“Speaking of gifts, Shelby is waiting for me.”


    “Thanks, Bobby.”


    Before he left, Bobby found the remote control and aimed it at the TV set suspended on the wall at the foot of the bed. He surfed past several channels until he found WGN—the Cubs were playing Houston. Sammy Sosa was up with two on base.


    “Are you going to be all right, alone like this?”


    “What do you mean alone? I’m in a hospital.”


    “I have a few minutes. Let’s watch the game.”


    “Get out of here. Shelby’s waiting.”


    “McKenzie?”


    “Dunston?”


    “Screw it. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”


    “Love to the family.”


    “Back at ya.”


    After he left I turned up the volume.


    “Whaddaya say, Sammy,” I said to the TV screen. “Just me and you, man. Just me and you.”