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She sets the Tupperware on the nightstand, taking my hand between hers. “I’m sorry this happened to you. Don’t let this define or derail you.”
“God, I miss you this year.”
“Same. So much same.” She blinks a bunch of times and sighs. “I met your girlfriend.”
“When?”
“In the waiting room a few minutes ago. She’s a real badass. Tried really hard to keep it together when she met Kodiak.” She smirks.
I chuckle. “She’s all hockey all the time.”
“Oh yeah. The two of them started talking, and it was like another language.” Her smile is soft.
“She fits in well with our crew.”
“She does. It’s good you found each other when you did.” Lavender knows all about the Winter situation because we have a group chat and our own private chat that we use often.
“Divine intervention at its finest.” Winter is the reason I’m still here.
Kody appears behind Lavender. He seems bigger than when I saw him last—broader, thicker. He has a five o’clock shadow, and his hair is longer than usual.
“You’re a good-looking fucker, you know that?” I say.
A smile tips his mouth, and his cheeks flush. “Yeah, but I’m an asshole, so it’s all about balance. How you doin’?”
“Based on the number of visitors, I’ve been better. What day is it?”
“It’s Saturday.”
“Shit. Don’t you have an exhibition game?”
“Yeah. I’m flying out later this afternoon, but I wanted to get Lavender here and see you first.” He wraps his arm around her.
“I’m staying for a few days,” Lavender says.
“That’s great. You can take my room, if you want.”
“Don’t you worry about sleeping arrangements. We’ll figure it out.”
We chat for a few more minutes, and then fatigue slams into me, thick like fog. Kody tells me he’ll be back in a few weeks, and Lavender promises to visit later.
My parents and Winter return. I guess the visitor rules are different for them. Winter settles in a chair and slips her hand in mine. It’s all the comfort I need. I close my eyes and fall asleep.
After three days, I’m able to keep my eyes open for more than twenty-minute intervals. Once I’m moved from the ICU to the regular recovery ward, my parents and Winter are no longer able to stay the night. Those hours are the longest. I’m used to sleeping next to Winter, to the sound of her steady breathing and the comfort of her presence.
On the morning of the fourth day, I ask Winter the question that’s been bothering me. “Why hasn’t Adele been by?”
My parents left a few minutes ago on a food run. My appetite is returning, and all I want is shitty fast food.
Winter’s eyes grow sad. “She’s not allowed to.”
I frown. “Her parents won’t let her?”
Winter lowers the bedrail so she can sit on the edge. She takes my hand. “What can you remember?”
I close my eyes on an exhale, sifting through the fog. “I remember you and the banana in the kitchen.”
She chuckles. “Of course you do. And after that, I dropped you at the arena.”
