Chapter 307

The words Patricia Parent wanted to hear desperately came Saturday morning, not Friday afternoon as she had hoped.

Patty turned, looked at Doctor Nall, and said, "Do you mean I'm free?"

Doctor Nall replied, "Yes Patricia, you are free to go. However, you still owe me a game of chess."

"Name the time and the place doctor, and I will be there."

"Do you mean that, Patricia?"

"I do not lie, Doctor."

"Here and now, Patricia. The board is set up in the cafeteria, and people are waiting to watch you lose."

"Very cute doctor; you set this up knowing that I would not turn you down. Lead the way; I will try not to be too hard on you."

As they entered the cafeteria, it looked like half the staff was there to watch the two combatants play. The hospital's closed-circuit television camera was set up to broadcast the match.

As they sat down to play, Patty said, &quo