Chapter 25: Learning
Thomas was sitting in his hospital bed playing on his phone when he heard someone knocking at the door of his room. "Come on in," he said, while putting his phone away. The door opened and Dr. Beagle walked into the room. "Hello, Thomas, I hope I find you well," he said. "Dr. Beagle? What are you doing here?" Thomas asked, confused. "It's our weekenly appointment, remember?" he asked, while sitting on the chair besides the bed. "Don't tell me you thought I would let something like a hospital to prevent me from helping one of my favorite and most fascinating patients?" Dr. Beagle asked. "Good to know I'm that interesting…" Thomas replied.
"So Thomas is there anything you want to talk about?" Dr. Beagle asked. "You mean, other than being stuck here for three days and thinking I broke my dad?" Thomas said sitting back in his bed. "Well, he's been a little sour after carrying you all by himself, but I don't think…" Dr. Beagle started. "That's not what I mean…" Thomas replied. "My dad is resilient, he can handle any physical pain, I know he can recover quickly from a back pain" Thomas added. "So you mean metaphorically… Why do you think that?" Dr. Beagle asked. Thomas sighed. "Because of all the things I've said," Thomas answered. "Have you talked with your father lately?" Dr. Beagle asked. Thomas sighed again before answering. "I have, but not about what happened," Thomas answered.
"I see… and why haven't you talked about it?" Dr Beagle asked writing some stuff in his pad. "I just feel if I talk to him about it then it might break him more," Thomas said before drinking a glass of water. "Besides… I feel maybe it would be easier to talk to my uncle Stripe about it since he doesn't have history with my uncle Prince," Thomas explained. Dr. Beagle nodded while writing. "Do you want me to call your Uncle Stripe to see you?" he asked. That caused Thomas to chuckle. "Dr. Beagle, I have my uncle's number in my phone, I can talk with him whenever I want," he replied. "Fair enough… and have you? Talked with him?" Dr. Beagle asked, to which Thomas didn't answer. "I'll take that as a 'no', but it's okay, it's only up to you when and what to talk and with whom," Dr. Beagle replied.
"But now I'm more interested in talking about… this last episode of yours… that is, if you don't mind," Dr. Beagle told. "What is there to talk about? I had a panic attack… no surprise there," Thomas said. "Yes, but this one was pretty nasty, worse than any other panic attack you ever had, it exhausted you completely, both physically and mentally, that's why you're here, right? Not to rest your body, but your mind," Dr. Beagle told. "Story of my life… my mind always causing trouble," Thomas said. "You're really the son of your father, always cracking a joke to avoid troubles… but you cannot deny that this episode, despite everything, was very… enlightening, I mean, we finally get to know the source of your panic attacks," Dr. Beagle said. "Yeah, right… I'm thrilled to know that the reason for me to be on a hospital bed is because of my conflicted feelings for my family," Thomas said, sarcastically.
"What you're feeling is not that uncommon as you may thing, some people suffering from panic attacks feel themselves conflicted in some way, and sometimes they don't know why, but you do and now we can work to solve that conflict… or at least mitigate it," Dr. Beagle said. "I don't know how I'll possibly do that, I mean I came to love and admire my dad again, my sisters are everything to me and I even came to love my stepmom like she is my real mom… and yet, I can't help but still feeling this… aversion to them, because…" Thomas said, unable to finish the last sentence. "Because, despite everything, they are still the source of your pain," Dr. Beagle finished. Thomas nodded. "That explains all of the overcompensating you've been doing… you're trying to love them as much as you can in order to forget the pain, but forget doesn't erase, only accumulates," Dr. Beagle said. "I can attest that," Thomas told.
"You know, Thomas, for what is worth, I believe you've already overcome a great obstacle," Dr. Beagle commented. "What do you mean?" Thomas asked. "I'm talking about your sisters, during your panic attack, you vented to them all your frustrations, all while expressing your love for them, only to be responded with love from them," Dr. Beagle explained. "So, you think that if I do the same with all the members of my family I can be cured from these… attacks?" Thomas asked. "Not cured, but in control, and not with all of your family, only those that are the source of your pain… but of course for that…" Dr. Beagle said. "I'll have to talk with them about it," Thomas finished. "What you don't have to do right away… you can take all the time you need, you can focus on getting better for now," Dr. Beagle said. Thomas nodded to him, a little more relieved.
