I DO NOT OWN EMMERDALE OR IT 'S CHARACTERS...THEY BELONG TO ITV1
AUTHORS NOTE: Thanks for all the reviews...here's 12, things are still abit grim I know, but it's still early days...things will be lighter soon!
Xxx
EARLY-FEBRUARY 2013
Aaron clung to the bars for dear life, he tried to shift himself across to the other side, the physio woman was coaxing over him gently, " come on Aaron...just one more step...that'll be three more than yesterday..."
Aaron screwed his face up as he gribbed the bar's, he looked across to see the woman called 'mum' watching him...he pushed his bottom lip out and cried out a whimper to her.
Chas came forward straight away, " I think he's hand enough now..." there was concern in her voice, she feared too much of this to soon was hurting her son.
Andrea the physio turned to her, " it's alright...we can stop for 10 minutes...and then we can start again"
Chas eyeballed her, " BUT he's had enough...just look at him! he's worn out bless him!"
Andrea could see Aaron was listening to them, but whether he could understand them was anybody's guess.
Andrea sigh, and relented, " alright, but he'll have to do extra tomorrow if we are going to keep to his schedule..." she told, tongue in her cheek.
Chas watched as Andrea and her aide, helped Aaron into the wheelchair, Chas came forward, "RIGHT...I can take it from here...I promised him we'd stop off at the canteen on the way back to the ward"
Andrea just raised her eyebrowes at her, " TOO much food will cause him to PUT ON too much weight...it'll make his physio harder..."
Chas pulled a face, " tell ME love, do you EVER actually smile...", she then was wheeling her son out into the corridor, " blimey kid! trust YOU to be ending up with THAT miserable cow as a physio...might have to look into getting you another one..."
Aaron didn't respond, he just looked about him...his eyes taking everything he saw, whether it be people or objects.
They paused outside the busy hospital canteen, " so love...", she rounded the wheelchair and crouched down in front of him, " are you hungrey...food?"...eat?"
At first Aaron was more interested at watching someone walkby on a walking frame...but the word EAT grabbed his attention.
Chas smiled, " STILL like your food don't yah love...glad somethings never change a..."
Xxx
Jackson opened his eyes, his head was killing him...for a moment he didn't really quite know where he was...
Someones couch?
Then he remembered...although it was very vivid...he was ment to be flying out to Spain today...but he had changed his mind.
This was Joe and Rob's sofa!
The thought of that nag Rob...how did Joe put up with all that!
"Oh you're finally UP then!"
It was Rob in the lounge doorway, " It's PAST 11...YOU do know that...haven't you got a flight to catch or something..."
Jackson sat up, and rubbed the back of his neck...Rob was furiously opening the curtain, the bright sunshine flooding the room making him squint, " BLIMEY!...YOU mean business don't yah! Have you got any painkillers..."
Rob pouted and nodded towards the window, " No...but I'm sure they got them in corner shop across the road...SO...YOU ARE definately NOT going to Spain then, after all what Joe did for you..."
Jackson shuddered, Rob WAS harsh...poor Joe, he wasn't to shy to get himself bladdered on a good night out together...but coming HOME to that! he was worse than Aaron...
Aaron coming to mind again...
"Look...HE'LL get his money back that I borrowed for the flight, alright!" his head was banging.
Aaron was the reason he wasn't going to Spain...the contract would have been the ticket to build their house...or to put the foundations down anyway.
Rob rudely interrupted his thoughts, " look, Joe said he'd text yah later...so if you don't mind, can you go now..."
Jackson stood up...stiff neck...a banging head...and his best mates other half giving him jip...the morning couldn't get off any worse...could it...
Until the corner shop had sold out of Paracetamol as well!
Xxx
In the hospital canteen, Chas forced the sandwich up to her son's mouth, " GET THAT down yah kid..." she smiled.
Aaron bit a mouthful...some of the filling squirted out onto his face, " oh sorry bout that love, let me get a tissue and clean you up, shall I..."
Chas faffed around in her handbag...no tissues...
