The Dragon

Hospital

"So, your life is not in any danger. The surgery was successful and most things are fixed or on their way to healing. But your liver did take some damage so we'd suggest that you don't drink anymore."

"Well, not missing much there."

"You'll be in the hospital for a few more days and then you should be okay to go home. But you'll be bedridden for a while, I'm afraid."

I nodded before the doctor gave me a soft smile and left me to finish my breakfast. A few minutes later, Lindsey and my mom came in and sat down.

"So, what'd they say?"

"No drinking, which was already a no-no but now it's a definite no-no. And I'll get out of here in a few days, but I'll have to stay in bed for a while once I get home."

"Okay, we can handle that. Wait, why no drinking?"

"I was shot in this sort of area..."

I gesture to my stomach and lower abdomen area.

"And it just so happens that my liver took a little bit of a hit that they couldn't quite fix completely. Not life threatening or painful or anything, but drinking is not a good idea."

"Hm. Fair enough."

Then my mom got up from her chair and walked towards the door.

"I'm going to go get me and Lindsey something eat. I'll be back in a bit."

We both nodded as she left. Then as she turned back to me, I opened up my arms, still lying down.

"Wanna hug?"

She smiled and nodded before leaning into me, cuddling up against me. Eventually, I pulled her up onto the bed next to me, assuring her it wouldn't hurt me. We just cuddled and watched tv for hours until my mom finally came back in.

"I thought you just went to go get food."

"It was far away...and I didn't want to interrupt. Anyways, here's food."

She handed Lindsey a bag before sitting down with her own and starting to eat. Lindsey pulled out some chicken nuggets and offered to share with me. Wow, I never thought I'd be this happy in a hospital room.

~~~

"So, you should be able to go once your mom comes back from filling out the paperwork. Just take it easy for a bit and it should heal up fine."

I nodded as me and Lindsey smiled. Then the doctor left.

"You're going to be okay."

"Yep. It's all good here in markitopia."

She rolled her eyes as I let out a laugh.

"Markitopia, really?"

"Yes, really."

"Well, Mr. Topia, I think that's your mom in the hall so we can go now."

She got up from sitting beside me and helped me up before we both left the room, hand in hand. My mom smiled as she saw us and then we all started to walk out. On the way to the car, Lindsey wrapped her arm over my shoulders, despite being like half a foot shorter than me.

"Ha! See? I'm tall."

"Compared to me and your mom, yes. Compared to literally anyone else, no."

"Wow, way to be a downer."

"Way to be delusional."

"Okay, now that's just mean."

"You're mean."

"How so?"

"Well you're the one who started making fun of my height, so..."

"Touché, little lady."

She laughed a little when I leaned down to be more near her height.

"Well, you wanna know one good thing?"

"Hm?"

"You haven't had one panic attack since you woke up."

She turned and smiled at me as I realized she was right. I couldn't stop smiling now.

"I swear to god, if you jinx it..."

"Don't worry, you're fine."

"Finally..."

I looked at her as we stopped walking and I turned around completely to face her.

"I love you, y'know."

"I love you too, ya goofball."

I leaned down and kissed her and for once in my life, it felt like everything was going to be alright.

The anxiety came back eventually, but I've found new ways of coping. Ones that work. One of which is thinking, "well you've already been mugged and shot, it can't get much worse than that." Not sure how healthy that method is, but hey. It works. Wouldn't recommend it thought.
The point is, I've finally reached a point with it, years later, where I feel I can live with it and be happy at the same time. And I know I've got my girls by my side. My mom and Lindsey. They're truly the best in the world.

And Lindsey,
I love you, ya goofball.