Making Our Mark

Chapter 18: Recovery

"Your mother and I have told you numerous times to keep an eye on your sister when she started school at MU."

Dad?

"I know, Dad, and that's what I've been doing!"

Johnny?

"And, yet, look where we are now."

"Dearest, what happened to Danica was beyond anyone's control."

Mom?

"Did you ever stop to think what might have happened if she was alone? I swear, Johnny, you always – "

I tuned out of the rest of my father's rant as I struggled to open my eyes, squinting them to adjust my sense of sight to the bright light of my surroundings. From what I could tell, I was laying across a bed and surrounded by so much white, from the pasty walls to the foreign machines and cords that were positioned nearby. I tried to move my hands to push myself to sit up, but found a heavy weight keeping my left one immobile.

That was when a voice next to me rang out, "Danica!"

Turning my head to the left, I saw Javier hunched over in a chair with my left hand in one of his. He looked alarmed, as if I had sprouted extra arms before his eyes. "Jav?"

Footsteps thundered as additional figures approached my bed and I immediately recognized my mother and Johnny; while my mother wore an expression of love and tenderness, Johnny's was more of annoyance and relief.

"I'll get the doctor," my father spoke up as he strode out of the room with an air of fierce determination.

While Johnny remained at the foot of my bed, my mother breezed over to the right side, her violet eyes running up and down my body. In terms of physique, I took after her a lot. In fact, one could say that the only traits that I received from my father were the mahogany horns, the purple in my hair, and the stubborn attitude.

"What's going on?" I inquired groggily to no one in particular.

"You're in the hospital, sweetie," my mother revealed, gently running her claws through my hair.

"What?" I questioned in surprise, looking to Javier for some sort of explanation. "Why?"

"Do you remember anything from the night before?" Javier asked me, repeatedly rubbing a claw over my knuckle.

After a moment of unclear reflection, I answered, "I remember being at the Eta Hiss Hiss Howlaween party, but the rest is kinda fuzzy."

Javier was about to speak again when the doctor entered the room, followed by my father whose lips were curved into a frown. It was rare to see my father smile; he usually reserved smiles for public-speaking engagements or important social events. The rest of the time, he came across as stern and unapproachable. His strict and work-a-holic personality had a tendency to carry over from the scare floor to his life outside of Monsters Incorporated, making it difficult for monsters who didn't know him well to interpret his feelings. For instance, when he nodded at me in approval for getting accepted into Monsters University, he looked like someone crashed his shiny Mercedes-Fangz and got away with it.

"Ah, glad to see you're awake, Miss Worthington," said the doctor, smiling brightly. His cheerful demeanor reflected the warm yellow of his lizard scales. "I'm Doctor Cole. How are you feeling?"

"Tired and confused," I admitted honestly, toying with the sleeve of my hospital nightgown.

Doctor Cole chuckled lightly. "Well, that's to be expected for someone who just went under anesthesia for an appendectomy."

If it was out of it earlier, I certainly was wide awake now. "Appendectomy? I'm at the hospital?"

"Well, it's not ethical to perform surgical procedures at a sorority house," the doctor joked.

"You weren't feel too well at the party," Javier reminded me as I tried to process the news. "You were in pain and burning up a storm."

"Jav said you also hurled into the bowl of salsa dip," Johnny piped up in amusement.

"All symptoms of appendicitis," Doctor Cole told me, "including feeling lightheaded."

"You passed out," Javier told me. "I caught you though before you hit the floor."

I frowned in concern at the doctor. "Will I be okay?"

"Yes, Misters Worthington and Rios rushed you to the hospital and once my team discovered what was going on, we were able to remove the appendix before it could burst," Doctor Cole explained. Glancing between Johnny and Javier, he asked them in a teasing tone, "An ambulance was too good for you two?"

"I wasn't going to call and wait for one," said Johnny, defending his actions. "You said yourself, Doc, that it was a close call."

"It was?" I spoke up in horror.

Doctor Cole nodded solemnly. "Another half an hour or so and your appendix would have burst and send toxins into your body. This would have led to complications and a possibly fatal outcome if Misters Worthington and Rios didn't act as quickly as they did."

