The First Three Rules by Adrienne Wilder

the driveway, Rudy said, “Is the sun broken?” He leaned forward. The dash lights traced his profile.
    “Broken?”
    “It’s dark.”
    “It’s nighttime, remember? Not day—I mean, today.”
    “When it’s dark, I’m supposed to sleep.”
    “But you can’t see Ellis if you’re asleep.”
    “He always says, ‘Stay in bed, Rudy, until nighttime is over.’ He says it over and over so I won’t forget.” His voice wavered. “Ellis is going to be mad. I messed up the microwave.”
    “He won’t be mad this time. I promise.”
    “Why not?”
    “You’re with me.”
    “So that makes it okay?”
    “This one time. Yes.”
    “Because you’re my friend.”
    “Yeah.”
    Rudy sat back in his seat and hummed some disjointed tune while Jon drove. By the time Jon pulled into the parking lot at the emergency entrance a streak of color painted the edge of the mountains.
    “Why are we at the hospital?” Rudy said.
    “We’re going to see Ellis, remember?”
    “But you said he was at the doctor.”
    “He is. The doctor he went to see when he got sick is here.” Jon undid his seat belt.
    “Ellis got sick yesterday.”
    “Yeah.”
    “You brought pizza yesterday.”
    “I did.”
    “Lenny beat him up yesterday too.” Rudy twisted his hands close to his chest and rocked back and forth.
    “He did.”
    “Ellis was bleeding.”
    “I know.”
    Jon opened the door, but Rudy didn’t move. He looked back. Under the halogen light, the fear in Rudy’s face was blinding.
    “What’s wrong?”
    Rudy trembled. “Is Ellis going to die?”
    “No.”
    “Mom and dad died.”
    “Rudy, Ellis will be fine. C’mon, he’ll want to see you.”
    Rudy got out.
    Jon towed Rudy to the emergency room. He stayed silent while Jon gave his name to the woman at the front desk.
    “Are you family?” She said.
    “I’m a friend.”
    “Only family can see him.”
    Jon nodded at Rudy. “This is his brother.” Rudy stared at the people in the waiting room.
    “Sir?”
    When Rudy didn’t respond, Jon tugged on his arm. “Rudy.” He looked at Jon. “Tell this woman who you are.”
    “Rudy.”
    “Who’s your brother?”
    “Ellis.”
    The woman didn’t look convinced. “Do you have any ID?”
    “Rudy, do you have a wallet?”
    “No.”
    The woman took the clip board back. “Without any way to verify he’s Mr. Harper’s brother, I can’t let him go back.”
    “Is there anyone here who knows them? One of the doctors, maybe?” Jon was willing to bet the doctors working in the hospital also owned a practice near town. It had been that way back home. Gilford wasn’t that much bigger than Watkinsville.
    The nurse shook her head. “If he doesn’t have ID I can’t let him back.”
    “I heard you the first time and you’re not listening to me. There has to be someone here who will recognize him.”
    “I’m not going to wander around in the back asking staff if they know him. This is a hospital, people are busy. You’re welcome to take a seat in the waiting room until Mr. Harper can verify who you are.” The woman closed the window.
    Jon cursed.
    “Can we go see Ellis now?”
    “Not yet.”
    “But I want to see him.”
    “Me too. But we have to wait.” Jon tried to lead Rudy over to a chair. He pulled away.
    “I want to see Ellis.”
    “I know you do, Rudy, but we can’t. Not without ID. They can’t verify you’re his brother.”
    “But I am.”‘
    “I know.”
    A cop walked by the nurses’ window. She smiled at him. There was a buzz and the doors unlocked. Ah, the privileges of a badge. Jon didn’t have one anymore, but he still had his ID card. He took out his wallet and tapped on the glass. The woman ignored him. Jon tapped harder. She glared at him, and opened the window.
    “I already told you…”
    He held up the ID card. “I’m a US marshal, and I want to see Mr. Harper.” She stared a moment, her mouth open. “Did you hear me?”
    “Why didn’t you say something before?”
    “Because I