“I’m ready now.”
“In front of your captain? And there are other people just outside the unit, all asking about your condition. So far, I’ve only spoken to your parents. Are you all right with my telling visitors the details?”
“How many people are here?”
“A lot!” the doctor said.
“Jayce, Noah, your father, and me,” Gabriella said. “Sandra is here in the hospital but not just outside your door. Miguel is with her and asked us to call when you wake up.”
“We can probably move you to a regular room soon, but the same protocol holds. Visitors have to wear sterile gowns and masks, and—”
“Gabe, it’s me, Dante,” his younger brother’s voice called from a distance. “Sorry I’m late. I just had to get a nurse’s phone number on the way.”
Gabe chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?”
He heard a nurse chastising his younger brother and telling him to wait outside with the others.
“Where’s Dad?”
“He’s in the hall on his phone, talking to Ryan.”
“Ryan? In Ireland? Am I dying?”
A couple of chuckles dissipated quickly. “No, darling. You’re not dying.” He felt his mother’s amusement in her warm voice. Then her tone returned to serious. “You’re severely burned. The doctor can tell you more.”
“Dr. Carpenter? What’s going on?”
“You have third-degree burns on your face, neck, and hands, basically everything that wasn’t covered. And second-degree burns managed to get through your clothing. About fifty percent of your body is involved in some way.”
“Shit. I was barbecued.” He pictured himself with a spit shoved up his ass, turning slowly, roasting over an open fire.
“I should let you know there’s a bit of a disagreement as to your care,” the doctor said.
Gabe imagined the family wanted to take him home. He knew what that meant. They probably wanted to finish the job and let him reincarnate. But without discussing that in front of a mere mortal being, he just had to play dumb. “What’s the disagreement?”
The doctor sighed. “Well, I’d like you to stay in the hospital where we can keep you in a sterile environment, give you IV antibiotics to prevent infection, treat your pain with IV meds, do proper wound care, and get you ready for skin grafting. All of that may take several weeks.”
“And we,” Antonio’s voice said authoritatively, “want to take you home, where we know how to deal with burns just as well as any medically trained stranger. Doctor, six of my seven firefighter sons are also trained EMTs. Plus, Gabe will be more comfortable in our home with people he knows.”
“Am I going to be given a vote?” Gabe asked. “If so, I’d like to go home. No offense, Doctor.”
“I’d have to advise against it. Strongly,” his doctor stated. “Perhaps we can come to a compromise. If he stays just to get past the worst of it, and the family members who will be taking care of him get some instruction from the head nurse, I’d feel much better about his leaving.”
Somebody was running down the hall. It sounded like high heels clicking. A moment later, that someone burst through some doors.
“Gabe! Gabe, are you all right?” It was Misty’s voice.
“I’m okay, Misty.”
He could almost feel shockwaves coming from her. She had stopped short. The gasp and the silence that followed spoke for her.
“Your brother may be upset with me though, Mist. We were supposed to meet for a beer. Can you tell him what happened for me?”
“Oh… Of course.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to wait outside the door too,” the doctor said.
After a few hesitant moments, she whispered, “Is he really okay?”
