Heading For Disaster Chapter 10
Obvious FYI: I don't own anything that even remotely has to do with the O.C.!
--Thank you for the reviews! I really appreciate it!
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Seth couldn't help but snicker when he saw Dr. Cox standing in the doorway, his hands on his hips and scowling. Luke took Seth by the arm and they slowly walked backwards. They didn't get very far when the doctor yelled after them.
"I've already called your parents, so don't even think about making up a lie!"
"Shit," Seth muttered to Luke. At least they'd have two hours on the way home to think of a rebuttal.
Once they were on the road, the boys laughed loudly.
"What do you think they're going to do to Ryan?" Luke shook his head in sarcastic disbelief.
"I don't know…how can you really punish a para in a hospital? 'I demand you don't walk for a month,'" Seth joked.
"They can't really ground him either," Luke figured. "Maybe they'd make him do endless hours of arts and crafts. He hates those stupid OT games," Luke laughed picturing Ryan do nonstop Ages 2+ puzzles.
"Well, man," Seth said sighing and leaning back against the cloth passenger seat. "At least I'm spending my last two hours of life laughing. My parents are going to kill me."
"Yah. Sorry, man. But you're dead. Nice knowing you. Sorry I was a dick to you for, well, ever. Can I have your comics collection?" Luke joked.
"Shut up! I'm glad you take pleasure in my ill fate. And no, my comics are being buried with me." Seth turned and looked out the window, seriously regretting returning to Newport.
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As Ryan wheeled through the automatic doors, he could see Jackson around the corner who was holding his hands up and was mouthing something Ryan couldn't understand. Jackson was dramatically pointing at his cell phone and Ryan stifled a laugh with great difficulty.
"Ryan. I think you know what I am about to say to you. Lets go to your room. I know they entire wing is looking forward to eavesdropping on this conversation," the doctor's voice was serious, but Ryan could see a hint of amusement in the man's eyes.
When they finally got to Ryan's room, Dr. Cox shut the door and sat on the bed while Ryan turned his wheelchair to face him.
"Dr. Cox, please. Before you start yelling, can I take my medication? I didn't bring it and—"
"I was about to give it to you. The twitching seems to have gotten worse and you look like you are in a lot of pain, son," the doctor sympathized. Ryan nodded in appreciation.
"Yah but it was totally worth it," Ryan mumbled, hoping the doctor didn't hear.
When the medicine began to work, Ryan visibly relaxed, but tensed right back up when he looked at the doctor.
"I'm sure I don't have to explain to you the seriousness of this situation. By the time the staff and I found out about this little stunt, you had already been missing for five hours. We called your parents as soon as possible and they said that you were on your way back here. Now your roommate—"
"Please don't get Jackson in trouble. It wasn't his idea. My friend and brother came and got me this morning and we drove, well, we drove back to Newport and there was a surprise party and I swear I didn't know about it and we lost track of time and—" Ryan was now interrupted by Dr. Cox.
"I've already had my words with Mr. Turner and everyone else involved." The doctor's words made Ryan feel good in a way. How many people had worked together to keep him out of trouble?
"Ryan. The angry doctor in me says that you could have set back your recovery. I hope you understand how lucky you are to have made the progress you have, and you should not gamble that. If we felt you could leave, you'd be released. You still have a lot of work to do and I can see you're still in pain. However, the understanding 43-year old in me respects the importance of being outside with your friends and returning to your normal life as much as possible." Dr. Cox paused.
Ryan was surprised. Dr. Cox didn't exactly have the best bedside manner and the 'understanding 43-year old' comment caught him off guard.
"But," Dr. Cox continued. Here it comes. "This cannot go unpunished, Ryan. What you did was wrong on many accounts, and I'm sure you will hear it from the rest of the staff as well as your parents. I have talked to Sandy and Kirsten and they wanted me to take your cell phone for two weeks until they talked to you further. As the hospital's punishment, Ryan, you are banned from recreational activities for a week and Lizbet the cafeteria lady jumped at the opportunity to have you clean tonight's dinner trays," Dr. Cox couldn't help but smile. Damn Lizbet. Ryan never liked her. "You should get some rest. I'm sure your parents will be calling on the room phone shortly and I suggest you answer. Then it's dinner at 6:30." Dr. Cox frowned before leaving. "I'm going to talk to Dr. Janusko tomorrow about your muscle spasms. Tomorrow it's back to business. I'm letting you off easy this time, Ryan. Do not let it happen again." He left, leaving Ryan cell phone-less, but gratefully amazed.
