“I’m not hungry,” he stated firmly. “Please just go away and let me sleep.” “But James,” Edith begged, “you must regain your strength. The doctor said—” “I don’t care! Just go!” He immediately regretted his sharp words when his mother’s face fell in complete dejection. “I’m just tired, Mother,” he said softly, adding a weary sigh as if to further convince his mother of his lie. “Please . . .” But he let the word fade away without stating what it was he desired. He couldn’t very well speak words he didn’t know, and right now he had no idea what it was he wanted. Edith took the tray and turned at the door. “If you need something for the pain . . .” “No, nothing. I just need to rest,” James replied. In truth, the pain was nearly driving him mad, but the ghoulish dreams induced by the doctor’s potions were worse by far. It wasn’t until his mother had closed the door behind her that James allowed himself to grimace. His right leg, splinted and swathed in bandages, was still swollen and the source of much of his discomfort.
