Page 23 of Alex
“Iwill.” A hand tightens around mine, and I realize Alex is right beside me. Iwant to tell him I’m okay, but I can’t seem to make my voice work. What seemslike seconds later, I hear my name being called over and over. Why can’t theguy just shut up?
“Ian,wake up. The doctor’s here,” Alex says.
Iremember again I’m in the hospital and my eyes fly open. “Mr. Turner, I need toexamine your incision. Then we’ll get you up, and after you pee, we can get youdischarged and on your way home.”
Adull throbbing pain in my groin and lower abdomen makes me feel a little sick,like I got kicked in the balls really hard. “Starting to hurt,” I whisper, mymouth bone dry and tasting of plastic.
“We’lltake care of that,” he promises and peels back the sheet to examine my bandage.“Looking good. You can expect some minimal bleeding and to be sore for a weekor so. No strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for four weeks.”
Anurse removes my IV and gives me a shot of something awesome. The pain recedesand I feel almost normal. High as a bird’s pecker, but good. “Let’s get you outof bed,” the nurse says.
“CanI have a drink of water?” I have no problem sitting up, then getting to myfeet.
Shehands me a cup which I promptly drain. It doesn’t relieve the plastic taste,but at least my tongue isn’t sticking to the roof of my mouth anymore. Shewalks me up and down the hall a few times, my ass catching the breeze, thenleads me to a restroom. “There’s a container in the toilet. You need to peeinto that. Don’t remove it or flush, please.”
Whatever.I don’t ask why they need to see my piss. Following directions will get me outof here. When I emerge, she checks the bathroom, and leads me back to therecovery room. A bag with my clothes, wallet and phone waits on a table besideAlex. “You can get dressed, but don’t leave until I return with your dischargepapers,” she warns and hurries away.
Alexgets to his feet. “How do you feel? Does it hurt?”
“No,they hooked me up with something good.”
Ipull my boxers from the bag and start to put them on. When the hell didunderwear become so tricky? Finally, I get them where they are supposed to be.Alex steps up behind me and unties the laces of the gown. Without a word, heholds out my sweatpants, so I can step into them while I keep one hand on thebed.
“I’vegot it,” I murmur, when he picks up my shirt. He ends up putting my socks andshoes on me because bending over is just not happening right now. Exhaustedjust from getting dressed, I sit on the bed. It doesn’t take long before thenurse is back with paperwork and a wheelchair. I know I could walk, but like Isaid, whatever gets me out of here.
Iclimb in the car and watch the scenery go by, fascinated by the blur of colorand noise. Alex helps me into the house and onto the couch, and I’m out like alight.
It’searly evening when I wake, sore and starving. Alex is dozing in the nearbyrecliner, but his eyes jerk open the second I move. “Hey, are you okay? What doyou need?”
Grittingmy teeth, I swing my legs around and plant my feet on the floor. Standing up isgoing to hurt like a bitch, I can already tell. “I’m good. Just going to grabsome water.”
“Stayput, I’ll get it.” He stands and stretches.
“Ican…”
Aheavy hand lands on my shoulder. “Don’t start your shit. I have Everly on speeddial.”
“Areyou going to keep threatening me with her?”
“Onlyif you don’t let me help. Now, sit tight and I’ll get you something to drinkand a pain pill.”
“Theygave me pain pills?”
Alexlaughs. “Do you remember the ride home at all?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Justnot the stop at the drive through pharmacy.” Shit. Guess I did lose some time.
Hebrings me a pill and a glass of water, and I turn on the T.V. “There’s a newGame of Thrones on in a few minutes,” he says, sitting back down in therecliner.
Thepainkiller isn’t as strong as whatever nectar of the gods they gave me at thehospital, but it does the trick. The pain fades to the background while wewatch the show. When it’s over, I slowly get to my feet and Alex gives me a“what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” look. “Got to piss. You can’t dothat for me.”
Hewatches until he’s confident I’m steady enough on my feet to walk the five feetto the bathroom. I take a quick piss, not attempting to look at my swollenballs. I’m curious, but I don’t want to freak myself out.
Acloth covered ice pack waits for me on the couch when I return. Alex pokes hishead out of the kitchen. “You’re supposed to ice your junk for twenty minutes afew times a day to reduce the swelling. Are you hungry?”
“Starving.Do we have any ice cream?”
