Chapter 37

The next morning, Liz arrived with a small bag of clean clothes for her sister. Alex hugged her sister, who insisted she accompany her to the cafeteria for breakfast. Alex was torn about leaving Bobby, but she knew he would most likely sleep all day again, and she had to eat.

She went back in, and kissed his forehead before following her sister down the hall.

They got their trays and sat at a chilly table that was way too close to a window. The sky was gray, and the light dusting of snow on the ground was melted in patches. Alex shivered and reached for her coffee.

"Dad wanted to come with me. It was all I could do to keep him in his chair."

"How is he?" Alex asked, suddenly feeling very guilty for neglecting her father.

"He's much better, Alex. He's getting around quite well, but you know how unstable it is to use crutches. I think it's just safer if he stays home as much as possible, at least until he can get around without them." She scooped up some eggs and washed them down with a swig of orange juice. "Anyway, Johnny and Mel came over with the kids. That was the only way I could trust him to stay home." Liz looked over her cup at her sister. "He thinks the world of Bobby, Alex. We all do."

That brought a real smile to Alex's lips. She thought back to a few nights ago, when she and Bobby were stealing kisses, waiting for her father to fall asleep.

"Hey," Liz was saying. Alex snapped out of her daydream and made eye contact with her sister. "Your eggs are getting cold."

Nodding, she scooted the fork across her plate and brought a mouthful to her lips.

A cheerful young nurse was coming out of the room as Alex returned. "Oh good! Someone's been asking for you," she said.

Alex hurried inside and found him wide awake, staring at the cards the boys had sent. He shifted his gaze to her.

"Hey," she said quietly.

It was the first time she'd seen him even attempt to smile since being shot. "Hi," he said, his voice weak and raspy.

"Did you get to see them?" She asked, picking up Cisco's card. He shook his head, and she held it closer. Bobby's tiny smile widened a bit. She replaced Cisco's and showed him the one from Felipe. He saw the picture of them walking hand in hand, and his eyes fell on Alex again.

"Bella came by yesterday. She said she and the boys are praying for you."

Bobby licked his dry lips. He didn't really believe in God anymore, but it warmed him to know of their concern.

"Thirsty?" she asked, and he nodded. She spoon-fed him some ice chips from a cup on the table. "Dad sends his love, too," she added.

Bobby's tongue worked against the ice, but they melted so fast he hardly got any relief from them. "Drink?" he asked.

Alex looked over her shoulder. "I don't think you're really allowed to, yet," she said. She saw the disappointment in his face. She looked around once more, then used a straw to hold about a tablespoon of water. She held it to his tongue and lifted her finger from the other end. He swallowed it happily.

"The doctor said if you keep doing so well, they can move you out of ICU as soon as tomorrow."

"More?" he asked.

She went back to the ice chips. He wanted water, but he didn't argue. At least she'd bent the rules a little for him. At last, he turned away when she brought the spoon close. She tossed it back into the cup and set it down.

His lids were getting heavy, but he wanted to stay awake. He wanted to be with her. Bobby turned and looked in her direction. "Love you," he said.

Alex's hand closed over his and she bent down and kissed him. His small smile returned, and he looked into her eyes until he succumbed to sleep.

The move out of ICU should have been a happy occasion, but the grimace on Bobby's face kept everyone from celebrating. The jostling he endured in the transition brought back the searing pain with a vengeance. He managed to hold in the foul words on the tip of his tongue, and just watched the commotion around him as they rehung IV bags and carried in his personal things.

Of particular interest to him were the flowers. He watched Alex and one of the nurses bring in one plant after another after another. "Alex," he finally said, his interest piqued.

She turned to him and smiled, holding a stand of marigolds just to the side of her face.

"What's all this?" he asked, and sucked in a painful breath.

"Flowers," she said. "A lot of people have been sending them, Bobby."

He was baffled. "Who?"

She read the card on the pot she currently held. "Antonio Esposito."

Bobby cocked his head slightly. She read another name, and another. "Bobby, who are these people?"

He grinned. "The neighborhood," he explained. "Antonio… owns the Italian market. Beth lives three doors down from me." He paused a lot. Talking was painful. "Arthur… you met Arthur. He owns the—"

"The restaurant, I remember," Alex said. She was smiling. "You mean a lot to a lot of people, Bobby."

He said nothing, but blinked his acceptance. He watched as they arranged the bouquets and slipped his hand over to grasp the bar on the rail of the bed. He ran his fingers along the cold metal until finally, they were still.

Alex finished putting his things away and went to sit beside him. She was pleased to find some of the color had returned to his face.