Chapter 2 Prologue (1)

September 8, 2005 Although the mention of autumn conjures up images of death, it is actually a season of life.In the northeastern United States, the colorful foliage of autumn can especially give you a sense of this exuberance.September has just begun, and instead of being hot, humid, and foggy, the weather in New England is cool, dry, and crisp, with crystal-clear blue skies.That was the case on September 8, 2005.From Maine to New Jersey, the skies were clear blue and cloudless.From the criss-crossing gravel roads in downtown Boston to the steel and concrete streets of New York, the temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which is very comfortable.

That evening, a physician each in Boston and New York reluctantly took out his cell phone from his belt clip to answer the call.Both of them had an ominous premonition that the beautiful ringtone might bring about an emergency that had to be dealt with, requiring them to mobilize all their professional knowledge and to be present at the scene.Both of them have already arranged a rich and colorful nightlife, and this call came at an inopportune time. Unfortunately, both instincts were spot on.The call really brings the coolness of autumn, brings death.Boston physicians are about to deal with a patient who has had a heart attack.The patient's organs failed and he had difficulty breathing, and he will die soon.What New York physicians had to deal with was a patient who had just been confirmed dead.The situation on both sides was very urgent, and the two had to give up the nightlife that night and go to deal with it.What they didn't expect was that one of the phone calls would trigger a series of accidents, involving them at the same time, facing various crises, and turning them against each other, while the other phone call would eventually change the fate of one of them.

Massachusetts, Boston seven in the evening: ten Craig.Dr. Berman dropped an arm to relax the sore forearm muscles.He had been standing in front of the closet mirror trying to put on the black formal tie by himself, with repeated failures.He has probably worn a tuxedo five or six times in his life so far.The first time was for the high school prom, the last time was the wedding ceremony, and each time the rented dress came with a bow tie already tied on the collar.But now, he is going through a period of rebirth, and he must pay attention to everything.He had bought a brand new tuxedo, and he couldn't just get by with a fake bow tie.The problem is, he doesn't really know how to tie a bow tie, and he's too embarrassed to ask the dress shop clerk.At that time, he didn't pay attention to it, thinking that it should be similar to tying shoelaces.

But in fact, the gap between the two is too great.He's been wrestling with the damn bowtie for ten minutes.Fortunately, Lian Na was busy putting on makeup in the bathroom and didn't notice.The new secretary and medical records manager was also his new female companion.The worst outcome would be to ask Lian Na to help him tie the tie.He really didn't want to do that.They haven't been together for a long time, and he hopes to continue to maintain a moderate distance and sense of mystery in front of her, otherwise it will be difficult to deal with this woman's overreaching.The receptionist and secretary in the clinic, as well as his nurse, said that Lianna had a big mouth.In her dictionary, there is no such word as acting carefully.

He quickly glanced in the direction of Lianna.The bathroom door was ajar, and she was putting on mascara.From his angle, he could see her profile.Lianna was twenty-three years old, and she wore a sparkly pink crepe dress with a curvy hip.Now she was on tiptoe, trying to get as close as possible to the mirror over the sink.A smug smile slid across Craig's face.They're all dressed up tonight just to be noticed when they walk into the concert hall.Although Lian Na has a big mouth, she is also a lovely person.Tonight, she put on the newly bought Neiman Marco off-the-shoulder evening dress, which is even more charming.She was sure to be the center of attention tonight, and the other forty-five-year-old men in the room were sure to envy his good fortune.He knew these thoughts were childish, but it was good to feel like he was wearing a tuxedo again after all these years after prom.

Will his or his wife's friends also go to the concert?Craig's smile faded at the thought.He didn't want to humiliate anyone, and he didn't want to hurt anyone.On second thought, he and his wife had never been to a concert together.They had few friends, and they were all doctors who worked as hard as he did and had no time to go to concerts, so the chances of meeting acquaintances were slim.These doctors work three shifts all year round, and most of them live in the suburbs, so they have almost no chance to enjoy the rich and colorful cultural life in the city. Craig and Alexis have been separated for six months, and a female companion is not too much.He thinks it has nothing to do with age.As long as his female partner is an adult, past the age of college graduation, no one can say anything.Besides, he has become so active now, sooner or later someone will see him and his female partner in pairs in social situations.Boston is a big city, and he wants to try all the social life that a normal person with a higher education should enjoy.Now he not only often goes to concerts, but also goes to gymnasiums to exercise, watch plays and ballet.Since Alexis didn't want to accept his changes from the beginning, she doesn't care who he goes out with now.No one could stop him from living a new life.He even began to care about when the museum had a new exhibition, even though he had never been there before.In the past, he only wanted to be the best doctor, and the process was very painful.For ten years, except for going home to sleep, he hardly ever left the hospital, let alone enjoying cultural life.After gaining some fame in the field of internal medicine, he became busier than before, unable to take care of his personal affairs or take care of his family.He has become a typical workaholic. He has no other life content except work, and he only faces patients every day.Everything has changed now, and all regrets and self-blame, especially about the family, have to be put aside for the first time.He never wanted to live that kind of step-by-step, hurried, unsatisfactory, and cultural life.He knew that some people would describe this transition as a midlife crisis, but he didn't see it that way.He felt that he had gained a new life, or rather, an awakening.

Over the past year, Craig has devoted himself, perhaps even obsessed, to becoming a fun, happy, and well-rounded human being, and thus a better physician.On the desk of his apartment in the city was a stack of catalogs from various local universities, including Harvard's.He wants to take some liberal arts courses, one or two a semester, to make up for past regrets.And since he became a practicing physician, he has no energy for scientific research.So what pleases him most is that these changes in his life have revived his interest in scientific research.Since medical school, he has assisted professors in the study of sodium ion channels in muscle and nerve cells.At first, it was to earn tuition fees, and then he became interested in it until he was able to study independently.He also co-authored several influential papers during his master's degree and residency.Now he is not as busy as before, and he has two afternoons a week to do scientific research in the laboratory, which feels really great.Lianna said he could afford everything.Although he thinks it is too early to say so, maybe after two years of hard work, he can really balance professionalism and interest.

These transformations for Craig came so suddenly that he didn't expect it himself.About a year ago, it was also a coincidence, his career has undergone a great change, not only earning more than before, but also a sense of accomplishment.Suddenly, he found that he finally had the opportunity to practice the ideals he had learned in medical school, putting the needs of patients first and not having to worry about the dark and onerous terms of insurance.He could spend a full hour asking about his condition if the patient wanted it.He could finally make up his own mind.In the past, he had to face the dilemma of decreasing medical insurance claims and increasing clinic expenses. He had to see a few more patients every day in order to make ends meet.Suddenly, he didn't have to think about it anymore, and he didn't have to argue with insurance adjusters who had no medical knowledge.He can even provide outpatient consultations depending on the condition, which was unimaginable in the past.

