"I'm sorry," he said regretfully. "I don't think you're allowed fluids yet. And I can only be here for five minutes so I don't want to leave to track down a nurse and ask. You just got out of surgery a few hours ago."
"So that's why my chest hurts like hell."
He looked startled and began to stand up. "You're supposed to be on pain meds. Do you need more?"
"Maybe. But don't go."
He sat back down reluctantly.
I felt my eyes tear up. Nathan's concern returned.
"I'm going to find someone," he said.
"It's not that," I said, choking back tears. "My chest…"
"What is it?" he asked, turning panicky. "What's wrong?"
"I'm going to have a scar."
Nathan nodded. "Yeah, it might be a big one."
"It's going to be ugly. I'm going to be ugly."
His face softened in understanding.
"It's not going to be ugly," he said. "It's just going to be another part of you. It's going to show the world how strong you are."
"You think so?" I whispered.
"It's going to be beautiful," he said. "Just like every other part of you."
