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Show 205 check for twenty-five dollars. "A Christmas bonus," he said. "Thank you," Last year he had given her ten dollars; she was pleased. "This will come in handy. And Merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas," he said. She turned to the pharmacist, who was climbing the stairs to the prescription area, and said: "Merry Christmas." "Merry Christmas, Sharon." The pharmacist nodded at Mr. Richards. "I'm going to be looking you up tomorrow." Mr. Richards chuckled. From the payphone in the parking lot, she called Steve. As she dialed, her hand trembling, she wondered if she shouldn't wait to talk with him, if she shouldn't just show up later at the hospital during visiting hours. Yes, that is what she would do. She asked the receptionist when visiting hours were. And then, on a sudden impulse, asked if she could talk with Steve-maybe he needed cheering up, someone to talk with for a minute. "One moment, please," the receptionist said. Immediately, a phone was ringing. She was surprised, Steve's voice came on the line so quickly with a tired, "Hello?" "Hello? Steve? This is Sharon. Sharon Mackinlay." There was a pause. She could hear his breathing on the line. "From the store," she said. "I just called to see how you are." "Not so good," he said slowly. "I have surgery later this afternoon." "I heard," she said. "They say it's not too serious." "No," he said, "I guess not." "Well," she said, "I'll come by and see you. In a day or two." |
