The Plague Doctor by E. Joan Sims

Ethan out of jail?”
    â€œNo, but he’s out of his funk and that’s almost as good as far as I’m concerned. He had me really scared when he just sat in the corner and wouldn’t talk. It was eerie. Almost like he was catatonic or something.”
    â€œSo you had a nice visit, dear.”
    Mother had seen Cassie drive up and came to join in the welcome.
    â€œAs nice a visit as you can have with your boyfriend when he is in jail accused of murder, Gran.”
    â€œNo need to be sarcastic, dear.”
    â€œI’m sorry. Yes, we had a nice visit.”
    She turned to me, “Ethan wants to see you, Mom.”
    â€œMe? He won’t talk to a lawyer but he wants to talk to me?”
    â€œThat’s right. And soon. Can you go down there now? Chief Joiner said it would be okay.”
    â€œAre you going back with me?”
    She looked a little disappointed, “No, he wants to see you alone.”
    So, alone I went. After Andy Joiner helped me park Watson in one of the narrow little spaces behind the building that served as the Rowan Springs City Hall, Fire Department, and the Lakeland County Jail, he led me thorough a back door and down a long, narrow hallway to Ethan’s cell. A deputy parked himself in a chair just out of sight and sat nervously waiting for me to scream for help.
    Ethan stood up when I entered and helped Andy close the door behind me, then he politely offered me a seat on the opposite bunk to his. Both beds were clean and neat, with snowy white sheets and dark blue wool blankets.
    The cell walls and floor had been recently painted, and no graffiti or foul odors could be seen or sniffed. I was impressed. I would have to register to vote, so I could back Andy in the next election.
    Ethan looked a little tired and wan, but he was clean-shaven and neatly dressed in jeans and a starched blue chambray shirt with “Lakeland County Jail” stenciled over the breast pocket.
    Even though he had requested my presence, I knew he must be humiliated for me to see him under these circumstances. And to make matters worse, like an idiot, I started laughing. For a horrible moment I thought he was going to cry. I hurried to explain while mentally kicking myself for being so insensitive.
    â€œI used to have a shirt just like that, only I made it myself, I mean the jail part. I used an indelible magic marker and wrote ‘Oregon State Penitentiary’ on the front.” I directed him with a twirl of my index finger. “Turn around.”
    â€œYep! It was just like yours, with big numbers across the back. I wore it to embarrass Mother when she insisted that I go with her to her shindigs.”
    He sat back down on his bunk and smiled.
    â€œAnd was she? Embarrassed, I mean? Somehow I doubt it.”
    Ethan was feeling a little better. He gave me another little smile.
    â€œAnd you would win the Kewpie doll. I was the one who always ended up being embarrassed because I was such a rebellious little creep.”
    â€œNot like Cassie at all.” He relaxed his long body against the wall.
    I breathed a sigh of relief and took at least one foot out of my mouth.
    â€œNo. Cassie has been a lady since the day she was born. Just like her grandmother.”
    â€œMrs. DeLeon, thanks for coming. I really appreciate it. I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you and your family.”
    â€œGoodness, Ethan, you haven’t caused us any trouble. You’re the one in trouble—or haven’t you noticed?”
    He gave that “aw shucks” grin again, and I could tell he was feeling more like his old self.
    â€œI have to admit that I was badly thrown when they arrested me. I’m afraid it took me a while to come out of my depression. I’ve been in some tight spots before, but never something as low on the totem pole as this.”
    He stood up and walked over to the high little cell window. He was tall enough that he could see