What Happens on the Cruise

73. Angels Among Us

"Austin, sweetie," his Nana spoke to him gently, brushing his hair from his face, "it's time to go."

"I don't want to go," he whined, snuggling against her, small and childlike.

"Your momma's waiting for you, honey. You need to get up."

"Don't wanna."

"You've got a boy expecting you."

"I don't want to leave you, Nana. I miss you."

"Oh, honey, we'll see each other soon enough," she told him, wiping a tear from his cheek.

"But I'm scared."

"I know. You're going to have to be brave. But you promised your boy you'd come back to him."

He gave her a belligerent pout.

***

Dispirited, they'd started cleaning up.

"It was a lot of trauma," the anesthesiologist said.

"It's going to be a fucking lot of paperwork."

***

"Matthew Austin Brown, you need to keep your promises."

He whined, but reluctantly relented. "Yes, Nana." He slid off her lap. When he stood, he was suddenly a man, towering over her.

"Okay, give me a hug."

He bent down and threw his arms around her neck. "Love you, Nana."

"I love you, too. Now you go be with your young man. Give him a hug for me."

"I will."

Austin squeezed her hand and then turned his back on her and walked to the door of her house.

***

The heart monitor gave a plaintive beep. They all froze and looked at it. Another beep.

"Is that some sort of artifact or is that...?"

The anesthesiologist pressed a finger to the patient's carotid. "I've got a pulse! He's alive."

"Damn. I knew he had more fight. All right, everyone, we've got a bleed to find and repair."

***

They'd lingered over coffee, telling stories, waiting for word on Austin. The hospital knew to call Betsy's cell, but there'd been no news.

"Are you staying at Chris's tonight?" Kelsey asked.

"Hadn't really thought about it," Tim admitted. "All my stuff is at Adam's, but I think his in-laws are going to be there."

"We'd offer to put you up, but it's a ninety minute drive," Rob explained.

"I was just going to get a hotel room," Betsy said and turned to Tim. "I could get a double. With that concussion, you should be checked during the night."

"I could pay half," Tim offered.

"Don't be silly. It isn't any more expensive to share than if I was alone."

"Okay, but I'm covering meals and tips."

Betsy's phone began playing 'Crazy Life'. She answered it. "Hello? Yes, he's right here."

She offered Tim the phone. "Hello," he answered.

"Mr. Foust?"

"That's me."

"Austin is out of surgery and in recovery. If you'd like to come to the information desk we can have someone take you down."

"Thank you. I'll be right there." He ended the call and handed Betsy her phone back. "He's out of surgery. He's okay."