“Meaning?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. For now, I’ll stay with her.”
“How is she?” asked his mom, walking up just as he ended the call with Doc.
“Sore, groggy…”
“What aren’t you saying, Son?” asked his Dad.
“I’m sure it’s nothing. I should get back in there in case she wakes up.” Mantis hugged both of his parents. “You should head home. I’ll let you know more later. I…uh…she doesn’t want me to leave.”
“We’ll bring you a change of clothes when we come back,” Minnie said to him and then turned to his dad. “Kip, why don’t you pull the truck up while I talk to Gehring.”
His father looked confused, but only momentarily. Once he was gone, his mother looped her arm through her son’s.
“Okay, it’s just you and me. Tell me what’s really going on.”
“Alegria can’t move her legs.”
—:—
Every time she closed her eyes, Alegria flashed back to the moment right before the crash. Was the universe punishing her for her decision to end things with Dutch? Mantis had asked if she wanted Dutch called back from the op, but she didn’t. It was Mantis she wanted with her—so much she couldn’t stand the idea of him leaving her side.
She could hear him outside of the room, talking to his parents, but not clearly enough that she could follow their conversation.
“You’re awake,” he said, poking his head around the corner of the doorway.
She nodded, wishing he was close enough that she could feel the comfort of his touch.
“Hi, sweetheart,” said his mom, walking in before him. She leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Can I do anything for you?”
Alegria shook her head. “No, but thanks.”
“Kip and I will be back later. If you change your mind, Gehring can call us.”
When his mother left, Mantis pulled a chair closer to her bedside, sat down, and held her hand.
“Don’t leave,” she said again.
“I’m not goin’ anywhere, Flygirl.”
“My head hurts.”
“Do you want me to call for the nurse?”
“No.”
“Does this help?” he asked, running his fingers through her hair.
“It does,” she whispered, tears spilling from her eyes.
“Don’t cry, mon coeur. You’re going to feel better after you get some more rest.”
She closed her eyes again. Something was telling her Mantis was wrong.
Chapter 17
Dutch