Then he zeroed in on David and said, “Man, what are you doing here?” He pointed his chin in Stella and Naomi’s direction. “And you’re in one piece? Amazing.”
David shook Revan’s hand and said, “Long story…good to see you!” He handed him a small shopping bag. “We hope this will help you for now. We’ve already added our contact information.”
Naomi flipped her thumb in David’s direction. “He’s still on probation.” She approached Revan’s bed and gave him a small envelope, “Here, Shutterbug. I got this for you at the store where we bought your phone. In case you have another memory lapse.”
Stella pulled a bag of gummi bears out of her purse. “I hope the hospital allows you food from outside. Or do they watch everything you eat and drink?”
“They don’t care anymore. Haven’t you noticed the absence of all the monitors? And no cops anywhere?” Revan said. “Soon I’ll be a free man again.”
Stella looked around and saw a regular hospital room, not a technology-enhanced mini-lab like the Emergency Department.
“What’s new? How are you feeling?” Naomi asked.
“The doctors are happy with my lab results and everything else. I’m just waiting for my discharge instructions and then I’m good to go. I can’t wait to get out and take a shower without any assistance,” he looked at Naomi and grinned. “On second thought, what if I feel a little wobbly and need a helping hand?”
“I’m sure your hotel has a little stool you can borrow to sit on in the shower. But why don’t you tell us what possessed you to go down into those mines?”
“I was supposed to take photos. Four days later, I saw the sunlight again.” He winked, “And you, of course, Nugget. The highlight of my day so far.”
“Nice try, Rev. We want the minute-by-minute scoop, not the edited version for your mother,” Naomi sat down in one of the chairs. She slipped her feet out of her sandals and put them on Rev’s bed. “Okay, I’m comfortable now. Start at the beginning. Best start with how you know the women who dragged you with them.”
“Seriously? You want me to go back to Adam and Eve?”
The door opened and two women in white coats entered the room. The younger one said, “Mr. Forrester, I’m Dr. Petit. I want to go over the discharge instructions with you, and Suzette has made a copy for you of your lab work and test results. In a few minutes, you are free to leave.”
“No shots or medicine?” Revan asked and accepted the envelope from the nurse.
“No, but we want you to follow up with your own physician as soon as you get home. Because you’ve been under strenuous conditions for the past days, we recommend you are not alone for the next twenty-four hours. Dizziness, nausea, or general weakness can still occur. Do you have someone who can assist you?”
“My fiancée is here and just said she won’t even let me take a shower by myself. She’s afraid I can’t stand up long enough.” Revan grinned and patted the bed. “Nugget, come sit with me. Don’t be shy.”
“Nothing will stand up in the shower if I’m there,” Naomi muttered.
Thirty minutes later they walked together through the glass doors into the bright afternoon sunshine.
“Man, this feels really good.” Revan took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and turned his face up to the sun.
“You can let go of my hand now,” Naomi said. “The charade is over.”
“We can’t risk it. I might get dizzy. You heard the good doctor,” he replied.
“You heard me, too. Let go of my hand.”
“Okay, okay,” he dropped her hand and put his arm around her shoulders.
“You’re intolerable. Why do I even talk to you?”
“You’re like a moth to my flame,” he said and kissed her on the head.
“Moth to your flame? Did you hit your head a few too many times in those tunnels?” She patted his head.
Stella followed their exchange intently. Under different circumstances, Naomi would revel in being held by Revan, but at this moment, it was looking like she couldn’t take much more. The stress of the past few days was ebbing, and now they needed to take time to work through everything they experienced.
Together, they walked to the nearest taxi stand and told the driver their destination.
“I can’t believe your hotel is so close to ours,” Stella said when they arrived.
“Isn’t life just full of surprises,” Revan said. “Why don’t we all go to my room for a minute, but then I need some time alone. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to see you all, but give me an hour or two. And I guess my parents would appreciate a phone call, too.”
Once in his room, they didn’t bother sitting down.
“Do you need to be at the press conference at six?” David asked. Revan had mentioned one during their taxi ride.
“No, they invited me, but I have nothing to say. Let the big shots smile into the cameras and pretend they know what they’re talking about. I want a big steak and something decent to drink.”
“Here’s a suggestion.” David looked from Stella to Naomi and then back at Revan. “Why don’t we all meet in three hours at the restaurant downstairs. I’ll make a reservation on our way out. We can catch up on a few things, and celebrate having you back, man.” He slapped Revan on his back.
Stella asked, “Can we invite Julia and Alexander to dinner, too?”
Revan said, “I don’t know who they are, but it’s fine with me. Okay, in three hours. Downstairs.”
Turning to leave, Naomi stopped and asked, “Wait Rev, the doctor said you shouldn’t be alone. Do you want one of us to stay here?”
“Nugget, what a kind offer. But no thanks. I love you like a sister, but I prefer to shower without being watched.”
“I was going to volunteer the Troubadour.” She smiled widely at David, but he only laughed at her
