I woke this evening at a start… I couldn’t find Arnold. Naturally, since he sleepwalks, usually there is only one of a few places I know to look for him… So I tried the office. And then the patient rooms… and with dread, I tried the Triage area…
I found Arnold lying on a bed there and what I saw frightened me soundly. His fur was scorched, he was alert but in a bit of pain, and he was wearing one of my old dresses. I found out that he’d been struck by lightning and needed medical attention… someone apparently took care of him, but I was still worried about him. So after I gave him the smallest dose of morphine that would work to keep him out of pain and resting quietly, Kristos and I had a conversation.
I’m glad that Kristos is around to care for Arnold… I am only a psychiatrist… And Arnold is my friend. I can’t do without him, no matter what he thinks to the contrary. But after learning about everything, and offering to take shifts with Kristos for watching Arnold and the other patient, that man I’d heard of named Emperor Crumb (who was missing until recently), I slipped off to fall asleep…
I can only hope that this tossing and turning ceases at some point, or I will be of no real use to anyone in the morning…
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