Punk Rock-A-Bye Baby(50)

“I’m fine, hon. Just a little tired.” He was exhausted and drained. His mouth was dry and his throat was on fire. The surgery took his strength away, and it was an effort just to keep his eyes open.

Angel gazed at him with a goofy smile. “Te amo, mi amor.”

“Te amo,” Tommy replied. I love you were about the only words he could handle saying in Spanish, but he always wished he could learn more.

Jessi and Angel both crawled into bed with him, one on either side, just where he needed them to be. It was a narrow bed that wasn’t made for three people, but he reveled in the security of being tucked in between them.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Jessi whispered against his collar bone. “I love you so much, Tommy.”

“I love you, too, hon.” His hand slid over the bump in her belly. A soft thud hit his palm and loving warmth spread through his body. Your daddy’s here, little baby. Nothing is gonna stop me from watching you grow up.



The nurse paused to study the remnants of Tommy’s breakfast on the tray in her hands. “This is eggs benedict! Where did you get eggs benedict?”

“I wasn’t about to let his first real meal after surgery be bland, tasteless hospital food.” Angel gave her a sheepish smile. “No offense.”

“He’s a chef,” Tommy explained. His appetite still wasn’t back to normal, even though the gourmet breakfast Angel had delivered was heaven, especially after the broth and gelatin the nurse served him last night.

Another nurse poked her head into the room. “You have some visitors, Mr. Blade. I know it’s early. Can I send them in?”

“Is it my parents?” Their flight wasn’t due until this afternoon, and he perked up at the idea of seeing them sooner. His life had been so hectic over the last few years that he really hadn’t seen them much, and the guilt was festering in his gut. Now that he was given a second chance, he planned on making it up to them.

“No,” the nurse replied. “It’s that colorful couple that was with the group who was here yesterday.”

A few minutes later, Damien stood in the doorway. Alyssa stopped midway into the room and looked back at him. “Aren’t you coming in?”

Damien pressed his lips together and shifted his weight from foot to foot. He hesitated before he finally entered the room and took Tommy in a bear hug. It was an unexpected act of emotion from a man who really didn’t like public displays of physical affection, and it left Tommy choked up.

Damien let out a deep sigh. “You scared the fuck outta me, dude. Take it easy from now on. I don’t want a repeat of you passing out like that.”

“I’ll try not to. Maybe you can give me some lessons on how to be Mr. Cool on stage.”

Alyssa gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “You’re already Mr. Cool.” She examined the incision on his scalp. It was only a 2-inch by 2-inch shaved square which would be easily hidden underneath the longer strands of hair above it, not that he really cared at this point. His life took priority over his hair, but it was nice to know that the locks that had adorned his shoulders for over a decade were still with him. Right now, the rest of his hair was pulled back in a ponytail to keep it away from the staples in his scalp. It was foreign to him, since his hair was always wild and free.

“That looks pretty fuckin’ cool,” Alyssa commented. “Does it hurt?”

The pounding in his head was reduced to a dull ache that was less noticeable each hour. Instinctively, he reached for his scalp but stopped himself. “Not really. It’s tight.” He clenched his fist together to fight the urge to touch it. “It’s itchy and annoying as hell.”

Alyssa gazed at him quietly, then smiled. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Damien started to fidget. He looked at the monitors behind Tommy’s bed, and an uncomfortable shudder ran through him. “I fuckin’ hate hospitals. They bring back some really fucked up memories for me.” He turned to Angel, and they shared quiet eye contact. Then he clapped his hand onto Tommy’s shoulder like a vice. “I couldn’t rest until I made sure you were really okay. I don’t trust doctors, especially when it comes to one of my brothers. I had to see for myself.”

There was a knock on the door and Jimmy and Audra joined them. Now everyone was here, and Tommy felt the love of his closest friends.

Jimmy stood at the side of the bed, unsure and apprehensive about embracing Tommy in a hug.

Tommy extended an arm to his friend. “I won’t break.”

“Man, this is so fucked up.” Jimmy took Tommy’s outstretched hand and gave him a one-shoulder hug. “I can’t believe that a little bump on the head turned into brain surgery. And look at you. Twenty-four hours later, and you look like nothing happened.”