“I saw him. We talked.” She turned to me, her eyes dark and shiny. “He said he wasn’t in pain. It hurt at first, but it doesn’t hurt now. He told me he was happy. That this was the best year of his life. This year with Jenny and the kids. Then he looked at me, closed his eyes, and said, ‘You are a great mom.’” Charlene’s eyes were full, and tears began to fill mine. When she told me this, I realized the gravity of the situation. Somehow the fact that he was conscious, that he was talking, that they had cut him down and he was in the hospital, made it seem redeemable. But Luke sensed his own peril.

The doctors came out, a group of five. A man with even teeth and hair graying at the front stepped forward. We walked toward them. “It’s a testament to his strength and youth that he’s alive.” He nodded to Charlene. “We’ll have to remove the rod. We considered sliding it out of him the way it went in but decided it’s better to open him up to remove it. It will be a long and difficult surgery and we’ll do the best we can. Luke is fully aware of the possible consequences and difficulties.”

Charlene nodded, trying to comprehend what this meant, even though it was straightforward. “Will he be all right?” Her mind couldn’t grasp the change that had just happened.

The doctor blinked. “If he survives the surgery, it’ll be a long recovery and at this point we don’t know what limits or disabilities he may have.” He shifted his weight. “But your son is determined.”

The doctor was accustomed to people seeking reassurance and positive outcomes that he couldn’t promise. “We’ll do the best we can, he’s got his youth and strength in his favor, and we’ll have to see what happens.”

Charlene and I stood, swaying from one foot to the other, holding our purses.

“You can go in and see him now. We gave him something to keep him comfortable and we’ll be taking him to the OR shortly.” He checked his watch. His hair was cut very short and his scalp was pink. “In fifteen minutes.”

Luke’s face was so pale that his eyes appeared brightly green, almost like glass doll’s eyes. When he saw us, he smiled. “Hi, Aunt Marn.”

When I leaned to kiss him, his forehead was alarmingly cool but lacquered with sweat. He twitched a grin and then smiled at his mom. She grabbed his hand.

“Where’s Jenny?”

“We haven’t been able to reach her.”