“Like what?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Last time I talked to him he said he was looking for a girlfriend.”
Only Caleb could get Jack to tell him that.
“I don’t know what to bring the guy. You know I don’t do this kind of thing.”
“That’s why I want you to do it. Jesus. Bring the man a fruit basket. Bring him beer. Maybe a TV.”
“You want me to bring him a TV?”
“Why would you bring him a TV? They have one at the hospital.”
I blew out a breath. “You just told me to bring him one.”
“Son, sometimes I worry about you. I worry about you a lot.”
“I’ll get him a TV then,” I said, just for the hell of it.
He snickered. “Don’t forget the remote.”
I bought Jack a fruit basket at one of the kiosks at the hospital. He looked grumpier than usual and said he didn’t much care for visitors. He told me to leave as soon as I got there. Except for a cast on his arm, he looked healthy. I stayed for ten minutes and left, but before I did, he told me to hand him an apple. That was his way of saying thanks. I gave him a salute and walked out of his room.
The ward was a long hallway, with rooms on both sides facing each other. A couple pieces of bulky equipment, some chairs, patients and staff walking in the hall. It was too bright and smelled of antiseptic. I couldn’t wait to leave.
“His name is Cameron.”
I stopped. Someone had just said my name in a very familiar voice.
“Oh, so that’s his name,” another female voice said.
“That’s his alias. His real name is Spawn of Satan and I don’t like him.”
I felt the smile spread across my face. That was definitely her voice. What were the chances? I headed toward the voices.
“Oh, well now. It sounds like he’s just pulling your pigtails because the boy likes you.”
“Amanda, you’re supposed to be on my side.”
“Well, why else would the boy want to be around you?”
I liked Amanda. She was a smart woman.
I leaned against the wall beside the door so they wouldn’t see me and carefully peered inside the room.
Kara was wearing deep blue scrubs and white sneakers, her hair flowing down her back, just the way I liked it. She looked very pretty in her uniform—and made me imagine all sorts of things.
“He kissed another girl! You really think I…”
“Can I help you?”
I turned my gaze from Kara and saw a woman in scrubs looking at me expectantly.
“I’m good,” I answered. “Just visiting.”
I thought she’d leave but then she asked, “Which patient?”
“Jack. Room 204.”