Randall left and Ron and I dug into our breakfasts. They were delicious, maybe the best meal we’d had in the hospital. The best parts for me were the cinnamon roll and the bacon. I tried to stretch both so they’d last. I love cinnamon rolls and I love bacon.

I looked up and saw Ron staring at me. I grinned and asked, “What?”

“You are cute.”

“What?”

“I said, you are cute.”

“No one except my mother has ever called me cute. I don’t think I’m cute. Especially now with the bruise on my face and the bandage around my head.”

“Well, you are cute even with your bruise and your bandage. The bandage adds to your cuteness. You should plan on keeping it. It makes you look mysterious. Mysterious and cute.”

“You are totally zonked out of your mind, Ronald Anderson!” I started laughing and so did he.

“Brian, I really do hope we’ll keep in touch. I like you, a lot. You have a great sense of humor and you’re fun and funny. You’re the best hospital roommate I’ve ever had. Of course, this is the first time I’ve ever been in a hospital so I don’t have much to compare to, but so far you’re the best.”

“You’ve been in the hospital more than one time.”

“Huh? ...Oh! Right. When I was born, right?”

“Right. So you do have another time to compare to this one. Unless your memory is going as you slide into old age.”

“I suppose you remember when you were in the hospital being born. Not.”

“Nope. But I remember when I was in the hospital getting my tonsils out. The doctor told me it wouldn’t hurt afterwards, and I could have ice cream. It did hurt, a lot, and I couldn’t eat the ice cream because that made it hurt worse. The other kid in my room was crying all the time. I never did find out what he was in for. But I went home the day after my operation, and man, I was so glad! Almost as glad as I’ll be when I go home tomorrow. That’s because I hate sleeping in this hospital bed, not because of my current roommate who’s a great guy and who I really like and who I’ll miss when he’s gone and who is cute.”

“Oh, my, god! You think I’m cute?”

“Sure. Why not? You’re a nice looking guy. You’ve got great blue eyes and freckles and blond hair.”

Ron smiled. “Thanks, Brian. It’s not often a straight guy tells me I look nice. Or cute.” He rolled his eyes upward then shook his head. “Why are all the good looking guys straight?”

“Ron, you mean to tell me that you don’t know any other gay guys at school?”

“No. The kids who go to Oak Trail High are pretty homophobic. There’s no GSA and as far as I know, no one’s ever asked for one to be started. If someone did, I’m sure it would be turned down. There are bullies who target kids they think are gay, and the teachers and administration don’t do much about it.”

“Have you ever been bullied?”

“No. I take Tai Kwon Do and the kids at school know I can take care of myself. There were a couple of bullies who tried to get protection money from me, and I took them both out. They got sent to the CETC for that.”

“CETC? What’s that.”

“The Continuation Education Transition Center. That’s a high school where kids are sent when they do shit like those two guys pulled on me. They were expelled from Oak Trail High and sent to the CETC. It’s their last chance, and it’s tough. The teachers there don’t take any crap from the students. If anyone’s expelled from the CETC they are out of school permanently. It’s like they’ve ruined their life. Anyway, those who are expelled from the CETC are such badasses that they’re on they’ll be going to prison someday soon anyway. Most kids who are sent there figure it out and turn themselves around. They can even return to their regular high school if they do good at CTEC.”

I heard talking in the hall. It was our moms, Dr. McFadden, and another doctor who must have been the surgeon who removed Ron’s tonsils. I couldn’t see his name tag.

“Is that your doctor standing out there with our moms and my doctor?”

“Yeah. That’s Dr. Brooks. He’s the one who yanked out my tonsils. He joked that he was going to put them in a jar of formaldehyde and keep it on his desk because they are the largest tonsils he’s ever seen. I hope he was kidding.”

“That’s very funny. Actually, you should ask if he’s really going to do it. Then you can come back and see the jar. The label should read, ‘These are the tonsils of Ronald Anderson. They are the largest I ever removed. Signed, Doctor Brooks.’”

“I will ask. I think they’re finishing whatever it is there were talking about.”

They did finish about two minutes later and Dr. McFadden and Dr. Brooks walked into our room.

Dr. McFadden asked me to move to my side of the room, so I did.

“Where’s my mom?”

“She said to tell you that she and Ron’s mother are going downstairs to get coffee.”

“Do you need me to get into bed?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. We’re going to talk about your move to the hospital in Edmond, and I’m going to give you your helmet and show you and your mother how to put it on.”

“Did you already talk to my mom about the air ambulance? Can she still come with me on the helicopter?”

“Yes, and we’ve both talked to the air ambulance service. You mother has signed your release papers, and I want to go over those with the two of you so you also understand them, Brian.”

