Intermission // Van McCann

19. Bingo!

Half an hour later, we were told that Bondy was going to be fine. He was severely dehydrated but luckily there was no damage to any organs, including his brain. We were told we were very lucky to have found him when we did. If he was there for longer, he certainly wouldn't have made it.

The hospital staff kept asking us questions about how and where we found him. They found it unusual that he was without food and water for days, asking if he's been lost in the woods. We just shrugged our shoulders saying we found him like that. They definitely didn't buy our answer but his health was of upmost importance so they left it at that. Bondy was given fluids and nutrients through an IV and his vitals were monitored every few hours.

Eventually, Bondy was moved out of the emergency room and into a standard recovery room. Iván was the first to leave saying he had to go but that he'd call us and check in every once in a while. Van and I stayed with Bondy until it was time for dinner. We spent the time talking to each other quietly. Van was curious about what The Void was like while I asked how it was on the outside. By the time 6 PM rolled around, our stomachs were growling, prompting us to leave. Bondy never woke up during our stay but we'll come back tomorrow.

That night, Van was extra affectionate. I slept facing away from him but he wanted to cuddle so I gave in. I laid my head on his chest and he held me tight, telling me how worried he was. I felt terrible for falling asleep to the sound of his voice but I couldn't help it. I felt safe in his arms.

-

I woke up to an empty bed and turned over to see what time it was. It was only 10 AM and I was expecting worse so I got out of bed. I could see Van in the kitchen preparing breakfast and the aroma was making me hungry.

"Morning, love. Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"Like a baby," I replied, stepping into the bathroom to get ready.

Once I was done, I entered the kitchen right as Van was plating the food.

"Bondy called this morning. He's awake and in good spirits but he's bored. We should stop by after breakfast to keep him company," he announced.

I suddenly remembered I was meeting Leigha for lunch. "I'm meeting Leigha today at 11:30!" I exclaimed. I love Leigha, I really do, but I want to see Bondy right now.

"Why don't you ask Leigha to meet us at the hospital? I'm sure she's dying to see Bondy. I even invited Iván so we'll have the whole gang there. I can bring some games...we can play lotto!"

"What? Lotto?" I asked.

"I mean bingo. I was gifted a bingo game from Iván for Crimbo. I can bring that."

"You like to play bingo?"

"Yeah! It's Bondy and I's favorite game. You ought to see him play...he starts whipping out his calculator trying to calculate his chances of winning. Y'know...using maths and all that."

I tried to imagine Van and Bondy playing a heated game of bingo and Bondy taking his calculator out. I began laughing uncontrollably, holding my stomach.

"What's so funny? It's good craic! We'll play and you'll see," Van continued.

"I've played bingo before but I can't imagine the both of you playing," I admitted.

"And why not? It's been a while but we used to go to bingo halls to play. Ah, the ladies loved us because Bondy and I were the only young'uns playin' so they'd flirt with us all the time. They're quite forward! One even invited Bondy to her place after but he politely declined."

I was now bent over in laughter, my face red. I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything or else I'd spit it out.

"I dunno what you're thinking, Ren. She only invited him to play more bingo, what were you thinking?" Van teased. "Bondy had work the next day so he couldn't stay up too late."