I threw my head back against the pillow and exhaled at my narrow escape of death. "Goblin."

"The good news is that the laparoscopic surgery was a success with no complications, so you should make a full recovery," shared Doctor Cole. "I'd like to keep you another night for observation, but if all goes well, I have no problem releasing you tomorrow."

I relaxed instantly. "Thank goodness. I would hate to miss class."

Doctor Cole cleared his throat. "While I admire your dedication to your academics, it's important that you rest as much as possible in order to allow your body to heal."

My face fell as though he was a sales clerk telling me that he was all out of dance shoes. "Are you saying that I'll have to miss my classes?"

"Well, you should take today and the rest of the weekend to rest as much as possible," Doctor Cole advised, "but if Monday rolls around and you are no longer in any pain, I see no issue with you going back to classes."

Johnny scoffed at the piece of advice doled out. "Sorry, Doc, but you don't know my sister. Telling her to rest is like telling the sun not to shine."

I glared at Johnny for that remark, even though I knew deep down that his simile about me was accurate. In a way, I was touched that the big puffball, as busy as he was, knew me as well as he did. Sometimes, it was also scary as hell.

Doctor Cole chuckled. "If that's the case, then I'm making it your job to ensure that she takes it easy for the next few weeks."

"That won't be an easy job, Doc," said Johnny. "It'll take a lot more than a surgery to slow her stubborn self down."

"Keep that up and I will crawl out of this bed and hang you from the window by your tail," I said to Johnny threateningly.

"I rest my case," said Johnny, folding his arms in a finished sort of way.

"I'll help, amigo," Javier offered, repeatedly running a claw over my knuckle.

"The more help, the better," said Doctor Cole, looking back to me, "but we can discuss your recovery more when you're better rested. If you need anything, press the blue button on the remote control of your bed and it will alert a nurse."

"Thank you, Doctor Cole," I said gratefully.

My parents also expressed their gratitude to the doctor before he took his leave, shutting the door behind him.

Hanging my head, I sighed and said, "I don't need this setback right now. I have school work to do, lessons to choreograph and teach, Clawsmas gifts to buy now that Howlaween is done and – "

"Okay, okay, sweetie," my mother interrupted, brushing back the sweaty strands of hair that had gotten stuck to my forehead, "you heard the doctor. You need to rest."

"No, I need to work," I countered. "Life goes on even though I'm confined to a bed and I'm not going to let a little surgery cause me to fall behind."

"Sweetie, you're my daughter and I know you," my mother said to me delicately. "You have an impeccable work ethic that many monsters only dream of having. Something tells me that whatever is due next week, you already have done."

I opened my mouth to disagree when I realized that she, like always, was right. I had no midterm exams scheduled for next week and the few papers that were due had already been proofread and revised to my satisfaction. Even my choreography notes for the Latin Fusion dance classes next week were finalized and ready to go.

My mother smiled knowingly. "See, you're ahead of the game as you always are. I think you can afford to take a little breather."

I sighed in defeat. The surgery left me feeling too drained to argue with her further. "Fine."

"Start with a nap," my mother suggested helpfully. "It's the early hours of the morning. It wouldn't hurt for you to shut your eyes for a bit."

"Okay," I replied reluctantly as I gave in to my fatigue and let my eyes slowly close.

The last thing I remembered before succumbing to slumber was the feeling of a pair of lips, most likely Javier's, kissing my hand.

When I woke up hours later, around the early afternoon according to the analog clock on the wall, I found my room was empty of monsters, but full of flower arrangements and balloon bouquets either surrounding my bed or sitting on any level platform that could be considered table space. Colourful cards lined the window ledge and a few wrapped fruit baskets sat on the chair next to my bed where Javier used to sit.

I blinked repeatedly to make sure that I wasn't just seeing things. When I accepted that I was, indeed, still in my private hospital room, I turned to the vases of flowers sitting on the table next to my bed. Plucking the card from the bloom of pink roses and white lilies, I paused to read it.

