Chapter 16

Xander woke to a light flashing in his eyes.

“There you are. We were wondering when you’d come back to us.” A large, gray haired nurse with a small flashlight and a clipboard was leaning over Xander.

“What? Where ... where am I?” Xander tried to sit up but the nurse gently put a hand to his chest.

“Now, now, kiddo, you better just lay right back down. Listen, a pretty bad traffic accident landed you here with a nasty concussion and a few scratches. You’re some lucky guy. I’ve seen much worse from much less of a crash!”

A crash? What is this crazy lady talking about?

“You’re looking a little confused. Don’t worry if you can’t remember. You’re most likely suffering from a bit of amnesia. That’s just a fancy way of saying that you won’t remember most of what just happened, so let me just cut to the chase for you, okay there sweetie?”

Xander braced himself as he listened to the nurse tell him what she knew about the accident. By the end, Xander felt sick.

“Why didn’t I stop at the intersection? What was I doing?” Xander asked the nurse, hoping she would tell him it was a brake failure, or a problem with the traffic signals.

“We’re not sure, exactly. It looks like you just kept on going. Not to worry, the police will sort all that out. It seems like everything is going to be taken care of.”

Xander looked behind the nurse and saw someone standing in the doorway.

“Who’s that behind you?” he asked.

“Oh! That’s right. You have a visitor here. We looked for a spouse or parent to call, but the only person we had on file for you was someone by the name of Tommy? He’s been here since the minute you came through those emergency doors.”

The nurse turned to welcome Tommy to Xander’s bedside. Leaving the room, she shut the door to give them some privacy.

Tommy looked Xander up and down, completely silent.

“Tommy, I ...” Xander began to apologize.

“Save it, Xander. I don’t want your apologies. This will be punishment enough.” Tommy shook his head, putting his hand on Xander’s arm.

“Enough punishment? What are you saying, T?” Xander pulled his arm away from Tommy’s hand, pushing himself up to a seated position.

“What I’m saying is that there’s no way in hell you’ll be fighting next month now. Doc says that there’s still swelling in your brain and getting knocked around too much could turn you into one of those… vegetables. What happened, Xander? What the hell happened?”

Tommy waited for Xander to respond.

Xander, unsure of what to say, looked out the window on the opposite side of the room. The sun was setting behind the mountains, and Xander imagined being a bird flying to the top of the rocks, looking down on everyone else. Freedom to go where ever he pleased.

“I just wanted to have one more night of fun before it was all work and no play, Tommy. I know I made you a deal, but all I ever do is make deals. I just wanted to be a normal guy and have some fun, without so much responsibility. I had a few drinks and I hooked up with someone. I didn’t mean to do this. I’m sorry Tommy. I fucked up.”

Tommy rose out of his chair.

“You’re lucky Xander. Lucky in more ways than one.”

Xander didn’t understand.

“More ways than one?”

Tommy walked over to the table where the nurse had put out water and glasses. He poured himself a cup, and took a drink.

“Right after I got here and found out what happened to you, I phoned the reps over at Street G. They were absolutely devastated. I told them that you just had a concussion but couldn’t fight next month. After a few phone calls back and forth, they told me that they’re still very interested in you. Only problem is, their next big fight isn’t until three months from now.”

Tommy handed Xander a glass of water.

Xander sensed that Tommy had actually been delighted with this silver lining.

“Tommy, are you saying I still have a chance?”

Tommy picked up his briefcase and buttoned his jacket.

“Xander, I don’t want to promise you anything this time. This is up to you. What I’m telling you is that the boys at Street G are still rooting for you, and so am I. Once you’re out of this place and can start your training again, I’d love to see you take this seriously. I’ve always believed in you. Now it’s time for you to believe in yourself.”

Tommy opened the door and was about to walk out when he heard Xander say something.

“What was that?” Tommy spun around to face Xander.

“I’m going to do what it takes, T. No matter what, I’m going to do what it takes to win this thing. You’re right about everything. I’ve put in way too much blood, sweat, and tears to just waste it all on a good time. This is what I’m supposed to do, and I’ll do it right.”

Xander studied Tommy as he waited for a reaction. Clearing his throat and fixing his suit jacket, Tommy stood a little taller now.

“Atta boy, Xander.”

A knock on the door broke the silence. The same nurse entered the room with her clipboard.

“Excuse me boys, I need to do a routine check up on Mr. Delgado now. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“It’s alright, I was just leaving. Xander, I’ll be calling you later to check in. Don’t go screening my calls.” Tommy winked at Xander and walked out of the room.

“That man sure does love you. He was worried sick. Now Mr. Delgado, I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?”

Xander crossed his legs, smoothing the gown over his knees.

“Ahh ... I guess it’s better to get the bad stuff out of the way first.”

The nurse chuckled.

“I would have said the same thing. Okay, the bad news is that the doctors want to keep you overnight for observation. The good news is, based on your vitals and eye tests, it seems like you’re doing a lot better than we originally thought. Staying overnight is just precautionary, but the doctor wanted me to let you know that he strongly advises it, for your own safety.”

Xander began removing the tape holding in his IV drip.

“Wait, wait, wait there kiddo. What do you think you’re doing?” The nurse attempted to keep Xander from removing the IV, but Xander over powered her and pushed her hand away.

“I’m not staying here another fucking night just for a precautionary ... whatever. I have to get home.”

Xander tossed the blankets off the side of the bed and stood up.

“We can’t force you to stay, but I have to tell you once again, by doctor’s orders—”

Xander ripped the tape off and yanked the IV out of his arm.

“Well, tell the doctor he’s down one patient. Now, if you’d kindly leave the room, I’d like to get out of this dress and put on some real clothes.”

The nurse calmly picked up the blankets, placing them neatly back onto the bed.

“Okay, Mr. Delgado. If that’s your final decision. Since you’re of age, no one can keep you here, I’ll just go and fetch your things.”

Returning a few minutes later, Xander’s nurse handed him a bag with his phone, wallet, and shoes.

“Listen, I’ve seen men your age in here countless times. I don’t imagine you’ll listen to some old lady, but if you do happen to remember anything from this conversation, remember that fame isn’t everything. Someday you’re going to look back and ask yourself why any of it mattered in the first place. Follow your heart, Mr. Delgado.”

Half dressed, Xander put down his shoes and peered up at the nurse.

“Thank you. I think that may be the first time anyone ever told me that.”

The nurse picked up her clipboard and took one final look at Xander.

“What do I know? I’m just a nurse.” Giggling, she closed the curtains and left Xander to himself.