Chapter 16. Becky left me at the store entrance and I entered with leaden feet.

[Kitosdad]

Becky left me at the store entrance and I entered with leaden feet. I felt as though I couldn't do anything right. My past was forever catching up with me, and I wondered just how long this would continue.My greatest fear was that the manager would not consider me worth all this bother and refuse to help me.

My fears proved to be unfounded, for when I had an opportunity to speak to him again he seemed deeply concerned.
" Look Tom, I know you to be a good and honest worker, and I feel for your predicament. But for your honesty I'm pretty sure this guy would have had you help him to steal lots from the store. If this had continued for any length of time then I could have easily lost my job as well, so I am indebted to you for bringing this to my attention."
" But what can we do about him? He hasn't actually stolen anything as far as I know, but my gut-feeling is that he is on the point of doing so."
" Listen Tom, I have a plan, but it's better that you know nothing about it. Just go about your job and don't arouse Maurice's suspicions that anything is wrong.Be friendly and talk to him, but don't allow him to talk about the store with you. You need to be completely above suspicion in his mind. I'll put paid to his little games once and for all."

The relief flooded through me and I promised I would follow his instructions to the letter. I had no idea what he had in mind, but he seemed more than confident that it would work. I prayed that he was right. I really wanted Maurice off my back, once and for all.

That evening I told Becky of my talk with the manager and she was delighted to hear that he had a plan, and the thoughts of us ridding ourselves of Maurice for good
made her so happy.
" Now we can get back to a normal life Tom," she said.
" Well it hasn't happened yet, but the manager sounded so confident that I think it will all come about."
We enjoyed our usual evening walk, and as I kissed her goodnight I felt like a different man.This really could be the turning point in my life.
I walked home deep in thought, and as I lay in my bed I wondered just what plan the manager had cooked-up.
He was nobody's fool and it was sure to be a good one.

The following few days passed peacefully enough and I had completely eliminated Maurice from my thoughts.Becky and I had grown closer with every passing day and I was giving serious thought to proposing to her. She was a really lovely girl and I had every reason to be happy to have met her. Hadn't she saved me from possibly having been arrested on suspicion that night? Hadn't it been her suggestion that I told the manager my suspicions about Maurice's intentions? Yes, I'd every reason for being grateful in having met Becky, but did I really love her enough to spend the rest of my life with her? Had I any right to expect her to marry a man who was liable to slip back into a series of nightmares and sleepless nights? I decided to give it some more time before broaching the subject of marriage. As it turned out this was the moment fate decided to step in and take a hand in the proceedings.This was going to be an eventful day in my life, but as yet, I was totally unaware of the fact.

It happened just as the day had begun and I was just entering the store and readying myself for the workday. The manager approached me with a solemn look on his face.
" Tom, I've just had a phone call from the hospital. Becky has had an accident. She was leaving the hotel after having worked the night-shift, and in crossing the road she was hit by a passing car. She is in intensive care and you have to go there immediately."

The hospital was nearby and I set off at a run to get there. The hospital reception desk were already expecting me, and they called the attending physician. He told me that I was able to see Becky, but that she was in a coma and in all probability would be totally unaware of my presence there.
He accompanied me to her room and I was alarmed at the amount of equipment that surrounded her.
" Is she going to be OK," I heard myself saying.
" We really can't be sure sir, but I think it better to prepare yourself for the worst.She has suffered massive internal injuries, and she also has a fractured skull. The signs are not good, and her present condition can only be described as critical, I'm afraid."
" Can I stay with her then. Is that permitted?"
" Of course you can sir, but please be prepared to leave the room immediately, should we ask you to do so."
" Of course, and thank you," I muttered

The end, when it came was sudden. I was dozing in the chair by Becky's bedside when an alarm aroused me from my drowsing. A doctor and a nurse came rushing in, and asked that I left the room.
I sat in the hall and didn't know what I could do to help .... nothing I suppose. Becky's life was in their hands now.
After a few minutes her room door opened, and the doctor, seeing me sat there, approached me with a sympathetic face.
" I'm so sorry sir, but we could do nothing. Her internal injuries were just too severe."
I left the hospital in a daze and walked slowly down the road. My whole future had been rubbed out. Where did I go from here?
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