Chapter 44

“Babe?” Deb said.

“George and I are definitely a couple now.”

“Good,” she said. “It’s about fucking time.”

When Mike had moved in, one of the drawers in my desk had been set aside for his exclusive use. I fished his checkbook out of the appropriate drawer, filled in the check, and handed it to him to sign. He signed it and handed it back. I tore off the check, handed it to Deb, and said, “Thanks.”

Mike was reading the instructions on his two prescriptions. “I can take the yellow one now and again at bedtime,” he said.

“What’s the yellow one?” Deb said.

“Pain pill. The other one is an antibiotic twice a day.”

“Are you ready for the yellow one?” I said.

“Now that you mention it, yes.”

“Need some water?” Deb said.

“I’ve got enough tea left,” he said, “but thanks.” He took the pill.

“Want to go back to bed?” I said.

“I’ll just recline in this thing, if you don’t mind.”