Til Debt Do Us Part

Chapter 11

Constance listened to the scolding from the nurse as she was accompanied to the elevators. The accidental bell press had apparently upset the nurse's station because Godzilla had been manning it by herself and was forced to leave several other monitors unattended.

"I apologize. It was an accident. We certainly didn't mean to--"

"Yes, well isn't that how accidents happen? Cavorting on the bed with a patient in recovery."

"We weren't cavorting!" Several nurses and visitors all turned to hear more.

"Well Mr. Borden's visiting hours are over."

"Not so fast." Rodney stepped out of the elevator, still wearing his angry frown. "I want to see Mr. Borden . . . now."

Constance put a hand on his arm and made a calming gesture with the other. "I'd let him have a minute, it will be much less trouble than if you don't."

"Ten minutes." The nurse said uncertainly and fled back to her post.

Humphrey picked up the buzzer as Rodney surged into the room with Constance, pausing to look at all the unused monitors standing around.

"Are you better?"

"I'm improving, Rodney. Thank you for looking in but I'm supposed to be sleepi--"

"Patton sold the property."

"Uh yes, Constance told me. We may have to come up with a strategy to get at it through the divorce court."

"Can we do that? How long would it take?"

"Hard to say. Papers would have to be filed. Meetings arranged."

"Fine. let's get to it."

"Rodney, he is still in recovery!" Constance clasped her hands, beseeching him.

"He can recover on the way."

Humphrey reached for the buzzer but it was snatched away as Rodney dragged him from the bed and into a wheelchair.

"Rodney! What's come over you? You are acting like a mad man."

"I am a mad man. How do you think I feel having some sixty year old accountant best me with a table lighter when I'm holding a gun! Then he goes and makes it almost impossible to collect my money after all the trouble!"

"Our money." Constance reminded him.

"He's only fifty-seven," Humphrey added.

The arguing stopped as the nurse appeared in the doorway, hands on hips and an irate scowl.

"Again! Who pushed the buzzer this time? And what are you doing out of bed?"

Rodney looked down at the cracked case of the buzzer still clenched in his fist.

"That's it. Everybody out!"

Rodney tossed her the broken buzzer and began wheeling Humphrey out the door.

"Wait! You can't take that man out of here! He's recovering."

"Yeah? Watch me."

The trio hustled down the hall with the nurse in pursuit. Humphrey grasping at carts and door frames to stop the escape and Constance trailing, uncertain who to obey. At the elevator, the doors opened coincidentally and Rodney shoved his way aboard, trapping the people trying to get out. Constance followed, a sad shrug for the red-faced nurse who stood mouth open and arms extended.

********

Constance wrapped the bandage around Humphrey's arm where the IV had been wrenched out and taped it in place.