Even though the surgery was a success, the risk of problems post-op remained high. There were those who believed that simply being a hospitalized patient, especially one needing assistance for almost everything, carried a serious risk of complications. In addition, blood clots from immobilization were a constant danger, and the hardware penetrating skin and bone were an invitation to infection. This was going to be a long, long haul. But Lou was determined to be there for the man every step of the way.

“So what’s your professional assessment, doc?”

“I think we’re lucky we weren’t running in the Okefenokee Swamp, that’s what I think,” Lou said. “We’d both be gator meat. The nurses showed me your post-op films. You have what we call a comminuted compound fracture. Nasty but totally fixable. Things are really lined up well. I’m not sure there’s any doc out there who could have done a better job than Leonard Standish did. You deserved the best and you got it. And we can thank a pharmacy tech named Humphrey for that.”

“Did someone call my name?”

As if on cue, Humphrey came motoring in, maneuvering the heavy chair by joystick. Once again, Lou was impressed by the deftness with which he worked the controls.

“Right hand a little better than left,” Humphrey said as if reading Lou’s thoughts. “You must be famous Cap.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch all that,” Cap said.

“He said you must be the famous Cap,” Lou answered. “Think of listening to Humphrey like me getting the first boxing lesson at your gym. I had to concentrate or I was going to miss something.”

Humphrey was dressed in a plaid, collared shirt and khakis. HUMPHREY MILLER, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN was stitched in blue script above the pocket of his short clinic coat. He motored closer to Cap’s bedside.

“What are you, my interpreter?” Humphrey said to Lou, filling the room with his rich laugh.

He reached out a shaky, wildly spastic hand, and Cap took it in his and held it for several beats. Connection made.

“Thanks for your recommendation,” Cap said. “Seems you done me good.”

“Glad to do it. Met Lou in ER. Saw him leaving gift shop with huge box of chocolates. I’m serious chocoholic.”

He laughed again.

“Here you go,” Lou said, opening the box and holding up the guide.

Humphrey pointed and Lou fished out the piece and handed it to him. It took some doing, but he got it into his mouth.

“Well, I’m glad you helped,” Cap said. “My leg thanks you as well.”

“Looks like you’ll be taking lots of painkillers,” Humphrey said. “I’ll rush meds up here.”

“Thanks.”

“And you’ll be sure to take them,” Lou said. “Right, Cap’n Crunch? Sometimes this guy’s too tough for his own good.”

“Me, too,” Humphrey said, laughing. “You really look out for each other.”