Kevin slept. Mira dozed in the chair beside his bed, waiting for him to wake again. When he began stirring, she said softly, "Kevin, I'm here."
Kevin opened his eyes and for a moment was obviously disoriented.
She smiled at him. "How are you feeling?"
"Like someone used me for a punching bag. Okay, maybe not that bad right now because of whatever drugs they've got me on, but I've felt better, that's for sure."
Kevin's doctor came into the room at that point, saying he needed to check him over. "And then," he added with a smile, "dinner."
"Jell-O and juice?"
"How's your throat feeling?"
He swallowed and told him it was sore.
"Broth, Jell-O, and juice."
Kevin grimaced, muttering, "Oh boy."
"Tomorrow, real food," he promised. When he finished his examination, he pronounced Kevin on the mend. "You're lucky," he told him. "They didn't manage to break any bones, although your ribs will be sore for a while."
"I think all of me will be." Kevin glanced at his mother before asking the doctor, "When can I get out of here?"
"Probably tomorrow, barring any unforeseen complications."
"Good. I need to get back to school. I've got an exam coming up."
Mira shook her head, looking at the doctor. "Isn't it too soon for him to do that?"
"Not if he takes it easy. Does he"—the doctor turned to Kevin—"do you work as well as going to school?"
"No. I have a scholarship."
"Lucky you. Or should I say 'smart you'?"
Kevin grinned a bit. "Both?"
The doctor patted his shoulder then went to the door. "I'll have the nurse bring you your dinner. Mrs. Parker, may I speak with you for a moment."
She nodded, following him into the hallway.
Once the door was closed, the doctor asked, "Would I be right in presuming Kevin's father is out of the picture, since he's not here?"
Mira hesitated, moving away from the door and Officer Jenkins who was still standing guard, wondering how much to tell him. "He… disappeared before Kevin was born. But he's… he came back recently, although Kevin doesn't know this yet."
"I see. Are you going to tell him?"
She sighed. "A lot depends on whether I see him—his father, that is—again. I don't know where to find him."
"That would make it difficult. My suggestion, for what it's worth, is not to mention him to Kevin unless or until he puts in another appearance."
"You're right, of course, so I won't. I wish…"
When she didn't continue, the doctor asked what she wished.
"I have to go back home soon. I was only able to get a couple days off because of this, and they weren't too happy about that."
"But you're afraid to leave him here alone, all things considered."
"Mrs. Parker," Officer Jenkins said, obviously having overheard at least that part of their conversation, "we'll be keeping an eye on him. Not around the clock, but according to my superiors, he'll be watched, in case whoever did this tries again."
She smiled weakly. "I guess that's something."
At that point, a nurse arrived with Kevin's dinner. The doctor excused himself and left. Mira opened the door for the nurse and followed her into the room. She laughed at the disgusted look on Kevin's face when he saw the doctor had told the truth. Dinner was indeed broth, Jell-O, and juice.
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