Chapter 39
Danny sat beside Steve's bed waiting for his friend to wake up when Connor entered the room.
"Hey, I know PT is cancelled for today. I just heard what had happened. How is he?"
"Still asleep as you can see. Pressure cuff and pulse oximeter are still on, but they've already removed the oxygen mask."
"Didn't see that coming. I hope he feels better soon. I'll come back tomorrow."
Steve moaned slightly when he woke up.
"Hey," Danny said.
"Cath?" Steve asked still a little drowsy but with hope in his voice.
"No. No, buddy. It's me Danno." Danny answered softly.
Steve opened his eyes.
"'anny?..H'sp't'l? What…what happen'd?" Steve asked confused.
Danny swallowed hard, but answered in a calm voice "Steve, you had a nightmare."
"'ightmare? H'sp't'l – because 'ightmare?" that sounded even more confused.
"No. No. You were…" Danny tried to explain.
" Water?"
"Yeah, sure."
Steve drank a cup.
"More?"
Danny poured another one. Steve emptied it too, closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths and said "I remember now. Sorry, Danny."
"What are you sorry for?"
"For scaring you."
"You didn't. I wasn't here. And I am sorry for that."
"Don't be. Not your fault. And I meant now when I woke up, I was a little disoriented. It took a while to know what happened. And I scared you with that. I could see it."
"And that is not your fault…Do you know what the nightmare was about?"
"…Yes."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because…I…I don't know if it was real or not."
"And?"
"And what?"
"I don't care if it was real or not. I just want to know what got you so worked up that you needed a sedation and on oxygen mask."
This time Steve was the one who needed to swallow. He knew that hearing about the latest incident was another blow to Danny's gut.
"…Do…do you really need to know? It…it is not good."
"I know it is not good. It was a nightmare and you were "out of order" after it! So, yes, Steven. I need to know!"
"Sorry Danny."
"Stop apologizing! And stop protecting me!" He continued a little softer "I know what happened to you was bad – I've seen your injuries. I found you, I saw the "tools" the siblings had used, I've read Michael's statement. So, please Steve. Don't hide anything. I feel better if you tell me about those dreams instead of trying to deal alone."
"So…"
Another deep breath.
"They…they wanted to…to saw off my feet. Michael had a chain saw, Sarah…Sarah a circular hand saw. They...made a bet. Who…who would be faster. My legs…m...my legs were…fixated. I…I…I couldn't move. My ears were resounding with the noise of the...the saws, siblings laughing…me screaming.
I don't know what happened. I just passed out. When…when I came to my legs were still there. I…I don't know if it was real or…or drugged induced. And…and I think I don't want to know."
"Yeah, I can imagine. That was awful."
"Yeah, but I am happy that nothing more happened."
"Me too, Steve. Me too…Do you want something to eat? Esther reserved a plate for you."
"No. Not hungry. But I'd like some more water."
Steve drank another two cups.
Then bot friends sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts for a few minutes.
"Hey, how was your date?"
"Good," Danny smiled.
"No arguing about "date". Must have been really good."
"Yeah, actually it was."
"Good. I am really happy for you Danno. You deserve some happiness."
"Thanks."
"Tell me."
"What?"
"I don't know, but I have the feeling you want to tell me something."
Danny's smile got brighter.
"What? Danny, come one."
"We kissed today."
"Great man. Finally."
"And…she…wants to meet you?"
"Me? – not your parents?"
"Funny. Yeah you. I've told her what kind of an idiot you are and she has never met one before."
"I'd love to Danny. I really do."