It felt like a dream come true.At the beginning, his current collaborator and benefactor mentioned this opportunity to him, and he also said that he would consider it.It was really stupid not to agree on the spot.He almost lost this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.Everything is fine, except for the family, which stems from the fact that he was too devoted to his previous job from the beginning.In the end, it was his fault, he admitted.As a doctor, there are too many emergencies that need to be dealt with every day, and he is willing to let all these influence and limit his life.Now that he's finally out of it all, maybe the family issues will be resolved in the future, it's just a matter of time.Perhaps Alexis will slowly realize that this transition is good for both of them.Now he just wants to change himself and enjoy life.For the first time in his life, he also had a lot of time and money.

Craig, holding one end of the bow tie in each hand, was about to try it again when his phone rang.His face sank, he raised his wrist and looked at his watch, it was ten past seven.The concert starts at half past eight.The phone showed that the caller was Stanhope. Oh shit!He cursed harshly, then turned on the phone, put it close to his ear and started talking. Doctor Berman!The other party's voice was very calm.I'm calling because Patience is not doing well.I feel like this time it's really serious. What does it look like, Jordan?Craig asked, looking back at the bathroom.Lian Na heard the phone ring and was looking at him.He mouthed a Stanhope, and Lianna nodded.She knows what that means.Craig could tell from her expression that she was as worried as he was that tonight's date was going to fail.If they can't catch up with the start of the concert, they have to wait until halftime before they can enter, so that they won't experience the long-awaited joy and excitement of being noticed when they enter the arena.

No idea, Jordan replied.She looked extremely weak and couldn't sit up at all. Besides weakness, are there other symptoms? I think an ambulance should be called to go to the hospital.She's unstable and I'm really worried. Jordan, you're worried, and I'm worried too.Craig comforts him.What other symptoms does she have?I mean, this morning she had her usual load of complaints, which I just dealt with.What's new now?Of Craig's patients there were probably half a dozen particularly troublesome ones, what he called problem patients, Patience.Stanhope was the toughest of them all.Whether it is a hospital or a private clinic, doctors have to deal with such patients.Not only is it annoying, it can drive you crazy in severe cases.This kind of patients have something to complain about all day long, but after careful investigation, their symptoms are often made out of a molehill, and some are even fabricated. They can't be cured at all, and unconventional treatments can't help them.With such patients, Craig tried everything, but nothing worked.These people are depressive, demanding, hopeless, and time-consuming.Now with the Internet, these people can come up with all kinds of symptoms and force you to hold hands and talk with them for a long time.When working in the hospital, once Craig was sure that their symptoms were fabricated, he would try to ignore them, teach them to nurses or nurses, or recommend them to specialists, especially psychologists.But now his service specification does not allow him to do so.That said, these problem patients are the only sticking issues in his new life.Although such patients only accounted for 3% of the total, they took up more than 15% of his time.Patience was the most annoying.For the past eight months, he has been making house calls at least once a week, often in the evenings and even at night.Craig often jokes with employees that Patience is testing his patience. 】.The staff laugh every time. Big difference this time, Jordan replied.It was very different from her symptoms last night and this morning. Why is it different?Craig asked.Can you be more specific?He tried to figure out what was wrong with Patience as best he could, and forced himself to believe that sometimes patients with these problems did need treatment.The problem with dealing with this type of patient is that you lower your skepticism.It's a bit like the wolf is coming. If you do it too many times, you won't believe it. The pain is different. Well, that counts as one, Craig said.He shrugged Lianna and motioned her to hurry up.If the situation is really urgent, he wants to take Lian Na to the clinic together.Where is the pain this time? This morning it was rectal and abdominal pain. Well, I remember!Craig said.How could it be impossible to remember.Every time it is edema, flatulence, and the problem of excretion is described with relish, which is simply disgusting.Where is the pain now? She said it was chest pain.She had never mentioned her chest pains before. No, Jordan.She