just an idea. I think you should eat. I suppose I could get some takeout food. What about that?”
Tracy lowered her face into her hands. Carl was not helping. “I’m not hungry. Besides, maybe it would be better for me to just be alone tonight. I’m not very good company.”
“Really?” Carl questioned. He was hurt.
“Yes, really,” Tracy said. She raised her head. “I’m sure there’s something you should be doing.”
“Well, there is the dinner at Bobby Bo Mason’s house,” Carl said. “Remember me telling you about that?”
“I can’t say that I do,” Tracy said tiredly. “Who’s Bobby Bo?”
“He’s one of the local cattle barons,” Carl said. “Tonight’s the celebration of his assuming the presidency of the American Beef Alliance.”
“Sounds very important,” Tracy said in contrast to how she felt.
“It is,” Carl said. “It’s the most powerful national organization in the business.”