"I hope she gets better, whatever it is."

"Yeah. Sure. But it's always the good guys that get kicked in the tail in this screwed-up world."

A young woman in blue walked through the door.

"Morning, Kirk," she said. "How're you feeling today? You look so well I guess I better stay clear of you. Who's your friend?"

"That's Brent."

"Hello, Brent. I'm Jewel, and that's no joke. I'll take care of you. You want anything, anything at all, you just ask old Jewel here and she'll get it for you. First thing I'm going to do for you is get you cleaned up a bit."

She walked over to Brent's bed. Brent liked her face. She moved quickly and without any wasted effort.

"You going to hang around here and make things tough for me, Kirk? I'm sure not going to make that bed with you sitting in it when you can hike that body of yours out of here. Why don't you head on down to the washroom and take a shower. Lord knows, you probably need it. I'll have you all straightened out by the time you get back."

"Okay, Jewel. I know when I'm not wanted. You watch her, Brent. First time I was left alone with that woman, she ripped the covers off and attacked me sexually."

"Oh, go on, Kirk. You should be so lucky. Now scram."

Brent looked across the room toward Kirk's bed and saw him shift himself uncomfortably until his legs were dangling over the side of the bed. He grabbed the pair of crutches that had been propped against the wall and used them to support himself while he stood up. Kirk walked slowly toward the door. He stopped and turned back.

"You be careful how you manhandle that character, Jewel. He's not feeling so hot."

"Don't you worry now, Kirk. He's in good hands with Jewel."

Kirk swung his body out into the hall and paused. In a loud voice, he yelled, "Nurse Rush, Brent here's dying from the pain. You better get that medicine down here fast before I report you to the SPCA."