I’d put on a full hazmat suit for this woman, despite only knowing her for a few days. For the kid too. They’re…important in a way I don’t understand, but can’t deny.
Her eyes soften, and she reaches up to touch my cheek briefly. “No. Not for a few days. Come.”
I tuck the new gaming system under my arm and pick up my duffel bag, following Lisette into the small hospital room. Bright blue walls surround us, with yellow stars painted all along the ceiling. The whole solar system glows from behind the bed, some fancy light-up art panel that the kid probably loves.
Mateen doesn’t look up from his coloring book until I take a seat. “Hey, buddy. Fancy new digs you’ve got here.”
“Nomar!” The kid shoves the book aside and launches himself at me, climbing right out of the bed and into my lap. “Mama said you might not be able to find us here.”
“I can find you and your mama anywhere, kiddo.” My stitches ache where his knee digs into my side, but I grit my teeth and ease him back onto the bed.
“Even on the moon?” His eyes go wide.
I cast a quick glance to Lisette, who’s leaning against the wall across from me. “Anywhere. But I’m not just good at findingpeople.” I set the box on his lap. “Since you had to leave your old one behind…”
“Mama, look!” Mateen tears into the package and pulls out the bright blue device. “It’s the same color!”
“I can see that,mon chou. What do we say to Nomar?” She sits on the other side of his bed and brushes a few of his curls away from his eyes.
“Want to play?” The kid peers up at me as he turns the game on. Music pours from the tiny speakers.
“Say ‘thank you,’ Mateen.”
“Thank you,” he says with a sheepish smile, then passes me a controller and launches a squad battle. Lisette looks on, and in under a minute, he scores his first goal.
“You know,” I say, gesturing to the big redSon his pajamas, “you’re not supposed to tell anyone about your secret identity.”
His cheeks flush bright red, but in the next second, he straightens his shoulders. “Superman told Lois Lane. Because they’re family. So I can tell Mama and Aunt Noele and Mémé and Pepe and you.”
Shit. Hearing him lump me in with the rest of his family does something to me I can’t explain. Makes me want more than I have any right to expect.
“What about the doctors and nurses?” As soon as I ask the question, I regret it.
Mateen looks to Lisette, uncertainty twisting his lips into a frown. “Mama, I need a disguise!”
She worries the edge of her t-shirt with her fingers. “I can askTanteNoele to bring you a different set of pajamas in the morning.But visiting hours are almost over. She cannot come tonight.”
“But what aboutnow?” His cheeks redden like he’s about to cry. The game lies in his lap, forgotten. Shit. I have to fix this. Reaching into my duffel bag, I find my bandana and fold it lengthwise several times.
“Hold out your hand, kiddo.” He does, eyes watering, as I tie the handkerchief around his wrist. “Black glasses would be better, but this’ll do for now.”
A nurse breezes in, carrying a tray with a corndog nestled in a red and white checkered cardboard boat. “I have Superman’s dinner—”
“You just missed him,” I say, hoping the woman gets the hint. “This is Clark Kent. You can tell by the wristband. Superman had to go save the world. Again.”
She stops short, looking from me to Mateen for several seconds before understanding dawns in her eyes.
“Oh my. You’re right. Well…maybeClarkis hungry? Otherwise, this corndog is going to go to waste. If Superman comes back later, he can call me, and I’ll bring him another one.”
* * *
Three matches later,Mateen’s eyelids are drooping. Lisette sleeps in a recliner next to me, and I don’t want to wake her to say goodnight.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, kiddo,” I say quietly, easing the game from his hands and tucking the blanket around him. “Let your mama sleep, okay? You’re both safe here. I promise.”
“You will come back tomorrow, Nomar?” he asks, his voice slurring.
“Yeah, buddy. I will. Now get some rest.” He’s out before I even reach the door.
