Chapter 11

"Homecoming"

The following morning:

"P.J., I have good news." Dr. Allen stated as she entered the room. "You're going home today."

P.J.'s eyes lit up. "Home? Really, after yesterday I wasn't too sure you'd let me leave."

The doctor smiled as she reviewed her patient's chart. "Everything looks really good," She checked the notes from his brain scan. "Your brain scan looks good, and you seem to be getting around very well, so yes, I think it would be fine for you to go home today. Besides, I understand that you have two younger siblings who are very eager to see you."

P.J. smiled as he thought of Gabe and Charlie. "Yes ma'am, I sure do and I'm pretty anxious to see them too."

"I've already called your mom and dad, they should be here within the hour and I'll have all of the paperwork completed."

"Great." He replied as the doctor reached for the door. "Thanks, Dr. Allen."

"You are quite welcome, P.J."

At the Duncan household:

"Bob, do you think we can bring his bed downstairs?" Amy asked.

Bob shook his head. "How about the couch downstairs? It's a pullout bed and we can make it comfortable for him and . . ."

Amy shook her head adamantly. "No. He needs to be on the main floor. I know he can't do the stairs, but . . ."

"Amy, Teddy's room is downstairs and she can help keep an eye on him. I'm sure she doesn't mind and . . ."

"Doesn't mind what?" Teddy asked as she overhead hear parent's discussion.

Amy gently pulled Teddy to the couch. "Honey, P.J. is coming home today."

Teddy's face lit up. "That's great!"

Amy smiled. "Yes, but we're just realizing that he's not going to be able to stay in his room."

"There's no easy way to get him upstairs and . . ." Bob explained.

"So where is easiest?" Teddy interrupted, excitedly.

"Downstairs." Amy replied. "We're thinking of fixing up the pull-out couch and since there's already a bathroom down there and . . ." She watched her daughter's face.

"That should work out fine. I can help keep an eye on him and make sure he's not up when he's not supposed to be and . . ." Teddy exclaimed.

Bob and Amy hugged their daughter. "We were hoping you'd feel that way."

The next hour was spent readying the room downstairs. Gabe brought everything off of P.J.'s bed and transferred it downstairs. He started to lay his brother's guitar across the bed, when Teddy eyed it. "Gabe, it may be a little soon for the guitar."

"But P.J. loves this guitar and I'm sure he'd want it down here." Gabe replied.

Teddy shook her head. "Gabe, I know he loves that guitar, but he won't be able to play it for a while. His left arm and collarbone are broken. I just think it might do more harm than good."

Gabe nodded. "You think he'll try to play it before he can, right?"

Teddy smiled. "Something like that. Gabe, we just need to make sure that P.J. is as comfortable as possible so he'll get better faster. I know you're excited to see him, but don't tire him out. He needs to rest and . . ."

"You sound like mom." Gabe stated. "I'm not going to bother him. I want him to get better too."

"I know you do." She replied as they put the last pillow in place.

Amy bounded down the stairs. "Wow! You guys have been busy. This looks great." She eyed the guitar. "You know though, as much as P.J. loves his music, I think maybe the guitar should go back upstairs for a while."

Gabe reached for the instrument. "Oh yeah, Teddy and I were just talking about that. We don't want him to try to play it before he's ready."

"Good." Amy said, lightly tapping her son's shoulder as he took the guitar back to its stand in he and P.J.'s bedroom.

One hour later:

"Shouldn't they be here by now?" Gabe asked as Teddy paced the floor, holding Charlie.

She dialed her mom's cell number. "Hello." Amy answered.

"Where are you guys?" Teddy asked.

Amy smiled. "Just pulling into the back driveway now. Can you open the back door so we can bring P.J. in?"

Teddy was halfway down the stairs before she hung up the phone. "They're here!" She shouted back up the stairs to Gabe.

Teddy opened the door and Bob pushed P.J.'s wheelchair in. Teddy's eye lit up as her brother entered the room. "P.J., I'm so glad you're home!" She exclaimed.

"P.J.!" Charlie cried out and reached for her oldest brother.

"Hey Charlie." Teddy leaned her in close, so P.J. could kiss her cheek. "Thanks Teddy."

"Do you need anything?" Teddy asked.

"No, I'm good." He looked around. "Hey, where's Gabe?"

Teddy looked around. "He was here just a minute ago." She looked around the room and even in the bathroom. "Gabe?" She called out.

