Page 24 of Heart Sick

“Well, it’s nice to laugh. I didn’t think I would again.” And the truth is, I don’t think anyone else will ever be able to. But Bowie isn’t just anyone.

I hear a gentle tapping against the vent and it transports me to a different plane. It’s a piece of music only our ears can hear.

“Moonlight Sonata is your favorite?”

“How did you know?” he asks, his surprise clear.

“Your tattoo,” I explain, revealing I’ve been paying close attention to him.

“And you recognize it from the notes?”

“Yes, I love music. I—” But I stop myself from sharing how music was something both Misha and I loved.

“Just another reason to like you.”

His confession once again leaves me speechless. It pleases me he feels this way.

“Do you play?” I ask, wanting to know more about him.

“Not anymore.” The heaviness to his tone has a sadness weighing heavily within my heart. I guess that is the reason he’s here.

“It’ll come back,” I say, unsure what I mean, but it feels like the right thing to say.

I can’t explain what this is with Bowie, but I feel in sync with him somehow.

“I wish for that every day. Until then…”

“Until then what?” I wait with bated breath.

“Let’s fuck shit up until we both find what we’ve lost.”

I decide not to tell him I’ll never be able to find that again. But with Bowie, anything seems possible, and that scares me. I accepted my life was to be lived in darkness, but being in literal darkness right now, I have only focused on the light because that’s what Bowie has brought into my world.

And I have no idea why.

“Rise and shine, princess.”

Groaning, my entire body protests as I attempt to move. I suppose that’s what I get for falling asleep on this fucking hard floor. But I couldn’t move, not when I could hear the gentle breaths of Luna as she surrendered to sleep.

I know I’m breaking the hospital’s cardinal rule by knowing her real name, but I don’t want to call her Misha. His heart suddenly feels like it’s running laps.

Rubbing over it, I sit upright and look at the old timer standing in the open doorway. “Don’t even think about it,” he warns, reading my thoughts. “You run, they throw your ass in here for another night. And who will protect your new friend then?”

“Where is she?” I ask, narrowing my eyes and prepared to draw blood—again.

“Oh, calm down. They took her to her room this morning. She’s fine. The same can’t be said about you. You want to survive in this place, you gotta learn how to play the game.”

“I appreciate the pep talk, but no.” I stand, stretching my arms overhead.

He shrugs. “Fine, suit yourself, but don’t be surprised if they separate you.”

“What?” I ask as he now has my attention.

“They won’t want another scene like yesterday, so they’ll make sure you’re kept apart.”

His heart begins lashing against my chest, rattling the invisible bars in protest. “So how do I ensure that doesn’t happen?”

The old timer grins a toothless smile. “You need friends in here.”

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