has experienced chest pains several times in the last month.I also gave her a stress test for this. yes!I forgot.I don't remember her having so many symptoms. You think I remember?Craig wanted to speak, but held back. I think she should be taken to the hospital, Jordan repeated.I find it difficult for her to breathe or even speak.She also told me earlier that she had a headache and an upset stomach. She does get nausea a lot, Craig chimed in.Also have frequent headaches. But this time she did throw up.And she said that she felt like floating in the air, and she was a little numb. I have never heard of these symptoms from her! So, this time is very different. Is it a sharp visceral pain or a spasmodic intermittent stab? I can't tell. Can I ask her?May matter. OK, don't hang up! Craig heard Jordan put down the receiver.Lianna came out of the bathroom.She is ready.In Craig's opinion, such a beauty should appear on the cover of a magazine.He gave her a thumbs up.She smiled and mouthed that something was wrong. Craig shrugged and took the phone away from his mouth, but still pressed it to his ear.Looks like I'm going to the clinic. Lian Na nodded, and then asked: "Do you know how to tie a bow tie?" Craig nodded reluctantly. Let me try, Lianna suggested. Craig lifts his chin to make room for her tie.Then Jordan came back.She said it hurts badly.It seems that you have both situations. Craig nodded.This sounded like Patience's tone.no solution anymore.Has the pain spread, like in the arm, neck, or somewhere else? God!I don't know.Or should I ask her? Just ask, thanks, Craig replied. Lian Na tightened the two ends of the bow tie, tied a beautiful knot in two or three strokes, and tidied it up again.She took a few steps back and looked at it, and then announced loudly: Yes, I admire myself. Craig looked at himself in the mirror and had to agree.Why is it so easy for her to fight? Jordan's voice came from the receiver again.She said it was just a chest pain.Do you think she's going to have a heart attack, doctor? That's hard to say, Jordan, Craig said.Remember, I told you that her stress test was a little bit different, so I wanted you to pay attention to her heart, even though she had no previous heart disease. When you said that, I remembered.But whatever the cause, I think she's getting worse.She looked blue. All right, Jordan, I'll be right over.One more question: did she take the antidepressant I left her this morning? Is it important? possible.Although it does not sound like a drug allergy, it cannot be completely ruled out.She had never taken this medicine before.I reminded her to take it before going to bed tonight in case of dizziness or other problems. I don't know if she ate or not.She still has a lot of medicine prescribed by Dr. Cohen. Craig nodded.He knew that Patience's medicine cabinet looked like a small pharmacy.Patience's previous attending physician was Ethan.Dr. Cohen, this man is far more courageous in prescribing medicine than he is.It was Dr. Cohen who first proposed him to join this line of work, but now he is only Craig's nominal partner, basically useless.He's not in good health himself, and is on long-term sick leave, probably for the rest of his life.All of Craig's problem patients were transferred from Cohen.Fortunately, none of the problematic patients in his previous hospital could afford to pay such a high price to be transferred to his current clinic. Listen, Jordan, Craig said.I'll come over right away.First look for the little medicine bottle I gave Patience this morning, and we'll count the medicine in it later to see if it's missing. Well, I'll try to find it, Jordan said. Craig turned off the phone.He looked at Lianna.It seems that we must go out to the clinic.Would you like to come with me?If it was a false alarm, we could go straight to the concert hall and maybe make it in time.His home is not far from the concert hall. I have no objection, Lianna said cheerfully. Craig walked briskly to the closet while putting on his tuxedo.He pulled a black emergency kit from the top shelf and opened it.It was a gift from his mother when he graduated from medical school.The gift meant a lot to him at the time.Because he knew that his mother would have to save his father for a long time to afford the emergency kit.It was a rather large old black emergency box with a brass handle.When he worked in the hospital, Craig never used the case because he didn't need to go out to the clinic.But in the past year, he has used it frequently. Craig tossed in his bag the items he needed, including a bedside test kit for indicators of a myocardial infarction or heart attack.Science moves too fast.When he was a resident physician, it took several days for these index laboratories to come out.Now patients can be tested at the bedside.Of course, this test kit cannot be quantified, but it is not a big problem, as long as it can provide a qualitative basis for diagnosis.He