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No. That’s not what I meant.
Mandy’s not getting it. Maybe she’s not in love with me. Maybe Frankie’s wrong.
I’m wrong. I got the wrong signals.
So much I want to say to her. So much I can’t find the words for with my brain still not working properly.
“Mandy…”
“I’m here, Jack. Your parents are on the way.”
I close my eyes and sigh. My parents. Good people, and I love them, but I can’t talk to Mandy about our relationship with them here.
Hell. I can’t talk about it here anyway. Not with nurses and doctors and techs walking in all the time, checking on me.
No. It will have to wait till I’m out of here.
Tomorrow.
I close my eyes.
…
When I open my eyes, my parents are here. My mom is sitting where Mandy was, her hand holding on to mine.
“Jack, you’re awake. Thank God.”
“How are you feeling, son?” my father asks.
“I can’t lie. I’ve been better, Dad.”
“Have you filed a police report? Who did this to you?”
“My mind is still fuzzy. I don’t remember a lot of it.”
“Did they have a gun? A knife?” Mom this time, the lioness in her coming out.
She wants all the answers, so she can personally go after whoever did this to her only child.
“I’d tell you if I could, Mom. They attacked me from behind.”
“Fucking cowards.” This from my father.
“It was late. Or should I say early.”
“You shouldn’t be out on the streets alone at night,” Mom says.
“I wasn’t in a seedy part of town. I’ve walked the same route thousands of times.” My eyes close.
“Let him rest, Noreen. He’s okay. That’s all that matters.”
“Where’s Mandy?” I ask, my eyes still closed.
“We sent her home. We’re here now.”
I yawn.
As much as I love my parents, I want Mandy here.
