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“The nature of men and women–their essential nature–is so vile and despicable that if you were to portray a person as he really is, no one would believe you.” - W. Somerset Maugham

“Mr. McNiven, I will additionally stipulate that as a condition of your probation, you will be required to fulfill a State-sanctioned drug intervention and rehabilitation program, as proscribed under North Carolina Statute…” the judge went on as Dirk sat in a hospital wheelchair, trying to comprehend all that he was being told.  “…request of your public defender, medical bills will be underwritten by the State of North Carolina, as your hospitalization occurred during the time you were in custody.  I see that you will require surgery for your heart condition…”  The judge thumbed through paperwork.  “[...Gonorrhea?]” the judge whispered.  “Mr. Dalton, I see that apparently your heart condition was brought on by chronic Gonorrhea?”  The judge peered over his reading glasses at Dirk as he whispered.

“Sir honor, that’s wut they tole me at the hospital.  And it’s Dalton McNiven.  I’m Dalton McNiven.”

The judge couldn’t help but snicker slightly.  “Mr. McDalton, the State of North Carolina will underwrite your hospital expenses during the time you are officially in custody.  Mr. Dalton, you are released from custody, effective immediately.  All future hospitalization expenses will be your responsibility.”

“But, sir honor, I ain’t got insurance.”

“Mr. McDalton, that is not a matter for this court.”  The judge banged his gavel.  “Your documentation will be sent to the hospital.  Bailiff, please assist this gentleman to the court entrance.”

“The court entrance?  How do I git my stuff back?  How am I gonna git all the way back ta the hospital?”

“Oh, wait… that reminds me… regarding your mobile home.  You will need to fill out the necessary forms to have your mobile home returned to you.  The bailiff will have those forms sent to the hospital as well, then you’ll need to take them up to the DEA field office in Raleigh, where your mobile home is being stored, and they will let you take possession of your mobile home once you pay the impound and storage fees.”

“Wait… since when does the DEA got my trailer?  When did they take it?  What happen ta my girlfriend who was livin’ in it with me?”

“Bailff, thank you.”  The judge waved his hand, and with that, a police officer began wheeling Dirk in his wheel chair out of the courtroom towards the hallway. 

Dirk’s public defender approached him.  “Mr. McGovern, please wait in the hallway and I’ll be out to talk with you after my next case.  I’ll see what I can arrange for you to get back to the hospital.  Officer, would you mind just wheeling him out to the hallway?”

“No problem.”  Before Dirk could say anything, he found himself sitting in his wheelchair in the hallway next to a man, likely younger than he was, with no teeth and an IV.

Several minutes later, the young man with no teeth was halfway through his story.  “So, when he found out he was gonna die of it, he done had hisself cryologically froze, and they’s gon’ unfreeze him agin later when they’s got a cure…”

“Mr. McGovern, we need to speak.  Excuse me… sir.”  Dirk’s public defender abruptly wheeled him away from the toothless man with the IV.

“It’s McNiven.  Dalton McNiven.”

“That’s fine.  I was able to convince the judge to waive the requirement for another court appearance, and the court will accept your hospital time as time served… but I couldn’t do anything about your hospital expenses.  I heard you say you had no insurance, is that right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Ok.  Well, that’s fine.  Congress is working on that insurance thing now.  There will be a hospital transport arriving in a few minutes to take you back to the hospital.  I wish you the best of luck, Mr. McGovern.” 

Dirk found himself wheeled out to the sidewalk in front of the courthouse by the public defender.  He was provided with a blanket to keep him warm while he awaited the hospital transport.  The blanket was scratchy gray wool, and had “U.S.A.” in large letters, imprinted on it in black ink.  A great deal of time passed, and the air again became cold as the sun set.  Dirk wondered how many more hours it would take for the hospital transport to arrive.  He drifted off to sleep in his wheelchair.

*  *  *

Nadine entered her trailer with two bags of groceries and some unopened mail, finding Darlynn and Harley sitting together on the couch.  One of darlynn’s breasts were exposed.  On the television, the talking head of a newscaster silently mouthed the news.  The cheap digital converter box had difficulty receiving the distant television station, and periodically a colorful mosaic of tiles would display, resembling large electronic confetti.  The television sound was muted but a distinct hum inexplicably emanated from the old set.  With the misadjusted set exaggerating colors, the effect was somewhat like an impressionist painting.  “So, Darlynn, Harley, have y’all heard anything from Dirk?” 

“Wut?”  Darlynn’s eyes were bright red, and her mouth didn’t close all the way.  She lifted her arm in slow motion… then returned it to Harley’s knee.  Harley was passed out.

“I said, where’s the flyin’ purple space thing, Darlynn?”

“Huh?”

“Darlynn… is that all y’all do now… git high all day?”

“Um… we did stuff, Deanie.  We cleaned yer kitchen.”  Darlynn again lifted her hand from Harley’s knee and pointed towards the kitchen.  It was spotless.

“Wow!”  Nadine couldn’t believe her eyes.  “Darlynn, is Harley ok?”

“Huh?”

“I said, is Harley ok?”

Still operating in slow motion, Darlynn turned her head to look at Harley.  “Harland?”  She stuck her finger in his mouth, and he swatted her hand away without opening his eyes.  “Yeah, he’s ok.”

“Where’s Kit?”

“Ya mean Kit?  Yer kid?”

“Yes, Darlynn, Kit… my kid.  Where is he?”

“He ain’t here.”

“Where did he go?”

“He ain’t come home?”  Darlynn’s phrasing of the statement made it sound like a question.

“He ain’t come home?  It’s near dark!”  Nadine’s face took on a concerned expression.

“I dunno, Deanie.  I ain’t seen ‘im.”

“Well, have y’all heard anything at all from Dirk?  I mean, it’s been three ‘r four weeks, now.  I’d thought they’d bail ‘im er somethin by now.”

There was a long pause before Darlynn said, “Dirk?” 

“Yeah, you know, Dirk… your other boyfriend… the one y’all lived with who got arrested; the other one who got arrested.  Geez, Darlynn, do you see a pattern here?”

“I ain’t heard from Dirk since he got arrested, Deanie.”

“Y’all ain’t serious, is ya?”

“Idunno, Deanie, he ain’t called ner nuthin’.”  Darlynn closed her eyes.

“Um… Darlynn, where’s yer cell phone?”

“On the table over there, chargin’.”

“Didn’t y’all tell me they turned it awf ’cause y’all didn’t pay it?”

“Yeah, I guess they did.  It don’t work.”

“Well, since mine’s turn’t awf too, jist how is Dirk s’posed ta reach y’all?”

Darlynn paused for an unnaturally long period of time.  “Fuck if I know, Deannie.”

“Well, Darlynn, did anybody hear from ‘im yet?”

“Yeah, Toby came by this mornin’.  Drove up in a C’maro he said he jist bought fir Dirk.  He tole me he done wrecked Dirk’s other one an’ tole me he’s sorry an’ shit.  I think he musta talked ta Dirk at the jail er somethin’.”

“Did he say how Dirk’s doin’?  Anybody even know where Dirk is?”

Darlynn pondered the question momentarily.  “No.”

Click here for Chapter 14