At that moment, there was a knock and the door opened, with Rad getting in and saying, in an enthusiastic way. "Hey there, how's my favorite nephew doing?" When he noticed Dr. Beagle, he contained his enthusiasm. "Sorry, mate, I didn't know you had a visit," Rad said. "No, it's okay, I think our talk can end here," Dr. Beagle said, while closing his pad and getting up, patting Thomas on the shoulder. "See you next time, Thomas", he said, going then to the exit and getting out. "So… are you doing, mate?" Rad asked, while approaching. "I'm fine, but… I have to say it's rather surprising you're here, uncle Rad," Thomas confessed. "Why, were you expecting your favorite uncle Stripe?" Rad asked. That question left Thomas a little uneasy. "Ah, I'm just messing with you, kid, I understand why Stripe is your favorite, after all you just met me shortly after you came here, but I'm still the cool and most handsome one, right?" Rad questioned. Thomas chuckled. "Yeah, sure…" he said. "But… shouldn't you be working at the oil rig?"
"I took the day off to see you mate," Rad said with a smile place his hand on Thomas's hand. "We may not be as close as we could be, but that doesn't mean I don't get worried when you feel sick," he added. Thomas couldn't help but to smile at his uncle. "Thanks uncle Rad," Thomas said already feeling better. "Now, did you know I ended up in the hospital too when I was not much older than you," Rad said sitting at the chair. "Really? Why?" Thomas asked now interested in the story. "I was getting your cool uncle Stripe's kite back from the roof of our house and I fell off the roof and broke my arm," Rad explained. Thomas laughed.
"Where was my dad during all that?" Thomas asked, curious. Rad laughed before answering. "He was showing off to a girl that lived down the street," Rad explained. "Oh, so there was another girl before my mom and Chilli?" Thomas asked hoping to hear more about this girl. "Just a flirt, nothing serious, your mum was his first true love, but your dad was an athlete and all the girls wanted to be around him, and he also enjoyed the attention," Rad explained. "That sounds like him," Thomas said, taking a drink of water. "And it's also a good advice for you, if you want to impress the ladies, join a sport team, it worked very well for me, your dad and your uncle Stripe," Rad suggested, while poking his nephew with the elbow, causing him to chuckle. "I guess I have too much in mind to be thinking on girls, uncle Rad," Thomas replied.
"So what's your plan mate?" Rad asked. "Plan?" Thomas asked. "I mean like about your dad, you should talk to him," Rad said sitting back in his chair. "So… you heard about…" Thomas started. "It's a little difficult not heard about it when that is the reason why you're in a hospital for three days," Rad replied. Thomas sighed. "I know I should, but I don't want to hurt him more than I already have," Thomas said looking out the window. "It was hard enough for me to tell all that to my sisters… I can't possible do the same to him, to let my dad know my dark thoughts of him…" Thomas started. "Your dad's a strong dog, he can handle it, believe me," Rad said reassuring his nephew. "Okay if you were in my dad's shoes how would you go about it?" Thomas asked.
But soon after, Thomas noticed he must have made the wrong question to his uncle Rad, as he soon adopted a saddened face. It was then that Thomas realized why he stayed like that. "Oh, uncle Rad, I'm sorry, I… I didn't meant to…" he said. "It's okay, mate, believe me, there is not one second of my day I don't think of what could have been if Charlie…" Rad started, unable to finish the sentence, "But you know what, even if I can't be a father to him, that doesn't mean I can't have the second best thing," he said. "And what's that?" Thomas asked. "You… your sisters… your cousins… I'm your uncle and that means I'm close to a father to you five as much you are the closest thing I have to children, I bet the same thing goes to your uncle Stripe to you and your sisters and your dad to your cousins," Rad answered. "I guess… that makes sense," Thomas said, who hadn't think of things in that perspective.
"However, if you want to know one thing, you already know the answer to your problem," Rad told. "What do you mean?" Thomas asked. "Normally, I'm very defensive when it comes to Charlie, even my brothers are very careful when addressing the subject, it's something that still hurts me," Rad confessed. "So, I did hurt you with that question," Thomas realized. "A little… but I'm already used to it… and I know you didn't meant to, besides, even if you meant to, I couldn't possibly get mad at you, because I love you, nephew, you're like a son to me… and, if I still love you, no matter the hurt you cause me, what do you think your father will react when you talk to him about what happened, when his love for you is even greater than mine or Stripe's combined?" That really caused Thomas to think about it. He realized his uncle Rad was right, maybe he shouldn't be afraid to talk with his father. That, together with the talk he had with Dr. Beagle regarding how it could also help him get more control over his panic attacks, also made him become more certain it was the right thing to do.
