The Encore of Us novel · Chapter 13 of 24

Chapter 13: Two Gurneys

Anders read the line in the logbook again, as if the numbers might change.

They did not.

"Forty minutes," he said. "She sat on that step for forty minutes."

"Thirty-eight by my pencil," the janitor said. "I'd call it forty."

"Come with me to the county attorney. Tonight."

"No," I said.

Anders turned on me.

"Your evaluation is next week," I said. "If you walk in there and say you pushed him, they can lock you up before the surgery."

"Linnea."

"Tove first."

His hand closed on the rail, and then he nodded once.

The old man put the book into Anders's palm.

"I'm not going anywhere, Mr. Brandvold. When the girl is through, find me and I'll say all of it to anyone who asks."

He pulled his cap down and went in through the stage door.

I stood with my hand on the cold rail and watched Anders carry the book to his car in both hands.

At twenty to six on Thursday morning, two gurneys stood side by side in the pre-op bay.

Anders was on the left in a paper gown with a line taped into his arm.

Tove was on the right in a gown printed with bears, holding a drawing against her chest.

Rhea sat on a stool between them with her lanyard still around her neck.

"Is it going to know it's yours?" Tove asked.

"Know?" Anders said.

"The kidney. Does it keep your opinions?"

"I hope it keeps the good ones."

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