Chapter 29

“No, but he’s in serious condition, and we won’t know anything for a few hours yet.”

“Doc,” Deuce said, “I’ve just got to see him. Gorman here is right. He has no family. Neither of us do. We only have each other. Please, could you bend the rules just a little in this case? I think it would help him a lot to know I was there with him.”

“Mr. Deuce…”

“Gannon. My name is Deuce Gannon.”

“Mr. Gannon, what I’m trying to say is, if he happens to wake up while you’re there, he’ll have a reaction.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if you’re a friend, and as you say his only family, you’re right. It should do him a lot of good. But if you’re…not…well, it might affect him negatively.”

“Doc, we’re roommates…” Deuce’s words stopped as he wondered if he should tell the doctor the truth. Finally he tugged on the doctor’s arm, and took him aside, and spoke in softer tones. “Doc, we’re lovers.”

The doctor’s eyes widened. “You mean you’re…”