‘Promise me, damn it.’
‘I promise.’
‘Don’t let him flush it at roll call. Make him hold off, okay?’
‘Right.’
‘All I need.. . see, I need. . . couple hours’ sleep. .
He took a step towards Livingston and his legs went. He sagged into the black man’s arms.
‘Shit, where’s everybody going?’ he said and passed out.
When Sharky awoke the first time, Twigs was sitting by the bed with his black bag open, taking his blood pressure. Sharky looked around the room and it was filled with fog. Vaguely, faces appeared and disappeared through the mist.
What the hell you doin’ here, Twigs?’ Sharky said. ‘Am I dead?’
‘Not quite. But I can’t remember anybody recently who tried any harder.’
‘I’m okay. Just, uh. . . just . Tired?
‘Yeah, that’s it.’
‘Sure, just a little tired. In a state of shock. Blood pressure reads like a basketball score. Nothing at all.’
He took a hypodermic needle out of the bag.
‘Whatcha gonna do?’ Sharky said fuzzily.
‘Antibiotics. Also got to get a little snooze juice in you.’
‘Doandothat. . . gottastay. . . wake. ..‘
‘You got someplace to go at five in the morning?
‘Nawbdystealenm’melons...’
‘Sure.’
‘Right here, buddy.’
‘Doand. . . nuthin . . . outme. . ...‘
‘Right.’
‘Is be going to be all right?’ Domino said.
‘He’s got the constitution of a horse. Didn’t lose as much blood as I thought. Just keep him warm so he doesn’t go into shock. If he makes it until noon he’ll live forever.’
‘I’ll keep him warm,’ she said.
He felt the needle enter his arm, felt the warmth from its fluid flooding his body. The room did a Little dance for him and he faded out again.
He was dreaming. A crazy dream without form, Faces floated in and out of focus. The Nosh. The fat man on the junk. And Domino, like a face looking at him through smoke. He was on fire. And then suddenly he felt cold and began to shiver.
‘It’s all right, it’s all right,’ she said, and he opened his eyes. There was only one light in the room, a lamp in the corner. He had a hard time separating light and shadow. Another chill passed over him.
‘Easy,’ she said. She was talking softly and he felt her hands moving over his body.
‘Cold,’ he said.
‘It’s alcohol,’ she said. ‘I’m trying to break your fever.’
His lips felt scorched and his throat was like dust. He could hardly swallow.
She put her hand under his head and lifted him halfway up and held a glass of cold water against his lips. He gulped at it.
‘Not too much,’ she said. She reached over to the night table, to a bowl of ice cubes, and wrapped one in a washcloth, holding it against his lips.
‘Just suck on it,’ she said, and lowered his head back to the pillow.
She poured more alcohol in her hands and spread it on his chest, .moving her hands easily and lightly over his hot skin.
He closed his eyes. The fire was going out. He could feel it leaving his body.
‘Hey,’ he said, without opening his eyes.
‘Hey,’ she said back.
‘Sorry.’
‘For what? Saving my life?’
‘Slapping you. Dumb move.’
‘Please, it’s all right.’
‘No. I think....’
