The Wife of a Lesser Man (LA Cops Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

smiling.
    I gently nudged his arm. “That’s just because they took the catheter out.  Do you want me to call the nurse?”
    He looked around, noticing he was still hooked up to a few machines.  “Yeah, I need to pee badly and I don’t think I can get up on account of all this spaghetti stuck to me.” 
    “I’ll be right back.”  I said, walking towards the door.
    Mark called “Shelley, honey, that’s what they have this here magic button for?”  He was holding up the small grey contraption that was attached to the fitted sheet on the bed with a safety pin.  I rolled my eyes and walked back in the room.
    “You know, baby, we oughta think of getting one of these….that way I can call you when I want you.”  He winked.
    Richard sighed. “Okay, too much information….although, that button would have gotten you out of this mess to begin with, had you already had one at home, you know…”.
    Mark’s head cocked to one side “True.”
    Nurse Nancy entered with Mark’s chart.  She was a woman of colour in her mid forties if I was to guess.  Her hair was kept natural but tied back in a tight bun and she wore light blue scrubs and not a stitch of makeup.  As she opened his chart I noticed the flaming red nail polish adorning her extremely long nails.  Mark’s eyes widened as he stared at them.  “No wonder my junk hurts,” he commented.  “You didn’t come to stick another catheter in me with those claws, did you?”
    Nancy looked at Mark and shook her head while tapping her index finger nail on the clip board.  “Now listen here Mr. Tame, I already went against doctors orders and let you call your wife, so no lip outta you or I’ll give you a barium enema.”  Then she winked and walked closer to him.  Richard giggled and I heard Sarah smack him.
    “How are you feeling now?”  Her expression was serious.
    “Good, but my bladder feels like it’s gonna explode and my parts don’t feel too eager on being used if you get my drift.” 
    “It’ll only hurt for a second…..you’ve heard that a few times before, right?”  She said, winking. 
    Mark’s face went blank.
    “Don’t worry.  You can pee in a bottle.  I have to take a sample anyhow.”  She turned to the rest of us and said, “Okay, now unless you all want a show here, when I come back you’ll need to leave for a few minutes, okay?” 
    Mark looked worried.  He was still staring at her nails.  “Can my wife stay?”  He asked, terrified.
    She bent down closer to his face and said “Aw, yes, she can stay if she wants.  But I promise I’ll be real gentle.  In fact, you can do it yourself if you like.”  She patted him on the arm and left the room.
    Richard’s eyes followed Nancy out of the room.  As soon as the door closed shut, he said, “Freddy Kruger has shorter nails than she does.”  Not helping,” Mark said.
    I interjected, “Okay, why don’t you guys go and get us a snack or something while she does her thing?” 
    Sarah and Richard both rose reluctantly.  Richard added, “But I want to watch him squirm.”  Sarah smacked him playfully on the back and pushed him toward the door. 
    “What would you like?’ she asked me.
    “Anything edible….a bagel with butter if they’ve got anything that looks fresh.  Oh, and some water please.”  I nodded.  She nodded back.
    When the door closed, I immediately put my arms around Mark’s head.  He kissed the side of my face and said, “I love you so much.”  I kissed him in return and said, “God, I love you, too.  I was never so scared baby.  You have no idea.”  Mark’s hand was around my neck and he hung on for a few moments.  Our faces gently pressed against each other. 
    “Do the girls know?”  he asked. 
    “Yeah, I told them this morning.  They wanted to come home but I talked them out of it.  Sarah helped with Jess.” 
    Mark nodded, “They’ll be home in a few weeks for Thanksgiving anyhow….and your birthday.  That