“No they’re not,” I said, with a giggle. “They’re the eyes of angels winking at us.”
“You know what? I think I like that story better.”
“It’s not a story, Momma. It’s true. My Sunday School teacher taught me that.”
“Oh she did, did she?” she asked. “Well, I guess I’ll have to consult her on all things involving space from now on.”
“Billions and billions of miles, Momma?”
“And billions, Drake.”
“Drake.”
“Drake.”
“Drake!”
My momma’s voice morphed into Delia’s and it shocked me awake. There was a bright light shining down on me. One that hurt my eyes and did nothing to warm my skin. I heard Delia calling my name as I turned my head, trying to see where she was. There was a strange man sitting next to me. Dressed in something I couldn’t recognize because the fucking light was too damn bright.
“Can someone turn down the sun?” I asked.
“Drake! Drake, you’re awake. Can you hear me? It’s Delia.”
“What the fuck were you thinking, letting him go off like that?”
Hank.
That was Hank’s voice.
He sounded angry.
Why did he sound angry?
“I didn’t! He came back to the bus with me, but he must have snuck out after I fell asleep,” Delia said.
“Well then you shouldn’t have fallen asleep! I hired you for one fucking purpose, and look where he is now,” Hank said.
“Short of pumping myself full of caffeine that would have been nearly impossible. I thought he was really going to stay put. How was I to know he’d sneak off like a dumb teenager?”
“Has he proven to you so far that he is anything but a dumb teenager?” Hank replied.
“Look, Hank, I’m sorry –” she started to say before Hank cut her off.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it. Not now. Not standing here in the damn hospital because that asshole drank himself stupid”,” Hank said.
Hospital. I was in the hospital.
I felt my body being moved as my back landed on something strong. I heard echoes of Landon and Stone’s voices as my eyes fluttered shut. When I woke up again, the smell of disinfectant wafted up my nose. I was cold and my feet were exposed and I felt a needle piercing the top of my hand.
I tried to yank it away, but someone’s grasp was tight on my wrist.
“Hold still, Mr. Blackthorn. I’m almost done.”
Another voice I didn’t fucking recognize.
“Is he gonna be okay?”
It was Delia again.