You know I love you, sis, so you better get better quickly because I'm in the mood for some shish kafta burgers. I'll even be a good brother and fire them up on the barbecue if you make them.

Johnny

"Sounds like something Johnny would write," I said out loud, chuckling to myself and placing the card onto the table.

"What sounds like something Johnny would write?" Violet asked, coming around the corner with Brynn, the latter toting a glass vase of purple bellflowers and white roses.

"Hey, ladies," I greeted the Slugma Slugma Kappa sisters with a smile.

Brynn whistled at the sight of the floral arrangements around the room and said, "If it weren't for you in that bed, I would have thought that we accidentally walked into the hospital gift shop."

I laughed. "I guess they've been coming in while I was asleep. Reading Johnny's card gave me a laugh."

"Well, laughter is the best medicine," Brynn reminded me. "Goblin knows you could use a hell of a lot of it to get better."

"How did you two know I was here?" I asked curiously.

"This morning was the weekly Greek Council meeting," Violet explained. "Carla had seen you pass out at the party and asked Johnny if you were okay. Johnny told Carla what happened and then she told us when she got back to the house."

"This is from our entire sorority by the way," Brynn spoke up, sliding the vase that she was holding onto the table next to Johnny's bouquet.

"Awww, thank you so much," I said, flattered by the gesture.

Reading a tag on the bouquet of orange milar balloons nearby, Violet said, "This one's from Sanderson on behalf of Jaws Theta Chi.".

My eyes widened at that. "Does every group on Frat Row know what happened?"

"You know how fast word gets around campus, honey," said Brynn. "Everyone has heard about what a great teacher you are and how sweet you can be when you're not provoked."

"So when monsters from the Greek community heard about your health scare, they were shocked and wanted to make sure that you knew you were in their thoughts," Violet continued. "Carrie said her sorority sisters plan on sending over some homemade cookies with Johnny when he comes to visit you next."

"But I wouldn't eat them if I were you," Brynn warned me. "The Python Nu Kappas aren't the greatest in the kitchen and the last thing you need is a longer stay in the hospital because their cooking destroyed your intestines."

I laughed again, eyeing the lone gold balloon in the center of Jaws Theta Chi's bouquet that read 'Get Well Soon' on it in bold black letters. "I'm beyond touched by all this generosity. I just hope my students won't be too bummed if I have to cancel next week's classes."

"Do it if you have to," Violet insisted. "Your health is your number one priority."

A knock at the door sounded, followed by a voice asking, "Am I interrupting?"

"Is that you, Don?" I called out, unable to see the door since the room was designed in such a way that a wall jutting out obscured it from my view. "Come on in!"

Sure enough, Don appeared from around the corner and smiled at me. "How are you feeling, Danica?"

"Tired and a little sore, but otherwise okay," I answered, pleased to see him.

"I couldn't help but overhear Johnny talking to Carla at the Greek Council meeting," said Don, "and I wanted to stop by to see how you were doing."

"I appreciate the visit, Don," I said genuinely. "It means a lot."

Pulling a small piece of rectangular cardstock out of the pocket of his polo shirt, Don handed it to me and said, "This is for you."

Accepting the card from him, I read it and found it to be one of his business cards, complete with his full name, former job role, address, and phone number. I was puzzled as to why he wanted to give me this information. The last time a monster gave me a business card was when he asked me out at a coffee shop the year before and I knew that Don didn't have the same intentions by giving me his own.

At least, I hope he didn't.

"Flip it over," Don instructed encouragingly.

Turning the card over, I saw that a message had been scribbled across what used to be the blank side.

Best wishes, Danica, for a speedy recovery on behalf of ALL of your friends in Oozma Kappa!

I looked back up and was about to ask why the word 'all' was capitalized when I learned of the answer in the form of Terri and Terry Perry standing at the foot of my bed, holding an overflowing gift basket that was wrapped in transparent paper and topped with a glittery green bow. Both twins wore smiles, but one was noticeably smaller than the other.

So many questions were running through my mind at that moment. Why were the twins, particularly Terry, standing so calmly in my hospital room? Did Don force Terry to play happy and come along for the visit? Was Terry sincerely happy to see me? Was he feeling guilty? Was he here under the guise of checking on me after what happened, but really wanted to take the opportunity to berate me more now that I was stuck in a bed?

