Chapter 56: A Reprieve

Mrs. Stephens starts the first cup and the heavy smell of coffee hits the air. A couple minutes later, she walks back and places two cups on the table before pulling out a chair.

"Thanks," I say, taking a sip. She laughs when I make a face. It's the crappiest cup of anything I've ever had.

"Yeah, it's pretty bad," she admits, pushing her cup away. Then she cocks her head as if she's sensing my emotions.

And she probably is. I'm getting used to it, I think, her reading me.

"Well, at this rate, the hospital should probably set you up a cot." She laughs, trying to lighten my mood.

I'm sure she knows I feel like shit for putting her and Brad through hell. I take another sip, glad it tastes terrible. It's exactly what I deserve.

Mrs. Stephens reaches for my hand across the table and I look up to see the kindness in her eyes. I try not to lose it and bawl my eyes out again, so I look away.

She squeezes tighter. "You've got to stop beating yourself up about this, Candice."

"I can'