arguing, something about the assignments of their
three children while Renie was in the hospital.
“Why,” Renie was demanding, “should Tom wash
the windows in January? He needs time to work on his
Ph.D. thesis.”
“That doesn’t mean the windows aren’t dirty,” Bill
pointed out. “Besides, he’s been in graduate school for
eight years. I don’t see that he’s in any rush.”
“He has deadlines,” Renie countered. “You know
that, you’ve been through it.”
“Not in Babylonian history,” Bill pointed out, his
voice growing more heated. “What’s he going to do
with that degree when he gets it? How many recruiters
are out there looking for an expert on the Mushkenu
social class?”
“He can teach,” Renie retorted.
“He doesn’t want to teach,” Bill asserted. “He wants
to stay in graduate school, live in our house, eat our
food, and wait until we’re carried out feetfirst, just like
his brother and his sister are doing.”
Joe, who had been fidgeting, stood up. “Hey, Bill,
maybe we should head on out. It may snow tonight.”
Bill all but flew out of his visitor’s chair. “Good
idea. Heraldsgate Hill has some pretty mean streets in
bad weather.”
Joe and Bill kissed their wives and fled.
“Do you really think they have girls lined up?” Judith asked.
“No,” Renie answered. “They have basketball
games, though. Pro and college. Besides, we’re boring.”
“Joe ate half my dinner,” Judith said in dismay.
“Bill didn’t try to touch any of mine,” Renie said. “He
knows better.”
SUTURE SELF
43
Judith checked her watch, which was lying on the
bedside stand. “It’s almost eight. I could use some
more painkillers.”
“Me, too,” said Renie. “You buzz. They hate me.”
Judith pushed the button. “I have to admit, they
aren’t exactly killing us with kindness. Excuse the
phrase.”
But Heather Chinn appeared almost immediately.
“Sorry,” she apologized. “It’s been so busy on this
floor tonight. I’m behind in taking vitals.”
“How about victuals?” Renie said, indicating the
empty white boxes on her tray. “Could you get rid of
these for us?”
Heather hadn’t noticed the small cartons. “Oh, dear!
Did you two . . . ? Really, that’s not allowed. Lately,
