As I surfaced, pain was my first thought.
Then relief because if I was in pain, then I was clearly still alive.
I cleared my throat and attempted to open my eyes.
“Hey, you’re awake.” A gentle hand pressed to my shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
“Pain.” My mouth tasted like someone had taken a dump in it.
“I’ll increase the pain drip and tell your doctor. She’s going to want to see you.”
Slowly, I opened my eyes. A young man I didn’t recognize stood over the bed. “I’m the doctor on ICU tonight, and before you ask, I’m thirty-two.”
I blinked.
He grinned. “Dr. Tang. I have my driver’s license if you don’t believe me.”
“No, um, believe you.” Because he was the one in charge of my pain drip. I’d do anything to keep in his good graces. “Head fuzzy. How…?”
“The surgery went well, and so
