“Bob. Bob, can you hear me?â€?

…

“Come on Bob. Can you hear me?â€? A soft, gentle hand squeezes mine. “Please Bob, wake up.â€? Vision a bit blurry, I try to focus on the voice. Monique, it sits in my mind unable to pass through my lips. “It’s ok Bob, don’t try to talk.â€? I hear her smile through the words.

“Mr. Stevens, I’m Dr. Gantz.â€? I turn my head to see a large man in a white coat standing at the foot of my bed. “I’ve got some good news and some bad news for you. The good news is that you’re going to be ok.â€? Monique squeezes my hand a little harder, preparing for the bad news. “The bad news is that we had to remove part of your right leg; below the knee.â€? The realization of what happened hits me and I squeeze her hand back.

“The girl?â€? I slur.

“She’s going to be fine.â€? Monique pets my head. “You saved her life.â€?

“Yeah man, you did good.â€? I didn’t notice Jose until he spoke.

“Hey Jose.â€? I looked at Monique then back at him, “I meant to tell you.â€?

“Heh, it’s cool man. But you still owe me twenty bucks.â€?