She felt Sheila’s grip tighten. “Sheila. Please. He’s not quitting.” She took a breath. “As I said, everything’s fine,” she added forcefully as a young couple breezed past.
“When’ll we see?” a petite blonde asked the beaming man at her side. She had the kind of voice that carried, no matter the volume.
“Oh no,” Sheila groaned. “Newbies...wanting proof.”
Maggie stared at the couple, thankful for the distraction. The gorgeous woman, dressed in a short blue skirt and matching cropped sweater, was openly staring at John’s wrists. She guessed they were newlyweds, based on the young man’s attentiveness and their matching gold wedding bands.
“They’re just bandages, Eddie,” the bride continued in a louder tone. She was pulling her husband toward John. “Anyone could stain a few bandages. How’d we know it’s real?”
The last phrase managed to rise above the din and echoed awkwardly in the huge room. There was a collective pause. Over the woman’s shoulder, Maggie saw the back of John’s head and, in increasing trepidation, watched as he spun in their direction. For a moment, no one moved.
