What's that smell?
"Oh. You're up."
It was… the Janitor.
"What is that smell?" I asked him.
"You try working around garbage all day and then tell me why you smell.
You try cleaning up other people's bodily fluids." He said.
"What are you talking about?"
The Janitor gave a disappointed glance down at the floor. There was a
huge puddle of yellow liquid on the ground.
"Oh, no did I do that?" I can't believe this. I'm mortified.
"Don't worry about it. You've been through a rough time lately. Let's just
let it go."
"Really? Wait….. you're not going to forget about this are you?"
"Nope… never. Sorry Doc.. Dr. Peesirlot."
Man I am never going to live t his down.
The Janitor left the room and walked outside.
outside J.D.'s room
"Did you do that trick I told you?" Dr. Cox asked.
"With the lemonade? Yeah. Worked like a charm. The kid thinks he wet
himself royally. It was wonderful." Janitor said.
"Wish I could have been there. Well, nice work my friend. Carry on."
Dr. Cox entered the room.
"Mornin' Sunshine. Whoa what happened here now?"
"I had a little accident it seems."
"Little? Well…"
"Wait a minute. I'm not wet."
"Nice shooting then partner. Listen, your test results came in."
"What do they say?"
Dr. Cox gave a huge sigh. Then in a strangely comforting voice said:
"Kid, you're going to be just fine."
I tried to speak but couldn't, and even so, what would I say? I felt my
eyes water a bit. I can't cry in front of this man. Not now. Not after all of
this.
"Go ahead, Kiddo. I was just leaving." Dr. Cox turned and began to
leave.
"Dr. Cox?" I said in my strongest feeble voice. He turned to face me. "T-
thank you."
He gave a small nod and I swear, it felt like a dream but the man turned
around, walked back to where I lay, put his hand on my shoulder…and I
couldn't help it – but I hugged him. But the strangest part was that I think
he hugged me back, his hands never moved from his clipboard and my
shoulder but he leaned in and bent over me. I think I felt his head rest on
mine.
It was only a moment. A second really. But it felt longer. And then he was
gone. Later that day, all of the gang came in to see how I was doing. All
in their own time. I let them say their peace. I had to. It was something
they needed to do, it was their closure. How could I deny them? I know I
scared them, and it touched me that they care for me so much.
Finally, Carla came in. We talked a good while but finally I told her I had
a favor to ask her.
"Sure, Bambie, anything."
"Could you get a tape for me?"
"A tape?"
"Yeah, you're friends with Barry in security aren't you?"
"Yeah?"
I told her my entire plan and later, midnight in fact, Carla and I sat in my
hospital room watching a security tape of when Dr. Cox was in my room.
Okay, he walked back and put his hand on my shoulder, and then… yes,
he bent in a hugged me. But…but what was this? I could hardly believe
my eyes.
Dr. Cox leaned over – and kissed my head…
"Can you believe that?" I asked Carla.
"No. In fact if i hadn't seen it with my own eyes I.... wait a minute..."
Carla rose from where she sat and started picking through my hair. Then
she started laughing.
"What's so funny? I've been in a hospital bed for-" she continued to
laugh. "I haven't had time to style!"
"Bambie! He put gum in your hair!" she laughed hysterically.
I lifted my hand to m head and felt it. Darn!
I felt like i was in some really bad Indiana Jones movie or something.
You win this time Doctor. This time............