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for a partner or for someone to take over the practice.”
    “Ha! Don’t you dare try and sell my practice out from under me. I’ll fight you every step of the way.”
    “I’m not trying to sell your clinic out from under you. It’s just that I’ve seen how much work is involved here. You’re not a spring chicken anymore.”
    “There’s a little crowing left in this old rooster. I’ll be back there before you know it.”
    “I hope so. I really do. How’s the physical therapy going?”
    “They just like to torture people here. I might have fractured my skull but my mind still works.”
    “I can tell. What did you do today? Besides grump at the therapists.” Harold chuckled. Phillip was happy to hear that sound again.
    “I’ve been putting square pegs in round holes. I picked up numerous small objects and transferred them to different types of containers. Joy, joy. I went up three steps with my crutches but that was all I could manage. I can’t seem to make my legs work right.”
    “Harold, that’s a lot more than you could do a week ago. What did your doctor have to say?”
    “He says I can’t come home yet. What does he know?”
    “He’s one of the best in Honolulu. He knows a lot. You’re making progress.”
    “Maybe so. It’s just hard to be here and not there. Everyone writes, though. I’ve gotten lots of mail. So tell me, who did you see today?”
    After describing the patients he’d seen in the clinic and their conditions, he recounted Martha Nissley’s accident.
    “Yes, Amber told me about that. It’s a shame. Martha kept house for me years ago, before she was married. I don’t knowwhy some teenagers think it’s fun to torment the Amish. They are such gentle people. They’d never hurt anyone. I will pray for her recovery.”
    “The family wouldn’t make a police report.”
    “It’s their way.”
    “That’s what Amber told me.”
    There was a long pause on the line, then Harold asked, “How are the two of you getting along?”
    “Fine.” Phillip wasn’t about to get into details when he wasn’t sure what his feelings were.
    “Yes, that’s what Amber said, with exactly that same tone in her voice.”
    Phillip felt like a college freshman pumping his best friend for information about the cute girl in English class. “What did she have to say about me?”
    “Nothing much.”
    “Oh.” He hoped he didn’t sound as disappointed as he felt.
    “She did mention you were a nice-looking guy.”
    “She did?” That was promising.
    “I think what she actually said was that you look a lot like me.”
    “Gray-haired and wrinkled? Oh, joy!” he replied with teasing sarcasm.
    Harold laughed out loud. “Tell me what you think of her.”
    “Are you going to repeat this conversation to her?”
    “Maybe.”
    “Then I’m not telling you a thing. Except she’s a very good nurse. She’s brave, incredibly foolish, stubborn to a fault and—”
    “And what, Phillip?”
    He searched for the right word but came up short. “I don’t know. Sweet.”
    “She’s pretty as the day is long, too. Don’t you think?”
    Now Phillip was sorry he’d gotten himself into this conversation. “I hadn’t noticed.”
    The sound that came through the phone had to be a snort. “Didn’t know you were thickheaded, boy.”
    “Okay, she’s cute, but being a skilled nurse is a lot more important to me.”
    “She’s the best midwife I’ve ever worked with.”
    Phillip decided it was best to avoid that topic. “Is there anything you need, Harold?”
    “No, your stepdad has been here every day to check on me and bring me some decent food. Some of this Hawaiian stuff is good. Have you had poi?”
    Phillip chuckled. “Many times.”
    He hesitated a moment, then asked, “Has my mother been to see you?”
    “No, and she won’t.”
    “Don’t you think it’s about time one of you told me what happened between you?”
    A long silence followed Phillip’s question. Finally, Harold said,