Chapter Forty

I was going to take a cab, but Craig insisted on driving me to see Myra.

“Parris isn’t going to expect me to go to the hospital,” I said. “You go get your computer fixed and do your cop stuff.”

“Not a chance. I’ll take you to the hospital, then take you back to the carnival.” He rubbed my shoulder. “Don’t think I’m doing this only for you…”

Great, I thought. Now, he is going to say something smarmy and ruin his nice guy image.

“…I’m on vacation. I want to go to the carnival. Eat a corn dog, and win Frank a little goldfish friend.”

So much for my uncanny skill at reading men.

Craig left me at the hospital, with strict instructions not to leave until he came back.

Myra was in intensive care. Amanda was sitting with her. I waved from outside the room. I was afraid to go in, because of all the equipment that was beeping and clicking around the bed. Myra waved weakly. I couldn’t tell her expression behind the oxygen mask.

“Hey, kid. You look better already,” I said from the doorway.

Myra pulled down the mask and croaked, “Liar.”

“You know I can’t come in.” I said to Myra. “I don’t want an important machine to blow up because of my bad mojo. So, put your mask back on.” I blew her a kiss.

She replaced her mask and mimed rubbing away tears with her closed fists.

Amanda came out of the room. Her smile faded as soon as she turned away from the bed. “Let’s get some coffee. Be right back, Myra. Don’t you go anywhere.”

Myra made a rude gesture.

We walked down the hall to the visitor’s room and sat down. Amanda was biting her lip and didn’t seem to know what to do with her hands. “The doctor says she has pneumocystis pneumonia and Sarcosi’s carcinoma, which is a type of cancer.”

“Can they fix it?” I hated hearing cancer.

“Airy, they say the two diseases are a sign she has full blown AIDS. They can probably fix the pneumonia, but basically, it’s all downhill from here.”

The television on the wall gave a flash and blinked off.