Paybacks

Chapter 16

SO, how many of you noticed that in the last chapter Faith draped the shirt over Bosco's LEFT shoulder because he had an IV in?  How many of you then realized that Bosco still has a cast on his LEFT wrist?  OOPS! Give yourself a pat on the back if you noticed that :0) I'll go back and fix it sometime.

When Faith's shift ended she headed over to Bosco's apartment to get his sweats.  She was amazed at how clean his apartment was; usually she would have had to kick a path.  Maybe he was growing up.  "Doubt it," she chuckled.

****

Bosco had been moved to a private room on the second floor.  "How ya feelin' Bos?"

"You bring my clothes?"

"Yeah.  They're right here."  She placed his duffle bag on the end of the bed.

"Thanks."  He grabbed the bag.  "Now I can have my dignity back."

"So, how are you feeling?"  She asked again.

"I'm fine.  They took the IV out awhile ago, and I've been off the oxygen for a few hours."

"Any pain?"

"Yeah, I'm sore as hell, and if I'm not real careful when I move it flares up pretty bad.  The muscle spasms are pretty much over though."  He started to pull on his sweatpants.

Faith could see how cautious he was when he moved.  "Do you want some help?"

"I can dress myself Faith."

"Hey I was just trying to be helpful."

"So, I was thinking…"

"Oh, so that's what the smoke is from."

He glared at her as she laughed at her own joke.  "I was thinking that maybe they'd let me go home with you.  I don't feel like staying here."  He looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"I doubt it Bos.  Besides, you said it yourself.  You aren't ready to work, and you need someone to look after you.  I still have to work remember?  Who would take care of you?"

"We could call my mom."

"Uh…I called her earlier."

"What'd she say?"

Faith didn't answer him.  Instead she picked up his shirt.  "Arms up."

"Huh?"

"Come on, arms up."  She stepped closer to him, shirt in hand.  Bosco didn't move.  "Maurice," Faith said sternly as only a mother could.

His jaw dropped.  "You didn't just call me Maurice?!"

"Yeah, I did.  Now quit being so stubborn.  Put your arms up."

Bosco reluctantly put his arms in the air, and allowed Faith to pull the t-shirt over his head.  "Now that wasn't so bad was it?" chirped Faith.

"I'll never forgive you for this."

"Oh, you're so cute when you're angry."

He looked at her with a scowl on his face.  "Can we go for a walk or something?  I gotta get out of this room."

"Yeah, if you feel up to it."

They walked down the hall in silence.  Bosco slowly shuffling his feet, and Faith trying to make sure she didn't walk too fast.  It amazed her how that six block run he had done earlier in the day had caused so much pain, and physical wear on her partner's body.

"So you never told me what my mom said."

Faith didn't know what to say to him.  How could she tell him that his own mother had only said to have him call when he felt better?  If it had been her child she would have been in hysterics, and dropped everything to be with him.

"Faith, it's OK.  You can tell me."

"She said to call her when you feel better."

"She did?"  His voice sounded almost cheerful.

"Yeah.  What?  That makes you happy?  It's not like she said she'd come see you or anything.  She just said to call."

"But that's a step in the right direction.  It at least means she's willing to talk to me again."  Faith stopped, and looked at her partner.  "What?" he asked.

"Bosco you're in the hospital, and your own mother didn't seem to care.  She should be here making sure you're OK, and have everything you need."

"Why?  You're here."

"I'm not your mother."

He could see that his partner was angry.  "Faith.  You don't know my family.  Unless its life threatening it's no big deal."

"Bosco you could barely breathe when I found you in that alley!  And she's treating it like you have a cold!"

"Look, she's not an easy person to understand, but she's always there when I need her.  She just doesn't know how to express her emotions that's all."

"Whatever you say Bos," whispered Faith.