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The next night they were both quiet on the drive. The
only words the doctor spoke were thank you" when Branwyn got out to go
to her door.
She liked it that Minas stayed in front of her
apartment until she was well into the building.
MINAS NOLAN WORKED nearly every day after his
wife died. And almost every night he stayed late and drove Branwyn
Beerman to her door. After many days had passed, he made an appointment
to talk to Dr. Mason Settler about Thomas Beermans condition.
Theres nothing more I can do, Minas," Dr. Settler,
head of the pediatric section of the ICU, said. Im surprised that the
boy has lived so long. You know, his immune system is off, and I dont
like the way hes breathing."
You cant just let him die without trying something,
Doctor," Minas said.
What?" the elder Dr. Settler asked.
Something."
TWO WEEKS LATER, when Minas and Branwyn pulled
up in front of her building, she hesitated before opening the car door.
Dr. Nolan."
Yes, Miss Beerman?"
She took a deep breath and then said, I have
something I want to ask you."
Whats that?" he said in a whisper.
Do you ever plan to kiss me?"
Dr. Minas Nolan had never in his life been without
words. And even then he thought he had an answer to Branwyns question.
But when he opened his mouth to speak, nothing came out.
Never mind," Branwyn said, and she pulled the handle
on the door.
Minas reached out for her arm.
No," he said.
No what?"
I . . ."
What?"
I never, I never thought that you wanted me to . . .
and I was afraid that youd stop coming with me if I . . ."
Branwyn turned toward the doctor and held out her
arms. He rushed into the embrace, and they both sighed. They hugged
without kissing for the longest time. It seemed that with each movement
of their shoulders they got closer and closer, until one of them would
groan in satisfaction and chills would jump off their skin.
Lets go back to your place," Branwyn said finally.
Thats when he first kissed her.
He turned the ignition and slipped the car into gear.
She touched the side of his neck with two fingers and
said, You drive me crazy."
THEY NEVER WENT to sleep that night. The first
rays of the sun found them nestled together, thinking very close to the
same thoughts.
Im worried about Thomas," Minas said after a very
long, satisfying silence.
What do you mean?" Branwyn asked, rousing from her
lassitude. She had just been thinking that she had enough time to go see
Thomas before she had to be at work.
Dr. Settler doesnt know what hes doing for the
boy. He just keeps him in that bubble, waiting for him to die."
No."
Yes. He has no positive prognosis. I think you need
to try something else."
Like what?"
You need to take him out of that place and hold him
and love him. Maybe hell live."
Maybe?" Branwyn asked, knowing that this man cared
more for her than the whole of Helmutt-Briggs Hospital and every other
doctor she had ever known.
She was thinking over what he had said when loud
crying erupted from somewhere outside the master bedroom. Minas jumped
up, and Branwyn followed him into the room across the hall. There, in a
large crib, sat a giant baby with golden hair and eyes the color of the
Atlantic Ocean. He was hollering, but there was no pain or sorrow in his
face, just mild anger that hed become hungry a moment before the nanny
brought his food.
Copyright © 2006 by Walter Mosley
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