…
The sound of plastic colliding bluntly with plastic first reaches my ears, just before I pick up a conversation off in the distance.
…
Oww.
My…
My eyes hurt. They're too heavy to open.
Plastic collides with plastic again, then again, then another time before I hear what sounds like Mira saying something.
In her own little lan—lang—
…
Breathe.
Using all the focus I have available to me, I exhale, then tentatively inhale to myself.
Okay.
Okay.
…
What…ever pain killers they gave me for this surgery are really—
…
Really…
…
Oh forget it.
Allowing myself to sink into whatever I'm lying on, the noises around me flood back to my ears.
It's really soft and comfortable. Like a cloud.
I'm warm and safe and…it's nice.
Yeah.
Mira commentates her actions with her toys before I hear the sound of something metallic colliding with something else.
"—oh damn—"
That sounded super way away.
A huff of breathing sounds out from nearby, followed by Mira's playing stopping for a moment before her toys hit each other again.
I…
I can't really feel my leg.
Let's…try flexing my toes.
I'm sure they didn't amputate my leg.
No way. That'd…
That'd be improbable.
Exhaling, I turn my focus downward, where the toes on my right foot activate right on command. My left, on the other hand…
C'mon…
…
There we go.
Feels like they're asleep. Or stuck in the mud or something sticky.
I…
I guess that makes—
Mira makes a loud squawking sound, which results in hurried footsteps in our direction.
"Shhh…shh shh shh."
Cayle.
"Ezra's trying to sleep…do you want your blocks out? Did you get them all in your toy chest?"
Mira makes an affirmative noise before I hear a soft 'click' and the sound of plastic blocks being poured out onto the floor.
"There you go." Cayle tells her, sounding pleased before Mira voices her happiness. "You're welcome."
Mira must be playing with her shape blocks.
You have to put each one in its correct slot, otherwise it won't go in.
That must be the colliding sound I'm hearing.
…
She's trying every opening before finding the one that works.
…
Good job Mira.
Shifting in my spot a tiny bit, Mira resumes testing every opening with her block of choice with a resolute smacking of plastic on plastic.
…
Okay. Let's—let's try using the Force. I shouldn't have any trouble doing that.
Exhaling, I scrunch up my eyes and reach out, only for my hands to reflexively shift under my blanket before I start finding signatures.
Mira, Ghost, Cayle…Kanan and Hera.
And three others I don't immediately recognize. They're familiar though.
I just don't know them like I do the others.
Jacen must be out with his friends in the neighborhood.
Good. Normal kid stuff.
Which tells me—
…
I'm at Kanan and Hera's.
So I must be on their couch.
Mira sounds like she's to my right, so I'm facing the kitchen in the opposite direction that I normally sit on the couch.
Wonder why they did it like that.
…
And I don't feel the sun on my face, so it must be late.
My surgery was scheduled for 10 AM today. They told me that it would take a little bit, two to two and a half hours in surgery then go home.
Home obviously being here.
Which means that I'm up because the anesthesia and pain killers have worn off enough.
Impulsively, I attempt to move my leg, only for the entire thing to not cooperate and for me to be greeted with—
Holy hell.
…
It feels like they wrapped my knee like a mummy.
Ghost huffs out another heavy breath before his collar clinks and—
Oh.
The cushion and blanket near me get tugged on, just before I hear Mira's tiny grunt of exertion before she exhales.
She's standing right next to me.
She pulled herself up.
Mira murmurs something audibly before I feel her place her hand on my shoulder, then coos to me again.
Hi sweetie.
I…
I can't really talk right now.
I can't even open up my eyes.
Don't really want to either.
Mira continues talking to me, then grabs onto my shirt before giving me a gentle shake back and forth before something cold butts in and breaks it off.
That felt like a nose.
Ghost's nose.
Mira voices her thoughts on Ghost stopping her shaking, then goes right back, grabs my shirt and blanket again before—
"Hey hey—Mira! No!"
Kanan.
Ghost's collar clanks again before I hear Kanan approach, then I think crouch down next to me. Mira murmurs something, only for her hand to be taken off me.
"No no baby. Ezra's had a long day today. He's tired. Let's let him rest. Okay?"
Mira speaks again before her Dad replies. "I know you want talk to him and wake him up and have fun. But he's tired. He went to the doctor today. He's gotta rest. You can't wake him up."
This time Mira's response is a high pitched whine before I feel her get scooped up. "C'mere, let's go to the kitchen and say hi to everyone."
Mira protests again as she's whisked away. "She just wants to say hi."
Huh?
That sounded like…
Nah.
She can't be here.
I mean if I couldn't even reach Sabine, how could—
…
Get her out of your head.
She has no right to be there.
If she can't even be bothered to pick up her damn phone, or even turn it on, then she has no place in your head.
Or maybe your life.
Maybe I should take my key back.
…
I did just give it right back to her. Just…'here ya go!'
Stupid Sabine.
Stupid, stupid, stupid girl.
I let out a heavy breath and turn away towards the sound of conversation.
I don't want anything to do with it right now.
