down the floor, still waiting for the elderly woman to
finish her confession. Judith wondered if the old girl
22
Mary Daheim
was recounting every sin since childhood. Finally the
priest appeared to be giving absolution. Judith sighed
with relief.
At that moment, Bob Randall entered, supporting
the wispy woman with his famous right arm. His wife,
Judith thought vaguely. The poor woman looked as if
she were about to meet the Grim Reaper. Maybe she
was. Judith said a quick prayer for Mrs. Randall.
Dr. Bunn had finished his explanation, which Judith
had only half heard. The priest was standing up. Well,
Judith noted, at least he was
poor man looked very unsteady.
Judith turned to see if Joe had noticed. He was
nowhere in sight. Then, on the other side of the curtain,
she heard her husband’s voice.
“Bob,” said Joe, sounding unusually hearty, “excuse
me, but I want to thank you for all the years of pleasure and excitement you gave us when you quarterbacked the . . .”
The priest was tottering away. Judith heard Bob
Randall’s booming voice in reply: “Flynn, eh? Great
to meet you. After fifteen years out of the league, you
sometimes think nobody remembers . . .”
Dr. Bunn had stepped aside as one of the nurses
began an IV in Judith’s left hand. “Doctor,” Judith said
in a plaintive voice, “could you get my husband from
the next cubicle?”
“Hold on there,” Dr. Bunn said in a soothing voice.
“He’ll be right along. At the moment, he’d be in the
way.”
“But I wanted to . . .” Judith began, then heard Joe
bidding Bob Randall good-bye.
“Good luck with the knee,” Joe said, and suddenly
appeared from the other side of the curtain. “Hey,
SUTURE SELF
23
Jude-girl, Bob Randall’s having knee surgery this
morning. You know how it is with quarterbacks. The
knees always seem to give out. He’s a really great guy.”
Judith felt for Joe’s hand. “I thought his wife was the
one who . . .” Judith felt drowsy. “Joe, can you find
that . . .”
Judith felt nothing.
She awoke nearly seven hours later in the recovery
room, staring at Renie. “Coz,” Judith said thickly.
“Hi.”
“Unh,” Renie replied and blinked twice.
