Overhead florescent lights whined and tossed green shadows over Dr. Langley’s scribbling hand. The examination rooms were miked for sound but Melinda liked to take handwritten notes. Shackled hands and feet, Tate Emerson was slumped to one side of his wheelchair as the orderly wheeled him into the room. The man’s skin was stretched tight over his skeletal frame. His closed eyes were sank deep into his skull.

“Is all this necessary? He’s practically comatose,” Melinda asked.

The guard glared at her and showed his heavily bandaged hand. Melinda sighed in resignation.

This was her third time Emerson. The first time he was maniac, shouting gibberish. The second time Emerson was listless answering only with grunts and no’s. Emerson had been slim before but now Melinda could see he, Tate the Ate, the Haverford Hannibal, was dying.

“How are feeling today Mr. Emerson?”

The psychiatrist’s question was answered with snores. Melinda scribbled. Everyone knew the story from the headlines: Beloved Principal Kills, Eats Wife. Everyone followed the investigation, the trial, the verdict innocent by reason of insanity. Melinda believed there was an underlying physical component. Tall and broad-shouldered, Tate had been a big man. Thirteen months ago Tate suffered a respiratory infection severe enough to land him in hospital. Tate was never the same again. He complained of a loss of taste and increased thirst. His appetite increased while his weight plummeted. Melinda leafed through a sheaf of documents on Tate as she peppers him with questions. A rosy cheeked boy, a big boned teen on the football team, a happy wedding photo

“I miss my wife. That’s what no one understands. She was delicious.” Tate lunged at the table towards Melinda. Spit sprayed her face as Tate snaps his jaws at her. Guards hurried in and wheel Tate away.

Heart thumping, Melinda collected her papers. She fumbled in her briefcase for a napkin. Nauseated Melinda rushed to the restroom. After splashing her face with cool water over and over again Melinda straightened up and looked at her hungry reflection.