Anja

 A short story by Mary, M. Isaacs

   It was 3:15, Thursday afternoon.

   Franklin Pearce answered his ringing cell phone. The voice that greeted him was his wife’s, strained and agitated.

   “Frank, please come home! Something terrible…Anja’s having another of her attacks…get Dr. Hall, Frank, hurry!”

   “I’ll be right there.” Pearce ended the call and looked up an all-too-familiar contact, fuming at the few seconds’ delay. When Hall answered, his casual greeting only irritated Pearce, who was a bit brusque in consequence.

   “Hall, it’s happened again. Meet me at our home as fast as you can.” Slipping the phone into his pocket, he rushed out of his office.

   Matthew Hall frowned in consternation at the phone in his hand. Then, while pulling on his coat, he hastily called a taxi and scribbled a note to his wife. Within minutes, he was on his way the short distance to the Pearce apartment. He glanced at his watch; it was 3:30...

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Mary M. Isaacs

copyright 2025

(from a forthcoming book)