Thursday, December 28, 2017

The next day, Richie was a bit of an irritable asshole. The police finally came and questioned him, asking question after question, making him answer ones he didn't want to. He had to listen to the sound of him getting his ass beat in full this time, and Eddie used his laptop to transfer the video onto a flash drive for them to take for evidence. They'd found his glasses at the "crime scene" along with a notebook with nothing in it pages ripped out, covered in blood.

He also had many visitors today. Anyone who came to visit him and it was a good amount, twenty or more random people he knew that no one else did. He was nice to them, short, though, and didn't speak much, but thanked him for their well wishes, but sighing angrily every time a nurse came in to check his blood pressure or someone offered to help him up when he went to the bathroom, or wanted to walk a bit, or even just move to the recliner. He muttered under his breath every time, and those trying to help knew he was swearing at them.

"Obviously, the police questioning him did nothing for his mood today, only made it worse. And so many visitors was probably overwhelming, he's been used to the same circle of people going in and out of his room since he woke up. Besides that, he's used to being independent with most things." Dr. Alleyne told his parents and Bev later that afternoon, after the visitors had come and gone, the only ones now coming in and out now were the Losers. Eddie was in Richie's room with him now- Eddie was the only one Richie was really fine with today. "He's frustrated, he's not used to people helping him, or asking for help. This is normal. He's gonna have those moments of pure anger, and sadness, thankfulness for being here, probably a lot of regret and depression, wishing he wasn't experiencing all those feelings." she leaned against the wall. "Richie's been through a lot, not even just with the accident. The boy who did this to him, he's pretty much been ruining Richie's life for years, correct?"

"Yeah." Bev said. "All of us, but mainly Richie because… well… yeah. His entire group of friends, really, bothered Richie. I've seen some… not so nice things written in the girls stalls about him, and I can only imagine what's in the boys."

"Richie's just having a hard time with that, with the surgery, aftermath... And if I know my patients- and Richie in general, I know he's gonna apologize to all of you soon. He doesn't mean anything he says to you, he just doesn't understand this new feeling. There'll be bad days, and good days, iffy days… days where he doesn't want to be bothered, days where all he wants is to be touching someone, being comforted by them. Just watch him carefully, study him to figure out those days. Of course, don't make it obvious that's what you're doing, it'll only make things worse. It's all you can really do about that."

After a small outburst from Richie later that day, Went was sent in to talk to him, one on one while Maggie, Bev, Eddie and Stan went to get dinner. Richie was sitting on his bed, one leg bent under him and the other straight out, elevated slightly on a pillow. His bad arm rested on another pillow, the navy blue sling dark against his pale skin and pale hospital gown. He stared at the TV like it murdered his entire family.

After a minute or two, Richie looked at his dad with a blank look.

"Hey, Rich." Went said quietly. "Can I talk to you for a few minutes? You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, or answer any questions I ask, okay?" Richie's eyebrow twitched but nodded. "Okay. I just want you to know that no one is mad or angry with you, upset with you, nothing like that. We're sorry if we've overwhelmed you. We know you've had a rough time and are trying to help, but I guess watching every move you make isn't helping, is it?" Richie shook his head. "I know you've had a lot of things bother you today, but can you tell me what the main thing that's bothering you right now?"

"The beeping." Richie said immediately. "The fucking beep, beep, beep is driving me insane... on top of you guys talking and the TV and I can't sleep, even when... you're whispering. The beep won't let me sleep." his lips twitched up at that.

"Okay. Does music help you sleep?" Went asked. Richie nodded. He went to Maggie's bag and pulled out a smaller bag, and handed it to his son. He raised an eyebrow at his dad, who just motioned for him to open them. Richie opened the bag and pulled out a pair of bright red headphones. He looked at his dad, eyebrows raised. "Surprise! I went and got them for you last night when you're other one's broke. Those were old as fuck, son, you had to know they'd quit soon. The timing was just shit." Richie nodded in agreement. "Now, they're gone to get dinner, do you want to listen to your music and try and catch a few minutes of sleep until they get back?" he asked. Richie nodded again. Went sat back in his chair and took his phone out, texting the group chat and letting them know Richie would probably be asleep when they got back, and had chilled out some.

It didn't take long for the boy to fall asleep, and he was snoring quietly the next time a nurse came in to check his blood pressure. She did it as carefully as possible and thankfully didn't wake him up. The others arrived a while later, and they ate quietly.

About an hour after everyone finished eating, Richie snorted awake and squinted as he looked around the room, rubbing at his neck. Maggie eyed him as he did so.

"The fuck kind of wake up was that?" Eddie muttered. Went snorted.

"He did that all the time as a baby."

"I did what as a baby?" Richie asked, taking the headphones off.

"Snort awake."

"Oh." he put them in his lap and rubbed his eyes. Someone- probably his mom- took his glasses off him at some point while he was asleep. He grabbed them off the table and put them on. "I wonder if the new baby will do that." he muttered.

