Page 56 of Tangled Up

He nudges me with his elbow. “You had another physique on your mind. Am I right?”

Tossing the instrument around my neck, I exhale a laugh. “I was pretty transparent back then.”

“Every teenage boy is transparent. They can’t help themselves.”

We sit back, and I nod. “I think I can release you. You’re free to resume all previous activities.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Hate to tell ya, Doc, I didn’t know I needed permission for that. I resumed my previous activities a week ago.”

“That’s good.” I stand, holding out my hand. “No weak spells or sudden headaches?”

He grips my palm as I help him to his feet. “Not a bit.”

“And your granddaughter is still staying with you?”

“Sadie’s my niece. Yeah, she’s here for the duration. Not such a great homelife.” He shakes his head.

“That’s too bad, but I’m glad you’re not here alone.”

He follows me out to the front porch. It’s a sunny Saturday with the perfect crisp of fall in the air. I wonder what Carly’s doing right now. After our dinner last night, I want more. I want the days when we’d wake up together, and I could pull her under me.

“It’s not good for a man to be alone.” Mr. C’s gravelly voice interrupts my musings. “That’s in the bible.”

“Then it must be true.”

He squints up at me. “You know, you’re still pretty transparent?”

I’m about to argue when Henry’s voice greets us. “Hey, Mr. C. Hey, Beck, I didn’t know you’d be here.” He strolls up the sidewalk towards the house.

“I’m following up with my patient. What are you doing?”

“It’s time for Oliver’s shots and deworming. Where is he?” Pausing at the porch steps, he scans the yard as he pulls two small syringes and a white pill that looks like an aspirin out of his pocket.

“He heard you were coming,” Mr. C teases. “You’ll be lucky to find him.”

“I know how to find him.” Henry also pulls a packet of tuna out of his pocket.

“What else you got in there, Mary Poppins?” I joke.

“You’d be surprised what all I have.” He walks out to the edge of the porch and spreads the tuna on a leaf. “Your patients don’t bite.”

“Most of the time.”

Mr. C makes clicking noises with his mouth, and Henry walks to where we’re standing to wait for the cat. “All good over here? No problems, I hope.”

“Nope.” Mr. Callahan nods at me. “I’ve been released by my big-shot Tampa physician.”

My friend’s brow furrows. “Didn’t I see you power walking on the shore last week?”

The old man elbows my side. “Small towns for you. Nobody can keep a secret.”

“Trust me, I know.” A glint of orange catches my eye, and I look down to see Oliver peeping his head from under the porch. “Looks like your patient has arrived.”

Henry walks down slowly and pets the giant furball who’s excitedly devouring the tuna. He extends the packet, leading Oliver farther into the light before picking him up and carrying him up to the wicker chairs.

“Need me to hold him for you?” Mr. Callahan walks over as my friend puts a syringe cap between his teeth.

“Let’s just put him on the table here.”

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