Exile Blues by Douglas Gary Freeman

Author:Douglas Gary Freeman [Freeman, Douglas Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781771862004
Publisher: Baraka Books
Published: 2019-10-22T04:00:00+00:00

26

D.C. General Hospital

Attorney Eddie Flowers watched as the two police officers disappeared through the big swinging doors at the end of the hospital corridor, then turned and asked of Doctor Cardoza, “Can young Mr. Downs go home, or must he remain in hospital?”

“There isn’t any medical reason to keep him here. His injuries are well dressed and his mother can apply a new dressing as needed. I can explain it all to her. Certainly, his wound will make any attempt at walking very painful for a couple of weeks, which is why I’m going to request that he be confined to bed for a couple of days. But certainly, he can go home.”

“Please, forgive me, Doctor Cardoza, but you have alternately referred to young Mr. Downs as having sustained an injury, and a wound. As a lawyer who will be representing the family, should the need arise, of course, I need to know whether in your professional opinion, Mr. Downs sustained an injury, which may be characterized as unintentional, or whether he has sustained a wound, which, due to the circumstances of this case, is the result of an intentional act?”

“Mr. Downs was wounded. Bullet and concrete fragments were removed from his leg.”

“Where are they?”

“I don’t know.” Turning to a nurse, Doctor Cardoza issued an instruction that sent her scurrying off.

“Can we count on you to testify to these facts in a court of law if such becomes necessary?”

“Why yes, of course. Without hesitation.”

“Thank you, kind sir. Shall we take young Mr. Downs home now?”

“Mama, Uncle Cadgie, come here.” Prez himself was somehow forgotten in all the activity and his voice startled everyone.

“What is it, little man?” asked his Uncle Cadgie. His mother simply looked down at the floor. She knew what it was. And as the others studied the expression on her face, they knew as well.

“Where is Brennie-Man?” Prez studied the faces of the adults. Only his Uncle Cadgie and Master Flowers would not look away from his stare. Their eyes were angry and sad at the same time. “Where are my clothes?” Prez had gotten up from the pillow, swung his throbbing leg over the side of the bed and sat up so abruptly that he nearly knocked the IV stand over again. “Can I please have my clothes? I want to get up.”

“Alright, Preston, just a minute,” said his mother. “We’ll take you home in a minute.”

“I don’t want to go home. I mean I do, but first there’s something I have to do. Can I please have my clothes? Uncle Cadgie . . .”

Prez motioned for his uncle to come near. His uncle listened then turned and said, “Mattie, please, let the boy have his clothes. Where are they? Can he get dressed now?” At that he went over to the door and held it as he motioned for everyone to leave so that Prez could have some privacy. Cadgie then pulled Doctor Cardoza aside and made a request that caused the doctor’s eyebrows to rise in alarm.

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