“Cool.”
Shanks had come back with a yellow legal pad and a pen. JD stood up. “If you need something . . .”
“I’ll let you know.”
Shanks walked Ben into a secluded spot with a couple of empty chairs. “Walk me through the day.”
Ben did so, with the modifications suggested to him by Ortiz and Shanks. The entire recitation took longer than he thought it would and wore him out.
Shanks said, “You did good.”
“You’re satisfied?”
“I am. You were clearly acting in self-defense and you were in fear for your life. I—and everyone around me—will recommend that no charges be brought against you.”
“You’re sure about that? Barnes is going to tell a different story.”
“His DNA is going to put him at the scene of four murders. There were forty cops there to witness what happened and to back you up. A little girl is fighting for her life.” Shanks closed his notebook. “There are things in life you’ll worry about. This won’t be one of them.”
Chapter 17
Limbo is defined as the place between heaven and hell, but it’s way more hell than heaven. The waiting was interminable, but the group kept saying if it was taking this long it must be good news.
At midnight—around eight hours after the attack—two surgeons dressed in green scrubs, still wearing caps and shoe covers, came out of a locked door and looked around the waiting room. George bounced up and so did June. The surgeons spoke to the Tafoyas, who kept nodding—no wailing. Ben took that as a good sign.
George looked around, eyes falling on Ben. He motioned the kid over, then put a protective arm around him. One of the surgeons was tall and graying, and had piercing blue eyes. “Are you the kid who called me? Vicksburg?”
“That was me. You’re Dr. Winslow?”
“I am. That was quick thinking on your feet.”
Ben had a thousand questions, but knew better than to ask any. Not with Lilly’s parents around. George said, “She made it through the surgery. She’s in guarded condition.”
Relief did not even begin to describe Ben’s emotions. “Guarded is good, right?”
“It’s a very good outcome considering what she went through,” Winslow said. “She’s in recovery. We’ll transfer her to the ICU and then you can see her. That’s going to take a couple of hours.”
Ben couldn’t help himself. “What about her . . . you know.” He touched his neck.
“Her vocal cords?” Winslow said. “There was damage, but not as bad as it could have been. Vocal cords aren’t really cords like a string. They are more like an accordion. I can’t say anything definite, but I’m optimistic. She’ll likely need another operation—maybe two—and vocal rehabilitation.”
“But she’ll talk again?”
“I’m optimistic.”
“Enough questions,” George said. “Go home, Ben. Take care of yourself.”
June was staring at Ben with dry eyes. “George is right. Go home. And thank you, Ben.”
“Honestly, I’m gonna stick around. Do you guys need coffee or anything?”
“No. If you’re not going home, then go back to your crowd. Give us a moment to digest all this shit.” George kissed the top of the boy’s head. “You know how grateful I am to you and whatsherface, right?”
“Right.”
“Okay. Go away.”
“What should I tell everyone? They’re gonna ask.”
“Just tell them that she made it through surgery. Everyone should leave and give us some peace and quiet. It’s hard looking at everyone with them pretending not to see me. Tell them all to pack it in, including the tribe. I don’t need their fucking incantations. I mean, if they want to do it in Santa Clara, that’s fine. I will appreciate the community support later on, but right now, I’m too sick to deal with anyone, including you. So go away.”
“I’m leaving.”
He was greeted by expectant faces.
Ben gave a thumbs-up, which was answered by spontaneous smiles and sighs of relief. “She made it through surgery and is in guarded condition. That’s all I know.” He rubbed his eyes. “George wants everyone to leave. Our presence is making him nervous.”
Slowly, people started to gather up their belongings. Henry came up and he and Ben fist-bumped. Ben’s grandparents came over, his grandma saying, “Are you coming to the house, Benny?”
“Eventually. I’m gonna stick around here for now.”
Ro said, “You just said everyone should leave.”
“I’m not included in everyone.” To his grandma: “I’ll be here for a while. I’ll call you to pick me up when I’m ready, okay?”
“When will that be?”
“Tomorrow morning, probably.”
“Benny, you need to rest.”
“I know, I know. Go. I’ll call you later.” He turned to Ro. “George says thank you for what you did with Lilly.”
“He did? I didn’t think he even knew my name.”
“He didn’t. He called you ‘whatsherface.’”
“Okay, that figures.”
The crowd had thinned to Sam Shanks and the families—Ro’s as well as Ben’s. Ben looked at Griff. “No long faces, okay, dude? We’re all just doing the best we can. And it’s gonna be okay.”
“I’m staying with you,” Haley said.
Ben knew this was something she had to do. “Okay, Hales. Stay with me. A little company might not be bad.”
“I’m staying with her,” Griff said.
“And I’m staying with you,” Ro said to Griff.
“And we’re staying with you,” Ro’s dad told them.
Ben’s dad said, “Mom and I are not leaving without Haley and you, Ben. What if you start to bleed and you need help?”
“Dad, I’m in a hospital.”
His mom said, “If you stay, we’re staying. End of discussion.”
“Whatever. Do what you want.”
The group was silent for a few minutes, but eventually people started to talk—slowly at first, then the pace picked up. Shanks got coffee and doughnuts. He took some over to the Tafoyas, who joined the crowd until they were all chatting away about things both big and trivial. From graduation to Ellen’s childhood. From Ro’s college choices to Gretchen’s illness. And of course, they all told stories about Lilly. It was nonsense talk, but it was serious conversation. There were a lot of wet eyes interspersed with the occasional smile and even a chuckle or two.
Just passing time.
As soon as Lilly was moved to the ICU, the powwow started to break up. June and George immediately left to be with their daughter. George’s sons left for Las Cruces. Griff and his parents called it a day. Shanks needed to get back to River Remez to begin his paperwork. And Ben’s parents insisted that Haley go home and get some sleep.
It was down to Ro and Ben. Since Lilly was still alive, it was a safe bet that graduation would go on and that was okay because life goes on. At the ceremony, there would probably be the requisite moment of silence, and even though it was nonsense, it made people feel better, so why not?