Eighty-Four

DIMITRI

All thoughts of Summer and her family were pushed out of my mind as I eased my car into the evening traffic. I thought only of Valeria. She wouldn't be happy about us withholding the announcement about the broken engagement for a while, but I was sure she would see understand when I explained the reason behind my decision.

And then there was also the fact of Valeria's ill health. I hoped she was better now, or at least had the presence of mind to take care of herself if she was not since she had been to the hospital after all. But what if she hadn't?

My hand began to inch toward my phone, but I stopped myself from calling her since I was almost home. It was late and she would have returned from the hospital by now. I would see her face to face and confirm that she was okay with my own eyes. To my amazement, Valeria wasn't at home when I got there.

"What do you mean she's not at home?" I asked Amelia who had told me this l. "Did she return and then leave again?"

Amelia sho