Ethan doesn’t laugh. Just watches me.
“And all my money.” I keep going because apparently I can’t stop. “All those resources. Security teams. Protocols. Preparation. Satphones. Bear spray. None of it mattered. That bear didn’t give a fuck how rich I am.”
“Money doesn’t stop nature.” His voice is gentle. Probably the same tone he uses with trauma patients in shock.
I am in shock. Have been since I woke up.
“I nearly got them killed.” I continue. The words scrape out. Raw. “My daughter. The woman I...” I stop. Can’t finish that sentence. Not yet. Not when I look like something out of a horror film.
“You didn’t get anyone killed.” Ethan’s voice turns hard. “You drew that bear away from them. Took the hit yourself. That’s not failure. That’s what a father does.”
Is it? Because a real father wouldn’t have brought his anxious five year old into bear country in the first place. Wouldn’t have been so obsessed with teaching respect and rites of passage that he ignored every red flag.
Jess tried to tell me. Her fear was written all over her face. Her women’s intuition knewsomething was wrong with that fucking trip. And I pushed anyway.
Because I always push. Always think I know better. Always assume control equals safety.
Fucking idiot.
The door opens. A different nurse this time. Older. Stern looking.
“Mr. Fiore needs rest.” She gives Ethan a pointed look.
Too loud, much too loud.
I nervously glance at Ben and Jess.
Still asleep, thankfully.
“Five more minutes.” I try to make it sound like a request. Comes out more like an order.
She hesitates. Then nods. Leaves us alone again.
I’m starting to feel really sleepy myself again.
Ethan shifts. “I should let you sleep anyway. Just wanted to check in.”
“Wait.” I shift in the bed. Everything screams in protest. Dull pain becomes searing.Already?“I thought you wanted to wake them up so they could see me?”
He shrugs. “Changed my mind. I don’t want to force it if you’re not ready. Are you?”
I consider a moment. The drowsiness is really getting to me. “No, I suppose not.”
He nods. “Sleep well, Marco. Heal up.” He turns to go.
“Before you go,” I say to his back. “Can you... tell them to hit me with another dose? Morphine.”
He looks over his shoulder, and his expression softens. “Yeah. I’ll tell them.”
I smile blissfully, already imagining the pain fading. “Thanks.”
But Ethan looks back then and says softly: “Marco. What Jess did out there. Keeping Ben safe. Spraying that bear when it was on you. That took serious guts.”
I know.
Ifuckingknow.
“Tell her.” My voice cracks. “Tell her I said thank you.”
