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"You did a lot more than just pour the milk, man."
"Yeah, I set the table, too," Johnny returned lightly, not surprised Chet had waited until they were driving back to his place to mention last night directly. Gage had taken the long way to Chet's, driving slowly, enjoying the morning sun, breathing in the fragrant breeze through the windows.
"You saved her life, John."
"I think you were already doing that when I came in; I just provided an assist." He slowed for the turn onto Palm View Court.
"Well, I appreciate it."
"Anytime, pal, anytime," Johnny said, noticing with satisfaction that Marco and Mike had already arrived to start cleaning at Christina's. It was one less thing Chet would have to deal with.
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Daisy felt the dull throb of a headache beginning as the elevator doors closed. The conversation with Dr. Brackett had not been comfortable, but it was worth it when he seemed to agree with Dr. Estrada's recommendation. The revelations of Miss Wilkins, the student nurse, were likely to lead to additional action against Ralph Clayton, but frankly Daisy didn't care at this point. All she knew was she'd been awake for too long; what she really wanted was a cup of warm soup and a soft pillow. Sleep, however, would be elusive if she didn't check in on Christina now that she was in her room.
Daisy pushed herself upright when the elevator stopped and made her way down the corridor. Just five minutes, she promised herself. After all, the ward nurse said she was resting. She let herself into the darkened room quietly.
"Daisy?" a small, scared voice said.
"Right here, sis," she replied soothingly, stepping forward and reaching for the familiar hand. When her fingers encountered a padded leather wrist restraint instead, Daisy took a deep breath, trying to let it out very, very slowly. Not again. Her head was pounding in earnest now. This is going to stop if I have to camp out here!
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"Kel? Could you come with me to 612? I think we may have a problem."
"Sure thing, Dix."
=+++= / +==== ++++=
Waiting, waiting, waiting. Okay, happy thoughts, happy thoughts. A. Apples. B. Bunnies. Chocolate Cake. Dogwoods. Eggs Bened – no, evergreens. Evergreens are better. E, F. Ferns. G. I need to find more Gs because I can never think of any. G, G, G, – .
"Are you on G's?"
"Uh, yeah, how did you know?" she asked, smiling down on her.
"Your forehead always crinkles up when you get to G, Daisy, because you can't think of anything," Christina said with a little laugh. Thank goodness she was calmer now. "How about gladiola or geranium?"
"You know I don't like to use flowers."
"Okay, how about … garlic? Ginger? Goose? Gazelle? Giraffe?"
"Okay, giraffe. Giraffes are happy things," Daisy said squeezing her sister's hand as Dixie and Dr. Brackett came in.
"What seems to be the problem, nurse?" Brackett asked, crossing his arms in front of him.
"These," she replied simply, holding up the restraints she'd removed from Christina's arms.