Page 37 (1/2)

Yeah, that was more accurate.

“Clarence, leave us alone.”

His head whipped around, looking from Perry to her.

“Are you crazy? He’s down, he’s not dead.”

“I know.”

“He could snap at any second, Margo,” Clarence said. “I’m staying right here.”

She took his hand and led him out of the room, then pulled his head down so she could whisper in his ear.

“Honey, I know you want to protect me, but he’s not going to hurt me.”

“He’s a killer, Margaret,” Clarence whispered back.

“You’re going to have to trust my judgment,” she said. “I’ve taken care of him for five weeks, and I’m telling you he’s not going to hurt me.”

“Fine, then I’ll stay to watch and see how wrong I am.”

“He just got the c.r.a.p kicked out of him,” Margaret said. “I’m not a guy, but I think that makes you guys feel a little ashamed? Am I right?”

Clarence stared at her, then nodded.

“So maybe having a woman in there, instead of another man, won’t be as bad, because he won’t think I’ll be wondering if I can beat him up, too?”

“Well, that’s not exactly how I’d think of it,” he said. “But yeah, I’d be embarra.s.sed if there was another guy watching me get st.i.tched up. A non-doctor guy, of course. Doctors aren’t embarra.s.sing in a situation like this.”

“Guy logic?”

“Guy logic,” he said. “Listen, can’t we at least get Amos to take care of him?”

She smiled at him. “If you can talk Amos Braun into being in a room alone with Perry Dawsey, I’ll give you twenty bucks.”

“I’m not taking that bet.”

“Clarence, I’m a professional. I love the fact that you want to protect me, but this conversation is over, okay? Stand out here if you’re worried.

If he tries anything, I’ll scream for help.”

“That only works if you can make a noise before he breaks your neck.”

She sighed, then slapped him once on the chest and walked into Room 207. She shut the door behind her.

“Perry? It’s Margaret.”

He opened his right eye. His left was swollen shut.

“Hey,” he said.

“I’m going to fix you up, okay?”

“Just leave me be.”

“No can do. I’m a doctor. You’re bleeding. That’s the math.”

Perry looked at her with his one good eye, then slowly sat up. He scooted until he rested his back against the wall.

“Fine,” he said. “Just till you stop the bleeding.”

She knelt and opened the first-aid kit. She pressed gauze bandages against the cut on top of his head. “Hold that there, please.”

Perry did.