"Let me see."
"Sightseeing on odd Mondays only."
"Let me see, Roy," Gabby repeated firmly. She reached out, unbuttoned Audibon's shirt and opened it. His entire left side was bound with white adhesive tape from spine to chest. She was so shocked and upset that Audibon's hopes began to kindle. He let her rebutton the shirt and adjust his tie.
"Artistic, isn't it?" he said. "They're poets of the intercostals up at Gracie Hospital."
"I want to pay," Gabby said.
"Pay? What?"
"The hospital bill."
"Why?"
"It was partly my fault. Maybe it was all my fault."
"No," Audibon said. "Not your fault. Never."