"Evening, Reverend." She flashed a professional
smile. "He's just had his shot. Maybe he'll be a little more respectful
tonight." She bothered the bags and tubes into a rhythmic sway before
she left the room.
Mike moved the chair to the side of the bed.
In the pale light from the hall, the face on the pillow was all grimace.
The skin was pulled tight, the teeth opened in a rigid grin.
At last, John moved his head. "Don't talk."
The voice sounded like the rustling of dead leaves. "Wait 'til the
stuff kicks in. They give me morphine now. Only four times a day.
They're afraid of addiction."
Mike waited.
"I said things I didn't mean," John whispered.
"The pain stampedes me. You were furious."
Mike opened his mouth. "Don't lie, Mike. Not
even for piety." John shifted his weight. "Switch on the light and crank
up the bed so I can see you."
Mike raised the bed and flipped the wall switch.
Shadowless glow filled the room. "That better?"
John's eyes were clear, the pupils dilated.
"Turn all the way around."
Mike rotated in place with a silly grin.
"You should get more exercise," John said.
"Not bad, though. Large man. Not exactly a hunk, but good looking. If
I were well, I'd seduce you. It's in the genes."
"Homosexuality?"
"Good looks. I used to be a large man."
"I wanted more than anything to be big like you."
Mike returned to the chair, folded his hands in his lap. "The best time
was when you were home, between dinner and going to sleep. No, even
better was when I got you to take me swimming and give me rides on your
back. Remember the water slide?" Mike laughed.
John's olive-black eyes held Mike in a calm
glow, the way they had so long ago. "You were afraid of the diving board."
TOM'S TALES