Don must have sensed the awkwardness that fell upon the silent room because he abruptly said to Violet and Brynn, "Well, I don't know about you, ladies, but I can sure use a cup of coffee and a snack. How about we check out the hospital cafeteria?"

"Sounds good to me," Violet agreed.

Brynn nodded and turned to me. "Want us to bring you back anything?"

"No thank you," I managed to splutter, still trying to register the sudden presence of the Perry twins.

Don kindly ushered Violet and Brynn out of the room before following them. The door closed behind them, ensuring us privacy for what I hoped wouldn't be a heated conversation.

Terri and Terry exchanged looks with each other, probably debating over which one of them would speak first. The silence that fell over the room only made me more uncomfortable, so I decided to make the decision for them.

"I'm really happy to see you," I finally said, meaning every word. "Both of you."

"We're really happy to see you too," said Terri, jerking his head around to look at me, "especially after hearing that you would be okay."

"I will be," I declared confidently.

"This is from all of us," said Terri, patting the basket that he and Terry held. "Ms. Squibbles baked you some of her famous chocolate brownies, Don added some fruit, there's a plushie in there from Squishy, a dream journal from Art, I made you a card, and Terry gave you tea."

"Ooh, what kind?" I asked the taller twin in an attempt to draw some words out of him.

"Jasmine green," Terry replied simply.

"Nice, it boosts energy, relieves stress, and helps to ease pain," I listed, uncertain as to whether or not his short response was a sign that he was still mad at me. "Goblin knows I can use all three right now."

Terri chuckled, but all Terry did was give me a weak smile, his lips quivering. The latter looked to be on the verge of tears and was doing his best to hold them back. It seemed that he didn't want me to see the vulnerable side to him, but I didn't want him to think that he couldn't be himself around me. Despite the rough patch that we had been going through, I wanted him to know that he could open up to me if he needed to. That was what friends are for.

In an attempt to elicit more words from Terry, I smiled and said, "Thank you for coming to see me and for the thoughtful gift. I'm very lucky to have you both in my life."

Terry finally let out a strangled sob and said, "Danica, I'm so sorry."

I smiled wider, knowing that he wasn't referring to my health scare. "I know you are."

"For everything lately," Terry continued, looking downward shamefully. "I said and did some really horrible things to you."

"That's putting it lightly," Terri muttered under his breath.

Terry shot his brother a glare before continuing, "Anyway, I shouldn't have acted the way I did and I feel awful for it."

"I won't lie, your actions hurt, Terry," I admitted, "but I know you felt hurt too, betrayed even, for what I did. I understood why you lashed out."

"But that's no excuse," said Terry. "You're more than my dance teacher, you're my friend, and I should have been happy for you from the start. I'm sorry that it took you ending up in the hospital for me to realize that."

I reached for Terry's hand and squeezed it comfortingly. "Better late than never."

"That's true," Terry agreed, finally meeting my eyes with his glistening one. "I'm really sorry."

"Oh, Terry, I forgave you the moment you walked into my room," I told him with a smile.

For the first time since he arrived, Terry offered me a sincere smile. "Are you still seeing Javier?"

"I sure am," I answered, feeling much happier than I felt earlier this morning.

"And he's still good to you?" Terry asked.

I nodded.

"Then I'm with you," said Terry. "I don't like him, but I will try to tolerate him at least, for you."

"I couldn't ask for anything more," I said to him, feeling our renewed friendship warm up the room considerably.

It was around eight in the evening, long after the Oozma Kappa brothers and Slugma Slugma Kappa sisters left, when Javier returned to my room at the hospital and he didn't come emptyhanded; he had his left arms wrapped around an ornate vase of flowers while one of his right hands lugged his backpack.

"Hey, stranger," I greeted, looking up from the card that I was reading.

"Sorry I was gone most of the day," said Javier, kicking the door closed behind him, "but I had to take care of a few things."

