“Sometimes.”

“They look like bites.”

“Could be. Lots of bugs and rats around when I sleep.”

“We need to get you looked at and cleaned up. I have a friend who works in a hospital. Mind if we go there?”

“What hospital?”

“Mid-City Pediatric.”

“That’s for kids.”

“They have adults. And they have lots of good doctors.”

“All right.”

“So should we go now?”

“All right.”

I looked at the piles of clothing on the ground. “Anything you want to take with you?”

He thought a moment, then shook his head. “It’s all garbage.”

“You deserve better than garbage.”

He didn’t answer me. He concentrated as he walked. I could tell his feet were tender. Slowly, we made it back to my car and I settled him inside. In closed quarters, his stench was foul, not just a dirty smell but reeking of infections. I rolled down the windows, started the engine, and pulled away from the curb.

“When can I see Sarah?” he asked me.

“First we have to clean you up.”

“How long will that take?”

“I don’t know. We just have to make sure you’re not sick before you see Sarah—because of the baby.”

“How is the baby?”

“She’s wonderful. Very, very cute.”

“Good.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes.”

“There’s a McDonald’s at the hospital. If the doctor says it’s okay, I’ll buy you a meal.”

“Thank you.”

As I drove to Mid-City, I called up Koby on my cell. It was wonderful to know someone in the medical field; it just streamlined everything. By the time I pulled up to the main entrance, Koby, dressed in scrubs, masked, gloved, and wearing a hair cap, was outside with a wheelchair. I helped David out of the car and into the wheelchair.

“This is David.”

“Hey, David,” Koby said. “I’m going to put a cap on your hair, all right?”

“Okay.”

“Maybe we take it off later.”

“Okay.”

“Maybe we give you a short haircut like in the army.”

“Okay.”

Koby picked up the boy’s hands and I saw his eyebrows go up. “I take you to see a doctor, David. But I tell you now, I’m sure we admit you overnight.”

“David, I’m going to call Mr. Paxton,” I told him. “He can help you with all this.”

“Okay.”

“Your daughter was brought here after she was born,” Koby said. “I took care of her.”

David looked up at Koby, and for the first time, I saw him smile. It opened his face and clogged in my throat.

Koby said, “I take it from here, Cindy.”

“He’s hungry, Yaakov.”

“We take good care of him. I shall talk to the attending. I make sure he gets fed. I see you when I get off … around eleven.”

“I’ll be waiting.” I went around to the driver’s side of the car.

“Cindy?” Koby said.

I turned around.

“He has infestation of lice. Go to the pharmacy and buy a special shampoo—Nix or Rid. You can buy them over the counter. Take a hot shower when you get home and use it as directed. Also, they make a special spray for upholstery. You need to disinfect your car.”