A/n: the next exciting installment! sorry it took a few extra days. real life reared its' ugly head. I hate being a responsible adult.
Chapter 2
May 12th
The other day Dr T asked me how I wanted to 'sober up' as he laughingly put it. Morphine, in case you didn't know, is slightly additive and even the most stalwart of people succumb to it's evil embrace. Now lots of people have no issues at all. And a few do. We had no idea where I fell as surprisingly enough given my penchant for bodily injury I had never been on it for more than a day or so. He gave me an option: cold turkey or a gradual dialing down of the drip. He explained the differences between the two and the recovery time.. Hmm.. almost 2 weeks on the weaning, or about 3 or 4 days the hard way. My name is Joe Hardy and I am the second most Stubborn Man on the planet. Dad still reigns supreme. Of course I went for the cold turkey method. I knew I could hack it.
Which is why at 2 am that night I was begging Nurse Keller to call Frank and get him in here. It's easier to hack anything with your Big Brother there to hold your hand as you go through withdrawal. All those nerve endings that were blissfully asleep? Woke up pissed as hell. I am pretty sure I said a few naughty words to Frank. And I know I threw a few insults at him. And once I clearly remember telling him this was all his fault. He winced, and then held me in his arms as I cried myself to sleep. Maybe that's what he wanted? For me to get mad at him and blame him? I dunno. I will say this.. I am not entirely sure I didn't mean it. So does this make me an ingrate? Two faced? Insincere?
Took about 48 hours before the cold sweats stopped. And at least I know that the nerves aren't dead. Went from not feeling anything at all to feeling way too damn much. I actually was glad when Tracy my PT showed up with her Ice Cold Hands of Doom. My legs are on fire. With her massaging them they cooled down and made it almost bearable. She promises a hot tub tomorrow. Says I'll like it. I am skeptical. Not thinking warm water is high on my list of things to like right now. Even if it is all bubbly and swirly. Hmm.. wonder if she will wear a bikini?
May 13th
Know what I can't stand? A smug Physical Therapist who does not wear a bikini. Okay so the hot tub was nice. It had all these cool directional jets that she aimed just so and really got the muscles invigorated. Just getting out of bed was major step forward. I even got to stay in the wheelchair for a few hours and got a real meal, not that swill they serve the patients who can't forage for themselves. Chet says the food is really bad to subconsciously force you to get better faster so you don't have to eat it any more. Phil, ever the cynic, seems to think it is a vast conspiracy by the insurance companies so they don't have pay out as much for long stays. Tony just laughed and said it was better for him that the food sucks. He does a bang up delivery business as Mr Pizza is just a few blocks away.
The guys have been stopping by every few days or so ever since I was allowed to have non family visit. It's helped. They, like my Dad, have not really altered anything about how they act around me. They have no idea how much that makes it easier to deal with. Or maybe they do and that's why they are doing it. I prefer to not dig too deep into their motives. I prefer instead to dig deep into Tony's Ultimate Supreme Deep Dish Pizza. Mmmmm pizza.
May 16th
omygawd I am bored. Every day its the same routine: wake up, get fed something that may or may not be an actual breakfast food. Sponge bath. Trip down to the PT room where Tracy does inhumane things to my legs and shoulder. Lunch which may or may not consist of anything edible or palatable. Daily visits by Doctors T and S. Dinner at least is usually provided by a variety of friends and family. You know it's bad when the peanut butter and jelly sandwich your brother brings you as a joke ends up being the most delicious thing you eat in 48 hours. I don't even like grape jelly...
May 17th
Dr. Taylor wants to spring me! Caveat.. I need to 'demonstrate a few things first'. Getting my butt from the bed into the chair? Done. Although for future reference it is easier to do if you lock the brakes first... take care of ..umm..personal hygiene issues? Yeap managed that too although we will be investing in a long shower hose. I hate baths. All that's left is to traverse the length of those damned parallel bars down in the PT room. Putting weight on both legs and standing upright unaided for at least a minute. Still working on that.
May 23rd
Took me long enough, but I did it. It was easier to concentrate when nobody was watching. Would never ket Frank come to my PT sessions. Was hard enough trying to make my body do stuff it used to do without effort. Having his face there the whole time, either full of pity, or sympathy or worst of all, guilt, was just NOT conducive to me having the right mindset. Of course Dr Suitland seems to think I am being too independent and I need to let Frank and the rest of the family help. He tried to make me understand that I wasn't the only injured party here. That Frank carried a burden too, and my parents are worried about me. Last time I checked, I was the only one in the wheelchair so I fail to see any other 'injury' worthy of comment. Just because I don't want to deal with Big Brother's guilty conscience does not mean I let him off the hook just yet. I turned down his offer to move in with him, even though Mom and Dad will need to make major changes to the house and he lives on the first floor of his apartment building. Mom's the better cook.
May 25th
Freeeeeeedom!. Dad will by in about 2 hours to spring me from this wretched place. Says everything is ready at the house and I will be moving in to his office. He'll be taking over what used to be Aunt Gertrude's bedroom. Still have to see Dr. S twice a week but at least I will be dressed for the sessions from now on. And apparently Tracy makes house calls because she will be stopping by 3 times a week to continue torturing me. Oh, joy. Can't say I will miss this place, that's for sure. I know it's gonna be a long tough road. But at least I made it out alive this time...
A/n: Toying with the idea of dropping the 1st person POV/diary angle and moving forward using a traditional format. it's hard to have a fight between 2 characters when you are only seeing things from one side. and trust me, Frank and joe still have a whopper of a fight coming. both boys need to come to terms with the short and long term repercussions. what do you think?