What had happened to him all rushed back when the footsteps stopped outside his room and a familiar face swept in, smiling. The horrible night outside the Brig, the attack, all of it came flooding back, almost making him dizzy.
Mark!
It couldn’t have been as bad as he feared. Mark looked fine, not one of his blond hairs out of place, his color vibrant. He wore his favorite, a purple Northwestern University sweatshirt, jeans, and a pair of Asics running shoes. He looked so good it immediately made Donald feel a little better.
“Jesus! You’re okay! You’re okay!” Donald grinned. “Man, just seeing you is working on me like the finest Vicodin.” Donald laughed and Mark joined him in his laughter as he drew close to the bed. “That’s right, come on over here and give Papi a kiss.”
Mark’s lips were cool on his, and Donald attributed that to the fact that he was probably running a temp from all of his injuries. But it was so good to see Mark, to put an arm on his strong shoulders and draw him close. He thought Mark should have been in the same condition, or worse, but here he was, looking just fine. Not even a scratch marred that handsome face he was so in love with.
“I gotta tell you, honey, you’re working like a balm on me.”
“Now, don’t get too excited. You still need to rest.” Mark pulled back and made Donald lie back further by pressing gently on his chest. Mark fussed with his blanket, better tucking him in. “Just relax.”
Donald closed his eyes for a moment, smiling. When he opened them, Mark stood above him, shaking his head. “You know what, Papi? You are going to come out of this just fine.”
“Well, I should. I may not be as young as you, but you seem to be no worse for the wear. I can’t fucking believe it.”
Mark didn’t respond. He just stood, staring down at Donald, his smile almost beatific.
“So where ya been? You see Grace?”
Mark’s blue-eyed gaze went to the window. Then he looked back at his man. He shook his head. “No, haven’t seen her.”
The two men were silent for a moment, then Mark reached down and squeezed Donald’s hand. “Honey, I can’t stay too long.” The touch was like an electric jolt and for an instant, Donald had a vision of the night sky, crowded with stars.
“What? The doctors tell you that? You tell them you can stay as long as you damn well please. You have just as much right to be here as my sister, and she’s been here for the past two days.”
“It’s nothing like that. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” And with that, Mark turned and started out the door.
Donald got up on one elbow to call him back and that was when he started screaming.
The back of Mark’s head was a bloody, open dent. He could see shattered bone and brain matter.
Donald slumped down, staring at the ceiling, and screaming.
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