So, that’s what we did. To be honest, I pretended to be paying attention until he got to the parts about how I have to be careful around other people so I don’t get bumped or knocked down. He had the helmet I would wear whenever I left the house, even to go to the doctor’s office. He’d said it didn’t look like a football helmet, and it didn’t. It looked a little like a lacrosse helmet I’ve seen the girls at school use. There was a grid that was made from thick wire on the top, front, back, and right side, and there were pads around the wires where it touched my head. On the left side there was a metal plate that was suspended away from my skull by the grid. The plate shielded my fracture and didn’t touch it. There were two clips at the front and at the back. When they were released the two sides of the frame swung open along the top so it looked like it would be easy to put on and take off. It looked very weird, something like a horror movie.

“Brian, this was made specifically for you. While you were in a coma we took measurements and sent them to the manufacturer. It was delivered yesterday, just in time for your release. Let’s try it on to make sure it fits, and then you can watch your mother do it and see how to put it on yourself.”

Mom and Ron’s mom came back with four coffees, one for each of them and one for each doctor. I don’t understand why people like the hospital cafeteria coffee. My dad had let me taste his, and in my opinion it didn’t taste good at all. Go figure.

We went into the bathroom so I could use the mirror. After a couple of tries Mom was able to put it on and take it off me without any real problem. The tricky part for me would be to reach around the back to work the clips. Until my arm was healed there was no way I would be able to do it by myself. That brought up a good question for the Dr. McFadden.

“When can I get the cast off my arm?”

“The cast will probably be on for the next four weeks.”

“Four weeks! Why so long?”

“Broken arms require about six weeks to heal, and during that time your arm will be in a cast. It’s only been about a week and a half since it was set and we put on your cast. So don’t overdo things, just let everything heal, giving things the time they need.”

Mom poked my right arm. “Listen to the doctor, Brian. He knows what’s best for you.” Oh my god, why did he have to say ‘don’t overdo things’. That’s one of Mom’s favorite things to tell me.

Dr. McFadden continued. “When you’re in the helicopter you’ll have to wear a set of headphones to block out the noise and hear what the pilot is telling you. They shouldn’t bother your skull where you’ve been injured. They are adjustable for fit, and the air ambulance attendant will make sure they are comfortable and won’t bother you during the flight. It will take about an hour and a quarter from here to the hospital in Edmond. Wearing the headphones for that length of time shouldn’t be a problem.

“Now, about your ongoing care. I talked with Dr. Linscomb and we sent him all of your records. He’ll be the one to talk to you about ongoing care, treatments for your skull fracture, your arm, and whatever else that bothers you.

“It’s been a real pleasure having you as a patient, Brian. I’m sorry to see you leave, but I know you’re eager to get home to Edmond, and to sleep in your own bed. Any questions?”

“Yes, just one. When will the air ambulance helicopter be here to pick me up?”

“It’s scheduled to be here at noon.”

“Wow, that is so freakin’ fantastic!”

“Yes, you’re very lucky, Brian. You’ve progressed very well, and since the replacement air ambulance flight is available I decided you could be released today.”

“Okay, thanks Dr. McFadden. You fixed me up and it looks like you’ve done a really great job. I can’t believe that I was kidnapped and attacked then dumped in a ditch in Texas, that I was in a coma for almost a week, then coming out of it and you and the staff in the ICU really did help me recover. I’ll remember Connie, and Carmelita, and Randall, and you, and everyone else here at the hospital.”

I was starting to choke up. This was a lot more emotional than I thought it would be. It seemed that I’d only been here a couple of days, but it was about a week and a half. I decided that I wanted to go down to the ICU and see the people that saved my life. Because that’s what they did. They saved my life.

“Dr. McFadden, I want to take my mom and go to the ICU to say goodbye to the people down there. Can we do that?”

He smiled. “Brian, I think that’s a wonderful idea. Would you like to take your friend Ron with you?”

“Yeah, that’s a great idea. I’ll see if he’s interested.”

I peeked around the corner of the partition. Ron was sitting there with his mom, grinning. “I’m interested. Can my mom come too?”

“Uh... Dr. McFadden....”

“I heard. Yes, but let’s stop there. Anything over four people is an army and the ICU staff wouldn’t be pleased.”

“When can we go?”

“How about in a half hour? That will give you time to get dressed. I’ll meet you here.”

“You’re going with us?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Cool!” I grabbed Dr. McFadden in a one-armed hug. “Thanks.”

“I’ll see you at ten.”

“We’ll be ready.”

