Free Never Let Go by Sherryl Woods

communication between doctor and patient.
    “What would you like me to do?”
    “Couldn’t you talk to Dr. Whitmore and persuade him to spend some time with the man? That’s all. I just know it would help. I’ve tried, but he just brushes me off with promises that he’ll do it later. At this rate, later will be after the guy’s surgery.”
    “I’ll talk to him, Carol,” she agreed reluctantly, already envisioning the argument that would follow her mention of the case to Justin. “What’s the patient’s name?”
    Carol’s expression brightened measurably. “Harrison. He’s in 615. He’s a great guy, too. He got mangled in an auto accident, and they’re trying to patch him up without damaging the nerves any further. He’s only twenty-eight, and he’s got these two little kids and the nicest wife you’d ever want to meet. They’re all being so brave, even though I know they’re worried sick about the surgery and paying the bills and all.”
    “I’ll do what I can.”
    “Thanks, Dr. Blake.”
    An hour later Mallory ran into Justin in the corridor.
    “Hi,” she said cheerfully, herheart thumping right on cue. For a muscle, it was amazingly discerning since it only pounded like that when Justin appeared. For once he returned her smile without any apparent reservations. The effect was as powerful as an intimate caress. Her body seemed to sway toward him with a will of its own, until she caught herself and wrapped her arms around her middle in a gesture that any student of psychology would recognize as one of denial. It didn’t do a thing to stop the thunder of her heart or the racing of her pulse, but it did keep her from reaching out to touch him.
    “Do you have some time?” she asked, the words coming out in a nervous rush that made her want to bite her tongue and start the whole encounter over. Justin grinned at her knowingly, and she hurried on. “I have a couple of things I’d like to discuss with you.”
    Justin glanced at his watch. “Will a half hour do it? I have surgery again at two.”
    “A half hour’s fine. Want to come to my office?”
    “I’d rather try the coffee shop across the street. I haven’t had anything to eat today and I’m not up to tuna fish in the cafeteria.”
    Mallory opened her mouth to protest his poor eating habits, but he silenced her with a look. “No lectures, doctor. It’s the first break I’ve had all day.”
    She grinned back at him. “Sorry. Force of habit.”
    It was one of those gloomy San Francisco days, when the fog never seemed to lift and the air was damp and chilly. They hurried across the street and into the steamy warmth of the restaurant. Several nurses were just vacating a booth, and as Justin and Mallory approached, the women regarded her curiously. She could hear the interested buzz of speculation as they walked away.
    As soon as Justin hadordered the homemade vegetable soup and a hamburger, he leaned back and asked, “Now, then, what’s so important?”
    “It’s Davey.”
    Instantly his eyes were alert and his body tense. “What about him?”
    “Calm down. It’s good news. After I saw you Saturday night, I stopped by here. I didn’t realize it when I first went into his room, but he was awake. He spoke to me. He asked about Joey.”
    “Who’s Joey?”
    “The puppet I’ve been using to try to reach him. He wanted to know why I didn’t have him with me. Then he really began to open up. He admitted he was scared and he talked about his mother.”
    “What did he say?”
    “That he was afraid of her. That he’d been bad and that she was going to hit him.”
    “Had he been having a dream or was he remembering a specific incident? That could be important when his case goes to court.”
    “It’s hard to tell. A little of both, I imagine. Don’t you see, though, now that it’s out in the open, I can really begin to work with him.”
    Justin relaxed and grinned at her. “That’s the best news you could have given me.” His