A Surprising Question

I slowly opened my eyes, still heavy with sleep. Everything was out of focus and my mind felt fuzzy. There were bright lights, curtains and beeping noises. It was nearly impossible to concentrate or think. Where am I? What's going on? Suddenly it all came flooding back. A nurse said she was taking me back to my room, and I wanted to see Tony and Mom but I could barely keep my eyes open. I fell back asleep.

***

I woke again, and my throat was dry. I felt groggy and a little nauseous. I was so thirsty, like I had been lost in the desert for a week with nothing to drink. My mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton. I was more awake and focused this time though; it wasn't like I was trying to think through a dense fog like before. There was a dull pain in my leg; I could feel the cast surrounding and supporting it. I wonder how it went. I felt Tony's hand resting over mine. He's here. I opened my eyes to see him sitting in a chair next to the bed. His head was bowed and he was idly stroking my hand with his thumb.

"Tony," I said hoarsely.

His head shot up and a smile lit up his face. "Welcome back, sleepyhead." He got up and kissed me softly, letting his lips linger on mine for a second. "How are you feeling?"