Free The Story Hour by Thrity Umrigar Page B

didn’t catch what you said.”
    â€œI said it not his fault, madam. I am a stupid. Not husband fault he not love me.”
    What was it about this woman that was affecting her so? She had heard stories from clients a thousand times more horrific than Lakshmi’s, and they had not touched her like this. Then again, had she ever had a client who was as vulnerable, as friendless, as the woman who walked next to her, whose fingers were lightly touching each branch and tree trunk they passed, as if she were gathering it all in?
    â€œDo you love him?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Maggie kicked herself for asking the question. They were near the hospital, she had to get Lakshmi to her unit, and she didn’t have time to explore Lakshmi’s answer. “It’s okay,” she added. “You don’t have to answer that.”
    Lakshmi nodded her assent. They climbed the stone steps that led to the hospital in silence, and then she said, “My ma always say, love come slowly-slowly in the marriage. So I not worry. I do my bed duty with him and I feel nothing. But I no worry. But now it six year past, and I knows the truth—love is not coming for me. I having no feelings for him, madam.” A tear rolled down her cheek and she brushed it off roughly.
    Maggie was about to respond when she saw Richard Cummings, her boss, walking toward them in the hallway. Cummings cocked an eyebrow as he approached, throwing Maggie a half-approving, half-sardonic look. “Hello,” he said. “Enjoying the outdoors a bit?”
    Maggie could tell Richard wanted to chat, but she simply nodded and kept walking.
    As they waited for the elevator, Lakshmi leaned toward her and whispered, “That man come see me the day I come to here. He say something and something, but it all sound like ‘buzbuzbuzbuzbuzbuz’ to me. So I says nothing to him.”
    Lakshmi’s body language was relaxed, her tone confiding, and Maggie felt the thrill of a breakthrough as they got in the elevator. “You should’ve replied to him by saying, ‘Buzbuzbuzbuz,’” she said, trying to imitate the sound Lakshmi had made.
    The younger woman giggled, a soft, tentative sound. For the first time since they’d met, Lakshmi looked her directly in the eye and held the look. The next minute, they were both laughing. Maggie imagined the quizzical look on Richard’s face if he knew they were mocking him, and this made her laugh even more.
    â€œWell, looks like you had a nice walk,” Patty said as they walked past her.
    Maggie escorted her patient to the room and then lingered for a moment. “Listen,” she said. “I’m going to recommend that we let you out of here tomorrow. But you have to continue with outpatient therapy. Do you understand?”
    Lakshmi looked confused. “What is the there-py?”
    â€œTherapy. What we’ve been doing here. You know, talking.”
    Lakshmi brightened. “Yes, I see. You means, making the friendship?”
    â€œYes, well, not quite,” Maggie stammered, not sure what to say. “Look, what time does your husband visit tomorrow? I’ll stop by then. I will have a discharge plan prepared by tomorrow. Okay?”
    She let herself out of the room before Lakshmi could reply.

9
    M AGGIE WISHED THE man in front of her would stop pacing. “It’s a conditional discharge, Mr. Patil,” Maggie said. “Are you with me?”
    â€œThis Lakshmi’s natak is costing me lots of money,” Adit Patil said. “I needing her in the restaurant.”
    â€œAnd you can have her. But she must continue therapy. You understand?”
    Adit scowled. “And where from the money comes? How we pay? My insurance not so good. We poor people. Lakshmi make stupid mistake. But now she okay.”
    Maggie glanced at Lakshmi, who was staring at a spot on the floor, acting for all the world