Page 50 of The Vow

“She’s been here all night, buddy. She went downstairs to get coffee.”

Time stops the minute they wheel you into this place. I had no concept of time.

“Ma...”

“I called her. She’s okay. Don’t worry.”

The bed sheet was off-white from too many washings. It made me want to vomit imagining the last three thousand patients who have used it.

“Where’s Alex?”

Nick looked confused. Had he been in a fight? “I told you... I mean... she’ll be right back. Try to relax. The doctor should be here soon. You know Cable’s beside himself.”

Moving anything hurts, and I wish I could feel that pain in my legs. I don’t have legs.

“Cable...”

Fancy words ceased to exist.

“He thinks it’s his fault for putting you in the ring with a wannabe. Scarp’s disqualified. Possibly from the sport. He knew the rabbit punch was an illegal blow, but the scumbag didn’t care.”

Lyrics were running through my head, jumbled, and nonsensical.

“Do you hear music?”

“No, buddy.”

A woman’s scream filled my ears.

“Screaming?”

“Yeah. I think it’s coming from next door.”

“Is it Lex?”

“Who?”

My good eye was watering. I could see her outline as she came running in. Coffee painted the floor a dull brown.

“I’m here. I’m here.”

Her head met my chest. Her tears soaked my hospital gown. Her hair smelled of lavender.

“Lex.”

“He keeps calling you that,” Nick said. The concerned look on his face made me want to slap him.

Alex tamed my hair and kissed the top of my head as if she could kiss it all better. “My late husband used to call me Lex, but I never told anyone that.”

“I can hear you two.” I had to harness all my strength to be able to say five words.

“I’m so sorry, love. I was going out of my mind with worry,” she said, focusing her attention on the one in the Goddamn bed. “How are you feeling?”

“How are you feeling, Mr. Conti?”

A nurse came in and I didn’t notice. Or had the nurse asked me how I’m feeling? The cup she handed me held three pills. “For the pain,” she explained. “I’m just going to check your vitals. I hear you’ve been in a nasty fight.”

“I won,” I managed to say.