Until now.
"Where's your bird?" Bea's eyelashes fluttered. Sleepy girl. Been through so much.
"Sweetie. Its ... uh outside." Laughter bubbled up in Clarence. "My bird is outside flying high." He reached for her hand.
Someone knocked at the door.
"Where's that Clarence? I gots to find him for Mrs. Hatly, here. Is there room for a wheelchair?"
Lisha. In all her ... glory. Big teeth and all. Still in her uniform. What a woman.
He caught himself smiling at her.
Mrs. Hatly. Oh, she was cute.
She stood from her wheelchair and barely came above the level of the bed. Bea could be taller. But those twinkling eyes. She patted his arm and kissed his cheek. And Bea's. Wiped her eyes and his.
He blinked.
The distinct creak of a walker. Harold. "Had to see my buddy." He reached over Bea and
