“What about his shoulder?” Ira said.
“Fortunately, the knife didn’t cut the radial nerve, but he will need surgery to determine the extent of muscle damage.” Dr. Adler smiled at me. “Jarret asked if you were here, Ms. Cooper. You can go up and see him if you like.”
Of course Mom followed me up to Jarret’s room. She had the decency to wait in the hall to give me a moment alone with him.
Jarret reclined in the hospital bed with his left arm and shoulder bandaged. He looked up, his lips curled in a loopy smile. “Hi Lizzy-Bear.”
“How are you?”
“Almost in one piece.”
I leaned over the bed to kiss his forehead. “Thank you for pushing me out of the way. I owe you one.”
“You sure do.” He reached at me with his free hand. “Come closer. Let me cop a feel.”
“I’m almost grateful enough to let you, but my mother is right outside your door, ready to burst in. Plus I’m thinking you should keep your hands to yourself for a while.”
“Hell, no. Did you meet Dr. Adler? Did you see what she looks like? And she’s single. Find out if she makes house calls.”
“Yoo-hoo.” Mom peeked in, taking Jarret’s weak wave as permission to enter.
“Hey, Viv.” Jarret sunk into the pillow, his eyes struggling to remain open.
She went to the bedside and straightened his sheet. “Don’t you worry—we’ll make sure you get the best doctors. I’ll bring you breakfast in the morning so you don’t have to starve to death in here.”
“No food. Going home tomorrow.”
“Not to that house, you’re not,” Mom said. “You’re coming home to stay with Walter and me for a while so I can help you recuperate.”
I shook my head, smiling. Jarret living with Mom? There was a bizarre sense of justice in there somewhere.