Definitely Dead

should have figured on that.”
    I did the dishes while Jason fidgeted. He called Crystal to check on her, seemed okay with what he’d heard. Finally, I asked him to go outside and knock old dirt-dauber nests off the tool shed. He couldn’t seem to settle down, so he might as well be useful.
    I thought about the situation while I started a load of laundry and put on my barmaid outfit (black pants, white boat-neck tee with Merlotte’s embroidered over the left breast, black Adidas). I was not a happy camper. I was worried about Crystal—and I didn’t like her. I was sorry she’d lost the baby because I know that’s a sad experience, but I was happy because I really didn’t want Jason to marry the girl, and I was pretty sure he would have if the pregnancy had continued. I cast around for something to make me feel better. I opened the closet to look at my new outfit, the one I’d bought at Tara’s Togs to wear on my date. But I couldn’t even get any enjoyment out of it.
    Finally, I did what I’d planned on doing before I’d heard Jason’s news: I got a book and settled in a chair on the front porch, reading a few sentences every now and then in between admiring the pear tree in the front yard, which was covered in white blossoms and humming with bees.
    The sun was beaming, the daffodils were just past their prime, and I had a date for Friday. And I’d already done my good deed for the day, in calling Dr. Ludwig. The coil of worry in my stomach eased up a little.
    From time to time, I could hear vague sounds traveling my way from the backyard; Jason had found something to keep him occupied after he’d dealt with the nests. Maybe he was pulling up weeds in the flower beds. I brightened. That would be nice, since I didn’t have my grandmother’s enthusiasm for gardening. I admired the results, but I didn’t enjoy the whole process as she had.
    After checking my watch repeatedly, I was relieved to see a rather grand pearl Cadillac pull into the front parking area. There was a tiny shape in the front passenger seat. The driver’s door opened, and a Were named Amanda got out. She and I had had our differences, but we’d parted on fair terms. I was relieved to see someone I knew. Amanda, who looked exactly like a middle-class soccer mom, was in her thirties. Her red hair looked natural, quite unlike my friend Arlene’s.
    “Sookie, hey,” she said. “When the doctor told me where we were going, I was relieved, since I knew how to get here already.”
    “You’re not her usual driver? Hey, I like the haircut, by the way.”
    “Oh, thanks.” Amanda’s hair was newly short, cut in a careless, almost boyish style that oddly suited her. I say oddly, because Amanda’s body was definitely womanly.
    “Haven’t got used to it yet,” she admitted, running her hand over her neck. “Actually, it’s usually my oldest boy that drives Dr. Ludwig, but he’s in school today, of course. Is it your sister-in-law that’s ailing?”
    “My brother’s fiancée,” I said, trying to put a good face on it. “Crystal. She’s a panther.”
    Amanda looked almost respectful. Weres often have only contempt for other shape-shifters, but something as formidable as a panther would get their attention. “I heard there was a cluster of panthers out here somewhere. Never met one before.”
    “I have to get to work, but my brother’s going to lead you over to his place.”
    “So, you’re not really close to your brother’s fiancée?”
    I was taken aback at the implication that I was less than concerned about Crystal’s welfare. Maybe I should have hurried over to her bedside and left Jason here to guide the doctor? I suddenly saw my enjoyment of my moments of peace as a callous disregard for Crystal. But now was no time to wallow in guilt.
    “Truthfully,” I said, “no, I’m not that close to her. But Jason didn’t seem to think there was anything I could do for her, and my presence wouldn’t exactly be soothing since she’s not any fonder of me than I am of her.”
    Amanda shrugged. “Okay, where is he?”
    Jason came around the corner of the house just then, to my relief. “Oh, great,” he said. “You’re the doctor?”
    “No,” Amanda said. “The doctor’s in the car. I’m the driver today.”
    “I’ll lead you over there. I been on the phone with Crystal, and she’s not getting any better.”
    I felt another wave of remorse. “Call me at work, Jason, and let me know how she’s doing, okay?