And Aaron was sitting there chewing happily, with chicken karma filling smeared around his chops.
She resorted to sighing, " oh love...I've got no tissues...HOW useless am I, huh?"
Aaron chewed on his sandwich...and watched various things around him, Chas knew she was talking to herself...she was fast getting used to it now.
As she gazed about herself, she happened to notice a familiar face in the que at the till, it was Adam Barton.
" HEY ADAM!" OVER HERE!" called Chas, taking no notice of other folks distaste of this loud woman bellowing across the busy canteen.
Adam looked up and waved his hand...after paying for a sandwich, he strolled over toward them, " hiya...I've just come from the ward just now...they said he were at physio.." told Adam.
Chas shook her head, " plant yah bum down there love, we've just finished awhile ago, and having a bite to eat...isn't that right Aaron, look Adam's here..." she said turning to him.
Aaron looked at Adam...then looked away.
Chas seemed to notice the mess around Aaron's mush again, she jumped up, " I'll tell you what love, I'm just gonna pop to the ladies...you're keep him company, won't yah..."
Adam was caught on the hop, " errrmmm"
But before he could say owt, Chas was aready on her way out to the ladies," Thank's love!"
Adam opened his sandwich, and glanced up to Aaron...he noticed that Aaron was looking across to a couple of male nurses at a table nearby.
He laughed out loud, " Oh I get it! you're having youself a good old perv, arn't yah mate! that'll give Jackson something to worry about, won't it..."
Aaron didn't respond...Adam felt awkward, and he hated feeling like that...was this the reason Jackson stayed away alot of the time.
Aaron then was looking at him, Adam perked up, " hey mate...what's up"
Aaron looked down, and immediately Adam KNEW what had happened...Adam rubbed his chin, " ohhhh mate...you've had a bit of an accident there..."
Aaron had wet himself, and he didnt look happy about it, he was getting agitated, Adam stood up, " look...don't worry about it mate...it's no different from having pissed yahself after a skinfull a...just need to get you cleaned up that's all..."
Adam was relieved to to see Chas returning, " alright love...sorry I were long, I just wanted to ring Marlon to make sure he opens up the pub for me..."
She realised that Adam was abit troubled, " what's up..."
"Aaron's had abit of an...you know", he glanced down towards Aaron's lap.
Chas looked down and sighed out heavily falling to the chair, " Ohhhhh Aaron! WHY couldn't you wait love..."
Adam was shaking his head, wanting to take his mates side, " he couldn't help it...look I'll do it...is there a gents nearby..."
Chas had her head in her hands, " over there love...but it'll be the disabled bogs you want and it's out of order..."
Adam shrugged, " then lets just get him back to the ward them...get THEM lot to sort him"
He took hold of Aaron's chair and lead the way to the canteens exit, Chas slowly followed, she really was starting to feel the hard work of all this now...
Xxx
Elsewhere Jackson's headache was getting worse...due to be getting on the wrong side of Ray.
In the site porter cabin Ray pointed an angry finger at him, " YOU'VE LET ME DOWN! do you know how many others I turned down to get you this contract in Spain!"
Jackson leaned on the desk, hands dig deep into his combat pockets, he huddled into his green coat, " I...I just couldn't go Ray...I'm sorry..."
Ray waved his hands in the air, as he paced the porter cabin" Sorry!...Sorry is not going to get that build finished in Spain is it! that holiday company is one of me best clients... I thought I was giving this to one of me BEST men..."
Jackson had burst into tears...he sobbed away in front of him, " I'm sorry Ray...I'm sorry..."
Ray's angry attitute simmered, " Hey! what are you blabbing about...Jackson?"
Jackson looked at him through tear streaming eyes, " I..."
Ray knew something was wrong...Jackson hadn't been himself for weeks...and that was after going AWOL for a week as well...something had happened...
"Jackson...what is it...tell me..."
Jackson looked up at him, it finally burst out of his mouth, " It's Aaron...IT'S AARON..."
