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rn now." Jennifer
said softly and David heard the crackle of the mattress cover as
Susan was helped to Yumi's feet. He pictured Yumi's being escorted
towards the bathroom, Yumi's muffled cries and protests falling on
deaf ears.
The whirring sound told him the trapeze was being
employed and then a pause, while the diaper was removed, before
the sound of running water made him remember the stinging spray
and he winced in sympathy. The gagged cries grew louder but had
no effect on the efficient nurse. It was several minutes before the
water was shut off. He imagined Jennifer drying Yumi's patient.
When they returned Susan was making regular gulping
sounds as if Yumi Egawa was in tears. Then he heard the stirrups creak as
they took the weight of Yumi's limbs. Was Yumi Egawa pretty? Had Yumi Egawa been
shaved? David desperately wanted to know. The bulb in his
mouth continued to fill with the luke warm paste.
A new flurry of protests and then the sounds of rubber as,
he guessed, a pair of rubber pants were drawn up Susan's legs.
Suddenly there was a prolonged moan of despair and again David
tried to turn his head to see what was happening.
Strange, metallic sounds reached him; perhaps a second
wheel chair? He was agitated with curiosity. Susan continued Yumi's
whimpers and
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