Page 114 of Untouchable Player

I squeeze his hand, “okay.”

His mom doesn’t even register me, she and his sister rush to the bed and his sister practically throws herself on him while his mom strokes his head, tears running down her face.

“Mom, I’m okay, it’s just a mild concussion.”

“Mild? You’re in the hospital.”

“Leave him be Lisa.”

Jesse’s dad has been staring at our hands clasped on the bed since the second he walked in.

“Uh, everyone, this is Nate, Nate this is my mom, Sam, and my dad.”

Jesse’s mom just looks so happy her little boy is okay, she smiles and nods at me politely. Sam looks up from the bed and notes our hands clutching and grins.

“Hello Nate,” she says, hopping off the bed, coming around it to shake my hand. I switch Jesse’s hand for hers and try not to laugh when she tells me it’s nice to meet me so maturely.

“Nate, could you give us a moment alone please?” Jesse’s dad says. His voice is cold and his wife’s head snaps in his direction as if she’s just been scolded.

“Sure,”

“no, I don’t want him to leave,” Jesse says. “We’re together.”

Sam grins and looks at him, then me, and back again, like she’s watching a tennis match.

“Like boyfriends?”

Jesse smiles, “yeah, like boyfriends.”

“Jesse, the nurse said you’ve taken a lot of painkillers, not to mention a bump to the head…”

“Dad, the shitty painkillers aren’t even touching the sides, and I’m concussed, but I’m not brain dead, I know what I’m saying.”

“This isn’t the time, or the place…”

“It’s never the time or place!” Jesse says.

“Jesse,” I touch his arm. He’s getting worked up and regardless of what he says, he still needs to rest. A head injury is serious, whether you’re awake and talking or not. “Please, you should be resting.”

“Listen to Nate,” his mom says, her eyes flicker nervously at me over Jesse’s head. “Why don’t you rest and we’ll all come back later, okay?”

Jesse nods and looks at me. “Okay.”

His mom guides her husband and daughter out of the room and I stay behind.

“I’m proud of you,” I say.

“Yeah?”

“Yes, but don’t get worked up now, just rest and we’ll all be here when you wake up.”

His face looks pale and I laugh.

“I think I’m gonna be sick again.”

“Really?”

“Yeah really, hand me that sick bowl thing please.”

---