took out the portable electrocardiograph from the shelf on the top floor and handed it to Lianna. After Craig and Alexis officially separated, he rented an apartment on Beacon Hill in downtown Boston.The house is on Revere Street, the fourth floor is a duplex, with good lighting, a terrace, and a view of Cambridge along the Charles River.Beacon Hill is a veritable downtown that has just about everything Craig needs.He can walk to several nice restaurants, and the theater is within easy reach.The only regret is that parking is inconvenient.He had to rent a space on Charles Street, a five-minute walk away. How likely are we to get out of his house and make it to the concert?Lianna asked.They got into Craig's new Porsche and headed west on Storrow Road. The engine was so loud that Craig had to raise his voice.Jordan seemed to think it was serious this time.That's why I'm scared too.He had lived with Patience for so long and he knew her better than anyone else. How could Jordan have put up with her for so long?She was so annoying, Jordan seemed like a classy gentleman.Lena had commented on the Stanhopes in this way several times in the office. I guess it may be some kind of interest relationship. I always feel that the real rich is Patience.Who knows.Everyone's private life is very different from what it seems on the surface, including my own, which has only recently changed.As he spoke, he pinched Lian Na's thigh. I don't understand why you are so patient with this kind of person, Lian Na sighed.I didn't mean to make a pun. It's really not easy.I'm just telling you, I can't stand them either.Fortunately, such people are very few.My profession is caring for the sick.To me, fabricating symptoms is akin to faking a disease.If I wanted to be a psychiatrist, I would have already studied psychology. When we arrive at his house later, should I wait for you in the car or go in with you? Whatever you want, Craig said.I don't know how long it will take.Sometimes she would toss me for an hour.I think you'd better come in with me.It's so boring to sit in a car by yourself. It's not bad to go in and see how they live. It's so different from ordinary people's life. The Stanhope family lives in the affluent area of ​​Brighton, Massachusetts, near the Chestnut Hill Country Club, surrounded by trees, and the three-story Georgian-style red brick building is quite spectacular.Following the circular driveway in the courtyard, Craig parked the car all the way to the entrance of the building.He is too familiar with this road.Jordan opened the door when they reached the steps.Craig was carrying a black emergency case, and Lianna was holding a portable electrocardiograph. She's upstairs in the bedroom, Jordan said quickly.He was tall, stern, and wore a dark green velvet morning coat.He might have been a little surprised to see Craig and Lianna's formal attire, but he didn't say anything.Before turning back into the house, he took out a small plastic bottle and put it in Craig's hand. The bottle contained the antidepressant Zoloft that Craig gave Patience that morning.At a glance, Craig saw that one of the six pills was missing.Obviously she did not follow the doctor's advice and took the medicine in advance.He pocketed the bottle and followed Jordan into the house.Do you mind if my secretary comes with me?Craig asked.She might be able to help.Lianna expressed her willingness to help several times in the office.Craig was impressed by her initiative and dedication, which at the time hadn't occurred to him to ask her for a social companion.He also noticed that Lena was attending evening classes at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown, hoping to eventually earn a diploma as a medical technician or nurse.These increased Craig's affection for her. It's okay, Jordan said without looking back.He beckons for them to follow.He had already started climbing the main staircase leading to the Palladian window above the main entrance. Each has its own bedroom, Lianna whispered to Craig as she followed Jordan upstairs.What kind of couple is this.I thought it was only in old movies that people slept separately. Craig said nothing.They passed quickly through a thickly carpeted corridor and into the mistress' bedroom.It is decorated with blue silk everywhere.Patience, with drooping eyelids, was lying on a huge bed, barely sitting up with the support of pillows.A servant in a French maid's uniform straightened up.Earlier she was holding a damp cloth to Patience's forehead. Craig only glanced at Patience, rushed over to feel for the pulse without saying a word, and threw the black emergency kit on the bed.He immediately opened the emergency box and took out a blood pressure monitor and stethoscope.Wrapping the blood pressure cuff around Patience's right arm, he yelled at Jordan: "Call an ambulance!" Jordan only raised his eyebrows slightly to show that he heard.Then he went to the bedside table, picked