Mom went to the closet and pulled out the shopping bags with my new clothes. Briefs, a grey T, tan khakis, a dark greenish blue shirt, tan socks, and black running shoes with a red band. I invited her to take a walk around the floor while I got dressed. The last think I wanted is for Mom to see me naked. So I did get dressed, except for the T and the shirt. My cast wasn’t cooperating.

“Hey, Ron, can you give me a hand?”

Ron came over to my side of the partition. “What can I do?”

“I need to get the sleeve of the T and the shirt sleeve on over my cast, and I can’t do it by myself.”

Ron stretched the left sleeve of the T and, with a bit of effort and pulling on it, got it over my cast. I got my right arm in the other sleeve, and he pulled it over my head.

“Thanks, bro.”

“Well, that’s the first step. Now we’ve gotta get this shirt over your cast and I’m not sure that we can do it.”

We gave it a try, and it positively would not go over my cast.

“I hate to do it, but I think the only way it’s getting over your cast is if we cut the left sleeve off. Your mom’ll be pissed.”

“Ronald! Don’t swear.” It was Ron’s mom. I’d forgotten that she was here. She walked around the partition. “I heard what you were saying. Don’t worry about the shirt. Brian, your mother and I talked about your cast and how to get on the T and the shirt. Hold on for a minute.”

She went out the door.

“What’s she going to do?”

“Probably get scissors,” Ron replied, “ if she can find them. She can cut off the sleeve.”

After a couple of minutes Ron’s mom returned with my mom and a pair of scissors.

Mom described what was going to be done. “Alright, watch and learn. Some day you two aren’t going to be at home and you might have to do something like this all by yourselves.”

Mom took my nice new, never before worn dark greenish blue shirt and laid it on my tray table. She took the scissors and cut the bottom of the sleeve from the outer edge all the way to where it met with the body then down a couple of inches.

“Now let’s try this on, Brian.”

It was much easier to get on. I went into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I was looking good.

“Hey, Brian.”

“Yeah, Ron?”

“Come here and sit down. I’ll tie your shoes.”

“I forgot about that. I just realized that there’s no way I could tie them with one hand.”

We were ready when Dr. McFadden returned at ten.

I finally noticed Ron. He was dressed and ready to go.

“Ron, just sayin’, but you are looking fine!”

“I bet you say that to all the guys... uh... girls.”

“Nope. Just to you, friend.”

He grinned and his eyes were sparkling. “Thanks, Brian.”

Mom interrupted us. “Okay, let’s go see the ICU.”

Because Ron and I were still technically patients, we had to be taken in wheelchairs, each pushed by an orderly. I guess hospital rules are hospital rules.

We followed Dr. McFadden to the elevator, down to the first floor, then down several corridors until we arrived at the door to the ICU. He held his badge against a reader and the door opened.

The first person I saw was Connie. I jumped out of the wheelchair.

“Connie!”

“Brian? Oh, Brian!” She rushed over and hugged me, being careful of my arm. “You’re going home!”

“How did you know?”

“You wouldn’t be dressed like that if you were staying here, would you,” she said laughing.

“I guess not. Connie, this is my mother. Mom, Connie was the first person I saw when I woke up from my coma.”

“I’m so glad to meet you, Connie. Thanks for taking care of my son and helping save his life.” They hugged.

Carmelita, Jennifer, and Maria joined us, and they were introduced to Mom and then all of them were introduced to Ron and his mother.

“Ron’s my roommate from where I was moved after the ICU. We’ve become good friends. That’s something else good from my stay here.”

“Mom, these are some of the people who saved my life.” I turned to the four nurses. “I’ll never forget you. Dr. McFadden and you and the other nurses are the reason I’m standing here talking to you.”

Everyone got a little teary, but that was good too.

Connie hugged me again. “Brian, we have to get back to our stations now. You be careful and get well. We want to see you here again,” she grinned, “preferably as a visitor and not as a patient.”

“Yeah, that’s what I want, too. I will see you again, and thanks for everything you did for me.”

Dr. McFadden showed us the ICU room I’d been in from the day I arrived until the day before yesterday. It wasn’t occupied, so he let us step inside. Ron seemed very interested in the monitoring equipment mounted above the bed.

“Cool stuff, isn’t it, Ron.”

“Yeah.” He turned to Dr. McFadden. “Do you have to learn about all of this equipment to become a doctor?”

“Yes, we do. Learning about technology is ongoing and continuous. There is new equipment being developed all the time. Some of that new equipment is adopted by the hospital, like our HP tablets that let us see everything about each of our patients and update that information. There’s new monitoring and diagnostic equipment and tools, new software, and new ways to communicate with each other. We also have to learn about the latest understandings about what makes people sick, new treatments, new drugs, and new methodologies.”

