Chapter 4
As the trio drove away, Elizabeth sat with Neal and was comforting him. "Where would you like to go sweetie."
"Nowhere. My ass is killing me and I don't feel well. Can I just go home? To my own house." He looked truly sad and tired.
"I'm sorry but I would like you to come home with us. I want to keep an eye on you. I won't let Peter bully you anymore today." She smiled that beautiful smile while rubbing his back and once again Neal's anger disappeared: well with El anyway.
With Peter on the other hand, Neal was in full blown sulking child mode. He was not happy with Peter and he felt violated, invaded and in pain. He felt so much worse than before he went to see Andy. He thought it could not get any worse, when Peter's phone rang.
"Sure, I understand. We will get there as soon as possible. Okay thanks. I appreciate it."
Peters face was pale now and he looked pretty nervous.
"What's going on? Is something wrong?" Now Neal was nervous too.
"As it turns out, Buddy the reason you haven't been feeling well lately is because your blood sugar is high. You are going to need some further testing in a hospital to see what the problem is and what treatments will be needed.
"Why, what does he thinks wrong with me, I'm not going, I…"
"Hey, hey, not going isn't an option. He's not a hundred percent sure what you have, but he wants to test you for diabetes. There are different kinds. Andy says that because you are young and healthy, this should not be something that will make too many changes in your life. You will just need to take responsibility and take care of yourself."
As the words were leaving her husband's mouth, Elizabeth was moving to Neal's side. He looked like he was going to pass out and she noticed the tears welling up once again. She wrapped him up in her arms and put his head on her shoulder. "Sweetie, we will get through this. We are your family and we will help you."
Above his head Neal could feel her tears landing on him.
"Let's take a minute to gather up some stuff to spend the night and then we need to get going." Peter was trying to take control of the situation and remain stoic, but in truth, he was just as nervous and scared as Neal. He couldn't allow anything to happen to his best friend.
They rode to the hospital in silence to meet Andy. Neal seemed to be in some kind of shock which was beginning to worry them, but at least he wasn't trying to run away. As they spent the next twenty four hours in the hospital, they did everything possible to make Neal happy and comfortable. There was lots of valium administered and Peter wished he could get some too. Elizabeth bought every art magazine and some playing cards and crossword puzzle books. Neal was polite to her as usual but he was truly unhappy. When it was time to leave and Andy came in to give them the instructions, Neal realized that his life was about to be turned upside down.
"What do you mean check my sugar at least 3 times a day? Do you mean you want me to stick that needle in my finger? Are you crazy! There has to be another way. Please, I can't do it."
Peter gave Andy an affirmative nod to continue.
"No wine!" Tears were welling up once again. "What am I supposed to drink?"
Elizabeth was once again at his side stroking his back and hair.
At the next instruction, Neal began to physically shake and sob. He couldn't believe he was supposed to inject the insulin into his body every day. And they recommend that it go in his stomach! He was going to die. He heard nothing else after that and Peter was also at his side now, with his hand planted firmly on his shoulder.
"We are gonna do this together buddy. I promise we will get through it. I won't let anything happen to you. Let's get out of here and go home." Peter knew that he had to oversee all of this and the best way was to bring Neal to stay with them until he adjusted to everything. This was not going to be easy but he had to be the strong one.
Elizabeth had heard all of the dietary restrictions and was mentally calculating what she needed from the grocery store. She planned to 'wow' Neal with some recipes she had gotten on the internet while she was sitting in the hospital. She was full speed ahead on "Operation, cheer up Neal."
The first day was the toughest. El and Peter were instructed on the insulin injections and doses and where it could be administered. They knew that this was not going to be easy, but they would get through it. Peter called Hughes and requested two weeks medical leave for both himself and his CI. Hughes had grown quite fond of Neal and told Peter to take all the time they needed and offered any assistance he could give. He also informed Peter that due to Neal's condition he would have to be placed on limited field work. Neal was still sulking around and he hadn't even had to check his sugar yet. Elizabeth was so proud of the meal she whipped up, but Neal ate it halfheartedly and she was disappointed. She wanted Neal back.
The time came to check his sugar and administer his first injection.