Xxx
At the hospital, Aaron was back in the bed...all fresh and cleaned up, Adam looked at his watch, " i'm gonna have to shoot Chas...will you be..."
Chas shook her head at him, " I'll be fine love, I've got an appointment with his consultant in a while...then i'll be off meself...thanks for what you did today, you were a star"
Adam smiled, he was flattered, " NO don't be...but...YOU really need to let that family of yours know how this is for yah..."
Chas waved a hand, Aaron was sleeping now...the physio that morning had tired him right out, " ME! I'm fine love...I said I can DO this...and I AM! Aaron can count on me!"
"and what about Jackson...it's HIS responsibility too..." he argued.
Chas blew out a laugh of comtempt, " WHAT HIM!...he's proberly sunning himself on a beach as we speak"
Adam screwed up his face in sheer disbelief, "WHAT! why...why's he not here, with him"
Chas shrugged, and gently stroked her son's forehead, " I saw him the other day...HE HAS been coming to see him...but only when he's been asleep...I told him he needed to get a grip...if I haven't been so upset for Aaron, I would of given him a right slap!"
"Me to...you know what...this is bang out of order, I'm gonna go and give him what for, me"
Chas laughed, " and how are you gonna do that...he's in Spain...anyway he's not on holiday, it's work...saving for their future...well if I had MY way...Aaron's future won't be including him..."
She was abit choked up...Adam rubbed her arm, " hey, just forget about it...the guys a tosser, maybe Aaron IS better off without him...anyway he's got us, hasn't he..." Chas found herself looking deep into Adam's eyes, as they stood at opposite ends of Aaron's bed, but the nurse came in at that instant, " right...it's time for his meds..."
The moment was broken, as Chas sat down and focused on her son, and Adam feeling like a spare part now, quietly slipped away...
Xxx
In the builders cafe on Hotten high street, Jackson was slumped miserably in the chair as Ray brought over the coffees.
After sitting himself, Ray poured some sugar into his hot drink, and looked up, "So...WHY is it that I'm only hearing all about this now then..."
Jackson glanced up to him briefly, before settling his gaze back to the tabletop.
"I remember you saying that Aaron had been in an accident a few weeks before Christmas...then I never saw you for a while...WHY didn't you call me...I'VE always stood by you...I thought you and me were sorta close..."
Jackson forced on a hint of a smile, " You were MORE like a dad to me than my own Dad..."
"Then WHY didn't you say owt...are you telling me that Aaron HASN'T been out of hospital SINCE the accident..." asked Ray.
Jackson nodded, as he took a sip of his coffee, " he were in a coma at first..." he paused and swallowed, " then..."
Ray tried to get Jackson to open up, " then...WHAT"
"Then he woke up..." finished Jackson quietly, avoiding direct eye contact with him.
Ray found Jackson's reaction to Aaron waking from a coma really odd...
"but that's terrific news, isn't it" he pressed.
Jackson shook his head, " NO it's not...because he's...he's...he's like..." he COULDN'T say the words...
Ray leaned forward, Jackson was not telling him everything, " Jackson, is there something WRONG with Aaron...he's not paralysed or something is he?"
Again Jackson shook his head, " nah, it's nothing like that...he's...it's more to do with his brain"
Ray nearly spat his coffee out, " HE's braindamaged!"
Jackson shrugged, " more or less...I see him...when he's sleeping...I wait till everyones been, because I'm getting used to what times they come to visit him...and then I go and watch him sleeping...because when he's asleep...nothings wrong...he just looks like how he was..."
Ray was cottoning on to the gist of it, " YOU haven't seen him awake...but, it's been nearly 2 months since the accident...Jackson this is NOT good...what's wrong...don't you WHAT to seen him"
"COURSE I DO! It's just...I'm scared...Scared of how he is now...because he's lost everything...there's NOTHING there...and I can't bare to think about it...let alone see it!" Jackson started to well up, and forced his gaze to the floor...
Ray leaned forward as he watched Jackson sob, his face screwed up in emotion and pain.
