Snapshots
One Afternoon
"You did really well today Casey," Severide spoke to him clearly, "It was nice to watch."
"Watch what?"
"Your physio session," Severide replied, the smile hid his sad eyes from Casey. He was still having lots of short term memory issues and the doctor wasn't sure if they would resolve. No one was really sure of anything. Brain injuries are tricky, it felt like those four words had been on repeat for the last few weeks and Severide was fed up of it, he wished there was something more concrete, but then he would just step back and think; at least Casey had woken up.
"I'm walking?"
"Yeah," Severide nodded, still smiling, "You walked quite a bit today. You're doing really well."
Casey looked entirely disinterested in what Severide was saying, he was struggling to keep eye contact, in fact Severide can't recall Casey managing to make eye contact with anyone since he'd woke. "I'm tired," Casey stated.
"Close your eyes," he replied softly, "Get some sleep."
"Don't wanna sleep."
"Sleep's good for you," Severide told him.
"No…" Casey moaned and Severide was quite sure how to respond. Casey grew frustrated when no one understood him but how was Severide supposed to understand that even though he was tired he didn't want to sleep because when he woke he'd be disoriented and confused when Casey didn't understand that himself. Severide remained silent and watched as Casey drifted into an uneasy sleep, he wished the doctors hadn't reduced Casey's painkillers but Casey was the one who'd requested it, he didn't want to side against him, didn't want to take away all his control.
