The door to his room creaks open and Alyson slides in, closing the door in such a fashion as to let him see only the back of her hair before she turns to face him. He thinks to smile, but forgets it before the impulse can reach his face.

"Hi," he says.

"Hello." She stands for a moment beside his bed, holding her hands in front of her. "How's your bullet hole?"

"Fine. I'll be out soon."

She stands silent for another moment while he stares at an empty corner of the room.

"Did they find out who did it?"

"I don't know. I didn't ask."

She glances around. "Why aren't there any chairs in here?"

"I don't know."

She sits carefully on the end of the bed. Looking down at her knees, she says, "Did you hear that David died?"

"Which David?" He turns to her, interested.

"The one who worked in my building."

"Your building? Jesus, you're only the janitor." He halts, more surprised by his abrasiveness than she. He turns back to his bare corner and says, "He was a sheep anyway."

She sits silently, staring at the room's closed door, unwilling to break the silence.

He turns back to her. "How are things going with Evan?" He tries to sound as politely pleasant as possible.

She turns to look at him. "What do you mean 'how are things going?'"

"I mean how are things going? Has he asked you out?"

"Why would he?"

"You've been friends since junior high. It's just weird. Why doesn't he make a move? It's obviously what he wants."

"I've known you just as long."

"Hmf." He turns back to his corner. The quietness of the room crawls over them. "So, is David having a funeral?"

"Listen, I'm gonna go. I'll talk to you later."

He looks at her, slightly confused. "Okay. Bye, I guess."

She stands and leaves without looking at him. He furrows his brow, deciding to look like he's thinking even though he isn't, though no one is there to watch him pretend. His face lights up as he notices a small red button on the wall. Buzzing it, he waits for the nurse to come. He'll ask her for the remote.