Phillip had been in the hospital for about a week now, P.T had taken over at the circus and he told Anne she could have as much time off as she needed, W.D promised her he would manage without her for a while if she wanted to take care of Phillip.
Anne helped Phillip massively, he didn't know how he would've coped if he didn't have Anne by his side. She was fiercely loyal to him refusing to leave for any longer than two minutes when she had to go to the restroom or get food. She would give him sponge baths, help him to eat, dress him and do pretty much anything he needed without complaint.
He was thankful she was there but Phillip began to feel frustrated as he lay in the hospital bed, he was under strict bed rest and could only get up to go the bathroom, even when he did he would need to lean heavily on Anne as he stumbled to the rest room.
He hated being so dependent on Anne, he knew she didn't mind but he hated being restricted to the hospital bed 24/7, he felt so useless. He was in too much pain to do anything but stay in bed and stare at the blank wall ahead of him.
He was completely clueless to any events on the outside, whenever P.T, or Lettie, or W.D came to visit they would steer clear on any news on the circus or business, they would also avoid all of his questions. This didn't help on Phillip's desire to be able to do more than lie in bed isolated from the world.
Anne sat next to him on the bed, stroking his hand and telling him about her childhood dog she and W.D owned, she wore a sad nostalgic smile on her face as she talked about her old friend. Phillip hummed in response to show he was listening but he couldn't help to feel distract as he thought of the circus again, he wondered if the men that attacked him came back or if they stayed away after the incident.
Anne noticed he was starting to zone out, "hey what's wrong?" She asked, bringing his attention back to her, he sighed "I hate being stuck here like this, I want to know what's happening outside" he complained, Anne pursed her lips, she must be growing tired of this conversation, Phillip was too but nothing ever changed.
"I know baby, but the most important thing right now is you getting better" she reminded him, "I know but why does that mean no one will tell me what's going on, I'm a grown man, I'm sure I can handle whatever there is"
He didn't mean to sound so whiny, he felt like a dog begging to be taken for a walk, he longed to be part of the outside world again. Anne cast her eyes to the ceiling as she thought, "P.T is coming to visit today, you can try asking again just don't get too annoyed if he doesn't tell you, he doesn't want to worry you" she said trying to calm Phillip, "so there's something to worry about?" He said attempting to catch her out, "Phillip" she said sternly, he sighed again "fine, I'll ask P.T" he resigned.
At that moment the door swung open, "ask me what?" P.T asked with a smile as he walked across the room to join them. He grabbed a chair from the empty bed next to them and sat down next to Anne.
Phillip started to pull himself up, Anne got up and helped him before taking a seat again. "I want to know what's gone on since I've been in here, it's driving me crazy being stuck in here not knowing" he begged, P.T looked at Anne who gave him a cautious look, "Phil I'm not sure it's-" he began, Phillip's face fell, "come on please, do you have any idea how mind numbingly dull it is in here, I'm at wits end, give me some news, please" he pleaded.
P.T hesitated, studying Phillip's desperate face and then sighed, "alright" he decided, he pulled a folded-up newspaper from his pocket and dropped it on the bed at Phillip's knees.
Phillip grinned and snatched up the paper with his good hand and read the front page hungrily. The headline was about the circus, "Phillip Carlyle from P.T Barnum's Circus hospitalised after attacking a group of men after attending show". Phillip frowned as he read the article.
Anne and P.T watched him with concern written over their face, "no this is bullshit!" Phillip cried as he read how the reported had twisted the story. He winced as he yelled and grabbed his head, his headache pounded painfully against his skull.
According to the article Phillip had sought out the men after the show and randomly attacking them with no reason, the men were painted as innocent victims and Phillip a vicious monster. P.T gently pulled the paper from Phillip's hands, Phillip glared at the article as if he could change the words if he scowled at them hard enough, "now you can see why we've been trying to hide this from you" P.T said his voice soft.
Phillip wanted to find that reporter or the men who had undoubtedly spread how cruel Phillip had been. Anne took the paper and read the article silently, she too held an angry expression on her face but he could tell she was attempting to stay calm for him, "I take it business has gone down then" Phillip rubbed his forehead, "oh yes, it's sunk like a rock" P.T joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Phillip felt even worse than he did before, "have you tried selling the tickets for half price until sales improve?" He suggested, P.T nodded, "it helped somewhat but due to this headline we've lost most of our customers" he grimaced, Phillip growled in frustration, "how about free tickets for kids?" Phillip tried, P.T considered this for a second "that may help, I'll give it a try" he said, that made Phillip feel slightly better.
P.T looked at Anne's stoic face, "how long until Phillip can go home?" He asked trying to steer away from the sensitive subject and onto something more pleasant, "the doctor says they want to keep Phil in a few more days to make sure he doesn't have any serious damage to his brain, if they think he's alright he's free to go on Tuesday" she said beaming.
The thought of going home cheered Phillip up, he'd be able to sleep in an actual bed and eat food that didn't taste like vomit. Phillip manged a grin, "it'll be great to be back home, I won't have to take the disgusting medicine they give me here everyday" he said gagging at the thought of the slimy foul tasting liquid, Anne raised her eyebrows "uh yes you will" she said with her hands on her hips, Phillip pouted "no please don't make me" he tried, Anne said nothing but continue to look at him strictly, "Anne please it slides down your throat like a liquid eel" he begged, "if you want to get better you're taking it whether you like it or not she said firmly. Phillip sulked at her.
P.T watched them and laughed, he mimed a whip mimicking the sound, Phillip and Anne both turned to him, "oh shut up Barnum, we both know Charity has you wrapped around her finger" Phillip retorted with a smile, Anne laughed "boy you're more whipped than a horse on a busy day" she told him sassily, "well until Phillip's back on his feet just remember who signs your pay check" he joked.
Phillip started to grow tired again, he only spent about 6 hours a day awake. Anne noticed his eyes beginning to droop, Phillip yawned, "P.T I think it's best if you allow Phillip to sleep now, thank you for visiting" she said sweetly, he nodded "of course, get better soon buddy" he told Phillip, tapping his arm before leaving.
Phillip smiled sleepily at Anne, "thank you for taking care of me" he said moving his hand wearily to hold hers. She smiled at his touch then looked into his eyes with her beautiful hazel eyes, "of course, I love you. I'll take care of you when you get home too, until you've recovered enough to begin to move around again" she promised, Phillip smiled again "I love you too" he breathed before he fell asleep.