Amy looked towards the staircase. "P.J., I'll be back in a second." She patted her son's good shoulder and then headed upstairs.

"Gabe?" She called out as she looked throughout the living room and kitchen. She then made her way upstairs to Gabe and P.J.'s bedroom. The door was closed and she could hear the strum of a couple of chords on the guitar. She knocked on the door as she turned the knob. "Gabe, can I come in?"

"Doors open." He said quietly, never looking up from P.J's guitar that he cradled in his lap.

Amy rested her arm around Gabe's shoulders. "P.J. is anxious to see you."

Gabe shook his head. "He's not the same."

Amy pulled her youngest son close. "What do you mean, he's not the same?" She asked quietly.

Gabe shook his head. "He looks tired and . . . just not like P.J."

"Gabe, P.J. is tired and sore and bruised and it is going to take him a while to get back to himself, but he will be fine. He just needs time." Amy explained.

"I know, but . . . it's just hard to see him like that. That's not P.J." Gabe replied.

Amy cupped Gabe's chin and turned his head towards hers until their eyes met. "Gabe. P.J. has already come a long way in a short time. Give him a chance."

Gabe nodded slowly.

Amy shifted in the bed and started to get up. "Now, pull yourself together and let's go downstairs with the rest of the family."

Gabe gently laid P.J.'s guitar aside and went downstairs with Amy.

P.J. was still sitting comfortably in his wheelchair, now with Charlie on his lap while Teddy and Bob knelt close by. As Amy came down the stairs, P.J. lifted his head, hoping to see his brother. He started to look away just as Gabe's feet came into view. P.J.'s face lit up. "There he is!"

Amy looked at Gabe and coaxed him down the remaining three steps. "Come on, Gabe. P.J.'s waiting to see you."

"Gabe!" P.J. shouted out. "Come over here."

Teddy took Charlie from P.J.'s lap and moved towards the couch with her.

"Bob." Amy started, nodding towards Gabe and P.J. Bob knew this was her subtle way of telling him to give the boys some space.

When Gabe finally made his way to P.J.'s side, he gently touched his brother's right arm. P.J. smiled. "What's up with you?" P.J. asked.

Gabe looked down, not wanting to face his brother. "Nothin."

"Gabe." P.J. stated in a slightly stronger voice. "Look at me." He said, lifting Gabe's chin.

Gabe shook his head. "I can't." He fought to keep his head down, but P.J. won out.

"Gabe, what's wrong?" P.J. asked as he locked eyes with Gabe.

"What's wrong? You're asking me what's wrong." Tears were beginning to flow down the younger boy's face. "I thought you were dead. I . . . I." he buried his head into P.J.'s chest.

P.J. grimaced slightly as Gabe's head touched his ribs, causing Amy to get up. P.J. shook his head as the pain eased and began to lightly rub Gabe's back. "I'm not dead, Gabe. I'm right here and you know what, as soon as I've had a nap and maybe something to eat . . ." He cleared his throat, hoping his parents and Teddy would get the hint that he wanted to talk to Gabe alone.

Amy took the hint and stood up. "Bob, do you think you and Teddy can help me pull some lunch together?"

P. J. continued after the others left the room. " . . . maybe we can play that new video game later. Of course, you'll have to handicap me the first 50 points since I'll be playing one-handed."

Gabe didn't move, but he did stop crying. "Am I hurting you?" He asked softly.

P.J. shook his head. "Nope. You can stay there as long as you like, but don't expect to me to move my arm."

Gabe smiled. "I don't want you to move your arm."

The two brothers sat like that for ten minutes or so and only stirred as they heard Amy coming back downstairs. "Are you guys ready for lunch?" She asked, not really wanting to disturb them, but knowing that P.J. was going to have to rest soon.

P.J. rubbed Gabe's back again and winced as his brother got up. Gabe's eyes grew large as he heard P.J. "What did I do? Are you OK?"

P.J. nodded. "I'm fine, Gabe."

Gabe stared at P.J., taking in the heavy cast on his arm and collarbone as well as the bandage across his forehead. "Mom said you had broken ribs. I forgot. I'm sorry." Gabe spoke in a hurried, scared voice.

P.J. reached for him. "Gabe. You didn't hurt me. I'm just sore, buddy. I'm gonna be a little tender here and there."

