The first thing David saw when he opened his eyes was the nurse with the pretty face and the kind voice. She was studying the monitors beside his bed but noticed him stirring.

“Hey, how are you feeling, David?”

“I’m not sure yet. Groggy.”

“You did great in surgery. The doctor will tell you more. He’s been speaking with your parents. Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

“I’m not sure.”

The nurse smiled. “I’ll get a tray for you and some water. You can eat when you feel ready.”

“Okay, thank you,” David said.

When he opened his eyes again, he heard a familiar voice. Nate came around the corner holding his phone up to capture the moment.

“There’s the man. The legend. How do you feel, Captain America?”

“Hey, buddy, feeling pretty weak.”

“You know, Cap was weak and puny before he was transformed. Actually, you’re looking a little green. Do you know who else was green?”

“Don’t say it.”

“Dr. David Banner was weak before he turned green.” Nate gasped. “Dr. David Colton Banner?”

David smiled.

Nate turned his attention to the untouched food on the tray at the foot of the bed. He found a container of Jell-O cubes and began scarfing them.

“How’s our superhero doing?” the nurse asked as she walked through the door.

“I am no superhero,” David said, his throat dry.

“Can I help you?” the nurse said to Nate.

“Oh yeah, can I get some more of this?” He pointed to the container he held.

“Are you family?” she said.

“I’m more than family.”

David’s mom and dad entered the room. David sighed, glad to see more familiar faces.

“Baby, you’re awake,” his mom said and kissed him on the forehead.

David’s father stood next to Nate. “We’ve never seen this man in our entire life.”

The nurse glared at Nate.

“Hey!” Nate said in protest.

“He’s fine,” his dad said, smiling. “Just keep security nearby.”

“Well, David’s doing fine,” the nurse said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to change his meds.”

“Hey, we brought pasta!” David’s father said.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” David said.

“Oh, I love pasta,” Nate said.

Susan took a seat in a chair near her son. Jimmy sat on the bed across from her. She studied David’s face. He seemed a little pale but he was alert now and not singing or otherwise affected by the anesthesia.

“They haven’t told me anything yet,” David said.

Susan glanced at Jimmy. They had practiced what they would say in the hallway.

“Well, we talked to the doctor,” Jimmy said. “They relieved the pressure, and he said that you shouldn’t have any more headaches.”

“Praise the Lord,” David said.

“Yeah, a lot of people have been praying for you,” Susan said. She and Jimmy exchanged glances and she could see the pain on her husband’s face.