Page 134 of Until the Last Star Fades

“Absolute Beginners” by David Bowie

She rooted in her tote for her earbuds.

“Riley?”

She jolted, almost dropping her tote and Ben’s plastic bag. Dr. Ricer walked toward her, his light green surgical mask untied and hanging down on the chest of his scrubs.

“Yes!” She sat up. Piper nervously stuffed several Love Hearts in her mouth, and Casey chewed the brim of his empty cup.

“Ben’s surgery went well. He lost some blood so we gave him a transfusion, but he’s now resting in recovery and will be taken to the surgical intensive care unit.”

Thank God! Happy tears stung Riley’s eyes.

“That’s a relief,” said Casey as Piper blew out her cheeks.

“Can I see him?” asked Riley.

“Soon. Once he’s awake, a nurse will take you to him.”

Riley accepted a tissue from Casey. “Any news on my mom?”

“It’s going as planned. Her surgeon will be able to tell you more once she’s in recovery, but she’ll still be a few hours. Do you have any questions?”

She shook her head. “Thank you for taking care of Ben.”

“He’s young and strong. He’ll be sore for a bit, but he’s over the worst part.” He nodded and left the room.

Piper waited to speak until he was out of sight. “Rye, did you buy a naughty nurse costume?”

Casey rolled his eyes as Riley threw Piper a tired smile. “No, Pip, it completely slipped my mind.”

“It’s okay, babe—I’ll lend you mine,” said Piper, winking theatrically as she moved in to hug her best friend.

• • •

Monitors beeped and flashed their lights as Ben groggily blinked, his eyes hazy and unable to focus. “Heyyyyy…” His hand lazily swatted at the tube in his nose. A second tube, thinner and more flexible with prongs for each nostril, was out of place and blowing oxygen below his lips.

“Hey you.” Riley leaned over the bedside railing, a smile brightening her whisper as she brushed his hair from his eyes. “Thanks for the Love Hearts and the…uh…gallbladder.”

His hand pawed his nose again.

“Benjamin, you’ve got to keep your hands away from your face.” The surgical intensive care nurse, an older Filipino woman with a shock of bright blue in her gray hair, placed the oxygen prongs back in each of Ben’s nostrils. “If you do it again, I’ll have to put you in wrist restraints, you understand?”

His lips curved up, feeling no pain as his watery gaze landed on Riley. “Ooooooooo…yassss, tie…tie meee UP…” His scratchy voice dissolved into a dopey giggle.

Riley tried to stifle a laugh unsuccessfully.

“We’ve got a live one here.” The nurse winked at Riley. “He might settle down a bit if you hold his hand, keep talking to him.”

“Oh, good. I wanted to.”

“The oxygen is just a precaution, but the nasogastric tube in his nose shouldn’t be pulled.” The nurse adjusted Ben’s pillows, propping him up higher. “It goes down into his stomach and helps keep it empty. We don’t want him throwing up. Ants in his pants aside, he’s a good kid.”

Riley nodded and held his hand, careful not to touch the tape and tubing from his IV. She smiled. “Ben, you did good.”

“Yaaaaaay.” He tried a shaky fist pump, but his rubbery arm flopped down on the blanket. “Soooo, I neva donut an orgun bfoe…” Woozy but determined, he swallowed a few times and wouldn’t shut up. “I ’ave more neva-duns than yooo. Game ova. I-I wwwin, Wiles.”

“Yeah, you win, Ben.” And so do I, because you came back to me—you kind, unselfish boy. She kissed his stubbly cheek, and a crooked smile slowly crept across his face.