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As soon as the doctor left, Jackson came in, as if he was waiting outside the door.
"So? Tell me. What did Cox say? Did he go all Scrubs on you?" Jackson was eager for the news.
"Actually, he was kinda normal…he told me not to let it happen again. But listen to this…Sandy and Kirsten made him take my phone and I can't do any rec for a week. And, thanks to fucking Lizbet, I have to clean up after your dinner tonight." Ryan was angry at his punishments.
Jackson laughed. "My dinner? Dude I'm right there with you. They broke my plan and I got Lizbet'd too, which by the way, was a brilliant plan, but someone didn't answer their phone even though a certain other someone called it three times! Seth even put 'Bad Boys' as the ringtone! It was a cue." Jackson was just realizing now how stupid that sounded.
"'Bad Boys'? Really? You and Seth chose that song? And who changes a ring tone without telling them? When did he even take my phone? And that's probably why I didn't answer if I didn't even know that was my ringtone. 'Bad Boys'?" Ryan laughed it was like having Seth 24/7.
"So do you want to hear the plan or not?" Jackson pushed himself closer to Ryan.
"Fine. Lay it on me." Ryan knew he'd hear it anyways.
"Ok, so when Gloria came in this morning to give you your medication, I had the curtain pulled around your empty bed and told her you didn't feel good and you were going to sleep a little longer. You owe me big time, man. It's hard to control someone with just words when you can't get up to stop her. But, I am one of a kind. So that bought us like 2 hours. Then when Gloria came again 'we' were both playing basketball with everyone, who, by the way, were all in on the plan. There's ten of us on the wing so I don't think they really noticed you not in the cafeteria, sorry. But then Janusko came to check on you, and Stu and I told him you were in Caleb's room who told him that you were with Adam in the gym. Janusko gave up then. That bought us until, like, three hours before you came home. Then Darlene came in to give you your medication after seeing it not marked off from the morning. I was in Adam and James's room when she came in here and then it kinda unraveled. I convinced them not to get the guys in trouble, though. I called you when I heard them talking in the hallway. Some how they traced it to me, and well…Cox is pretty persuasive. And he threatened me with more dishes. This better have been some party, man. Marissa told you it was her idea? Your little rendezvous better have been worth it." Jackson was now realizing how much Ryan owed him for the plan.
"It was totally worth it, actually—" Before Ryan could continue, the phone rang.
"That's gotta be Kirsten…dude, turn the speaker volume all the way up and put it on the table. I've gotta hear this," Jackson laughed. "Remember, you owe me."
"Fine. Here goes." Ryan pushed the button on the phone until it reached max volume. "Hello?" Ryan answered, as if he wasn't expecting anyone to call. He set the phone on the nightstand.
"Ryan?" It was Kirsten.
"Hi, Kirsten. Uh, we made it back." Ryan shrugged at his roommate.
"Ryan! Do you know that I got a call from Dr. Cox a little while ago! Seth and Luke got you without telling the doctor?! How could you be so irresponsible?" Kirsten continued on and on. Jackson was laughing and it was hard to keep his voice muffled. Ryan was smiling. It was funny to be scolded on the phone.
Just then, Tyler came in and Jackson immediately silenced him. Tyler, Jackson, and Ryan listened to Kirsten's raving and it got even funnier when Sandy picked up the line so he was yelling at the same time. The conversation was mostly one-sided with Ryan adding in the appropriate, 'I know' and 'I'm sorry' lines and the occasional, 'I'll never listen to Seth again.' Despite his long distance, verbal punishment, Ryan began to think that it had been a great day.
Then he heard it: "Atwood, Turner! Cafeteria. Now!" Lizbet's voice traveled loudly through the room. Ryan and Jackson shook their heads and made their way down the hall.