“You can see him now.”
Hugo
It feelslike I got trampled by a herd of buffalo and it hurts like an SOB to breathe, but it was so worth it when I see Bess walking in, holding my son’s hand.
The nursing staff put the head of the bed up, so I am more sitting than lying down, which makes it a little easier to get air.It also makes me look a little less helpless, although I still have a tube sticking out from between my ribs and my face is covered with an oxygen mask I was warned not to remove.
My, “I’m okay,” is no more than a whisper, almost drowned out by the hiss of the oxygen.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, kiddo.Sorry for the scare.”My voice sounds a little stronger this time.
Carson shrugs it off, squaring his shoulders, but I notice his red-rimmed eyes, and I hate that I put him through this.He’s seen too many hospital rooms in his young life already, and walking into mine must trigger a host of bad memories for him.
I notice how close he stays to Bess, and that does my heart good to see.Even after Emily died, Bess was someone he trusted, would occasionally open up to.Knowing if something had happened to me, he’d have Bess in his life.She would look after him, of that I have no doubt.
“Hey, Twinkie,” I greet her, meeting those pretty dark eyes.
She doesn’t speak and simply nods, taking my hand and pressing it against her face.
“Does it hurt?”Carson asks, filling the silence.
“Like a motherfucker.”
Who’d have thought talking would be a workout?It’s taking a lot of effort.
My son points at the tube coming out of my right side.
“How long do you have to have that in for?”
“Hopefully not too long.Doc says I’ll be here for a few days.”
Days I won’t be able to look after Bess, which I need to talk to Roy Battaglia about as soon as I have a chance.I haven’t even talked to Savvy or Mancuso, so I have no idea what went down after I got shot.
There’s so much I need to think of, but my head is so damn fuzzy.
Despite my efforts to keep them open, I feel my eyes drift shut.
When I next open them,Savvy is sitting in a chair beside my bed.
“Where is Bess?”
“Nate, Tatum, and KC took her and Carson to the diner for a quick bite before it closes for the night.Bess didn’t want to go, but we made her.She needed some fresh air.”
“What time is it anyway?”I ask, noticing at some point the sun had set.
Savvy glances at her watch.
“Almost nine.”
It was a little before eleven this morning when Bess and I walked into the lobby, but it feels like a lifetime ago.
“How are you feeling?”Savvy wants to know.
I do a quick inventory and am surprised to discover the pain isn’t quite as sharp as I remember it being earlier.
“Breathing a little easier,” I admit.
