be here, nurse?"

lab guys deci

sts," says

don't know for

rebuts Mrs. Pinch. "I'll send the lab techni

ohn. Why the hell isn't the team here

eplies John. "But we aren

e are

e. "Clarity Hos

ys the politician. "Under th

ted the issues to him, and

e reason he isn't here, tr

hing, sir," I announce, w

again, and she even pu

e got me a meat pie.

t, sweetheart. But

not that bad

art. How was s

ed me for class president. Do you

the room marked

one who c

ay

re

l be ru

ud of you,

got to go now. Talk l

ay as Claire comes back on.

now I

so I head downstairs for lunch. Just as I descend th

n. John McRa

***

help

o introduce ours

y know yo

know yours,

Bishop,"

ire. Where ar

I can ge

nd," says John with a smi

ou be with y

hat are you having

w when I

me a burrito and pancakes behin

," announces John. "

ight?"

wouldn't

e at a table. "What?" he demands w

chec

wh

tting is ap

tell you, but it'll be wise

morning, Tyler left me with no room f

ou been working

say. "And

e a w

s like the first time yo

m and inhaling his scent, air of panache, and whatever it is that makes him look good all put me in discomfort. And I defi

s dawned o

dawned o

states and countries for medical checkups. I mean, that's wha

ean," says John, and he continues, not waiting

, I'd say that sixty percent of polit

here's an important part

other ha

wha

? Is it desperation

into one single campaign, then. that question

u his p

n with another smile. He finishes his burrito and empties his cup of coff

at. Has he

N

mething to go by," I say, finishing my mea

call, Claire. I was going out

our father

t nurses could be so p

e the place. He f

" I accuse. "Men can't just keep their mouths

ow how to keep a s

inch. I'll check up o

s station, peering into some pa

e on a round of senatorial debate, is there somet

e whole

in for Claire tonight

hy would you want something el

noth

ays Mrs

ha

ys, with a chuckle. "I

is got to do

he walked in on you with that

him, Mrs

instead," says the head nurse sarcas

I w

think

oing to be offering me something

ing lik

ady heard me mention