Gabe nodded. "Which side are your broken ribs on?" He asked.

P.J. looked up at Amy before answering. "The left, so see, you didn't hurt me. Now, I'm starving, so can we eat lunch?"

Gabe seemed satisfied for the moment and nodded his head. Amy sat a sandwich in front of Gabe and a bowl of soup in front of P.J. and watched as they devoured their meals.

When they were finished, Amy turned to P.J. with a couple of small pills in her hand and a bottle of water. "Here you go."

P.J. took the pills from her. "You know these make me sleepy, right?"

Amy nodded. "I know, but you need them for the pain."

"Is dad still here, or do you plan to try to get me up and into bed by yourself?" He asked.

"You don't think I can put you to bed?" Amy asked as she took the remainder of the bottle of water from him.

P.J. looked at her. "I think you could, but I don't know if you should. I do weigh more than Charlie and with this cast, I'm thinking maybe 25 additional pounds." He laughed.

She moved his wheelchair to the side of the bed. "Your dad isn't home right now, he's taken Charlie to Mrs. Rockmyer's, and I do this for a living, remember?" She leaned in close to her son. "Now, remember how Nurse Emily had you brace yourself with your good arm? Do the same thing with me."

P.J. used Amy for leverage and pulled himself up to a standing position, being careful of the amount of weight he put on his injured left leg. Amy wrapped her arms gently around her son's waist and eased him down on the edge of the bed. "OK, now we'll swing your legs around and . . . voila', you're in bed."

P.J. squeezed his eyes shut against the pain he was feeling in his side and chest area, instantly regretting it as his head started to pound.

"P.J.?" Amy questioned as her son drew in a ragged breath. "Son, are you OK?" She cupped his cheek in her hand. "I know it hurts a little, but its better to do it quickly than to prolong the pain." She explained.

His breathing eased, somewhat as he tried to speak. "Emily never hurt me."

Amy looked hurt. "Honey, you were in the hospital, today you've been moved to the car, took a half hour ride, moved out of the car, endured hugs from everyone, and . . ."

As Amy spoke, she noted that P.J.'s breathing had evened out. She pulled her hand gently away from his cheek, and gently kissed his forehead. He had fallen asleep. "You really were worn out." She said softly, pulling a thin blanket over him.

"He is just sleeping, right?" Gabe asked, causing Amy to jump. "Gabe! I'm sorry, I forgot you were down here." She turned and smiled at him. "Yes, he's just sleeping," she whispered. "And he probably will be for a while, so why don't we go upstairs and . . ."

Gabe shook his head. "No, I'm not going to leave him alone down here." Amy looked at him quizzically. "I'm not going to wake him up, I promise. I just don't want to leave him alone."

"He won't be alone." Teddy announced quietly, as she entered the room. "I'll be in my room, and I'll leave the door open so I'll hear him if he wakes up."

Gabe shook his head again. "I don't want to go upstairs just yet." Gabe replied.

Teddy nodded, looking at Amy. "It's fine with me, if it's OK with you."

"Did you take your pain meds?" Amy asked Teddy. Teddy nodded. "Then you'll be asleep soon too." She turned to Gabe. "You have to promise you'll be quiet and if P.J. should wake up, come and get me."

Gabe nodded. "I will." He paused. "Wait, is it bad if he wakes up anytime soon?"

Amy stared at him, "No, it's not necessarily a bad thing, I would just like to know when he wakes up, OK?"

Gabe nodded again. "OK. I can do that."

Teddy waited until their mom disappeared up the stairs and motioned for Gabe to come into her room, something she never did. "So Gabe, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." He shifted from one foot to the other.

"Gabe?"

"P.J. almost died, didn't he?" He asked quietly.

Images of the wreck flooded Teddy's memory. She slowly nodded and softly replied, "Yes."

Gabe sat down, hard, on the edge of Teddy's bed. "You both could have died."

Teddy took Gabe's hand in hers. "Yes, we could have, but we didn't."

They both jumped as P.J. coughed. "Is he awake?" Gabe whispered as Teddy got up to check on her older brother. Noting how pale he looked, she felt his forehead. She returned to her room and shook her head in answer to Gabe's questioning eyes. "No, he's still sleeping, but he's a little warm."

"Should I go get mom?" Gabe asked.

Teddy shook her head. "I don't think so. We'll keep an eye on him and if he gets any worse, we'll go get her."

TBC