Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway Page A

that’s my fault … but”—I paused, looking around—“she did a nice job.”
    â€œThat’s not the point. I told her to leave this room alone. This is my turf. She has no business fooling around in here.”
    â€œIsn’t that a little harsh? She was only trying to help.”
    He turned on me. “Listen. When it comes to Lolly, you mind your own business. What do you know about retarded kids?”
    â€œShe’s not retarded. She has learning disabilities. Actually, she’s quite capable—”
    â€œâ€˜Quite capable’! Do you know what her IQ is?”
    â€œI can guess. About eighty or ninety. But that’s irrelevant.”
    â€œMind your own business. She has to be disciplined. I’ve never laid a hand on her. And I never will. But we have certain rules and she has to abide by them. The counselor told me that.”
    He’d consulted a counselor? Good for him. “You’re absolutely right. I shouldn’t have interfered. I’ll go do this job now.”
    As I turned to leave, Lolly came in.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Her father looked at his watch. “Your hour’s not up yet.”
    â€œI heard the lady, and—”
    â€œMy name’s Jo.”
    â€œGo back to your room,” Max barked.
    â€œBut …” She was on the verge of tears.
    â€œNow,” he said firmly.
    Eyes brimming, she turned to me.

    â€œI’m sorry, Lolly. I didn’t know the rules. Do what your father says.”
    She went.
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    When I had printed the programs and stacked them in a box, I went in to ask Max about delivery.
    â€œLolly will take care of that.”
    â€œBut does she have a license?”
    â€œShe’s done it for years. She knows the roads. There’s no traffic. And she’s careful.”
    â€œWhat if something happened, like a deer—”
    â€œWhat if the sky fell, Doctor? Everything’s a risk.” His tone was bitter.
    I let it go. “How’s your hand?”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œAny pain?”
    â€œNot much.”
    â€œTake those Percocets. I have plenty. Don’t be macho.”
    He didn’t answer.
    â€œWell, I’ll be going.”
    â€œWhen will you be back?”
    Did I detect a hint of anxiety? “Tonight. Around six o’clock.”
    He looked relieved. Then he blurted, “Want to have a bite with us, then?”
    My face must have been a picture, because it was the first time I’d heard him laugh. It was a nice sound—low and rumbling.
    â€œEr …” I stuttered, “but who’s going to cook?”
    â€œCook, schmook. Lolly can fix something.”
    â€œWell … okay. Can I bring dessert?”
    He shook his head. Then his face lighted up. “How about a bottle of wine?”

    Had I heard right? “White or red?”
    â€œSince we don’t know what Lolly’s serving, maybe you better get both.”
    I gave him a thumbs-up.

CHAPTER 15
    The day continued to be beautiful. It was hard to leave it and go inside the hospital. As I was about to knock on the door of my first patient, I noticed my hand. Horrors! Black ink under every fingernail! I rushed to the rest room and scrubbed until the nails were clean. It took awhile; it isn’t easy to remove printers’ ink without a solvent. As I came out of the rest room, I ran into Barry.
    â€œHow’d it go?”
    â€œUh …” At first I thought he was referring to the print job. “Okay … I think. Thanks again for all your help.”
    â€œNo prob. Your friend Carl is in big trouble.” He smiled gleefully.
    â€œOh?”
    â€œYeah. Seems he left a hemostat inside a bank president.”
    â€œNo kidding!”
    â€œSometimes things work out for the best.” He winked.
    â€œYou’ve made my day.”
    Fueled by the good news about Carl (but not about his patient), I did my rounds quickly and