…
I mean, if Sabine can't be left alone to train with Jaicey and her teammates for a day, allowing me to go to the Temple and work out a damn plan for my knee, then what's the point?
I tell her I'm leaving, and that I'll meet her at JJ's basketball game.
SOMETHING SHE'S BEEN BUGGING ME ABOUT, SAYING THAT I SHOULD SUPPORT A FRIEND.
Support a friend!
Give me a break.
After talking to Matt, I think I've got the story.
After I told Sabine I was going to 'work', she answered that she was going to go train. Notably, with a new transfer girl from Russia among others.
Well apparently it went so well that they ended up screwing around at the end and were shooting on the goal. You don't score, you take a shot.
So naturally, Ms. Top Ranked Recruit got hammered right away.
She just wanted to drink. To forget…everything I guess.
Somehow she got into the basketball game with Jaicey, probably by bribe or enticing some poor usher getting paid minimum wage and enjoyed herself all throughout that game.
While Matt and I hung out all day, Sabine and Jaicey were with the entire frat house, eating, drinking and being merry or whatever it is that they do.
I just hope that Jaicey isn't as promiscuous and doesn't lie around as much as Sabine does, otherwise poor JJ's heart is going to get broken.
Shattered.
The party went exactly as parties always seem to go for her. And I made sure to leave with Cayle after talking with Aubrey, before I could lay my eyes on Sabine and her latest quarry.
…
Wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't schedule my surgery for today. Meaning I tried calling her, texting her, to try and tell her.
Since the plan was for her to come here, meet everyone, all that.
She could have entrenched herself in my life. I can't just be inviting any and every one into Kanan and Hera's house. There's too much at stake, too much intel available.
Plus I want Mira and Jacen to know that their Ezra doesn't mess around.
I know that I am an example to them.
Some example Sabine set.
All my texts haven't even been delivered, at least before all this. All calls went straight to voicemail.
I don't know what it means. Maybe she locked my number. Some internet research suggested that her phone might be on 'Do Not Disturb' or lost power.
Or could be destroyed.
In the end, it doesn't matter.
She lost her chance. She could have redeemed everything, atoned for all the wrongs she's done and fixed things.
BUT NO.
I'm not her babysitter. I'm not her watchdog. I'm not…anything I don't think.
She knew I was going to get surgery. She knew that. And if she can't even be bothered to check her phone or turn it on or whatever the hell it is, then I don't care.
She doesn't care.
So why in the hell should I give a single damn about it?
It doesn't matter.
…
Stupid girl.
…
Breathe Ezra.
Forcing myself to exhale, than inhale, I release all my tensions out into the Force.
It's okay.
But it's time to open my eyes.
One…two…
…
Let's try this again.
One, two…
OWW!
As soon as I open my eyes, I reflexively close them again due to the increased brightness before I blink a few more times.
I think that it's late afternoon.
The curtains are drawn near me, but not near the door to the backyard.
And there it looks like the sun is setting.
I blink again, then turn to the kitchen—
Oh. I was right. She is here.
As I look on, Kanan is digging in the fridge for Hera, who is in the middle of chopping something while talking to Senator Amidala. Behind Hera, both Master Skywalker and Cayle are working on projects of their own.
Ghost's heavy breathing diverts my attention, encouraging me to turn only to see that he's placed himself directly below me while still facing Mira.
That's…nice.
I smile, then turn back to—
My leg.
My knee is propped up on multiple pillows, in addition to being completely immobilized is wrapped multiple inches up on my calf and thigh.
Yeah, I can't move it even if I wanted to.
Behind the couch, a pair of crutches are leaning against the wall.
Master Dooku recommended that I practice using them before my surgery. I did a couple of times, they're not difficult to use.
I…
I don't remember anything about my surgery though. Or even getting here. How'd they get me home and here to the couch?
Ghost shifts slightly, getting my attention again before I decide to reach down and scratch his head. As soon as I do however, Ghost jumps up and spins back, only then to see me and sit down.
"Hey. Just me." I say quietly. "You protecting us? Huh?"
Yup. He's protecting us.
My throat kind of hurts.
And I'm thirsty.
Ghost leans his head into the scratches before coming closer to me and eying me for something.
He's smart. He knows something's not right.
"I'm fine. Nothing some rest won't fix." I tell him before Ghost moves to lick my hand.
"—he's up."
"Huh?"
Turning at the sound, I see Cayle already on his way over to the couch before everyone else turns my direction.
"Hey." Cayle greets me as he approaches and Ghost moves before taking his spot. "How are you feeling?"
"Slow. Drowsy."
Not totally here.
"Those are totally normal side effects of the sedative." Master Skywalker explains while making his way over.
Okay.
"Are you in any pain?" Cayle asks.
I shake my head. "No, I don't really feel anything right now. My whole leg kind of feels dead."
"Dr. Glousman said they gave you a little extra of the pain killers and numbing agent just in case." Kanan explains as he walks over, looking slightly concerned.
"Why?"
"Because of your increased metabolism and tolerance for most substances." He counters.
Fair enough.
Without prompting, master Skywalker reaches over and puts the back of his hand to my forehead. "yeah, he's a little hot. We'll get you some ibuprofen here in a minute."
