I stare at him. "Gee, don't feel like you have to sugarcoat it or anything."

"Some people need a cold dose of reality to help them focus."

"You could have just slapped me."

"I considered it. But you hate clichés, and I hate being shot."

"Good point. Plus, this is a hospital. Guns are kind of noisy."

"Are they? I thought it was just a personal statement on your part, like women who wear too much makeup.

Auteur: D.D. Barant