up the phone, dialed 911, and waved the servant to leave. OMG!Craig muttered softly as he unfastened his blood pressure cuff.He jerked the pillow behind Patience, and she fell backwards like a rag doll.He threw off the quilt, lifted her long pajamas, listened to her chest with a stethoscope, and motioned for Lianna to give him the electrocardiogram.Jordan was speaking to a 9/11 operator.Craig fumbled to untangle the wires of the electrocardiograph and quickly applied a dab of conductive paste to the probe. Is she all right?Lianna asked in a low voice. God knows, Craig replied.She's cyanotic, my God. What does cyanosis mean? That is to say, she doesn't have enough oxygen in her blood.I don't know if it's due to insufficient blood supply, or shortness of breath, maybe both. Craig watched the electrocardiograph, watching it slowly spit out a test strip of widely spaced ink dots.He tore off the tape, looked at it carefully, put it in his coat pocket, and removed the EKG probe from Patience's limb. Jordan hung up the phone.The ambulance will be here soon. Craig nodded slightly, and quickly pulled out an oxygen bag from the box.He put the mask over Patience's mouth and nose, and squeezed the bag.Her chest began to heave, indicating that her breathing was easier. Can you follow suit?Craig asked Lianna while administering oxygen to Patience. It should be fine, Lianna hesitated a little.She squeezed through the gap between Craig and the bed, took the oxygen bag, and began to squeeze. Craig taught her how to prevent a leak and told her to keep Patience's head back.He then checked Patience's pupils, which were dilated and unresponsive.This is not a good sign.He checked Patience's breathing sound again with a stethoscope, and it was normal, and the oxygen was starting to work. Craig took out the laboratory kit from the emergency box again, trying to test the physiological indicators related to heart disease.He opened the box and took out one of the plastic contraptions.Using a small heparinized syringe, he draws a little blood from the main vein, shakes it well, puts six drops into the assay area, and begins to observe against the bright light. Positive, and with that, he started packing everything into the emergency kit. What does positive mean?Jordan asked. Myoglobin and troponin tests were positive, Craig said.In other words, it can be confirmed that she had a heart attack.He used a stethoscope to listen to Patience's breathing sounds again, to make sure that Lian Na's oxygen delivery method was correct and that Patience was breathing smoothly. You were right to begin with, Jordan commented. Not really, Craig said.I have to admit that she is in a very bad state now. That's what I was trying to convey on the phone, and Jordan seemed a little unnatural.At the time though, I should have put more emphasis on the heart. She's in worse shape than you've described, Craig said, pulling out epinephrine, atropine, and a vial of IV fluid. What do you mean?I made it very clear at the time that she was getting worse and worse. You said she had a little trouble breathing.But when we got here, she was basically unable to breathe on her own.You should make this clear to me.You also said that she was blue in the face, but in fact she was completely cyanotic.Craig began to administer the IV drip deftly.He taped the needle in place and injected epinephrine and atropine into the bottle.He took out an S-shaped hook that he had prepared, and hung the IV bottle on the lampshade. Doctor, I have described her symptoms to you as best as I can. I know, Craig said, raising his hand in conciliation.Sorry, I don't mean to blame you.I'm just worried about your wife.What we can do now is to get her to the hospital as soon as possible.She needs oxygen and a pacemaker.And I can confirm that she has acidosis and needs first aid. The siren of the ambulance came from far and near.Jordan went downstairs to meet first responders and led them upstairs to Patience's bedroom. Can she survive it?Lianna asked while constantly squeezing the oxygen bag.It seems that her complexion is not as bad as before. That was the oxygen bag, Craig replied.But the situation is still not optimistic, her pupils are still big, and her body is soft.If she could have been taken to Newton Memorial Hospital, given a blood transfusion, put on a ventilator and a pacemaker, she might have been better off.Would you like to take my car?I wanted to follow in the ambulance, in case she went into cardiac arrest, so I could deal with it in time.If artificial respiration is required, I can do heart massage. First responders are very efficient.A man and a woman have obviously worked together for quite a long time, and the cooperation is very tacit.They expertly carried Patience onto a stretcher, down the stairs, and into the ambulance.Within minutes of arriving at the Stanhope's house, they began their drive to the hospital.Realizing that it was an emergency, they turned on their sirens and let the lady drive.Men pre-contact Newton Memorial Hospital on the road so they can prepare accordingly. When he arrived at the hospital, Patience's heart was still beating, but it was weak.The hospital notified a cardiologist familiar to Craig to meet them at the ambulance entrance.Patience was rushed to the emergency room where a team of paramedics treated her.Craig told the cardiologist everything he knew, including biomarkers that confirmed she had suffered a myocardial infarction or heart attack. As Craig expected, Patience was first put on a 100% pure oxygen ventilator, and then turned on an external cardiac pacemaker.Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that she was experiencing pulseless electrical activity, that is, an EKG showing that the pacemaker was functioning normally, but the heart was unresponsive and no heartbeat could be detected.A resident climbs onto the operating table to begin cardiac massage.The blood pressure started to rise, and so did the oxygen levels in the blood, but the blood acid levels were basically the highest the cardiologist had ever seen. Craig and the cardiologist exchanged glances.Both of them have many years of experience and know that for hospitalized patients, even if pulseless electrical activity is detected early, the rescue result is not very clear.Patience's condition was worse because she was an emergency patient brought in by ambulance. Hours passed, everything was tried, and the cardiologist took Craig aside.Craig was still in his suit, his tie still undone, a blood squirt above his right arm, and his tuxedo jacket hanging from a drip pole against the wall. She may have a large heart muscle defect, the cardiologist said.Otherwise, abnormal cardiac conduction and pulseless electrical activity cannot be explained.If she had been given first aid earlier, the situation might not have been so bad.Based on what you described before and after, I think the myocardial infarction may not be too serious at first, but it got worse later. Craig nodded.He glanced back at the first responders, who were still performing artificial respiration around Patience's small body.Ironically, after receiving oxygen and heart massage, her complexion has almost returned to normal.Unfortunately, everyone knows there is no way out. Does she have a history of cardiovascular disease? A stress test was given to her a few months ago and the results were a bit suspicious, Craig said.Indicators indicated that she might have a small heart problem, but she refused further examination. Then she deserved it, the cardiologist said.Unfortunately, her pupils remained dilated, indicating a lack of oxygen to the brain.Since this is the case, what do you want to do?Now it's up to you. Craig took a deep breath and let it out heavily, showing that he too was frustrated.Stop rescuing. I totally agree, says the cardiologist.She squeezed Craig's shoulder to express comfort, then walked to the emergency table and told the emergency personnel that there was no need to rescue him. Craig took his tuxedo and walked to the emergency room nurse's station to sign the death certificate, stating that the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to myocardial infarction.He then walked to the waiting area outside the emergency room.Lena sits with the sick, injured, and families.She was still in her evening gown, and to Craig she was like an ingot in the grit.She kept watching him approach.He could tell she was studying his expression. Didn't save him?she asked. Craig shook his head.He scanned the waiting area.Jordan.What about Stanhope? He left an hour ago. real?Why?What did he say? He said it's better to stay at home so that he can wait for your call.He said the hospital made him feel depressed. Craig sneered.It's in line with his usual style.I always felt that he was wasted when he was with his wife.This person is cold and a bit strange. Lianna threw the magazine aside and went out with Craig.Late at night.He originally wanted to talk to Lianna about the philosophy of life and death, but after thinking about it, forget it.He felt that she couldn't understand, and he couldn't understand it either.The two of them just walked to the car without talking to each other. Do you want me to drive?Lianna asked. Craig shook his head, opened the car door to let Lianna in, then walked around to the other side and opened the door to enter the driver's seat, but did not start the engine immediately.Apparently he couldn't make it to the concert, he said quietly looking at the night outside the windshield. Yes, Lianna said.It's past ten o'clock.How to arrange next? Craig is out of ideas.He knew it should be given to Jordan.Stanhope made a call, even though he didn't want to. The most difficult thing about being a doctor is that the patient is not rescued, Lianna said. Sometimes it's harder to deal with the living, Craig replied.He didn't