Sweet Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page B

Van,” he apologized. “It’s been a rather trying day all the way around.” He held out his hand and helped the young man to his feet. But he did derive some satisfaction from the bruises on the boy’s jaw – both sides of it. He gave Van his shirt and watched the young man slip it on as he gazed worriedly at his mother.
    Mrs. Bishop moaned and Maryruth helped her to her feet and into a chair. “Give her a couple of Fiorinal, will you, Jerry?”
    Bottle in hand, Jerry gave everybody two pills and took two himself.
    â€œYou hit me, son,” Mrs. Bishop said.
    â€œMother, I don’t remember it. Honest, I really don’t.”
    â€œMrs. Bishop,” Jerry said, pointing to a room off his office. “Why don’t you go in there and lie down for a few moments. As a matter of fact, I insist that you do.” - “All right, Doctor.”
    â€œI’ll help her,” Maryruth said.
    â€œSit down, Van,” Jerry said. “Let’s talk.”
    Jerry waited until Maryruth was back in the room, and then, looking at Van, he quietly told the young man of his behavior.
    The boy sat listening, numbed by shock. His surprise was genuine, both doctors concluded. He could not fake it that well. “Jesus, Doc,” Van spoke. “I don’t remember any of this. I swear I don’t. This is ... this is a nightmare.”
    Maryruth sat across the room, quietly taking notes.
    â€œTell me about this light, Van,” Jerry said. “We were talking about it, remember?”
    Van shook his head. “No, sir, I don’t. But you have to be speakin’ of the light out by the tracks. Is that the one?”
    â€œThat’s it.”
    â€œWell, it’s been around this part of Missouri for ’bout a hundred years, I guess.” He jerked his thumb in a vague northeast direction. “My grandfather took my grandmother up to see the light when they were dating. And that was ... oh, I don’t know . . . a long time ago.”
    Jerry and Maryruth exchanged quick glances; no more than a shifting of the eyes. A silent message passed between them: The boy had really told them nothing of substance concerning the matter of the light.
    Both doctors wondered if that had been deliberate on Van’s part.
    â€œMy jaw hurts, Doc,” Van complained.
    Jerry hid a smile. He thought: It should hurt. Eighteen years ago I knocked out Hurricane Hancock in the second round with that combination. “I don’t believe it’s broken, Van. But I did give you a pretty fair combination. Check back with me Monday and I’ll have another look. If it starts to swell over the weekend, call me. Right now, though, tell us more about the light.”
    â€œThe what, Doc?” Confusion was clearly evident on the teenager’s face.
    Maryruth minutely shook her head at Jerry; a silent message to leave it alone.
    â€œWe’ll keep what happened here today between us, Van.” Jerry let his original question drop. “I don’t think you want it to get around town that you attacked your mother and Doctor Benning, and I had to slug you.”
    â€œGod, no, Doc! I don’t even remember doing all that.”
    After carefully checking on Mrs. Bishop, Jerry allowed mother and son to go home. He sat behind his desk, Maryruth facing him. He told her about Van and the other young people, told her about Van’s offer of Gayl.
    Maryruth lifted an eyebrow at that. “Thanks for sending them to see me, Jerry,” she said, her reply containing a bit of sarcasm.
    â€œI did suggest it, Maryruth. But as usual, the parents nixed the idea. You know I’m on your side in matters such as these.”
    She sighed. “Their attitude doesn’t surprise me. I should be used to it by now. All right. What you’ve described, Jerry, is classic depression.”
    â€œI took enough courses to recognize that, Maryruth. But why is what bothers me. And what