Retreat to Island County by Derek Adams

Author:Derek Adams [Adams, Derek]
Language: nld
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: MLR Press LLC; ISBN#978-1-60820-826-5
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

ChAPteR seven

“Did you sleep at all last night?” When I woke up at about

five thirty, the rollaway bed was gone, and Rick was sitting in the

chair beside my bed.

“Like a log.”

“Actually, you look like you slept on a log—or maybe under

one.” Rick smiled wanly. “I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was my choice. I wanted to be nearby, just in

case you needed anything.”

“Thanks.” I sat up and fumbled with the bed’s rail. “I need

to go to the bathroom.” Rick started to reach for the jug under

the bed. “I’m going to the bathroom this time. Remember what

happened last night?”

“I do, actually,” he replied, waggling his eyebrows and favoring

me with a leering wink.

“So do I. Please stand aside.” He did, but he didn’t stand very

far aside. In fact, he followed me across the room like a worried

parent trailing after an unsteady toddler. “I’ll be just fine.”

“Don’t lock the door,” he snapped as I pulled it shut. “Just in

case you get dizzy.”

“Fine.” I turned the knob and left the door slightly ajar. When

I had peed, washed my hands, and splashed some water on my

face, I stepped back into the room. Rick was leaning up against

the wall, not more than three feet away. “See! I’m back. My hands

are washed, and I didn’t tip over and jam my head in the toilet. I

even managed not to pee on my feet.”

“Very impressive.” He stayed in place as I walked back to the

bed, although it was clear he was aching to dog my steps all the

way.

“Good morning.” I looked up at the sound of Dr. Sellars’

voice. “Glad to see you’re up and around this morning. How are

RetReAt to IsLAnd County 85

you feeling, Mr. Harcourt?”

“Please, call me Ben. I’m fine, Doctor. Rick seems to think my

head is liable to explode, or maybe fall off my shoulders and go

bouncing along on the ground, but I’m feeling just fine.”

“That exploding head thing happens frequently as a result

of injuries like yours,” the doctor deadpanned. “Lucky for you,

the danger of that complication decreases rapidly after the first

twelve hours.”

“Good to know.”

“Just a quick exam, a few questions, and I’ll get you out of

here right away. Rick?” He turned to my self-appointed guardian.

“That’s fine, Doc. I’ll be…”

“…out in the hall.” Dr. Sellars finished the sentence for him.

“We know. Right, Ben?” I nodded. Rick slipped out into the

hallway and shut the door behind him.

Dr. Sellars completed his examination and signed my release

forms. He walked across the room to the door, then turned back

to me. “Rick’s a really great guy, you know.”

“I definitely know that, Doctor,” I replied, not sure where he

was going with this, or why.

“My wife and I live just down the lane from him.”

“So he said.”

“We’ve both been very pleased to notice the change that’s

taken place in him these past few weeks. Now I see what I think

is a large part of the reason for that transformation. He’s had a

rough go of it since he got back, and Sharon and I have been so

worried. I’m sure you can imagine…” His words trailed off as he

noticed my puzzled expression, and his face colored bright red.

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