John stands trying to figure out how to grab Bud's cup of water, get the straw in the big man's mouth -- and not drop the dinner Andy's so
carefully prepared and Clarity has worried over getting to Bud. Finally, John puts the bag on the floor and steps close enough to grab the cup. He shoves the
straw in Bud's mouth and waits while Bud drains it. He pours more water in the cup and again Bud drains it down. But on the second cup, Bud seems to be
waking more because he stares up into Biebe's face, obviously wanting to ask a question as soon as he's finished dealing with his thirst.
Bud licks his lips and tries to get more comfortable in his bed. Gruffly, he says, "So, what, am I gonna get my next visit from the Ghost of Cops Future?"
Biebe chuckles. "Dreaming in Charles Dickens now? Man, those drugs you're on must be powerful."
"What's in the bag?" Bud nods toward the floor.
"Yeah. Andy fixed you dinner. He and Clarity seem to think you're gonna waste away to nothing on hospital food." John clears off the bed tray table; it holds a mostly uneaten meal. Then he lays out the items in the bag from Andy.
Each item he brings out catches Bud's interest -- and the smell of it makes him salivate. For the first time since he's been in here, he's starving. Biebe helps him figure out how to raise the head of his bed so he can sit up part way to eat. And eat, he does. He doesn't bother with chitchat with John, he just eats in a slow, steady pace. When he's done, he drinks down the soda in the bag and then falls back agains the bed, exhausted but satisfied.
There's even a contented smile on his face now.
"You can visit anytime, Biebe. Just make sure your girlfriend sends you packing more food from Andy."
John shuffles his feet and scratches at his scalp. "Yeah. Girlfriend. By that you mean Clarity? How'd you know? Someone been up here to tell you about..."
"Jesus, buddy. Even I could tell you two were hooking up." Bud cranks open an eye and takes in the slight blush on Biebe's cheeks. "Uh oh."
"Uh oh what?"
"You got that 'I'm a doomed man' look written all over ya, Sheriff. Don't be that way -- Clarity's a nice girl even if she's a bit out of your league." He means it as a joke so he's annoyed when a shadow crossed John's eyes. "Hey, you too good for a put down between us? You know she's got the hots for you so why would you give a shit what I got to say about it?"
"Nothing. Just, um... No, nothing. So tell me how you're feeling? Any idea how soon you get out?"
Bud licks his lips and tries to get more comfortable in his bed. Gruffly, he says, "So, what, am I gonna get my next visit from the Ghost of Cops Future?"
Biebe chuckles. "Dreaming in Charles Dickens now? Man, those drugs you're on must be powerful."
"What's in the bag?" Bud nods toward the floor.
"Yeah. Andy fixed you dinner. He and Clarity seem to think you're gonna waste away to nothing on hospital food." John clears off the bed tray table; it holds a mostly uneaten meal. Then he lays out the items in the bag from Andy.
Each item he brings out catches Bud's interest -- and the smell of it makes him salivate. For the first time since he's been in here, he's starving. Biebe helps him figure out how to raise the head of his bed so he can sit up part way to eat. And eat, he does. He doesn't bother with chitchat with John, he just eats in a slow, steady pace. When he's done, he drinks down the soda in the bag and then falls back agains the bed, exhausted but satisfied.
There's even a contented smile on his face now.
"You can visit anytime, Biebe. Just make sure your girlfriend sends you packing more food from Andy."
John shuffles his feet and scratches at his scalp. "Yeah. Girlfriend. By that you mean Clarity? How'd you know? Someone been up here to tell you about..."
"Jesus, buddy. Even I could tell you two were hooking up." Bud cranks open an eye and takes in the slight blush on Biebe's cheeks. "Uh oh."
"Uh oh what?"
"You got that 'I'm a doomed man' look written all over ya, Sheriff. Don't be that way -- Clarity's a nice girl even if she's a bit out of your league." He means it as a joke so he's annoyed when a shadow crossed John's eyes. "Hey, you too good for a put down between us? You know she's got the hots for you so why would you give a shit what I got to say about it?"
"Nothing. Just, um... No, nothing. So tell me how you're feeling? Any idea how soon you get out?"
