“I don’t know. Dr. Hedrick, am 1 allowed coffee?”
“Miss Smith, now that you can eat sitting up, there is no reason why you should not eat or drink anything you want.”
“Then I’ll celebrate. The first coffee I’ve been permitted in ten years—Demi-tasse for me, Cunningham, but man-size cups for the gentlemen. And Cunningham?—is there any Mumm ninety-seven on ice?”
“Certainly, Miss.”
“Serve it.” She raised her voice a little. “Any sissies who won’t drink champagne this early in the day may sneak out quietly.”
No one left. When glasses were filled and bubbles were chasing up their stems, Dr. Hedrick stood up. “Gentlemen, a toast—” He waited until they were standing. Johann raised her glass with them.
But did not drink: the toast was “To our lovely and gracious hostess—long may she live!”
“Amen!” “Cheers!”—and the tinkle of breaking glass.
Johann felt tears, ignored them. “Thank you, gentlemen. Cunningham, fresh glasses.”
When they were filled she said, “Gentlemen, I ask for another standing toast”—she waited, then went on—”this should be to Dr. Boyle . . . and to you, Jake old friend, without whose loyal help I would not be here . . . and certainly to you, Dr. Hedrick, and to all the doctors who have helped you and helped Dr. Boyle…and to all the patient nurses I have snapped at. But those can wait. I ask you to drink”—her tears were falling and her voice was almost a whisper—”to the memory of the sweetest, loveliest, and most gallant girl I have ever known Eunice Branca.”
The toast was drunk in silence. Then Jake Salomon slowly crumpled into his chair and covered his face with his hands.
Dr. Hedrick jumped to help him, Dr. Garcia was quick on the other side. Johann stared in helpless distress. (Oh, I should have known better! But I meant it, darling, I meant every word.) (I know you did, Boss, and I appreciate it. But it’s all right. Jake has got to admit that I’m dead. And so do you.) (Are you dead, Eunice? Are you?) (Don’t worry over a word, Boss. I’m here and I won’t leave you ever. I promised you. Have you ever known me to break my word?) (No, never.) (So believe me this time. But we’ve got to take care of Jake.) (How, dearest girl?) (When the time comes, you’ll know. Talk later, when we’re alone.)
Dr. Rosenthal was leaning over her. “Are you all right, my dear?”
“I’m okay—just terribly sorry about Mr. Salomon. Is he all right?”
“He will be shortly. Miss Smith, don’t worry about Mr. Salomon. Yes, you brought on another catharsis—which he needed, or he would not have had it. As for his physical well-being, he’s in Dr. Hedrick’s hands . . and Curt Hedrick hasn’t lost a patient he reached in time since he started practicing his specialty. Your house is loaded with everything Dr. Hedrick could possibly need…and Mr. Salomon isn’t even ill; he simply needs to lie down, plus a happy drug.”
Dr. Rosenthal sat with her while the room was cleared of dishes, brunch table, dining chairs, etc. Dr. Hedrick returned with Dr. Garcia. Johann again asked, “How is he?”
“Half asleep. Slightly ashamed of being a ‘spectacle’ and a ‘nuisance’—his terms. But only slightly as what I gave him doesn’t permit such self-hate very long. How are you?”
“She’s ready to go six rounds,” Rosenthal assured him.
“So the scopes say. We might as well get on with our conference, Miss Smith. I discussed all that I am going to say with Mr. Salomon while you were getting pretty before brunch, and it has his approval. I am withdrawing from your case.”
“Oh, Dr. Hedrick! No!”
“Yes. Dear lady, ain’t nobody going away mad. This means that you are well. Well. Oh, still weak, still in need of care. But I’m not deserting you. I’m turning you over to Dr. Garcia.”
She looked at Dr. Garcia, who nodded. “Nothing to worry about, Miss Smith.”
“But—Dr. Hedrick, you will come back and see me? Won’t you?”
“Delighted to. But not very soon, I’m afraid. You see— Well, there is an interesting transplant case which has been hanging fire. A radical, one, the heart and both lungs. Now they are ready to start surgery. I received a call before you were awake, asking if I would be available. I said that I would have to call back—and after I saw you I did call and said that I could do it. After consulting Dr. Garcia, of course, and notifying Mr. Salomon.” He smiled quickly. “So, if you will excuse me, I’ll leave.”
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