Vacation from He**

Sorrow and Joy

"Let Lawan do her job. Knock will be fine." Preeda held Korn back as they wheeled Knock through the hospital doors.

Korn slumped against the trunk of the car. What strength he had for Knock disappeared as he was taken away. He had nothing left for himself.

"Come on, let's get you into the waiting room." Korn leaned against Preeda as she lead them to a collection of blue plastic chairs. She left him there, returning a minute later with a cup of coffee.

"I don't need that."

"Yes, you do. Take it. It will give you something to focus on."

Preeda forced the paper cup into his hand. The hot liquid felt good against his numb fingers. He took a few sips. It tasted awful. Like it had been sitting out for two days next to an open trash can. He took another sip.

"Thanks. I think I now owe you," Korn said as he set the half-empty cup on the chair next to him.

"For the coffee? Honestly, I know how bad it tastes. That's not something to thank me for."

"No. For saving Knock's life. I don't know what I would do without him." Korn chocked back his tears.

"You do not owe me anything. I'm the one that ordered the shrimp."

"But you didn't know."

"I run a high end hotel, that caters to people's requests. I know better and I should have asked. And helping Knock does not require repayment. Fixing my engine was not life or death. For something like this, no debt is owed. Besides, Lawan is the one who did everything."

Korn leaned back in his chair. "So your girlfriend's a doctor?"

"How'd you know?" She flashed a smile.

"Lucky guess."

"Are you feeling better?"

"A little. Though I won't feel completely better until I know Knock is okay."

"Knock is doing fine." Lawan said as she approached them. Korn and Preeda stood as she came to a stop in front of them. "The swelling is going down and the rashes are fading."

The tears were instant as relief swept through him.

"Hey she said he's going to be alright. Don't cry." Preeda patted his back.

"I just wanted to come out and let you now right away. I going to head back now. If he gets better, we can let him out in a few hours, or he can stay the night."

"Please let him stay."

"Oh right, you're staying at that motel. Honey, are you sure you don't have any rooms available?"

"If I did, do you think I would have just paid them back with dinner?"

"Then I will make sure they keep him on for the night and let them know you will be staying too. It's not standard, but I will call it doctor's orders."

Korn grabbed Lawan's hand and held it tight in his. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. You still have all the paperwork to fill out."

"We've got that covered," Preeda said. "Now get back to your patient. Don't leave poor Knock all alone."

Lawan kissed the side of Preeda's cheek. "I'll look after your precious Knock. Wouldn't want anything to happen to the boy that can help fix your engines."

Lawan strutted away. Her white dress swaying as she walked.

"There is only one person who fixes my engines." Preeda called after her. Lawan tossed back a smile before disappearing through the doors. "Wait, I thought she was making a joke. Wasn't that a sexual reference?" Korn shrugged. "Anyway, we need to get the paperwork handled. Come on."