Free Drawn Together by Z. A. Maxfield Page B

bleeding internally.”
    “Well…actually we do know that,” said Rory tightly, “I am.” Rory started to laugh, and the nurse looked at him closely.
    “I think he’s going to crash,” she said. “Let’s get him down to the ER right away.” Drawn Together
    47
    “Where are my clothes?” Yamane slid out of his hospital bed. “I’ll come with you.” He found a plastic bag with his personal things. His hospital gown flapped open.
    “Jenkins, stop checking out my girlfriend’s butt.” Yamane whirled around with his back to the closet.
    When Jenkins looked at him, appalled, Rory whispered, “Made you look.” Louder, he said, “Just kidding, princess.”
    Yamane raised his eyebrows. “Who are you calling princess?” Rory began to sing.
    “Oh, there he goes,” the nurse said to Jenkins. “This isn’t good; let’s get him out of here.”
    Yamane heard Rory singing and people scrambling around in the hallway as he tried frantically to dress. He was still a little shaky himself. His hand was virtually useless, so he just pulled on his shirt and coat without buttoning them. He pulled his jeans on and cursed the fact that they had a button too. He jammed his shoes on without socks and staggered out to find the emergency room, dragging the stunned uniformed officer after him.

    * * * * *
    Later, Jenkins sat in the waiting room of the ER with Yamane. “Did Rory tell you what happened to him?” he asked.
    “No. He was crying.”
    “I don’t blame him. I got a look at him as they were cutting his clothes off. He’s going to feel this day’s work for a long time.”
    “Was it really bad?”
    “Yeah,” Jenkins said simply. “Look, you’ve known each other what, two days?”
    “Yes.”
    “Is that normal? To see a guy for two days and be like --”
    “Not in my experience.”
    “I’m sorry if that’s too personal. I know it’s a brave, new rainbow world and everything, but I’m slow to catch up to these things. Is it more accepted in Japan where you live?”
    “Hardly.” Yamane snorted. “Anyway, technically I’m from New York. I just live in Japan.”
    “Oh,” said Jenkins. “So, you met and then what? Love at first sight?”
    “Oh, hell no. He came here from Louisiana, thinking I was a woman. He wanted to sweep me off my feet.” Yamane felt tired. That seemed a long time ago. “He’s not gay. He was appalled. I’m pretty sure he was clueless… Then I teased him. I wish I hadn’t done that.
    48 Z. A. Maxfield
    He’d probably be home now if I hadn’t. It’s not what you think. Even I don’t know what it is. I just think we were thrown together here by something and we found each other. I think maybe we’re…friends.”
    “You think so?”
    “Maybe,” said Yamane. “I don’t know. Shit, that woman.”
    “Can you tell me about her?”
    “She thinks because I used to show her my work and ask her opinion in high school art class she owns me. Who can explain crazy people? Once, about four years ago, she asked me out for drinks. ‘I’m in Tokyo, haven’t seen you since high school, how’s it going?’ Next thing I know, I wake up bound and gagged in her rented apartment. She kept me there for weeks, running interference with my work and my family. She trashed my place. She killed my dog.
    I’ve never told anyone except the police and my agent. It’s not the kind of thing a man likes to admit. It’s not like I can’t take care of myself, but a little Rohypnol, a little rope, a little duct tape. You’re a police officer. I’m sure you’ve seen it. I got my life back and she was institutionalized quietly in the US. I thought she’d be there longer. Rory just happened to be getting breakfast with me this morning. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Yamane sighed. “But he’s a knight.”
    “And now you’re the princess,” said Jenkins quietly.
    “He doesn’t want me. He can’t possibly love me. I seem to attract the crazies, don’t