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Judith passed the message along to Renie. “That’s
fine,” Renie said in a doleful tone. “Bill’s probably
frozen into a grape-flavored Popsicle by now anyway.”
“It’s above freezing,” Judith pointed out, “or it
wouldn’t be thawing so much.”
The silent orderly came in to remove the cousins’
trays. As usual, he made no comment, not even when
he saw that Judith’s lunch was virtually untouched and
Renie’s was lying in the wastebasket. For the first time,
Judith noticed that his name tag read “Pearson.” Assuming it was his surname, she called out to him as he
started to leave.
“Mr. Pearson?”
Even though he wasn’t through the door, the orderly
didn’t stop.
“That’s rude,” Judith declared as Heather Chinn entered the room, seeking vital signs. “Say,” she addressed the nurse, “why won’t that orderly, Mr.
Pearson, talk to me? Does he disapprove of us?”
Heather gave Judith a gentle smile. “Pearson is his
first name, and he’s a deaf-mute.”
“Oh!” Judith reddened with embarrassment. “I feel
terrible!”
“Don’t,” Heather said, applying the blood pressure
cuff. “You couldn’t know.”
“I’d still like to talk to him,” Judith said. “I mean,
exchange written notes. To let him know we appreciate
his work. Could you ask him to drop by when he has
the time?”
Heather looked wary, but agreed. “I know how to
sign,” she offered. “Would you like to have me join
you?”
Judith started to accept, then politely declined. “I
don’t want to take up your valuable time. I also wanted
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Mary Daheim
to ask him a couple of questions about . . . how we might
be able to get some other kind of food. My cousin hasn’t
been able to eat some of the last few meals.”
“Oh.” Heather looked dubious. “I’m not sure Pearson
could help you. That’s something that should be taken
up with the dietician.”
“Let Mrs. Flynn do it her way,” Renie broke in. “I
trust her. She knows my needs.”
Apparently, Heather wished to avoid arguing with
the cousins. “All right,” she said, putting the thermometer in Judith’s mouth.
A quarter of an hour passed before Pearson reappeared. He wore a curious expression and tugged at the
ear that bore the gold stud.
Judith had already written her questions on a piece
of paper. Giving Pearson a big smile, she handed him