“That sounds very interesting. It sounds so super to be able to help people who are sick or injured and make them well again.”

“Ron, you sound like you might be interested in considering medicine as a career. Let me know if you’d like more information and I’ll put you in touch with a team of medical professionals who work with kids in high school who show interest.” He handed Ron a business card.

“Thanks, Dr. McFadden. I’ll email you if that’s okay.”

“It is, Ron. Now, I need to get back to work. Let me call two orderlies to transport you back to your room.”

The orderlies arrived and we got back to our room. After the orderlies left I noticed the wheelchairs were right outside the door. Mom went downstairs with Ron’s mom to get some more coffee. Theirs’ had gotten cold so they dumped it into the sink.

Back in the room we spent the rest of our time packing to go home. Not that there was much to be packed. Since he drove back to Edmond, Dad took home the clothes I’d been wearing when I was brought to the hospital. They were a mess, dirty and probably not usable. Ron had all of the PS3 game stuff organized neatly on his bed, waiting for his mom to bring the box up from her car.

“Hey, Brian, here’s your book. I finished it. I think you’ll like reading it.”

“Thanks. Say, I finished ‘Going Postal’ so why don’t you take it home with you?”

“But then I’d have to get it back to you somehow. Like mail it, maybe.”

“Or bring it to me when you come to Edmond to visit.”

Ron grinned. “Cool. Write your name and address inside the book so I’ll remember who it’s from.”

I did that and handed him the book.

“I hope you like it. I thought it was funny. If you’ve ever collected stamps you’ll find it real funny.”

“I used to collect stamps.” He looked at me and I smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. “Okay, I still do. So ‘Going Postal’ is now at the top of my reading list. Thanks, Brian.”

“You’re welcome, Ron.”

He walked up to me and hugged me, again being careful of my arm. I hugged him in return. When he pulled back he was smiling and his eyes were sort of twinkling. He blinked a few times.

“I hope everything goes great for you when you get back to Edmond.”

“Me too. And I have something to say. Except for wanting to get home, I’m sorry to be leaving here, and you’re the reason, Ron.”

I saw a tear trickle down his left cheek, and I pulled him into sort of a half-hug then I pulled back.

“I will see you, Brian. I’ll get my folks to drive me to Edmond. Or maybe fly me there. We’ll keep in touch.”

“Yes. And I mean that.”

Mom came back to the room carrying two cups of coffee, and saw us hugging. When I noticed her she was smiling. She walked over to where Ron was sitting and put one of the cups of coffee on his tray table.

“This is for your mom, Ron. She went to her car to get something.”

“It’s probably the box for my PS3.”

“It’s nice to have met you. I know you and Brian have become good friends. Your mom and I have been talking about how to get you two together this summer. Ask her about it.”

“Oh, man, that’s so cool!” Ron stood and hugged Mom. “Thanks, Mrs. Anderson.”

Mom came back to my side of the room.

“Is everything packed? Do you need me to do something?”

“Everything’s packed, in the bags you got from shopping. There’s really not very much. I’m wearing most of what you bought me.”

Mom looked me up and down. “You look good, Brian. The bruise on your face is almost gone. And your new clothes look good on you. Your sling matches the color of your new shirt, just a little lighter. How do you like your new shoes?”

“They’re comfortable. I like that they’re black and this red stripe is cool.”

An orderly came into the room. The name on his tag was Carlos.

“Brian Anderson?”

“Yes. That’s me.”

“How about a ride through the hospital and around the parking lot to the helipad?”

“Sounds good. As long as the weather’s good.”

“Hey,” Mom said, “how about me?”

“Are you Brian’s mother?”

“Yes. Don’t I get a ride to the helipad, too?”

Carlos grinned. “No, sorry, but that’s not part of the deal here. You can get a ride if you get yourself checked in for some medical reason.”

Mom chuckled. “In that case I’ll walk. I can use the exercise.”

We said our goodbyes to Ron. I was sorry that we missed his mom, but she wasn’t back yet. Carlos wheeled me past the nurses’ station down the corridor to the elevators. Then down to the main floor and down a long corridor that passed the cafeteria and the gift shop, which I’d never seen, and a couple of elevator banks. We made several turns and finally came to a door leading outside. The sun was warm and very bright, I guess because I’d been indoors for so long, and the air was cool. Carlos pushed me down to the corner of the parking lot then to the left along the widest side the parking lot toward a multi-story parking structure. It was a long ride. Finally I could see a big raised platform on the other side of the parking structure. There was a helicopter sitting on the platform. My helicopter home.