expect it to be a prophecy. New York, New York City seven in the evening: ten Jack.Dr. Stapleton had been sitting in his cramped office on the fifth floor of the State Medical Examiner for a long time.Thank you from the same office as him.Dr. Mark Gervin had left him four hours ago to work out alone in the luxurious fitness center in the city center.As usual, he wanted to take Jack to body-shaping class, so he described how the sexy female members wore body-hugging exercise clothes as usual, so that people could see everything without using their imagination.As usual, Jack said that he would rather be a participant than a bystander in any sports.I don't know how many times this set of excuses has been used, and Xie still laughs at him every time, and Jack can't help it. At five o'clock, Jack's colleague and soul mate Laurie.Montgomery poked her head in and said she was going home to take a shower and change.In the evening Jack made a reservation at their favorite Elio restaurant.Every commemorative day, they will have dinner in this restaurant.She suggested that he also go home with her to tidy up. Jack declined saying that there were many things to deal with at hand, and agreed to meet at the restaurant at eight o'clock.Unlike Xie, Laurie didn't try to change his mind.In her opinion, Jack's life on weekday nights is too monotonous, and it's rare that there is a little change today, and she can't wait for it.傑克通常晚上都是先騎登山單車回家，在紐約街頭騎車簡直是玩命；然後在社區籃球場上跟周圍的朋友一起長跑，跑到筋疲力盡；大約九點鐘在哥倫比亞大街上某個餐館簡單吃一份沙拉，然後回家一言不發，倒頭就睡。 傑克並不像他自己說的那樣，手頭有一堆事情要處理。過去這一個小時，他在辦公室裡東張西望，到處找事兒做，不讓自己閒下來。其實今天他進辦公室之前，已經把分配給他的屍檢都做完了。整整一下午，他逼著自己一刻不停地工作，為的就是不讓自己想晚上的祕密計畫，不然他會更焦慮。過去十四年，他不是忙工作，就是忙鍛鍊，這已經成了他的鎮靜劑和安慰劑，他停不下來。遺憾的是，今天這種忙碌好像不起作用，而且似乎也實在沒什麼事兒可幹了。他開始走神，想一些不該想的事兒，以至於開始考慮今晚的計畫是不是合適，這讓他很痛苦。這時候，他的手機響起來了。他看了看錶，離今晚執行計畫還有不到一個小時。他覺得心跳加速。這時候來電話不是什麼好兆頭。因為勞麗不會這時候來電話，那麼無論誰來電話，很有可能今晚的計畫就要泡湯。 傑克把手機從腰帶上取下來，看了看顯示幕。正如他擔心的那樣，電話是艾倫．埃森柏格打來的。有時候鑑定科的值班警員遇到棘手的案子，需要專業醫師幫忙，因此法醫總署聘請了幾位艾倫這樣的病理科住院醫師兼職處理些常規問題。如果問題嚴重到病理科住院醫師都處理不了，就需要連繫當班法醫官。今晚傑克當班。 對不起，斯坦普敦大夫，可我不得不給你打電話，艾倫說。他的聲音有點刺耳，讓人煩躁。 出什麼事兒了？ 是一起自殺案。 噢，問題出在哪兒？你們都處理不了？傑克跟艾倫不熟，但他認識鑑定科晚班調查員史蒂夫．馬里奧特，他應該很有經驗。 主要是這個案子影響太大了。死者是伊朗外交官的太太或者女朋友。他對在場的人大喊大叫，揚言要打電話給伊朗大使。馬里奧特先生打電話讓我去幫忙，可我覺得我處理不了。 傑克沒說話。看來是逃不過去了，他必須出現在場。傑克對法醫官這個職業最痛恨的部分，就是有的案子不可避免地要牽扯到政治。現在他不知道去勘查現場之後，八點鐘還能不能趕到餐館跟勞麗吃飯，這使他更焦慮了。 你還在嗎，斯坦普敦大夫？ 哪敢走啊，傑克回道。 我還以為電話斷了呢，艾倫說。嗯，案發地點是五十七街聯合國大廈五十四Ｊ房間。 屍體有人動過嗎？傑克穿上棕色燈芯絨上衣，下意識地拍了拍右邊口袋裡的方形物體。 我和調查員都沒動過。 員警動過嗎？傑克穿過大廳，往電梯走去。大廳裡一個人也沒有。 應該沒有吧，我沒問。 她丈夫，或者說男朋友動過嗎？ 這你得問員警了。負責這個案子的員警就在我身邊，他想跟你通話，可以嗎？ 讓他接電話！ 嘿，夥計！聲音真大，傑克不得不把手機拿得離耳朵遠一點。你小子趕緊過來！ 這麼沙啞的聲音，傑克一聽就知道是他十年的好朋友，紐約警署重案組警員路．索丹諾。他倆認識的時間跟傑克認識勞麗的時間差不多長。事實上，是勞麗介紹他倆認識的。 我早該算到這事兒跟你小子有關！傑克抱怨說。你忘了我們八點鐘在艾黎奧訂了位子嗎？ 哎，這案子又不是我安排的。我怎麼知道這時候會出事兒。 自殺你跑去幹什麼？重案組覺得不是自殺嗎？ 見鬼，誰說不是了。就是自殺啊，貼著右太陽穴開的槍。我之所以在這裡，是因為我們親愛的組長認為此案關係重大，後果嚴重，特別請我來的。你到底來不來啊？ 我正往那兒趕呢。屍體有人動過嗎？ 我們的人沒動過。 你旁邊誰在嚷嚷呢？ 就是那個外交官老公或者男朋友。這點我們還沒調查清楚呢。這小子個頭兒不高，脾氣倒不小。我倒是喜歡那種安安靜靜，自己憂傷的類型。我們一到這裡，他就對我們大喊大叫，指手畫腳的，以為自己是拿破崙呢。 他想怎麼樣？Jack asked. 他想讓我們把他太太或者女友的屍體蓋起來，別老這麼光著。可我們堅持說你們法醫組沒檢查完現場不能動，他就暴跳如雷了。 etc!Jack said.你的意思是說死者是裸體的？ 是啊，一絲不掛。不僅如此，她連一點陰毛都沒有。全身上下刮得比撞球還乾淨，真是 路！傑克打斷了他。這肯定不是自殺！ What did you say?路半信半疑地說。你連現場都沒看過，怎麼知道是他殺？ 我馬上就去看現場。但我可以肯定不是自殺。現場有遺書嗎？ 算有吧，可寫的是波斯語，所以我也不知道內容。那個外交官說是遺書。 告訴你不是自殺，路，傑克重複道。電梯到了。他走進去，但是沒關電梯門。他不想因為沒信號跟路斷了通話。我跟你賭五美元。我從來沒聽說過一位女士自殺的時候是裸體的。道理上說不通。 你開玩笑吧！ 我不開玩笑。女士就算是自殺，也不希望別人發現自己的屍體一絲不掛。你們最好從現在開始當他殺案處理，讓鑑定科的人快去現場。那個發脾氣的外交官丈夫，或者不管他跟死者是什麼關係啦，應該是你們的第一嫌疑人。別讓他回伊朗使團，不然就再也逮不著他了。 傑克掛了手機，電梯門關上了。他希望今晚的計畫被打亂別再有什麼深層的涵義。儘管他很討厭這種感覺，但他內心隱約覺得死亡總是尾隨著他最愛的人，覺得他們的死跟自己有關。他看了看錶，七點二十分了。Oh shit!他大罵道，一邊絕望地用手掌拍了幾下電梯門。這事兒他也許真的應該重新考慮。 傑克迅速走進太平間放無名棺材的地方，取出登山單車，開鎖，戴頭盔，把車推到三十街的出入口。在殯葬車的空檔裡，他騎上車，上了大路，並在街角右轉到第一大街。 一騎上車，傑克的焦慮就消失了。他站在踏腳墊上，盡全力蹬車，車像箭一樣衝出去，並很快加速。上下班高峰已經過去了，路上的車不太多，小汽車、計程車、公車和卡車速度都很快。傑克並不想跟它們比速度，但也差不多。等到了他想要的騎行速度，他坐了下來並把車調高了一個檔。他每天都騎車、打籃球，因此身體很好。 這個夜晚太美妙了，城市上空似乎彌漫著一層金色的光暈。摩天大樓在藍天的映襯下，顯得格外清晰，色調也一分一秒地漸漸變暗。傑克騎車呼嘯而過，右邊是紐約大學醫學中心，往北一點，就是聯合國大廈。傑克提前上了左轉道，拐上四十七街單行道，一直往東走。 聯合國大廈幾乎就在第一大街街口。全大理石玻璃結構，六十幾層平地而起，在夜幕下頗為壯觀。從入口處延伸到大街的雨篷前停了幾輛紐約警車，警燈還在閃。來來往往的紐約人，對此視而不見。一輛舊的雪佛蘭馬里布並排停在一輛警車旁。傑克認出這車是路的。馬里布車前面還停著一輛衛生和人類服務部的殯葬車。 傑克把車鎖在禁停標誌牌的柱子上，他的焦慮感又回來了。這次騎車時間太短，不足以產生持久的效果。七點半了。他衝穿制服的看門人亮了一下法醫官的證件，隨即被帶到五十四樓。 五十四Ｊ房間裡已經安靜了不少。傑克進屋的時候，路．索丹諾、艾倫．埃森柏格、史蒂夫．馬里奧特，還有其他幾個穿制服的警員正坐在客廳裡，看起來像在診所候診一樣。 What's wrong?Jack asked.There was silence.No one spoke. 我們在等你和鑑定科的人，路邊說邊站起來。其他人也站了起來。路一貫的形象都是邋裡邋遢的，有點衣冠不整，今天倒是穿了一件熨過的襯衫，扣子一直扣到頸部，打了一條不太張揚的新領帶，穿著一件頗有品位但不太合身的愛爾蘭花格運動夾克。他這麼大塊頭，這夾克確實太小了。路是個經驗豐富的老警員，在重案組幹了六年，然後調到謀殺刑偵組又幹了十多年，很老道。 打扮得挺漂亮啊，傑克評論道。就連路貼著頭皮的新髮型看起來也好像是剛修過的，著名的鬍渣也不見了。 能想到的我都收拾過了，路邊說邊抬起胳膊，像是要賣弄一下肱二頭肌來加強語氣。你請客呀，總要隆重點吧，所以我溜回家準備了一下。對了，你到底為什麼請客啊？ 那個外交官呢？傑克問，裝作沒有聽到路的問話。他看了一眼廚房，還有另一間當作餐廳的屋子。除了客廳，其他地方都沒人。 他早溜了，路說。我剛跟你通完電話，他就摔門而出，威脅說誰攔著他要誰好看。 你不該放他走啊，傑克說。 What can I do?路抱怨道。我手裡又沒有拘捕令。 你就不能藉口留他問話，等我到了再說嗎？ 你給我聽著，組長讓我來是想大事化小的，不是來惹事兒的。現在扣留那個外交官，那麻煩可就大了。 okay!Jack said.This is your problem, not mine.先看看屍體吧。 路指了指臥室，門開著。 Has the identity of the deceased been found out?Jack asked. not yet.大廈管理員說她剛來這兒不到一個月，而且基本不會說英語。 檢查屍體前，傑克先熟悉了一下現場。空氣中彌漫著淡淡的膻味。內部裝修顯然由設計師精心設計過。牆和地毯都是黑色的；屋頂裝著鏡子；窗簾、散落的小擺設、家具，甚至床上用品都是白色的。