Oh, they say some people long ago

were searching for a different tune,

one that they could croon

as only they can.

They only had the rhythm so

they started swaying to and fro.

They didn’t know just what to use

so that is how the bluuuues

really

really

really, began…

I OPENED MY EYES to blurred images. I blinked repeatedly, and as my vision sharpened I could make out a large chalk-covered figure hovering over me. Searching the whiteness, I found a bush of hair the color of ash, a bean-pie-complexioned face punctured by sleepy liquid eyes with thick lids, cheeks, a chin, and a mouth grizzly with black hair flecked with gray.

“Where am I?”

“You’re in the emergency ward of Harlem Hospital. You’ve been in shock from loss of blood. You were delirious when you were brought in here, and I had to give you a shot to calm you down. Your wounds have been dressed. You’ll be all right. Just don’t try to move around too much.”

“How long have I been here?” I raised myself up on the bed and winced as I felt some pain within the tightness of the bandages on my left side. My right palm also throbbed with pain and I noticed that it, too, was heavily bandaged.

“You’ve been here over an hour.”

“Who are you?”

‘”I’m Doctor Blue.”

“Where’s Otis? What happened to him? Is he all right?”

“Your friend didn’t make it.”

I tried to summon something up from inside of me but nothing came. “Did they catch the dude who did it?”

“I don’t think so. The police want to question you about the man who stabbed your friend and also about what happened to you. The people that were with you are also here, and your family has been contacted. But I told the police I’d let them know when you could talk to them. I don’t want you to have too much excitement all at once. I think you’ve had enough for one night.”

“Thanks.”

“Well, my reasons are not entirely medical.”

“Oh, no?”

“I wanted to talk to you. You interest me.”

“Why is that?”

“Do you have any idea how many stabbings and gunshot wounds I treat every weekend?”

I shook my head.