"Hot?" I ask.
"Again, normal post-op." Kanan reassures me again. "Your body just got cut into, it's trying to react and adjust."
"Just my knee."
Master Skywalker counters "We weren't meant to be cut into and repaired Ezra. Over the years we've learned how to adapt to it though. Perfectly normal."
If you say so…
"You want to move?" Cayle asks me, and I nod.
"Might as well be social."
"You don't have to be." Master Skywalker counters. "You can stay here if you want."
"Nah. I'll say hi for a minute." I counter, then start to—
"WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA—" All three of them all say simultaneously before Kanan and Cayle bodily stop me from moving.
"Easy. Slow down." Master Skywalker says firmly.
"Take it easy Ezra." Kanan instructs me.
Cayle then adds "We got you in here very deliberately man. Let us—" he starts folding back my blanket, which turns out to be two blankets. "—get you out of there."
"What'd you do, wrap me like a mummy?" I ask, getting Kanan and Master Skywalker to laugh before, behind them, a tiny laugh follows.
"Give us a minute Mira." Kanan tells her, as if she understands.
"Tell us if you start feeling faint Ezra." Master Skywalker tells me, and I nod.
Faint?
I'm not going to faint.
Kanan reaches over and grabs my crutches, then hands them over to Cayle after he's finished uncovering me. "Okay, easy now."
Together, Master Skywalker and Kanan each grab me around the ribs and hoist me up so that Cayle can position my crutches underneath me.
This leg is useless right now.
"You got it?" Kanan says as I position myself, painfully, on the crutches.
I nod wearily, then push off with my right foot and start—
Whoa.
I come to a heavy stop as the world briefly sways back, then forth for a moment before I feel my back get grabbed.
"Easy there…"
"You okay?" Cayle asks, as I can feel the eyes on me.
Shakily, I nod. "I'm okay. Think it's a blood flow thing."
I've been lying down for hours on end without moving.
"Take it slow." Master Skywalker encourages me. "There's no hurry."
"Gimme those cushions." Senator Amidala appears from nowhere to order her husband. Cayle procures the cushions for her and immediately she starts setting up a spot for me to lay my leg.
This is such a production…
Sluggishly, I creep the distance from the couch I was lying on to the chairs and plop down before again I'm descended upon by everyone as they set me and my leg up, positioned up above my other leg.
Again, I assume for blood flow.
"You thirsty dear? Want something to drink?" Hera asks me softly while smiling.
She's worried about me.
"Please."
Instantly, Padmé hops up and grabs a glass and sticks it under the ice dispenser.
I was actually kind of hoping for something other than water.
"Can I have lemonade?" I turn and ask Hera as Cayle pulls up a chair beside me.
"Later." Kanan replies.
Master Skywalker picks up the point. "Right now your body is dehydrated Ezra. Best thing you can do right now is drink water and hydrate."
"How am I dehydrated? I didn't do anything except lie there."
"You got pumped full of drugs, pain killers and a muscle relaxant." Hera interjects. "Your whole body is out of whack. Just because you didn't do any physical activity doesn't mean you can't have used up a majority of your energy or hydration."
I still didn't do anything.
Padmé returns to my side with the water, sliding it in front of me before sitting right beside me. "Drink up. It's free."
Everyone else chuckles before I sip the water. "Not to sound rude, but how are you here?"
I thought she was due back in DC.
Palpatine's confirmation was just a few days ago.
"Senator Organa had a fundraising event in the Napa Valley yesterday that I attended. And Anakin mentioned that you were having surgery, so I wanted to come check on you."
That's…very nice of her.
"Thanks." I smile.
Padmé smiles at me before squeezing my uninjured knee. "Don't mention it."
"So…" I ask after sipping my water again. "What'd I miss?"
"Absolutely nothing." Cayle immediately volunteers,
Somehow I doubt that.
"Yeah, nothing really. Some well wishes from people, picked up your prescriptions and records right here—" Kanan waves a Manilla folder at me. "—everything's taken care of."
"Don't worry about anything." Padmé tells me.
"The best thing you can do right now Ezra is rest." Hera says, in a very Mom tone. "You rest, let us take care of everything else."
"For how long?"
"At least a week." Hera answers.
Kanan adds. "Cayle volunteered to keep an eye on you at your apartment tomorrow and the intervening days. Off the top of my head I think you're supposed to stay off your feet for what, a week—?"
Kanan looks to Master Skywalker, who nods. "There are some exercises and a medical regimen you'll need to follow. But it'll be a low-key week."
Okay.
I sip my water, and Hera resumes her washing of…something in the sink in front of me while I feel everybody else's eyes on me.
"What are you cooking?"
"Salmon." Hera responds. "Which reminds me, those salads still need to get done."
"Right." Cayle hops back up.
"On it." Master Skywalker follows up.
Padmé gives a quiet chuckle beside me before giving my knee another squeeze. "Salmon, salad, some veggies. And some ice cream for dessert to top it all off. How does that sound?"
"Sounds good." I reply honestly.
Sounds really good.