The Surgeon's Ghost
She lashed out without warning, slapping my father hard across the face.
"Samuel's little games are getting old," she spat. "He'll do anything to hurt Nicky, won't he? Anything to play the victim."
My father was old and frail. The blow sent him crumpling to the ground, unable to move. He lay there, his voice trembling as he forced out the words, "It really is Samuel. Samuel is dead."
Adeline's eyes blazed with fury. Through gritted teeth, she snarled at him, "Do you think this is funny? Keep playing these pathetic games with him, and I'll make sure you don't live to see another day.