Chapter 11: The Nurse

Mateo was in a chair by the window when Lucas came in.

No monitor. No IV. A paperback open on his knee.

He looked up and grinned and it was the first time in a year Lucas had seen him grin.

"You look like a person again."

"I feel like a person again."

Lucas sat down on the end of the bed.

"The stairs?"

"Did them twice. The nurse timed me."

"Show-off."

Mateo put the book down.

"They're sending me home Friday. I have to come back for checks."

"Good."

"Lucas."

"Good."

Mateo looked at him.

"You've got a mark on your face."

Lucas put his hand up. It was faint now. Four days old.

"I walked into the pantry door."

"You don't have a pantry."

"Kevin does."

Mateo didn't laugh.

A nurse came in with a clipboard and a pen and started writing on the chart.

She was young and quick and she'd been on this floor the whole time.

"Mr. Reed?"

"That's him," Mateo said.

"No, the other one. Lucas Reed."

Lucas stood up.

"I'm Lucas."

She looked at the chart and then at him.

"Somebody called about your brother's account last week. I was told to mention it."

"Who called."

"I don't have a name. It came from the billing office."

She flipped a page.

"They asked whether the account was still in good standing. And whether there was any balance that could be reversed."

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