"It's okay," I answered, gesturing to my bed. "It's not like I can really do much other than count the ceiling tiles, reread my cards, and listen to music."

Nodding at the portable radio tuned to a Latin-themed channel on my bedside table, Javier asked, "Was that a gift too?"

"Yeah, from Eta Hiss Hiss," I answered. "You know how much they love music, being an acapella group and all. They didn't want me to be bored while I was here."

"Well, these are for you too," said Javier, adding his bouquet to the many that were already sitting on the table. His arrangement was easily double the size of the others and was comprised of a mix of red roses and white jasmine in full bloom, both which symbolized love. "I didn't think you had enough."

"Neither did I," I joked and then lovingly added, "Thank you, they're lovely."

"Not as lovely as the lady they're for," said Javier with a wink.

I smiled at the compliment and asked, "How long are you staying?"

"Until you get out of here," Javier answered, dropping his backpack to the floor.

"Really?" I asked in disbelief. "You're staying overnight?"

Javier nodded with a grin. "Hospital guidelines allow one monster to stay overnight with a patient, so I volunteered. A nurse said she'll bring me something to sleep on."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "And my parents were okay with this?"

"Honestly, they think Johnny is staying with you," Javier confessed, trying to stifle a laugh, "but who am I to tell them that they're wrong?"

I laughed at that. "Good call. Dad already seems mad enough at Johnny as it is when he has no reason to be. Let's not give him an actual one."

"Sí," Javier agreed. "Besides, Johnny got tied up today with a lot of school and council stuff, but he'll be here first thing tomorrow morning."

I tilted my head slightly, gazing at him fondly. "I'm glad that he trusts you with me."

"He won't openly admit it, but he does," said Javier. "Of course, he promised to personally kill me if he shows up tomorrow and finds that you had gotten worse under my watch."

I laughed again. "Guess you better not mess up then."

"I haven't yet, have I?" Javier asked with a smirk.

I reached for one of his hands and gave it an appreciative squeeze. "Thank you, for this and for everything that you've done for me in the last twenty-four hours."

"De nada," Javier replied, squeezing my hand back.

"Seriously, I probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for you and Johnny," I said, gazing at him adoringly. "I owe you both my life."

"You owe us nothing, amor mio," said Javier fondly. "We would do it again. I would do it again."

I beamed at his term of endearment for me before glancing up at the clock on the wall. "I guess I should move around one last time for the day."

"Are you sure you should be doing that?" Javier asked, sounding concerned at the idea of me leaving my bed.

"Yeah, Doctor Cole said that a few short walks per day will help prevent blood clots," I explained, trying to slide off of the bed without crunching forward so much. "I've done some today while you were gone."

"Here," said Javier, offering another hand to me.

"Thanks," I said, using two of his hands as support to climb out of the bed. "I bet this isn't how you imagined spending your Friday night."

"I'm with you," said Javier, smiling tenderly. "That's enough."

I smiled sadly at him. "So much for our dance class tonight."

"Hey, you need to take care of yourself first," Javier reminded me. "I can dance with you any other time."

"Still," I began as I began a slow pace across the room, "it's what I look forward to every Friday night."

Javier paused before he asked, "Are you in any pain right now?"

"Not really, thank Goblin," I admitted. "Why?"

Javier said nothing at first; he simply reached for the radio and fiddled with the dial until he came across a station that was playing an R&B song. He then looked up and casually sauntered towards me until he was staying before me, our bodies only inches from each other.

Looking up at him inquisitively, I asked, "What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Javier retorted softly, sliding one of his right arms around my back and taking my right hand into one of his left ones.

I laughed lightly. "Jav, I'm in a hospital gown, my hair's a mess, and I'm pretty sure my costume makeup running has made my face a blotchy mess."

"Still beautiful to me," said Javier, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.

Smiling broadly, I gently leaned into his touch, but kept a small distance between our torsos as to not irritate my lower right abdomen where a few small incisions made during the surgery had been stitched up. Resting my left arm over his upper right and my left hand on his right shoulder, I let my eyes flutter closed and the soothing melody to fill the room as we swayed in place and enjoyed the remainder of our Friday night.