PART III: LOVE OF SPROCKET AND OF JUAN

chapter 5

 

Soft music flitted down the hallways of the rehab where Juan was sleeping uneasily. He was so thirsty—a thirst not quenched by IVs; a thirst that he wanted to taste in his mouth. He smacked his lips and pulled the sheet down from around his neck. It sure was hot tonight. He didn’t notice the hand at his window, nor the face near that hand, or what the hand was holding. He didn’t notice that Katie had a screwdriver and was undoing the window until the breeze drifted in from outside.

            He smiled, feeling the breeze cool him down, and turned to the door. No nurse stood there, so he sat up, confused. He reached for his buzzer to call in one of the caregivers to check up on him, but before he could push it there was a soft hand on his shoulder and someone whispered, “Hey Birthday boy, it’s Katie. Shhhh, don’t get scared. Sprocket brought me here.”  Juan turned to her and his mouth gaped. He touched his throat and then reached a hand out to her. “How?” he asked. Katie wasn’t so sure how much he could say and she said, “Can we take the IV down and put it on the mobile IV holder? There are a few people waiting outside to see you. We’re going to the river for a while, and then we’re bringing you back here. Is that okay?”

            Katie grabbed his hand gently, holding it in hers. Juan nodded. “Nurses,” he said. “Will be back soon, so let’s hurry. Hopefully they won’t notice their big flirt has left too soon.” Juan laughed and smiled. “It’s good to see you, too,” Katie said, jotting down a note on the whiteboard near his bed. She signed it with a messily drawn Autobot symbol. It read,

Taking Birthday Boy to see the stars. He’ll be back within the half-hour. It is currently 3:47. No monsters under his bed, we checked.