A nurse appeared in the doorway. “Johnny,” she said quietly, “your mother’s here to see you.”

Johnny opened his eyes. At first were wide with surprise, then they darkened. “I don’t want to see her,” he said firmly.

   “She’s your mother.”

    “I said I don’t to see her.” His voice was rising. “She’s probably come to tell me about all the trouble I’m causing her and about how glad her and the old man’ll be when I’m dead. Well, tell her to leave me alone. For once”-his voice broke- “for once just to leave me alone.” He was struggling to sit up, but he suddenly gasped, went whiter than the pillowcase, and passed out cold.

      The nurse hurried me out the door. “I was afraid of something like this if he saw anyone.”

  The nurse, after rudely rushing us out of the door, walked out and went up front again. I looked into the window and saw Johnny, as still as wood, and as silent as a sleeping baby. As soon as I turn around, the nurse comes up behind me with his mom.  Shoot! Even after he said no until he knocked out, she stabs him in the back.

    “Where’s my boy? Where, huh? Johnny!” she gasped, “Johnny, oh Johnny my baby!” She set her hands gently on his face, and seemed to cup his face in them. Then out of nowhere she snapped. “Damn you Johnny! You pathetic little –“ She wrapped her hands around his throat and choking him. The nurse slammed against her and wrapped her arms around her waist. She through her towards the door. Johnny was still out cold and Two-bit and I didn't know what to do.