The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman Page A

salad with raspberries and walnuts with a vinaigrette dressing, tureens of roasted vegetables, sliced lamb and tiny potatoes. Now Georgia ordered a pot of tea and two stale buns with drizzled frosting, a bowl of veggie soup, and wheat crackers.
    They ignored the soup and stuck with the tea and the dreadful sugary buns. Allie had two bites. Georgia offered to stay through the night. During those times Paul was in the hospital for treatment, Georgia would often get into bed with Allie and wrap her arms around her friend while she cried. Sometimes Georgia would cry right along with her. She was the only one who'd known that Allie had decided to break it off with Paul before he was diagnosed. Afterward, all conversation about how she wanted to leave him ended.
    There were times when Georgia considered warning Allie about her sister. She'd seen Paul and Maddy in the taxi together. She'd seen the look on Maddy's face, and she'd known. Frankly, Georgia had never been a huge fan of Paul's. She'd thought him superficial, too handsome, too self-involved. Paul had never once asked Georgia a single question about herself; she doubted whether he knew what she did at her publishing house, or if he was even aware that she had worked with Allie on
The Heron's Wife.
She'd been the art director on many children's books, and had won several awards, but
The Heron's Wife
was her favorite. Part of the charm of the artwork was the beautiful layout Georgia had created. It was possible to read the story two ways: Front to back, the heron returned to his heron wife and the world of the sky. Back to front, he stayed with his one true love on earth.
    â€œMaybe I should spend the night with you here,” Georgia offered.
    â€œYou don't have to. Really. I'll have the in-laws.”
    They both laughed at that. In-laws, after all. As much as she respected Frieda, Allie knew she would have to defer to Paul's mother on certain issues. Frieda wanted Paul buried with the rest of the family, near Reading, and Allie would never challenge that, even though he would be terribly far away. She couldn't even think about how far away it was.
    â€œNow I'll have in-law problems without the husband.” Allie tried to joke, but she was near tears.
    â€œDarling,” Georgia said. “Frieda adores you. And with good reason.”
    â€œDon't say anything nice to me,” Allie warned. “I'll break down if you do.”
    They said their good-byes in the hallway. “Give him a kiss for me,” Georgia said.
    â€œYou've never wanted to kiss Paul in your life.”
    â€œI meant the neighbor with one leg. Rob. He's a doll.” Georgia hesitated. “Should I really go?”
    â€œI can do this,” Allie said. “I don't have a choice.”
    â€œWell, it's not as if you loved him,” Georgia said. “Right?”
    Allie put her arms around her friend. She didn't let go.
    â€œBut I do,” she said.
    â€œJesus, Allie. I had no idea.” Georgia was stunned. “You didn't tell me, darling.”
    â€œI didn't know.”
    â€œFucking love,” Georgia said.
    â€œJust my luck.”
    Allie took the stairs back to Paul's room. Once everyone had gone, Paul's mother had collapsed. The nurse had given her an antianxiety medication. The birdsong tape had been turned on. Allie thought of sitting in the grass with Paul outside Lilac House. It now seemed the most important thing they had ever done together.
    â€œFrieda,” Allie said.
    â€œI'm so sorry,” Frieda was saying. “I'm just a wreck.”
    â€œShe hasn't slept in two days,” Paul's father explained.
    The in-laws went off to the visitors' lounge to lie down for a bit. There were blankets and pillows set aside for people keeping vigil. The nurses were incredibly kind. It was the hour when the minutes slowed down. Allie switched off the birdsong tape. On the other side of the curtain, Rob had fallen asleep. The sound of his morphine pump and