"Jackson...do you love him"
Jackson didn't answer, but Ray knew the answer just by the look on his mates face, "then YOU know what to do...what you owe him...what THAT means"
That being the gold band on his finger...
Jackson shook his head...he knew...he knew what HE HAD to do deep down...it was just going to muster all his strength to do so...
Xxx
Chas sat outside the consultants office.
She wasn't sure about this update on Aaron's health...how he was doing...and longed for it to be GOOD news...please let it be good news.
She watched folk walk by...whether they be doctors, nurses, or visitors...
Then as she looked up, the office door opened and the neatly dressed consultant came out, "would you like to go through, Miss Dingle"
Chas stood up from the plastic chair, and tidied her self down...and after taking in a deep deep breath, she went to walk in...but stopped when she saw the figure standing in the corridor looking at her.
His hands in his pockets...his face all sad and unsure.
Jackson...
Chas felt annoyed inside...WHAT THE HELL WAS HE DOING HERE!
"shouldn't YOU not be in Spain!" she spat unkindly.
Jackson came forward, " I never went...I couldn't do it...I couldn't leave him, it's NOT right"
Chas laughed...but it wasn't a happy laugh, " By golly you GET IT! I've been telling YOU that for weeks!"
But Chas felt upset too...because there was a sense of relief there too...because doing this on her own was starting to get TOO MUCH, even though she would NEVER admit to it.
"They'a...they are just gonna give me an update..." mentioned Chas.
Jackson, now in front of her turned his head to the open doorway into the consultants office...he held out his hand to her, " come on..." he coaxed gently...Chas took his hand and let herself be led into the office.
Xxx
Chas and Jackson listened intendly to Mr. Jarvis's words, after Chas immediately asked how Aaron was.
"Aaron is doing better than expected...for someone is in position, he has come through it extremely well...it's only been 2 months since he's come around from the coma, and the progress he has made as very much surprized me...his long term prognosis is very good"
Chas was smiling...she liked this! Jackson sat quietly taking it all in.
"His speech therapy is NOT going to well at the moment...but it is not to unexpected due to the nature of his brain injury...it STILL is very much early days..." Jarvis told.
Chas swallowed, and glanced at Jackson, then back to the consultant, " what...what about his memory...i'm mean...what I'm saying is...is..."
Jackson could see she was struggling to ask, so he took charge, " WILL he be able to regain his memory...remember things...remember us", Chas could detect the hope in his tone...she recognised it because she was hoping it too.
Jarvis sat back, " it's differcult to answer that...AS i've said it STILL IS very much early days...but..."
"but what..." asked Chas, her heart was racing.
"but...I am surprized he hasn't shown any hint of his life before...he knows you are his mother, but that is due to you being here every day since he woke from the coma...he's learned that you are his mother, that you are someone he can trust..."
Chas was devastated, and Jackson took her hand in his, " will he ALWAYS be like that...know nothing from before" prompted Jackson.
Jarvis shrugged, " NOT impossible...but...unlikely...only time will tell you that"
Jarvis leaned forward, " anyway! the good news is...we need to look ahead about getting him home"
This news set Chas off into a blind panic, " HOME!...he CAN'T come home yet, it's to soon!" she stood up and looked at Jackson, " TELL HIM! he can't come home we have NOTHING ready!"
Mr. Jarvis rounded the table and helped Jackson to calm her, " Miss Dingle calm down...we are talking about between 6 and 8 weeks...you're have plenty of time to sort out arrangements at home...please calm down"
But Chas wasn't calm, she was worried...worried for Aaron and his future...in hospital he seemed so safe, in a bubble...but in the village... he waqs exposed...folk could be so cruel.
Jackson placed an arm around her, " it's okay Chas...he'll be fine...I'M here now...I promise NOTHING will happen to him, they're have to answer to me, I MENT what I said...i've been an idiot...worse than that...but HE COMES first..."
But unbeknown to Chas...he was just as worried as her...
if not more...
PLEASE REVIEW...THE MORE REVIEWS THE QUICKER I'LL UPDATE!