正如路所說的那樣，屍體一絲不掛，仰臥在床上，腳垂在床左邊。儘管死者生前膚色黝黑，但現在在床單的映襯下，除了臉上的淤青和一隻黑眼圈，其他地方膚色發灰。她雙臂攤開，手掌朝上，右手鬆鬆地握著一支自動手槍，食指還扣在扳機上。她的頭微微轉向左邊，眼睛睜著。右太陽穴上有一個子彈入口。頭後面白床單上有一大灘血跡。死者左邊稍遠些的地方有鮮血和腦漿飛濺的痕跡。 這些人對女人下手可夠狠的啊，傑克說。 我也聽說過，路說。這淤青和黑眼圈不是子彈造成的吧？ 我表示懷疑，傑克說。他轉過身去，對史蒂夫和艾倫說，該拍的照片拍了嗎？ 拍了，站在門邊的史蒂夫．馬里奧特大聲說。 傑克戴上一副乳膠手套，小心翼翼地撥開女人深色、幾乎是黑色的頭髮，檢查子彈入口。傷口周圍有很明顯的星狀紋，表明開槍時槍口與死者的皮膚有接觸。 傑克小心地將女人的腦袋撥向側面，檢查子彈出口。出口位於左耳下方。他直起腰。嗯，有新證據，他說。 能證明什麼？路問。 證明不是自殺，傑克說。子彈是從上往下走的。人自殺的時候不會這麼開槍的。傑克將右手擺成槍的形狀，將食指尖作為想像中的槍口，抵住自己的太陽穴。他的手指與地板是平行的。自殺時，子彈的軌跡應該基本與地面平行，或者可能稍稍往上走，從來不會往下走。這是一起偽裝成自殺的他殺案。 多謝啊，路嘟囔著。你從裸體判斷她不是自殺。我還一直希望能證明你想錯了呢。 對不起，傑克說。 能判斷出她死了多久嗎？ 現在還不能，不過我敢說時間不長。有人聽見槍響嗎？這樣更準確些。 很遺憾，沒有，路說。 副隊長！一個穿制服的警員在門口喊道。鑑定科的人來了。 讓那幫人到這邊來，路頭也沒回地說。然後他問傑克：你這邊行了嗎？ okay.明天早晨應該有更多資訊，屍檢我親自來做。 如果是這樣，明天屍檢我也去。幹員警這麼多年，路很清楚通過屍檢能從死者身上找到很多有用的資訊。 也好，傑克邊脫橡膠手套邊說。Then I'll go first.He looked at his watch.還沒遲到，可也差不多了。已經七點五十二分了。八分鐘可到不了餐館。他看了看路。床頭邊，離屍體幾英尺的地方，路正彎腰檢查床單上的一道裂縫。發現什麼了？ What do you think?子彈是不是從這裡射入床墊的？ 傑克湊過去檢查那條大約一公分長的線狀裂縫。He nodded.I think so too.這邊緣還有一點點血跡。 鑑定科的人帶著設備進來了。路直起腰，告訴他們從裂縫處著手找彈片，技師保證一定會盡力去找。 你有可能馬上離開這裡嗎？Jack asked. 路聳了聳肩。我可以跟你一起走啊。反正外交官已經溜了，我留在這裡也沒什麼意義。我開車送你吧。 我騎車來的，傑克說。 so what?放我車裡好了。這樣你還快一點。而且，也比你騎車安全。我簡直不敢相信勞麗還允許你這麼騎著車子在城裡到處跑。你們做屍檢的，不是經常看見那些送信的給車壓扁了送到太平間嗎？ 我很小心的，傑克說。 你小心個屁，路回道。我不止一次看見你騎著車在城裡橫衝直撞。 傑克盤算下一步該怎麼辦。騎車能讓他鎮定下來，而且路的雪佛蘭裡菸味太大，他根本受不了；不過他得承認，要是路開車，車速會快得多，時間不等人啊。那好吧，他很不情願地說。 蒼天啊，好不容易成熟一回啊，路說。他拿出車鑰匙扔給傑克。你先把車放到我車裡，我跟弟兄們說幾句話，不然他們不知道怎麼辦。 十分鐘之後，路沿著公園大道往北開，說這是去市中心最快的一條路。傑克的自行車前後輪都卸下了，躺在汽車後座上。傑克堅持將四個車窗全部打開，這樣車裡雖然風大，但氣味好多了，儘管菸灰缸都要漫出來了。 你看上去有點緊張，路一邊說，一邊從高架橋上繞過中央火車站。 我擔心會遲到。 最壞的打算，我們會遲到十五分鐘。在我看來，這根本不算遲到。 傑克從副駕駛座的車窗望出去。路說得對。遲到十五分鐘不算過分，可他還是很著急。 到底為什麼請客？你一直不肯說。 非得有事才能請客嗎？傑克回答。 不說拉倒，路邊說邊往傑克這個方向看了一眼。他朋友今晚有點反常，不過路不想深究。肯定有事兒，但是他不打算逼問。 他們停在離餐館入口只有幾步遠的禁停拖車區。路把警車卡扔在儀表板上。 你覺得這樣安全嗎？Jack asked.我可不想我的自行車跟你的車一起被拖走。 他們不敢拖我的車！路很肯定地說。 兩人走進餐館，裡頭鬧哄哄的，幾乎客滿，特別是靠近前門的吧檯周圍。 看來大家都從漢普頓回來了，路解釋說。吧檯周圍人聲鼎沸，要想交談必須得喊，不然根本聽不見。 傑克點點頭，不停地跟前面的人說抱歉，才勉強側身擠到餐館中間，周圍的人被他擠得都快拿不穩手裡的飲料了。他想找女老闆幫忙。他記得她是個聲音輕柔、婀娜多姿的女人，臉上總是掛著和善的笑容。這時他感覺有人不停地拍他的肩膀。他一回頭，發現自己正看到勞麗藍綠色的大眼睛。傑克發現她回去絕不只是洗澡換衣服這麼簡單。她濃密的褐色長髮放下來了，不再是工作日拘謹的法式長辮，而是像瀑布一樣垂到肩頭。她穿了一套自己最喜歡的衣服：白色高領維多利亞式褶邊襯衫，罩一件蜜褐色天鵝絨夾克。在餐館昏暗的燈光映襯下，她的皮膚發出一種溫潤的光，像是身體裡亮著一盞燈。 傑克覺得她真是美極了，不過好像有點不對。他印象中的勞麗總是一副溫暖、快樂的表情，可今天她看起來更像琥珀和冰。勞麗很少掩飾自己的真實感情。傑克知道出問題了。 他解釋說自己遲到是因為臨時被叫去處理一個案子，路也在現場。說著他從身後把路拽出來，加入他們的談話。路和勞麗熱情地互貼了幾下臉頰。接著勞麗也從自己身後拽出沃倫．威爾遜和他的女友娜塔莉．亞當斯。沃倫是黑人，渾身上下都是肌肉，頗有威懾力。他和傑克幾乎每天晚上都打籃球，也因此成了好朋友。 大家都見過面了，傑克說他要去找女老闆問問怎麼還沒有空桌。他一路往接待檯擠，覺得勞麗緊跟在他身後。 傑克在接待檯前停住了。這裡有一個緩衝區，將安靜的就餐人群與喧鬧的吧檯區隔開。傑克發現女老闆正在接待一桌賓客。他回頭面對勞麗，想看看自己為遲到道歉之後她的表情有沒有變化。 你其實沒遲到，勞麗說，好像知道他心裡在想什麼。儘管這話本身沒有責備的意思，可語氣還是有點不滿。我們才到幾分鐘，你和路就來了。其實還是挺巧的。 傑克看著勞麗的臉。下巴繃著，嘴唇緊閉，她顯然還沒有消氣。可他不知道她心裡在想什麼。你有點反常，有什麼事兒瞞著我嗎？ 我以為是兩人燭光晚餐呢，勞麗說。現在她的語氣與其說是生氣，不如說是哀怨。誰知道你請了一堆人。 沃倫、娜塔莉，加上路，不能算多吧，傑克回答。是我們最好的朋友啊。 那，你可以告訴我，也應該告訴我啊，勞麗說道。就這麼一下，她又開始生氣了。看來今晚吃飯對你來說沒什麼。算我想多了吧。 傑克把目光移開，想控制自己的情緒。為了今晚的計畫，他緊張猶豫了很長時間，任何一點負面的反應，即使是合理的反應，對他來說也是猝不及防。顯然，他雖然小心翼翼，但還是無意中傷害了勞麗。她想兩個人共進晚餐，而他根本沒有考慮到這一點。 別衝我翻白眼！勞麗氣呼呼地說。對於今晚的安排，你有什麼想法，可以事先跟我商量。你知道我從來都不反對你跟沃倫和路出去玩。 傑克把目光轉向另一邊，咬自己的舌頭，控制自己以免發火。他知道自己一旦回嘴，這個晚上就徹底毀了。他深吸了一口氣，做好碰釘子的準備，然後看著勞麗的眼睛。對不起，他鼓起勇氣，盡可能顯得真誠。我不知道你對今晚變成宴會這麼在意。我確實應該早點跟你說明的。說老實話，我請他們來，是為了給我壯膽的。 勞麗的眉毛擰成了一個結，顯然是被搞糊塗了。壯膽？我聽不明白。 現在確實很難解釋清楚，傑克說。你能讓我稍微緩一緩嗎，半個小時可以嗎？ 應該可以吧，勞麗仍然很困惑。我還是不懂你所說的壯膽是什麼意思。不過我接受你的道歉。 謝謝，傑克說。他重重地呼了一口氣，回頭看著餐館深處。老闆人呢？我們的桌子怎麼還沒安排好？ 又過了二十分鐘，他們才在餐廳後部一張桌子上安頓下來。勞麗好像早已經忘記了先前的不快，開心地和朋友聊天，不時發出爽朗的笑聲。不過傑克覺得她一直在躲著他。她挨著傑克坐在右邊，因此他只能看到她側面。 這時，那個以前一直為他倆服務的小鬍子服務生來到了他們這桌前，這讓傑克和勞麗很高興。他倆在這裡大部分晚餐都讓人高興，雖然有時候也有點不愉快，但每次都很難忘。最後一次在這裡吃晚餐是一年前，就鬧得很不愉快，幾乎是兩人關係的最低點。兩人同居過一段時間，那時剛好分開了一個月。勞麗晚餐的時候告訴傑克她懷孕了，傑克居然想都沒想，開口就問她父親是誰。雖然此後傑克和勞麗重修舊好，但是勞麗因為子宮外孕不得不實行緊急流產手術以終止妊娠，不然就會有生命危險。 服務生開始演奏長笛，看起來好像很隨意，實際上是傑克安排好的。他隨即開了一瓶香檳。木塞衝開瓶口的時候，在座的幾個人都歡呼起來。服務生迅速給每個人斟滿一杯。 嘿，夥計們，沃倫舉起酒杯說，為友誼乾杯。 所有人都照著做了，除了傑克，他舉起手，手裡是空的。如果大家不介意，我想先說兩句。大家可能都在猜我今晚為什麼要請客，特別是勞麗。實際上我是需要大家給我壯膽。這件事我想了很久了，一直沒勇氣開口。所以，我敬大家，為了一個自私的理由。 傑克將手伸到夾克口袋裡，費了點周折，終於拿出一隻小小的方盒子。盒子外面包著蛋青色的彩紙，打著銀色的蝴蝶結。他把盒子放在勞麗的面前，舉起酒杯。請大家為我和勞麗乾杯。 good!路很興奮。他熱切地說，為你們乾杯。他舉起酒杯。其他人也跟他學，除了勞麗。 為你們乾杯，沃倫重複道。 來啊，快！娜塔莉說。 每人都喝了一口，除了勞麗。她目不轉睛地盯著面前那隻盒子。她覺得自己知道發生了什麼事情，可始終不敢相信。她拼命克制自己的感情，不讓自己失態。 這酒你不打算喝？傑克問她。她就這樣一動不動，跟傑克預料的反應大相徑庭，他不由得擔心起來。他突然不知道如果勞麗拒絕，他應該怎麼辦。 勞麗費了很大的勁，才把目光從盒子上移開，重新看著傑克。她覺得自己知道盒子裡裝著什麼，可又不敢承認。她已經錯過太多次了。雖然她很愛傑克，可她知道他每天背著沉重的心事，活得有多麼艱難。毫無疑問，在他們認識之前，他受過很重的傷。她也不止一次告訴自己他有可能永遠都走不出那個陰影。 hurry up!路催促道。What's the matter?快打開啊。 是啊，勞麗，快打開吧，沃倫也催促道。 應該現在打開嗎？勞麗問。她仍然盯著傑克的眼睛。 一般是當場打開的，傑克說。當然，一切看你，你也可以等幾年再打開。我不想給你任何壓力。 勞麗笑了。有時候，她覺得傑克尖刻起來也挺幽默的。她顫抖著雙手，先是拆掉蝴蝶結，然後打開包裝紙。除了傑克，所有人都湊過去看。裡面是一隻黑色壓紋天鵝絨的盒子。她非常害怕傑克精心設計了一個不合時宜的玩笑，顫抖著將盒子一下子扒開。盒子裡躺著一枚亮閃閃的第凡內單鑽戒，那種光芒像是從心底發出來的。 她把盒子轉了轉，讓大家都能看到。自己則閉緊雙眼不讓眼淚流出來。她痛恨自己有時候控制不住感情，可現在她能理解自己為什麼這麼激動。她和傑克差不多約會了十年，斷斷續續也同居了幾年。她一直想結婚，現在證實了傑克跟她想法一樣。 路、沃倫和娜塔莉一陣歡呼。 想好了嗎？傑克問勞麗。 勞麗拼命控制自己。她用指關節抹掉兩眼的淚水。她抬頭看著傑克，迅速決定假裝不懂他說什麼，看他怎麼收拾殘局。傑克自己有時候不也是這樣嗎？這麼多年了，她想聽他親口告訴她訂婚戒指意味著什麼。想好什麼？she asked. 這是訂婚戒指啊！傑克說完，難為情地笑了一下。 我知道是訂婚戒指，勞麗回答。可有什麼含義嗎？她很滿足。給傑克施加壓力，有利於她自己控制情緒。看著他侷促不安的樣子，她嘴角甚至浮現出一絲微笑。 具體點，小子！路衝著傑克大吼。該說就得說！ 傑克突然明白了勞麗的用意，他也微笑起來。好吧，好吧！他示意路安靜點。勞麗，親愛的，儘管過去我愛的人曾經遭遇不測，儘管我擔心這樣的不幸也會降臨到你頭上，可是你願意嫁給我嗎？ 這還差不多！路邊說邊再次舉起酒杯。我提議為傑克求婚乾杯。 這次所有人都喝了。 想好了嗎？傑克又問，將注意力重新轉移到勞麗身上。 勞麗想了一會兒，回答道：我知道你內心的恐懼，也理解這恐懼的根源，