Chapter 28
Note- Ok, I have time, so I present to you the wonderful, fabulous, reader, the next chapter of my story. Please enjoy your reading experience as I praise you all for your great and wonderfulreviews. Thank you!
Carter awoke as the sun peered through the window beside his bed. He rubbed his eyes gently as he enjoyed a moment of grace, where he was warm and free of pain. As his vision became clear his pain soon returned, after scanning the room he noticed that he didn't have his medication at hand. He considered calling for Benton, but was unsure if he was awake. After a slight internal debate, Carter decided to retrieve his medicine himself. He sat up in the bed and massaged his side gently and he moved the wheel chair next to the bed. He counted down from three in his mind to quickly maneuver himself into the awaiting chair. 'One…Two…Three…' he sat in the chair as a shock of pain surged through him as if reliving the horror he had endured. He sat for a few minutes, but to him it felt like hours. Once he was able to regain his composure, Carter rolled out of the room into the short hallway meeting a small TV room.
The sun beamed from the kitchen and a hall window beside and behind him casting a bright glow on the couch and its inhabitant. Carter slowly eased himself over to Benton, and laughed to himself at the uncomfortable position he was sleeping in. A loud thud pulled Carter from his thoughts as he spun his head around to see the television displaying a morning cartoon. Carter looked around the house and quickly caught sight of what he was searching for. A clock in the kitchen showed him that it was only five thirty-two in the morning.
Carter bit his bottom lip as he looked around to see where his medicine could have been placed; he questioned waking Benton, but quickly dismissed the thought. He considered just waiting another hour then waking him would be more reasonable, but he was unsure if he could just sit with the growing pain for an hour. After a few minutes of deliberation he decided to have a look around in hopes of finding his meds.
He began in the kitchen. At first he scanned the room from the doorway. After finding nothing he rolled through the room and out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a pill bottle. It was placed in an open cabinet beyond his reach. It looked new and after staring at it for a moment he was able to make out his name on the side of the bottle facing him. He pulled the chair up close to the counter and locked it in place. While clutching the side of the chair with one hand and the counter with his other he pulled him self up to a standing position. The one movement wore him out and caused him to experience vertigo. His hands gripped tightly around his supports. He looked at the bottle just above him. He removed his hand from the counter and reached for the bottle for the bottle. The lunged pulled at his injury sending a shock through him. The bottle slipped from his hand as he grabbed for the counter, but missed. Black spots danced in his vision as his legs buckled beneath him sending him to the ground. His head grazed the wheel of the chair as he fell. Every muscle in his body seemed to hurt after the impact of the fall. Carter groaned in pain as he rolled from his side to his back clutching his side and head. He pulled his hand back to reveal a bit of blood on his fingertips through the spots. He returned his hand to his head.
Benton awoke at the sound of Carter falling, unsure of what had happened, Benton ran to the bedroom to find it empty. He then heard a pained groan from the kitchen and quickly ran to see what had happened. He rushed in to find Carter on the ground, seemingly in severe pain. "Carter, are you ok? What are you doing?" Benton asked in slight panic and fear. Carter didn't answer as he was absorbed by his lack of luck. Benton was about to help Carter up when he noticed the pill bottle a few feet away from where Carter was laying. He retrieved the bottle and shook two pills from the tube. "Come on Carter… here you go." Benton said while sitting Carter up and giving him the pills.
After helping Carter back into the chair, Benton pulled up a chair from the table beside him and sat waiting for Carter to regain his composure. While waiting Benton noticed a scratch that was bleeding slightly just above Carter's left eye. He ran to the bathroom and returned with a small medical kit. He opened it and found a band-aid and some anti-bacterial ointment. Carter watched as Benton applied the ointment to his forehead and after he placed the band-aid on and replaced the ointment in the kit, Carter's eyes fell as he looked away in humiliation.
"Thank you Dr. Benton." Carter said lightly. Benton placed his hand on Carter's shoulder to reassure him that he was there for him. "I just, I didn't want to wake you, but I kind of needed the medicine and well, you know the rest." Carter smiled sheepishly as he looked up again.
"Carter, it's ok man. Just next time ask for help. That's what I am here for. Don't be afraid to ask, we don't want to aggravate your injuries. It will take time, but remember that we are all here for you." Benton smiled slightly to stretch his point. Carter relaxed and felt relieved by Benton's words. "So you hungry?" Benton said, "I make a pretty mean vegetable omelet."
Carter smiled, but shook his head dismissing the food. "Sounds great, but I'm not really hungry, but… um… could I just have a glass of water?" Benton stood up and got the requested drink. "Thanks." Carter took a few small sips as the cold liquid quenched his thirst. "So what time do you go in today?" Carter asked while setting his drink down on the counter.
Benton was in the process of pouring himself a small glass of orange juice. "Oh, well I am off for the week, Mark's orders as of last night." Benton smiled and toasted his glass. "So I am like your butler for the next week." Benton smiled as he watched Carter laugh at the comment. Carter finished off the water and yawned lightly. "Hey why don't you get a bit more rest?" Benton suggested while placing the two glasses in the sink.
"Yeah, I guess a little more sleep couldn't hurt." Carter replied while preparing to roll himself back to the room. As he reached back to release the break he cringed lightly in pain as he realized the full effect of the fall.
"Let me do that Carter." Benton walked over and unlocked the wheels, then took Carter back to the room. After helping him into the bed Benton shut the blinds plunging the room into a quiet darkness. "Now, if you need anything call for me ok?" Carter nodded his head as his smile reappeared soothing Benton's worries. "Ok, good. Just relax Man." Benton closed the door slightly and sat on the couch staring blankly into the television. 'He'll be alright' he reassured himself as he drifted into a light uncertain sleep.
Note- Ok, I will try to update again tomorrow. I would like to againpraise and thank a million billion times over, all of you amazing reviewers. You all are just plain awesome, I am so grateful for your kindness and how absolutely amazing you all are. So… Thank You!!!