Chapter 25

RION SHOWED UP around eight the next morning and kissed me. “Good morning,” he said.

“Morning. I hope that kiss wasn’t as bad as my mouth tastes right now.”

“I have a remedy for that.” He was holding my shaving kit. “Which do you want first?”

“Toothbrush and razor, in that order, please.”

When he’d finished taking care of my shave, he brought a warm, wet washcloth from the bathroom and put it on my face. He let it lie on my face for a few moments, then wiped me down.

“You don’t know how good that felt,” I said.

“It was supposed to. So, what’s the news?”

“It’s been an uncomfortable morning. First, an orderly came in and removed my catheter—I can’t tell you how much fun that was. Then another guy came in and removed the tube that was in my chest. That was even more fun. Then I was taken down to the X-ray department, and from there to imaging. I wanta go home.”

“Have you seen the doctor?”

“He’s supposed to be here any minute.”