had . . .”
Henry snapped his fingers. “You don’t need to think.
It’s better that you don’t.”
204
Mary Daheim
“Truly, none of the doctors have gotten fresh,” Renie
was insisting. “No, I haven’t seen any white
slavers . . .”
“But,” Judith began, involuntarily shrinking back
among the pillows, “it’s only been two days since—”
“That’s the point, ma’am,” Henry said, beckoning to
Judith. “Come on, sit up, let’s get you moving.”
“Who did you say impersonated a doctor?” Renie
sounded incredulous. “Well, sometimes a veterinarian
knows more about medicine than . . . Yes, I know there’s
a difference between a man and a squirrel. Usually.”
“No, there isn’t any difference,” Henry said with a
solemn expression. “They both have nuts. Come on,
Mrs. Flynn, be brave.”
Renie shot Henry a withering glance. Judith shut
her eyes tight, then attempted to sit up and swing her
legs over the side of the bed. Henry held on to her
forearms. It occurred to Judith that she didn’t feel
dizzy this time, only weak. She took a step. Two.
Three. Henry slowly released her. Judith took a final
step on her own.
“Oh!” she exclaimed. “I did it!”
“Two more,” Henry urged. “Then you can go for a
nice ride.” He pulled the wheelchair just out of her
reach.
Judith expected to wilt, but she didn’t. Hesitantly,
cautiously, she took the extra steps, then sank into the
chair. “I’ll be darned,” she breathed.
“You know how to run this thing?” Henry inquired.
Judith nodded. “I was confined to a wheelchair for
some time before I had the surgery.”
“Good.” He released the brake. “Hit the road, Mrs.
Flynn. You’re on your own. Come back before it gets
dark.”
SUTURE SELF
205
Judith eyed the hallway as if it were the open road.
But she didn’t go far. Mr. Mummy blocked her way
as he came racing out of Addison Kirby’s room.
“If I ever see you again,” Addison was shouting, “I’ll
kill you! So help me God!”
Trying to avoid Mr. Mummy, Judith steered the
wheelchair to the left, but Robbie the Robot was heading straight toward her. She reversed, bumped into a
