Page 142 of Such Sharp Teeth

I’m still vaguely dizzy. I take in my surroundings.

“Shit,” I say. “Where’s Scarlett?”

“She’s in the room,” Ash says. “It’ll be a while. Why don’t we go get you something to eat?”

She walks me down to the cafeteria and buys me a prepackaged chicken Caesar salad. I eat the entire thing, even the lettuce. That’s how hungry I am.

“How are you feeling?” she asks me.

“Fine,” I say, scratching my neck. “I’m just . . . really hot. Is it hot in here? I was cold but now I’m hot.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

I look down. I have huge sweat stains, meaning I’ve managed to sweat through multiple sweatshirts.

“Uh!”

“I can take you home to change.”

“I’m not leaving,” I say. “I promised Scarlett I’d be here.”

“We have time,” she says. “Trust me.”

“I don’t want to leave the hospital.”

“Okay,” she says. “To the gift shop.”

The gift shop doesn’t exactly have the greatest selection. I end up getting a large green sweatshirt that reads, I’m a Grandpa! It’s big enough, I can wear it as a dress. I change into it in the bathroom after scrubbing my face and armpits with hand soap. I’m careful not to let the medallion touch my skin in the process.

“How do I look?” I ask Ash, modeling my new ensemble.

“You can make anything work,” she says. “With the hat and shoes, it’s actually kind of cute.”

“Thank you,” I say, giving her a hug.

I put my head on her shoulder. I could take a nap right here. I just might.

She pats me on the back. “Let’s go see Scarlett.”

Ash leads me down a series of hallways to Scarlett’s room. Scarlett’s in bed, in her hospital gown, an IV in her hand. Her hair is in a neat fishtail braid. Her makeup is done. Red lip. Eyeliner. She looks at me. I look at her. I think we’re having a moment.

Then she asks, “What the hell are you wearing?”

“You like?”

There are two chairs on the other side of Scarlett’s bed. Mom sits in one of them. The other’s empty.

“Where’s Matty?” I ask.

“Getting ice,” Mom says.

Ash gives Scarlett a careful hug. “I just wanted to say hi and wish you well. I’ll see you after, okay?”

“Thanks, Ash,” Scarlett says.

“This is the best room. I had Luca in this room! Must be good luck.”

Scarlett shoots me a look.