This fic is turning out different than I planned. I've been so inspired lately. This is set three days after Mike was buried. There will at least be one more chapter after this one.
Today is the day Mike is able to leave the hospital. I arrive bright and early to pick him up. He is dressed and ready to go when I walk into his room.
"How are you feeling today?" I ask him.
"Not bad," he replies. "I'm a little sore, but other than that I'm alright."
"I'm glad you're doing better," I tell him.
"It feels great to be able to go home again. I hate hospitals."
"I know the feeling. Hey, I was wondering if I could stay at your place for a couple of days or until you get your strength back?"
"I don't mind," Mike says, smiling at me.
I was relieved when Mike gave me the ok to stay with him for a while. I thought he would get defensive and tell me he could recover on his own. I don't want to seem overbearing, but I care about him. I don't want him to get hurt again.
"Are you ready?" I ask him.
"Yes," he says.
Mike bends down to grab his bag. He groans in pain.
"I've got it," I tell him. "Don't strain yourself."
I pick up Mike's bag for him, and we walk out of his room. He checks out at the front desk.
"I don't want to see you back here again," the secretary says, smiling at Mike.
"I don't plan on being back here anytime soon," he says.
We walk out of the hospital.
"Did the doctor give you any instructions?" I ask him.
"He pretty much said to just take it easy, no heavy lifting, and no strenuous activity."
"Do you need to use any oxygen?"
"He gave me a portable oxygen tank just in case I need it," he says. "I've been able to breathe pretty well on my own, so I don't think I'll have to use it."
"I don't mean to sound like a nagging parent or anything, but if you get short of breath, use that oxygen," I tell him
"I will."
I open the passenger door for Mike. I put his bag under the seat. I hold onto Mike's arm as he slowly gets into the car. I buckle his seat belt for him.
"Thanks, Ryan," he says.
I walk back to the driver's side and get into the car. I pull out of the hospital parking lot.
"Are you hungry?" I ask him?
He doesn't answer. I look over at him. He is leaning against the window.
"Mike?"
I listen carefully, and I hear him snoring. He fell asleep already. I chuckle and keep driving.
After about a half an hour of driving and listening to nothing but the sound of Mike's snoring, I pull into his driveway.
"You're home," I tell him, gently shaking his shoulder.
He doesn't wake up. I quietly get out of the car and walk to Mike's front door. I find a spare key taped under his mailbox, and unlock the door.
After turning on a few lights, I go back outside. I walk to the Mike's side of the car. I open the door, and gently lift Mike out of the seat. I carry him into his house, and lay him down on the couch. I find his bedroom, and I pull back the covers on his bed. I go back out to his living room and pick him up again. I carry him into his bedroom and lay him in his bed. I pull the covers over him. I close the door behind me as I walk back into the living room.
Two hours later…
I am still sitting in Mike's living room watching television. I hear the creak of a door opening. I turn around, and I see Mike come out of his room.
"Did you have a nice nap?" I ask.
"Yes," he said while yawning. "How long was I out?"
"A couple of hours. You fell asleep on the way home."
"I guess I didn't realize how tired I was," he says.
Mike opens his refrigerator.
"Whoa!" he says, quickly closing it. "I definitely have to clean that out."
"I can help you clean it when you're ready."
"And it looks like I'll have to go grocery shopping."
"Are you up for going now?" I ask him. "I can take you if you want to go."
"Yeah. I'm just going to change my clothes and wash my face really fast."
Mike gets cleaned up, and we head to a local grocery store. Mike does well considering he just got out of the hospital.
"What are you in the mood for tonight?" I ask him.
"I'm feeling a hamburger," he says. "Being around all this food is making me hungry."
"I'll fix us burgers when we get back to your place."
"Sounds good," he says. "It will be nice to have real food again."
"How much did you eat while you were in the hospital?"
"Not very much. I didn't have an appetite for a few days."
"That's understandable," I tell him.
We check out, and walk back to the car. Mike goes to help me with the groceries, but I make him sit down.
"I've got it," I tell him. "Get in the car."
Mike rolls his eyes at me, but he gets into the car. I finish putting the groceries in the trunk. I get into the car and begin the drive back to Mike's house.
"Let me at least carry the light bags," Mike says to me.
"Or you could unlock the house and get things set up for me to cook," I reply.
"Fair enough," Mike says.
Mike goes inside while I unload the groceries.
"I pretty much have everything ready," Mike says. "If you don't mind, I'm going to try to get ahold of my dad while you're cooking."
"I don't mind," I tell him. "I'll let your know when it's time to eat."
Mike goes into his bedroom and closes the door behind him. I begin cooking the burgers. I can hear the sound of Mike's voice coming from his room. I breathe a sigh of relief that he was able to get ahold of his dad.
Ten minutes later, the food is ready.
"Burgers are done," I say loudly enough for Mike to hear me.
He comes out of his room still on the phone.
"I love you, Dad," he says.
He hangs up the phone.
"I hope I didn't cut your conversation short," I say.
"No, you didn't," he said. "We were just about finished."
Mike and I sit down at his table.
"Thanks for making dinner, Ryan."
"It was no trouble at all."
We begin eating our dinner of hamburgers and salad.
Sorry about the bad ending. The next chapter is going to be of the conversation they have during dinner/after dinner. I will update as soon as I can.