"Thanks, uncle Rad," he said. "You're welcome, mate," Rad replied. It was then that the door opened again, this time allowing two energetic pups to get in. "Thomas!" Bluey and Bingo exclaimed, running towards her brother to hug her. "Hey there, pipsqueaks," Thomas replied, while hugging his sisters. "Sorry if they disturbed you, son, but your sisters were just too excited to see you," Bandit replied, while getting in. "It's okay, dad, I was just talking to uncle Rad", Thomas said. "I see… I'm glad you're here, brother," Bandit said, while going hug his older brother. "Thanks, bro… and I was also needing this day off, now that I am with Frisky and Thomas is with us… I found harder to be away for a long time like before," Rad told. "Well, you can talk about that at dinner, because I just talked to the doctor and Thomas is ready to come back home," Bandit said. "Seriously?! Sweet" both Thomas and his sisters said at the same time, excited, causing both Bandit and Rad to laugh.
"That will be great, and I bet Frisky will also go too" Rad said. "Fantastic, and I already talked with Stripe and he, Trixie and the girls will also come, and I think mum and dad will love to welcome their grandson back home, they've been very worried," Bandit told. "All family is going to be there, it will a day to remember," Bandit added. "Not all family, I hope…" Thomas grunted, causing both Bandit and Rad to share a look, as they knew who Thomas was talking about. "Girls, why don't you go get something to eat from the machine outside, it's my treat," Rad said to his nieces, while giving them a five bucks bill. "But, dad, says we can't eat candy between meals," Bingo replied. "It's okay, girls, you can have this one," Bandit replied, causing the girls to give one of their little squeaks, with Bluey getting the bill and exiting the room with Bingo.
"Let's talk about Prince son," Bandit said sitting down in a chair. "Dad we don't have to talk about him if you don't want to," Thomas said crossing his arms. "I think we should mate," Bandit said with a smile. "Aren't you hurt by him? He hurt us… that's not the Prince I remember growing up with," Thomas said looking away from his father. "Of course he hurt me mate but that doesn't mean he's not family," Bandit said placing his hand on Thomas's hand. "Dad, I don't want you to hurt anymore," Thomas said looking at his father. "Mate, I hurt when you hurt and I'm happy when your happy it's just how it is," Bandit explained. Thomas had no words this time he only hugged his father tight close to him and cried. "It's okay mate, it's okay it's okay," Bandit said while hugging his son.
"You ready to go home!" Bluey said wagging her tail. "You bet," Thomas said before getting a video call from his grandparents from his moms side. "Thomas! You need to catch your uncle before he leaves," Both of grandparents said. "He's still in town?" Thomas asked. "Yes but you need to talk to him before he leaves," Willow said with a tear in her eye. "Alright I'm on my way," Thomas said as he got his stuff ready..
Prince was just about to board his plane when he heard "wait!" From the Distance. Prince turned and saw Thomas running towards him. "Thomas?" He said confused. "Wait!" Thomas said almost out of breath. "I know I shouldn't forgive you for what you did and I should punch you in the face for it," Thomas said catching his breath. "But Prince, we're family dude my dad is family I know you don't see it your way and you'd rather have me live with you in your stupid rich penthouse and go to the best stupid schools, but, mom wanted me to live with my dad and have mother figure in my and that's Chilli and my sisters mean the world to me they're all I have left and your all I have left," Thomas said now out of breath. "So come on man let's put the worst aside and have dinner at my dads place with everyone and I'll introduce you to my uncle Stripe who is cooler than he looks just because he's the youngest of the Heeler Brothers," Thomas said holding out a hug.
Prince chuckled before he nodded giving his nephew a hug. "Alright kid you hit the heart strings of your big bad uncle Prince," Price said while hugging his nephew. "Now whose soft," Thomas asked. "Don't push you luck kid I'm still big and bad." Prince said as they broke the hug. "Let's go get some dinner with my dads side of the family" Thomas said as he started walking. "Your on mate, is that how they say?" Prince asked hoping he got it right. "Just stick to kid Uncle Prince," Thomas said as they walked out of the airport.
Kodiwolf321 A/N: how did you like the aftermath of it all? Hope we shined some light since the last chapter! Alright guys if you haven't already please go ahead and check the little prequel story When Loves Around which tells house Emily met Rad and how they started going out. Alright guys see you next chapter!