“So,â€? Blake continued, “are you going to sit there all morning or what?â€?

“Help me stand. I think I tore something.â€?

Blake helped him up. They began to limp down the street. Blake’s hands were starting to hurt pretty badly – he really wanted to get some ice on them – but complaining aloud would have been out of character. And, anyway, he’d had worse, plus the kid seemed to be in a lot more pain. He was mildly impressed the kid was taking it so well, in fact.

“You want me to get you to a hospital, kid?â€?

“No, I think I just twisted it,â€? Simon said. “I’ll, you know, put it up and watch ‘The Pirate Planet’ on DVD ; Tom Baker, Douglas Adams, good times. If I’m feeling sick or whatever, I just pour myself some ginger ale and put it in and forget about everything for two hours.â€?

“I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about, kid. I’ll just have to take your word for it.â€?

“You should come over. I’ll make popcorn.â€?