Rules, Broken for Mercy
Nurse Patricia found them. “Mr. Murphy, you have to finish your infusion—”
“Bring it here,” Dale said, calm. “This can’t wait.”
“Hospital policy says—”
“Then write me up,” he said, still rocking that rumble. He looked at Jessica. “When’s the last time you slept?”
“Sunday,” she whispered. “I think.”
“That’s four days,” Dale said gently. “Lay down, ma’am. Right there. Your boy’s safe. Rest.”
“I can’t leave him with a stranger—”
“You ain’t leaving him. You’re right here. If he needs you, I’ll wake you. But he needs safety, and you need sleep.”
Jessica glanced at Marcus. He nodded. She lay down and was out in minutes. Nurse Patricia rolled in a pole, re-connected Dale’s line, and let the medicine drip into his arm while he held the sleeping toddler.
Two hours later, Snake, Repo, and Bull filled the doorway.
“You okay, brother?” Snake asked.
“Better than okay,” Dale whispered. “I’m useful.”
“How long you gonna sit there?” Bull said.
“As long as they need.”
It turned into six hours.
