Chapter 8: The Hospital Visit
The sterile, antiseptic smell of the pediatric intensive care unit was entirely familiar to both Richard and his two new guests. As they walked down the brightly lit corridor, Sarah held Maya's hand tightly. The beeping monitors and the sight of nurses moving frantically from room to room triggered a heavy wave of PTSD for the grieving mother, but she pushed through it for Richard's sake.
When they reached Leo's room, Richard pushed the heavy glass door open. Leo was awake, propped up on several pillows. The terrifying blue tint of his skin from the day before was entirely gone, replaced by a healthy, vibrant complexion. The temporary tracheostomy valve had been replaced with a brand-new, top-of-the-line model.
"Daddy!" Leo rasped, his voice weak and scratchy from the trauma, but joyful nonetheless.
Richard rushed to the bedside, carefully wrapping his arms around his son. "Hey, buddy. You gave me quite a scare yesterday."
"I fell down," Leo mumbled, burying his face in his father's shirt. "I couldn't breathe, Daddy. It was dark."
"I know, Leo, I know," Richard choked back tears. He pulled away slightly and turned toward the door. "But I brought someone to see you. Someone you need to meet."
Maya stepped forward hesitantly. In her clean, borrowed clothes—a bright yellow sundress and new sneakers that Maria had rushed out to buy—she looked like a completely different child than the street urchin from the airport. But her eyes still held that same intense, ancient wisdom.
Leo looked at her, his head tilting to the side. "Who are you?"
"I'm Maya," she said quietly, stepping closer to the bed.
"Maya is the one who helped you when you fell, Leo," Richard explained softly. "She fixed your breathing tube so you could wake up."
Leo’s eyes widened. He looked at the little girl, taking in her small stature. Having grown up surrounded by adult doctors, nurses, and specialists, the idea that another kid had fixed his complicated machinery was mind-boggling to him.
"You know how it works?" Leo asked, pointing to the plastic valve at his throat.
Maya nodded. She walked right up to the edge of the hospital bed. Without hesitation, she pointed to a small scar just below Leo's collarbone. "I know about the pacemaker, too. And I know that sometimes the tube makes your throat itch, but you aren't supposed to scratch it, or it will beep."
Leo gasped, looking at his father in amazement. "She knows the rules!"
"I learned them for my little brother, Toby," Maya said. "He had the same machinery."
"Where is Toby?" Leo asked innocently.
The room fell deadly silent. Sarah turned away, pressing a hand over her mouth. Richard froze, unsure of how to navigate the painful truth with his fragile son.
But Maya didn't flinch. She reached out and gently patted Leo’s hand. "Toby went to heaven. His battery ran out. But you have a very good battery, Leo. You don't have to be afraid of the dark anymore."
May you like
Leo looked at Maya’s serious face, sensing the weight of her words even if he didn't fully understand death. He reached out and wrapped his small fingers around Maya's hand. "Thank you for fixing my tube, Maya."
Maya smiled—a real, genuine smile that lit up her entire face. "You're welcome, Leo."
