Day 14- Sean and Ricardo

The heart monitor beeped steadily, and he opened his eyes. Sean felt like he was floating on a cotton ball.

“What happened to me? Why am I here?”

The ICU nurse, Anton, replied: “We found you unconscious outside of Benny’s Bar. 4 guys were kicking you, and one was doing stuff to you with a beer bottle. You’re lucky you’re still pretty much ok and can probably go back to solid foods one day.”

He shifted. About half an hour later another nurse came in. Sean had nodded off from the painkillers.

“You have some people here to see you.”

It was Ricardo, Ricardo’s mother, Francisca and Ricardo’s brother and sister. Ricardo ran to his side.

“Oh, my love,” he cried, showering him with kisses. Sean’s face was still covered with bruises and cuts. Another one of his attackers had broken a beer bottle and run a broken piece of glass across his skin while he was unconscious, drawing patterns on his face. Ricardo made sure not to kiss his face and instead kissed his swollen hands.

“Once you can eat normally again, we’re gonna make you veggie enchiladas, mijo,” said Francisca.

Ricardo’s sister Anna gently offered forth something in an envelope. Sean opened it shakily.

“Get Well Soon, from Anna, Ben, Shirin and Mark.” A funny doodle signed the bottom of the page.

“Thank you so, so much,” whispered Ricardo weakly, with a partially toothless smile.
--
Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and Sean’s body healed. He was able to eat solid foods again, and he was infinitely thankful that there had been no damage to his lower digestive system.

One day in the park, Ricardo got down on his knee and proposed. The ring was simple and silver, and a few weeks later Sean had chosen one to give to Ricardo as well. “Let’s forget this world,” said Ricardo. 
“For we are really the only thing in it that the other one needs. The guys who attacked you earlier this year will get their reward. Me, I’m lucky to have you.”

“I guess the old guy still wanted me around for some reason.” Sean looked up at the sky and chuckled softly.

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