Another spasm of pain ran up Barry’s thigh. Instead of calling Dr. Vartan after he’d had the new set of X-rays last month, Barry continued to meet his masseuse at the Lincoln Tunnel Motor Lodge. He called her Yuki even though when she said her name it was something closer to Yushiro. He started seeing her when Samantha moved to the Hamptons. She always wore patent leather boots, a mini Burberry skirt that showed her navel, and a cashmere twin set. They were the kind of classy suburban clothes Clarice wore, but on Yuki they were a completely different story.

He thought Yuki could really put him to sleep tonight, but it was much too nuts out there to drive to the Lincoln Tunnel. And he certainly wasn’t having her come up to The Lowell. Barry picked up his phone again.

“Yuki, it’s me. I can’t sleep,” he said when she answered. “I need you to calm me down.”

“Do you want me to come over?” she asked.

“No. Please just put me to sleep on the phone. Put your hands on my legs, nice and firm, and put me to sleep.”

“Poor Barry. No one knows how much you need to relax. No one knows what it takes to be a man like you. Do you feel my hand on your thigh? Answer me.” Her voice became hard.

“Yes, Yuki.”

“Yes, Miss Yuki,” she snapped at him.

“Yes, Miss Yuki. Please accept my apology, Miss Yuki,” he whispered.

“Now do you feel my hand rubbing up and down your thigh and my fingers deep inside the inside of your leg. Deeper. Deeper. Deeper down your leg, Barry.”

“Yes, Miss Yuki.”

“Say I can do anything I want to you, Barry.”

“You can do anything you want to me, Yuki,” he moaned with his eyes now shut.

“I own you, Barry,” she repeated.

“You own me, Miss Yuki,” he repeated again. “You own me.”

Barry was sound asleep three minutes later.

When the phone rang at 8 a.m. the next morning Barry assumed it was Yvonne with a good story about why she disappeared last night, or Clarice and the kids wanting to make sure he was safe.

“Hi, Barry, this is Dr. Vartan.” The unexpected voice was upbeat.

“Yes.” Barry wished he had looked at the goddamn caller ID and not picked up.

“We got your X-rays back and we’re seeing tumors in your ribs and brain areas. I’d like to talk to you about your options.”

“I’m listening.”

“Can you come in and talk about it?”

“I’m busy right now.”

“I would advise radiation, chemotherapy, and possibly surgery.”

“I’m feeling fine.”

“I would advise we schedule something for next week,” the doctor continued.

“It’s Christmas. I’ve got two movies opening next week,” Barry answered abruptly.

“It’s up to you. But I would suggest no later than New Year’s.”