Page 85 of Two for Joy

“What—wing?”

“Yeah, in the prison.”

“Prison? Wha—what happened?”

Zander sighed. “You got punched in the face.”

Romeo touched his cheek, so swollen it covered his left eye. He hadn’t been lying about the messed-up vision, or the blaring headache. He took the pills Zander handed him, swallowing them dry.

“My head kills.”

“I imagine it does.”

“What happened?”

“You were punched by Justin.” Zander said in a bored tone. He’d been telling Romeo that rather a lot. He almost felt sorry for him.

“Why was I in the corridor?”

“Holly Stevenson was visiting you. She’s been driving Hal and Tara crazy in reception, turning up shrieking and shouting, demanding to know how you are.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. she wanted to know what happened to you, and why you didn’t show for your visit, so they told her you were here, and she’s pretty much chained herself to the chair in reception and said she won’t leave without seeing you. The governor’s stressed out of his mind.”

“Why?”

“She’s brought down a load of reporters from the Canster Times. They’re outside the prison harassing everyone, waiting for news on your condition. She’s like a woman possessed.”

No, obsessed, Romeo thought to himself.

He scrunched his brow. “Why—why am I here again?”

Zander sighed. “You walked too close to a cell.”

“A cell…”

“Yeah.” Zander looked down at his clipboard, then back up at Romeo. “You need to rest.”

Romeo nodded, sinking back into the pillow.

“Okay,” he breathed.

Zander lingered by his bed, then left. Romeo needed to bide his time, if he went for it too fast, Zander would get suspicious. He could tell Zander was worried, could see it, he saw beyond his criminal record, and looked at him as a patient.

A patient he was neglecting by not getting the correct help.

****

Romeo spotted the governor and Paul heading towards Zander, no doubt after an update on his condition. Romeo pretended he hadn’t noticed and stared at nothing until they all approached the bed.

“You stopped faking it yet?” Paul asked.

“What?”

“You aren’t fooling me.”

“My arm.” Romeo murmured.

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