Recollection

I awoke what seemed like only mere minutes later. My right eye swollen shut and a sharp pain resonating from my left. I opened my left eye the best I could, blurry at first, and as things came into focus, I saw Niki sitting at the end of my bed, smiling and cooing at the bundle in her arms. I heard the familiar, childish cry and my senses went on alert.

“Hunter?” I groaned as I tried to sit up. Pain shot through my midsection and I nearly screamed.

“Whoa, hold on there!” a male voice shot through the pain, barely registering with my brain on pain overload. “Sit back and relax.”

Easier said than done, when my son is just within inches and I can’t touch him. I tried again and pain shot through me once again. I let out a large scream and wailing came from the bundle in Niki's arms.

Nurses scampered into the room like cockroaches and soon surrounded me, blocking my view. I felt something cold fill my veins and darkness overwhelmed me once again.

“Bruised ribs, a hairline wrist fracture, a sprain in her ankle...” an unfamiliar female voice filled my ears as I brushed the cobwebs of blackness away.

“Is she gonna be okay?” two masculine voices chimed together.

I recognized one but not the other right off. My eye opened and within seconds Matty, Niki’s boyfriend, and a tall slender figure filled my vision. Matty was standing, facing the doctor. The other was back to, dressed in nothing but the color black!

They continued mumbling some stuff I couldn’t hear and comprehend so I moaned. They all turned to face me and I caught familiar gazes.

“Matty?” my voice cracked. He came closer to my bedside, reaching down to lightly brush my hand.

A few moments later, the other figure came close enough for me to distinguish their features.

“Andy?” I questioned. He looked so different from the last time I saw him. He smiled a little bit and I brightened for a few seconds before I grasped that his smile faded just as quick as it appeared and I realized just what he was looking at. I must look like I got wrangled by a bull judging from the saddened look in his eyes.

“Punk?” I seemed to find my voice the best I could.

“Niki has him right down the hall. He's a trooper! He's a little shook up and has a few scrapes but nothing more!”

My spirits lifted as Matty finished. My little boy was okay!

“What?” I asked as my gaze found Andy's face once again.

“Fucking bastard!” Anger filled his eyes and his tone. His fists balled and his posture stricken with outrage.

“Andy, please?” I pleaded.

Tears welled up behind my eyelids. He leaned forward and brushed a feather light kiss upon my nose.

“Sorry sweets!” he apologized, sadness resonating in his blue eyes. “It’s just...”

I didn’t want to know, so I turned away the only way I knew how at that point. I felt a kiss placed lightly upon my cheek and the scent of Andy’s cologne faded away.

Notes