Lucas Scott struggled to open his eyes, which were heavy from the medicated induced sleep various doctors and nurses had been pumping into his veins. It had only been a few days since he had regained consciousness, a scary situation that had been touch and go for a few days.
He barely had a recollection of the accident that had caused it all. He had been home on college break from Wake Forest. It was the last week and he was on his way to pick his mother up from work with his uncle Keith. One moment all was right with the world and they were laughing and talking about Luke's impending basketball game. The next there was a loud crash and a scream and the shattering of glass. Lucas had woken up days later, brought back from the brink of death twice with several electric shocks to his heart. He opened his eyes and the doctors smiled and his mother wept. All was okay. That was until Lucas tried to move his lower body.
He shifted uncomfortably in the hospital bed, which he was confined to. That was the worst part for him, the awful feeling of being trapped. There was a slight tingling in his legs but his back, bottom, and feet were completely numb. He looked around the dark hospital room that was filled with beautiful flowers from friends, relatives, and various other well wishers. There were balloons and cards and stuffed animals as well. It was a sweet and thoughtful gesture meant to raise his spirits and speed along his physical recovery but for Lucas, the sight along with the smell of the flowers, was enough to make him literally sick to his stomach.
Lucas tried to move but it was quite impossible when the lower half of his body was refusing to cooperate. He'd give anything to toss and turn like a normal person but his tall, slender frame would have none of it. Mentally, he willed himself to sleep, his only form of escape from what was a new and harsh reality. He had just reached that middle passageway of being half awake, half into a restless slumber, when the door opened. The room was rather dark so the light from the hallway hurt his eyes.
"Luke" a soft voice whispered. "Honey, are you sleeping"
Lucas rolled his eyes.
"Not anymore", he answered, his voice drenched with bitterness and sarcasm.
"Oh honey, it's so dreary in here. How can you sit in the dark?" his mother Karen Rowe asked as she opened the shades. "You know, it's not good for you to sit around all mopey like this."
"Well, Mom, in case you didn't notice, being partially paralyzed isn't too good for me either."
Karen bit her lip and tried to ignore the comment. The doctor said mood swings would be normal. Instead, she pulled up a chair next to the bed. She reached in a bag and pulled out a card that bore dozens of signatures and even more recovery wishes.
Lucas stared down blankly at it.
"Miss you, dude""Luke, get better soon""We need you back""Can't crush Duke without you".
"They're from the team. Your coach sent them over. Wasn't that nice"
Lucas shrugged and looked at all the other stuff he had received.
"It's all the same, Mom."
His voice was flat and emotionless.
Karen sat not quite knowing what to do. She had never seen her son like that in all his 21 years. He had always been vivacious and energetic, always the "glass is half full as opposed to half empty" sort of child. Now he was bruised and broken, crumpled in a mobile bed, no one quite knowing if or when he'd be able to get up. It killed her as it would any mother. Just one look at the blank yet pain filled glint in her son's eyes and it broke Karen's heart. Clearing her throat, she reached into the bag she had brought and pulled out the newspaper. She turned to the Sports section.
"Let's see, last year LeBron James was first among the rookies in points and assists per game followed by Carmello Anthony. This year he is third in the league and…"
Lucas rolled his eyes. He knew she meant well but the last thing on his mind were the latest NBA stats.
"When did you become a big basketball fan?" he mumbled.
"Lucas, I know it's important to you so I try to keep up."
"Well, it's not important anymore. In case you didn't realize, I have more pressing issues to think about."
Karen looked at her only child with sad eyes and right away Lucas felt guilty. He knew it was hard on her. He heard her muffled cries late at night when she thought he was sleeping.
"Mom, look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to snap at you", he apologized.
"I know. Listen, Luke, some of the guys have asked about maybe coming to visit you…"
"Mom…"
"Lucas, they are your friends. They're really concerned. Everyone is. Maybe...maybe it would do you good to see them, maybe..."
"No, Mom! I know what you're getting at and the answer is still no"
"Lu..."
"Why can't you understand" he started in frustration as he stared up at the ceiling. "It's too soon, Mom. Everyone would mean well but they would just come here with pity in their eyes...I don't want people feeling sorry for me! Besides, when I look at them, it only reminds me of the accident...and the person I was before that."
Karen sighed as she stroked her son's hand.
"Okay. It was just an idea. It's okay...don't get upset, it's gonna be okay."
"I'm sorry..."
"No, honey, you don't have to apologize, okay? But I think there is one person here you might want to see."
Lucas felt his cheeks getting hot.
"Mom, I told you, no visitors."
The door crept open and a head peered in through the side.
"Not even me" the voice asked.
An immediate grin spread out upon Luke's face.
"Hales" he exclaimed.
His best friend since childhood and now sister in law, thanks to her marriage to his younger brother, Nathan, returned his smile then leapt happily onto the bed beside him.
"What's up, Buddy" she asked, using the pet name they had called each other since they were little kids.
Karen smiled. She hadn't seen Lucas happy in so long and she knew if one person could cheer him up, it would be Haley. They had met years ago in elementary school, befriending each other at the monkey bars during recess. The friendship had lasted throughout the years and when Lucas finally developed a relationship with the father and brother he had spent his life estranged from, something unexpected had happened. Nathan and Haley had fallen in love and the Scott brothers plus one, had become Tree Hill North Carolina's most infamous inseparable trio. Karen, sensing her presence was no longer needed kissed both her son and the young woman she had come to love as a daughter as she left them alone to talk.
"Did you bring me a present"
"I thought you were tired of presents."
"Yeah the ones that suck like flowers and these stupid ass balloons flying everywhere."
"Maybe I did bring you something and I actually think you might like this one. I'm sure if you see another stuffed bear, you'll puke!"
Lucas laughed out loud. Haley always seemed to know exactly what he was thinking and feeling but most importantly, she always knew exactly how to make him feel better. Taking the gift, Lucas carefully unwrapped the package to find a beautiful porcelain frame with a photo of Nathan and Haley's two year old daughter, Brittany inside. Tears clouded Luke's eyes.
"You know, Britt misses her uncle."
"And her uncle misses her", Lucas commented softly.
The mood was heavy and Haley felt her own tears forming.
"Enough of this mushy crap", she said. "Let's watch some TV."
Lucas scowled as Haley flipped through channels. Finding a mutual enjoyable show to watch had never been one of the strong points of the friendship.
"It's no use, Hales. Nothing is ever on this time in the afternoon."
Haley grinned devilishly and put her arm around her brother in law.
"What are you talking about? The best show in the world is on right now."
Lucas rolled his eyes.
"I'm almost afraid to ask...what is it"
Her brown eyes sparkled.
"Promise you won't get mad?"
"Hales…"
"What? I just don't want you getting all pissed and snatching the remote…"
"Yeah right. Like I'm gonna get up and chase you around. Hales, I have to use a bedpan for God's sakes."
She made a face, then playfully smacked him. Although he was telling the truth, he was teasing her.
"Luke, that's so not funny! Anyway, my favorite soap is on…Guiding Light."
Lucas groaned and leaned back into the pillow. Soap operas! He knew for sure there was no way he could win the battle over the remote. As he looked at the screen, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Before they both knew it, he was fast asleep.
