Chapter 37: Just Hope
"I really don't want a wheelchair…I mean I can walk just fine" Punk replied the nurse with the wheelchair beside here.
"I'm sorry Mr. Brooks…hospital regulations" the nurse replied with a gentle smile
"Stupid regulations" Punk mumbled under his breath.
"Oh will you just sit in the darn thing already" AJ replied with her hands on her hips.
"Owned" John replied with a chuckle
Punk reached over and punched John right in the stomach. John was caught off guard and felt the wind knocked out of him.
"Oh…owned" Punk said with an evil grin as he sat in the wheelchair reluctantly
"You…ugh…jerk-off" John replied trying to catch his breath.
AJ and John both helped Punk out of John's car and helped him into his house. Of course not without cracking jokes about the best in the world looking like a little old man who needed a walker. Punk just glared at both of them and warned them that he will be getting better soon and that karma does suck.
"No…no way don't take me upstairs to bed…I think I've had enough bed rest. If you don't mind just let me lie out and relax and chill on my couch" Punk replied pointing to his living room
"Are you sure…I mean will you be comfortable there" AJ asked softly
"AJ…you cannot begin to understand the bond between a man and his couch" Punk replied with a smirk
"Whatever" AJ replied rolling her eyes
"Can we just take him to the couch already" John replied running his hand down his face
"Comfy now" AJ asked crossing her arms as Punk got in a comfortable position
"Yes…all I need is for you to feed me grapes and it would be perfect" Punk replied with a wink
"Christ" John said shaking his head as he walked into the kitchen
"I'm sorry that I have to go back to Jersey in a couple of days" AJ said softly as she placed a pillow behind Punk to help prop him up.
"It's fine don't worry about it…I can't force you to stay here AJ. Remember you are your own woman now I'm not your husband and even if I was I wouldn't stand in the way of your choices" Punk replied softly
"I know I just feel bad" AJ replied softly
"Don't its fine" Punk replied flipping the TV on.
AJ smiled and walked into the kitchen where John was at the kitchen drinking a glass of Pepsi.
"Can't be in a Punk household without the Pepsi right" John said with a smile
"John…I know you have been the one taking care of Punk this whole time so I'm asking you…just this one time let me take care of him" AJ whispered softly
John sighed and smiled.
"Why wouldn't I let you take care of him" John asked with a chuckle
"Well I know I'm still not your favorite person being the reason I put Punk through a lot. So I only think it's fair to ask you being as you've practically been doing what I should have been doing from the start" AJ replied with a frown.
"AJ…I'm his friend not his mother. If you want to take care of him just to spend more time with him do it…I need a break anyway" John replied with a smile
AJ smiled and turned to walk away
"Oh and AJ" John said setting down his glass once more
"Yeah" AJ replied biting her lower lip
"As far as you not being my favorite person…you got it all wrong. I don't hate you at all…I'm still just a little disappointed with the choices you made…but prove me wrong" John replied softly
"How" AJ asked with a confused face
"By being there…I know you have to go back to Jersey but it doesn't mean you still can't be around. Call him…make him feel like he still matters in your life. Yeah I know you're here now but once you leave it's a different story" John replied sternly.
AJ only nodded and once again turned to walk away to make sure Punk was comfortable where he was at and asking if he needed anything. John just watched from the kitchen as AJ and Punk laughed at something that was send.
John was still leery about everything…he didn't want Punk to get hurt again. John wouldn't want this new found fresh start to blow up in his face…hopefully AJ would prove John wrong. Maybe AJ would stay in his life this time even though she was going back to Jersey didn't mean she still couldn't be in Punk's life.