Pass Received

There he lay. I knew what Lacey was going to do. Just one look and he'd get the same idea I had. This was just too much temptation. Maybe we would have to work out an arrangement. Share the wealth. This is if we both didn't get the shit knocked out of us. The patient may have suffered a concussion abut I doubt if it had muddled his brain enough to just let two eager worshipers hold him down and have their way with him without some objections -- possibly a violent objection

He opened his eyes. They were golden brown, a little out of focus. He was searching his memory, trying to remember what had happened and at the same time figure out where he was. He gave me a wane smile, lifted his hand and then let it flop back on the sheet.

"They got me good this time, didn't they?" he croaked. "I di remember correctly? This is a hospital, right? Seem to remember a wild ride and lots of poking and prodding. Nothing's broken?"

I nodded in agreement. "You don't remember what the doc told you?"

Shit, man, I'm doing good to remember my name." With that he grinned and I had a hard time not pouncing on him right then and there. "And, we are you, anyway?" he asked.

"Your number one fan in this city, I replied. "Most of the locals hate your guts because of what you did to their team the last two years."

"Must have been some irate fans out there in the field then tonight -- or was that yesterday?"

"Just a few hours ago. You'vew been resting and, since you don't recall it right now, I'll tell you what the doc said. It seems to be just a mild concussion, but, he wants you in that bed, under observation for the next seventy two hours. That's why I'm here. The team's paying for the personal attention. So, anything you want, that's medically approved, I'm here to serve -- or I can sit quiet and unobtrusive, if that's what you want."

"You a nurse?" There was a faint tinge of macho male put down in that question. I got that a lot.

"Just an off duty orderly, earing some extra dough. Sorry you'd have perferred a skirt. You'll hate it more when you meet the night nurse. He's a pisser, rough as sandpaper, but knows his stuff."

Just then Lacey shoved open the door. "Sure as shit do know my business. You," he siad, glaring at our famous patient, "are suppose to be resting, not yammering with the help. And, you," Lacey shifted his stance to confront me with his hands on his hips and a sneer on his lips, "know better. Shut the fuck up and let the patient get a little peace and quiet."

"Whoa," said our woozy quarterback. "Back it up, Nursy Boy. I started the conversation." Squinting in the dim light he focused on my breast pocket and leaned forward. "Don't get all over Bob here. He's just answering questions."

"Rob," I interjected and then gave him a wave of my hand in a fairly clear' never mind' guesture. Standing, I had Lacey by half a head and a good fifty pound of muscle. "I'll call you if we need you, nurse," I said, indicating that he was dismissed. For this night, at least, I wasn't a hospital employee and I wasn't gong to take any crap."

"Can I see you outside for just a minute," Lacey asked, quietly, backing down but obviously perturbed by my attitude.

When I stepped into the hall, Lacey grabbed my arm in a vice grip. "Listen, you neanderthal, if you want to keep you job, don't piss me off," he hissed. "And, keep your hamds off the merchandise or, so help me, I'll report you."

"Afraid I'll get lucky before you get a chance to turn on the ol' Lacey charm -- or shoot him up?" I said, grinning. "He's not going to be interested in your skinny assed bod. But, me. I'm his kind, hunky. 'N I've got velvet hands. Bet I get him agreeing to and hand job within the hour -- and maybe more before the night's over. That is, if you'll keep the hell out of the way. Unless a true evergency arises. Then, I'll call."

"I'm not agreeing to anything," Lacey said with a shrug of general indifference. He had to agree I did have the inside track. "Let's just see what happens as the night progresses. I'll be checking on you, Robby." With that, he swished off down the hall. A buzzer had started insistently calling."

"What the hell was that all about?" my charge asked as I stepped back into the room.

"Just a minnor disagreement over who gets to check out your equipment, validate all those unsubstantiated claims on the internet. You do know you have a reputation tied to two of your appendiages, don't you" I said smiling. I shoke my head as if in disbelief that anyone would care about anything other than his migty right arm. "I think Lacey's got the hots for you. Maybe it just celebrity fever and your availability." I hadn't taken my eyes off his face, judging his reactions. I was sure as hell this wasn't the first time he'd heard that a guy found him attrative. But, I wanted to know how did tht fact sit with the Arm of the North.

"Not my type," he said. No special inflection, just a statement. "bet he gets lots of opportunities working the late shift." That seemes more an observation to the world in general than a conversational ploy aimed at getting any reaction from me. "Rob, you better stay awake. Keep me out of the clutches of the Nellie Nurse. O.K.?"

"Whatever you want."

He didn't seem phased by the conversation. Still he wasn't picking up the ball and running with it. Of course, I thought, what premier quarterback would -- on or off the field.

He guestured with his hand, motioning me toward him. "What I want is the damn pillow de-lumped and my head to stop throbbing."

"One I can do. The other I leave to Father Time," I told him and moved in beside the bed.

Not deliberately on my part, I don't think so on his, when I leaned in to get the pillow, gave it a couple of plumping smacks, and readusted it behind his head -- he hand got captured between my privates and the edge of the mattress. We both ignored it, said nothing. But, he now knew that more than just the Nellie Nurser was excited by the prospect of being around him.

"Thanks," he muttered. "You see the game? Clue me in on what happened in the fourth quarter. We won, right? Sit down. Tell me." He patted the bed beside him.

"Better yet," I said, and picked up the 'Trib' from the chair. "I'll give you the unvarnished truth -- as seen by this town's sports editor. He hates your guts, too, just hides it better.

Perched beside him, I red the glowing report of his injury and the not so glowing summary of the game that the hometown boys lost by twenty points. He chuckled at a few of the more stinging barbs sent his way. I felt he was relieved to find out that his backup wasn't that great. The defense kept our boys at bay during the fourth quarter, insuring the victory, not the work of the heralded rookie. To quote the scribe, his performance was "lackluster."

Lacey stuck his head in. He told me to get the fuck off the bed, and left.

"Looks like he doesn't trust us. That going to go on all night?" drawled the quarterback as I transferred my butt from the bed to the side chair.

"probably, I commented. "He's afraid hell miss out on something. That shit doesn't trust himself, so figures the rest of the world is just as bad."

"Could be. Could be." The voice was soft and low from the bed.

I held my counsel, although I was desperate to know exacty where this conversation was going. What was my charge thinking? I know what I was thinking. I had an urge that was growing stronger and stronger -- an urge to whip back that sheet and forget about possible cosequences.

"I stink," he muttered. Suddenly his voice was strong. "where the hell's my uniform. What do I wear when I check out tomorrow? God damn it. I don't remember too many things. Don't like that. Not at all."

"The team doc took your uniform. The trainer brought your civvies from the locker room. They're in there," I said, pointing at the closet.

"Oh." The belligerence was gone from his voice. "I still stink. Can I get in the shower?" It was close to pleading, but he already knew the answer was no. "I need a bath. That on your service list, Rob?" he asked, looking me right the the eye, no guile, just the hint of a smile on his lips.

"yes, but only if medically approved. Would you believe we have to get Nurse Lacey involved, just to verify its acceptable," I told him.

"Just as long as he's not involved in the act itself." He shuddered. "Ug. I don't think I could take his hands on me -- not for something as intimate as a bath." He shuddered again and clinched his eyes tight.