A Surprising Question

I slowly opened my eyes, still heavy with sleep. Everything was out of focus and my mind felt fuzzy. There were bright lights, curtains and beeping noises. It was nearly impossible to concentrate or think. Where am I? What's going on? Suddenly it all came flooding back. A nurse said she was taking me back to my room, and I wanted to see Tony and Mom but I could barely keep my eyes open. I fell back asleep.

***

I woke again, and my throat was dry. I felt groggy and a little nauseous. I was so thirsty, like I had been lost in the desert for a week with nothing to drink. My mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. I was more awake and focused this time though; it wasn't like I was trying to think through a dense fog like before. There was a dull pain in my leg; I could feel the cast surrounding and supporting it. I wonder how it went. I felt Tony's hand resting over mine. He's here. I opened my eyes to see him sitting in a chair next to the bed. His head was bowed and he was idly stroking my hand with his thumb.

"Tony," I said hoarsely.

His head shot up and a smile lit up his face. "Welcome back, sleepyhead." He got up and kissed me softly, letting his lips linger on mine for a second. "How are you feeling?"

"A little sore and groggy. And I'm really thirsty."

He walked over to a counter; grabbing a pink pitcher he poured ice water into a plastic cup. He handed it to me, helped me tilt my head, and I took a few sips. It was cool and refreshing, I felt a lot better as I drank it. I then handed it back and he set it on a portable table next to the bed. "Better?"

"Much, thanks babe. How did it go?"

"It went really well. He set your leg, and he put a rod in like he said he would. You'll have a cast on for six or seven weeks, then if you need it physical therapy. Your fingers are set," I glanced at my hand seeing the blue padded silver steel splints on my fingers, "but they will take less time to heal than your leg. The doctor will be in tomorrow morning to check on you, if you're doing well we can go home."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good news." I smiled as he gazed at me. I looked around suddenly realizing it was just us in the room. Where are my parents? Maybe they went to the cafeteria or something. "Where is everyone else?"