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.”“A year?!” I erupt.“At least six months,” she says in a calm, mellowing tone.Her face has softened as pity spreads over it.“You don’t understand,” I begin pleading my case to her, “my entire career is riding on my next fight.” I’m hoping she hears the desperation in my voice, and that she finds it in her heart to change her mind.She sighs heavily, looking at me like I’m a pathetic fool.“No doctor on this earth would release you to fight in a month, Mr.Vega.”“And what if I just decide to fight against your orders?”“I guess that’s your choice,” she stares at me in amazement, “but I’m not saying six months to inconvenience you.I’m saying you shouldn’t fight to keep you from suffering any further injuries.I won’t be liable for any damage that may occur during that fight and I’ll need for you to sign a release stating that.”“Give me the papers and I’ll sign ‘em right now,” I demand as I tap on the table directly in front of me.“You can’t be serious.”“I’m as serious as a heart attack, Doc.Boxing is my life.”“You’re going to risk your health for a sport?”“It’s not a sport to me.It’s my career, just like being a doctor is yours.”“I’m sure you could find something else to do for work, Mr.Vega.”“You don’t get it.I never went to college and I don’t have a fancy degree.Boxing is all I know; it’s what I was born to do, and it’s the only thing I’m good at.”“Well, I highly doubt that,” her eyes narrow as a skeptical look spreads across her face.“I’ll be back in the morning,” she turns toward the door.“Dr.Willis will be the doctor on duty this evening, and I’m sure he’ll be in to introduce himself shortly.Feel free to ask him questions.”“Do you think he’ll let me fight?”She shakes her head and laughs a bit.“You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?”“Oh, you have no idea.”“Go easy on the nurses tonight,” she touches my foot gently and smiles.“I’ll see you in the morning, Mr.Vega.”“See you in the morning, Doc.” She disappears and I hear the door shut softly.Staring up at the ceiling, I think about what she’s just told me.She’s out of her mind if she thinks I’m not fighting.I’m not gonna give up my chance at a title shot.I scoff at my thoughts.She’s obviously takin’ some of the drugs she prescribes.My phone buzzes and I glance at the message that lights up my screen; it’s Kitten.Kitten – Hey doll.How you feeling?Me – I’m stuck here another night.Kitten – I’m sorry to hear that.But if that’s what the doctor thinks is best…Ugh, not her too.What is it with all these people siding with the doctors? I throw my phone down beside me on the bed, not wanting to hear anything else she has to say.Shifting from one side to another, I try to get comfortable.Jesus Christ.I begin fidgeting with the neck brace that’s constricting my movements.Finally, frustrated with all of it, I reach around to unfasten the brace then whip it across the room.I don’t need that fuckin’ thing.I slowly roll my head in a circle, then gently massage my neck down to my shoulders, trying to loosen up the tender muscles.I’m suddenly in desperate need of getting out of this bed.I can’t just sit here anymore; I’m going to go stir crazy.I buzz the nurse’s station.There’s a knock at the door and then, “Is everything okay in here?” I’m thrown off when I hear a man’s voice.In walks an African American man, who looks to be in his mid- to late thirties.He’s roughly five foot ten with an average build.I can’t help but give him a strange look as he stands at the foot of my bed.“You okay?” he asks, giving me a similar look back.“Are you the doctor?”“No, I’m your nurse for the night.”“Nurse?” I laugh.“I’m sorry, were you expecting some hot piece of ass to come give you a sponge bath?” He flashes me a smug look.“I don’t mean to disappoint you, but I’ll be the one who’s giving you your bath tonight.”“Nah, I’m good.” I push myself back further into the bed.“I should be out of here first thing tomorrow; I’ll take a shower when I get home.”“No, it’s doctor’s orders.All patients must be bathed if they’re unable to get up and shower on their own.And let me tell you, I’m looking forward to this one!” He winks at me.He’s got to be fuckin’ kidding.I have nothing against gay men, but I’m not letting him or his sponge anywhere near me.I force a smile onto my face and reiterate, “No, really, it’s okay.”“Good evening, Mr.Vega,” a young woman, thankfully, interrupts our conversation.She’s very petite, with a fair complexion and shoulder length, deep auburn hair.The teal scrubs she’s wearing tell me she’s part of the hospital staff, but what part? She looks too young to be a nurse.Maybe she’s a college student volunteering? As she reaches for my chart, I notice a very colorful tattoo peeking out of the sleeve on her left arm; I give her a suspicious look.“So, I see you’ve met Brett,” she states as she reads my chart.“Yes, we were just getting acquainted when you walked in,” the male nurse replies.“I wouldn’t go that far,” I protest.“Oh, you were telling him about his sponge bath?” she asks with a smile.“Yes, and I’m pretty sure he’s looking forward to it.”“Umm… nooo!” my voice rises as panic races through my body.He bursts into laughter.“I’m just pulling your leg! I’m not giving you a sponge bath.”I begin to laugh along with him.“Jesus Christ, you really had me goin’.”“Sorry, I had to bust your balls.Dr.Nelson said you were giving the nurses a run for their money this afternoon.So, it’s only fair I give you a taste of your own medicine.No pun intended.”I let out a huge sigh of relief.“Shit man, you can pull both of my legs, as long as you’re not the one giving me a bath.”He extends his hand to me, “I’m Brett, by the way.”I shake his hand, “Saint.”“And this is Julie, your nurse practitioner.”“You’re a nurse?”“Correction, a nurse practitioner,” Brett adds.“How old are you?” I blurt out.“Old enough,” she counters sarcastically.“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean it that way.”“And how, exactly, did you mean it?”“It’s just, you look so young.Too young to be a nurse, let alone a nurse practitioner, and you have a tattoo.”“Well, Mr.Vega, I’m twenty-seven; not that it’s any of your business.As for my tattoo, lots of people have them.It certainly doesn’t mean I can’t do my job well.”Oh fuck, now I’ve offended her.First, I called her young, and now I’ve insulted her by making a comment about her tattoo.Great… just great.“So, what can we do for you?” Julie asks.I’m staring at them both like a deer in the headlights.They’re making me nervous just staring at me.My mouth begins to water and I start feeling dizzy; I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and exhale.When I reopen them, I feel a little better.Finally finding the courage, I ask, “Any chance I can get the goddamn catheter out? And, I’d really love to get up and walk around.My entire body is stiff from just lying here.”Brett looks over at Julie and then Julie looks at me.“Yes, I think we can do that.But since you’ve been on a saline IV for the past six hours, if you don’t urinate on your own, we’ll have to conduct another ultrasound to see if there is excess urine in your bladder [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]