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Mitch Tojian was waiting for them in the lobby of Emerson Hospital. |
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Terry looked worried, as expected. Calvin was a wreck. His voice had a high, strained quality, as if he couldn't get enough air. When Mitch led them into a private conference room, Calvin could not sit still. By contrast, Matty was in a state of subdued resignation. |
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Mitch reviewed the magnetic resonance imaging procedure. Matty would be given an injection of radioactive gadolinium, then be put on a table where he had to lie still for twenty minutes while the machine took pictures of his brain from different angles. Except for the needle, there would be no discomfort. All Matty had to concentrate on was lying still for the imaging. Before they got to that, Mitch said he wanted to talk privately with Matty and give him a quick visual exam. The boy looked reluctant but it was clear he had no choice. |
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Mitch led him to an adjoining room, closed the door, then asked Matty to sit on the examining table and remove his shirt. Because of Terry's call yesterday, Mitch was prepared, so he did not show the slightest reaction to Matty's chest, a patchwork of black hair and scabby blotches where he had torn out clumps. |
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"You want to tell me about it?" |
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Matty looked away and shrugged. |
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"The hair really bothers you." |
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"A razor would've been less messy." |
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Matty made a flat smile. "I guess." |
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"Could also use what's known as a depilatory, which is a cream |
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