"Neal, come on into the kitchen so we can check your level, please." Peter tried to sound nonchalant, but he knew in his heart that he was going to have to change tactics. When Neal didn't move from the couch or respond, he tried again aiming to sound calm and nice. "Would you prefer to do it right here? I can go and get the machine." Once again there was no response from his friend. Peter transformed his approach from friend to father. "Neal, I won't ask you again. There is no choice in this matter. It is important and we are going to do this so if you are not at that kitchen table on the count of three, I will be removing my belt as I promised you before. One…" Peter watched the look on Neal's face change quickly from blank to terrified. He did not even get to two and Neal was off the couch like a shot and seated at the table. He must have sat hard and quick forgetting about all of the vaccinations because he heard him squeal as his behind hit the hard wood.
"Peter, please don't make me do this. I'm begging you. I will eat better and exercise and I will make myself normal again. I promise."
"Neal, this is not something you can control just like that. All of those things will help but we have to do this. We are going to learn to deal with this together. However long it takes. El is going to come in also and we are doing it TOGETHER."
Neal now realized that he had no choice and as he sat in the Burkes kitchen with Elizabeth and Peter, he tried very hard to hold back a fresh set of tears.
Elizabeth was quickly at his side. "Do you want to try and do it yourself sweetie?" Neal nodded his head furiously. He couldn't prick his own finger. He wasn't sure he would ever be able to. One lonely tear was running down his cheek. Peter and Elizabeth's hearts were breaking for their friend; their boy. She was now running one hand through his hair, and the other was holding his hand. She helped him push it toward Peter and his menacing instrument. Neal buried his head in her warm shoulder and held his breath as his friend pricked his finger and then squeezed the droplet of blood onto the stick.
"Looks good Bud, the numbers are just where they should be and you did really great with the finger prick. In no time you will be doing it without even thinking. I am really proud of you."
Neal smiled a bit. He loved to make Peter proud. His small smile made Peter very happy, but he knew that the next part was not going to go as easy.
"Now how are we going to do the insulin? I know that you didn't really pay attention so we need to go over the options."
Neal Paled and then went into full blown toddler tantrum mode again. "MY NUMBERS ARE FINE! NOBODY IS STICKING ME WITH ANYTHING!" He jumped up and left the table, stomping his feet with each step.
Peter sighed and stood up. He followed Neal out to the living room, but Neal had taken off in a run. He was up the stairs in a flash and Peter heard the door slam. El was right behind her husband and she put her arms around him. She planted some butterfly kisses on his back in an attempt to calm his nerves. "We will work it out. He will get used to it, but for now I think you need to lay down the law. This is too important. Try and be nice, but please make him understand that we are in it for the long haul and we have no intention of losing him. Go talk to him and I will come up in a few minutes with the supplies and some nice warm tea.
"Ok, Hon! I love you and I don't think we could do this without you. Give me about fifteen minutes."
Elizabeth could hear the distinct sound of leather hitting flesh and the loud cries of her boy. She couldn't stop her own tears from falling now. She had been holding back for days. She was trying hard to be strong for everyone but her heart was breaking. She knew that Neal needed this punishment on so many levels. He needed to know that they loved and cared about him as if he were their own child. He needed to really cry out the stress and fear that he has been holding back since he found out his condition and the dangers that went with it if not properly monitored and controlled. And he needed to know that unfortunately, none of this was optional. Most of all he needed to know he wasn't alone, loved, tough love if need be, but loved.
Still, she felt bad for him. She waited until the ordeal was over and made her way up the stairs to do the mothering and comforting. When she arrived, he was a sobbing mess and Peter was holding him and rubbing his back. She went and joined them in an embrace. Neal left Peter and took all the comfort Elizabeth had to offer. She brought him down onto the bed and explained that it was time for his shot. She held him in a tight hug so she had his arm tightly under hers while Peter administered the shot to the fleshy bit on the back of his arm. He let out an audible gasp and was shaking slightly. El pulled him down and directed him onto his stomach. She rubbed his back for a few minutes and he fell asleep. His sleep looked peaceful. Peter and Elizabeth stood and watched him sleep for a bit and then went down to prepare some lunch. They would let him sleep as long as he needed. It had been a tough day and it wasn't even lunchtime.
As scared as Neal was he had such a warm feeling in his heart for this family that he was blessed with. Under the circumstances that they met, he would never believe in a million years that his life could have turned out like this. They had no reason to support him like this and yet here in was, in their house, eating special meals they were preparing just for him and after they spent twenty four hours in the hospital with him. He was the luckiest man in the world. He would have to learn to do this and it wasn't just for himself. It was for his family. As scared as he was, he never felt safer than he did at this moment and it was all unconditional…Well except for the; "if you don't take care of yourself I'll rip you a new one…" He laughed to himself and then smiled, yep, besides that… He was no longer alone.
The End!