"The who?" Stan asked. Richie's eyes widened for a split second before they quickly flickered over to his parents who looked like they were about to laugh.

"The new baby Stan, you heard him." Eddie replied, half asleep. Bev giggled.

"What new baby?" Stan asked.

"I'm pregnant, Stan." Maggie told him, and to prove it, showed him her bump the same way she had Richie and Bev.

"Oh my God." Stan covered his mouth for a second, before standing up and hugging her and then Went. "Congratulations!

"Thank you!" Maggie smiled.

"Congrats for what?" Eddie asked, opening one eye to look at them. He saw Maggie smooth her hands over her bump and his eyes popped open. "You're pregnant? Since when?" he smacked his thigh for emphasis.

"Well, I'm sixteen weeks tomorrow so… like four months? Give or take a few days."

"Holy shit. Congratulations!"

"You guys really didn't notice Bev's shirt?" Richie asked.

"Well she is older than you." Stan said. "We figured it was a joke."

"I got one too, it's on the counter over there." he pointed at it.

They congratulated them again, Richie did his breathing exercises a few times, ate his own dinner, and went back to sleep when Stan left. The only other time he woke up was when his parents left for the night- Bev and Eddie convincing them that they needed to rest in an actual bed too- and they told him they loved him and goodbye before leaving.


Friday, December 29, 2017

The next morning wasn't much better. Richie definitely slept more than he had been, but he woke up upset from a nightmare he wouldn't talk about- all he'd said was that it wasn't of what happened with Bowers.

His head was hurting from his hair being up for so long, especially without washing it in a week. And that means he hasn't showered or brushed his teeth in that long, and it was only now that he realized it.

"If I can get my ass up to go take a piss or a shit, I should be able to at least brush my fucking teeth!" he grumbled, lifting one hand in the air and letting it fall back down hard onto the bed. "I feel gross, and I'm sure I smell gross and look gross. My hair is disgusting, and when I wash it again, I'm sure half of it is gonna fall out!"

"Baby, calm down okay? I brought your toothbrush and toothpaste, we just weren't sure you felt up to brushing them because we all know how long you brush them." Maggie told him, pulling said items out of her purse, toothbrush in a Ziploc bag. He gave her a flat look but took them when she handed them to him, muttering a soft,

"Thanks." he got up on his own, much easier than it had been, and made his way to the bathroom without holding on to the IV pole. Another nurse moved it to the other side so that he wouldn't have to walk all the way around his bed, and now the wires and cords stretched all the way to the bathroom.

While he was brushing his teeth, Maggie went to the nurses desk to ask if he could take a shower, or wash himself off some kind of way, but Dr. Alleyne walked up right as she was about to ask.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"No, he's still in a bad mood. He wants a shower, which is understandable."

"Ah."

"I was coming to ask if he could take one here or wash himself off some kind of way."

"Give me a few minutes and I'll come and bring you some stuff." Dr. Alleyne told her. Maggie furrowed her eyebrows a bit but nodded, going back to Richie's room, where he was harshly brushing his teeth.

"I don't know how he has gums anymore." Eddie said told her. She snorted and shrugged. She told them what Dr. Alleyne told her.

"Wouldn't what he needed already be in there?" Bev asked. Maggie shrugged again.

"I don't know." she said.

Richie just sat down when Dr. Alleyne came in, hands behind her back. Richie eyed her.

"How we feeling today, Richie?"

"Gross."

"You feel like going home today?" she asked, grinning. Richie stared at her.

"Don't fuck with me. I'll rip this IV out and walk my ass home if you are."

"Richard!" Maggie scolded.

"Well! I want to shower and sleep in my own bed."

"Well, I'm not fucking with you." Dr. Alleyne told him, and brought her hands from behind her back, where she held a stack of papers. Discharge papers. "You're not pausing when talking anymore, unless it's when you talk too fast like anyone does, you got all three balls up, and with the other one you've reached the highest number."

"What can I say, I'm good at blowing." Richie deadpanned.

No one said anything at first, but when they saw his lips twitch and shoulders just barely shaking, they started laughing. He couldn't help but grin at them.

"Martha is already on her way here with a wheelchair to wheel you out, and will be waiting here with us as you guys collect your things." she told him. Bev and Eddie immediately began stuffing things in bags while the parents signed the papers, while Richie looked at his phone. Martha walked in with the wheelchair, a bag of supplies inside it. She grinned at Richie when he gave her a thumbs up and picked up a box, walking over to him.

"I got you a present." she told him, shaking the box. "Nicotine patches! This box hasn't even been opened yet. You do know that you can't smoke for a long long time, right?" she told him. He nodded. "You shouldn't smoke at all, especially at this age." she looked at him pointedly and he grinned.

"Thank you! That's what I've been trying to tell these two." Eddie pointed at Bev and Richie. They stuck their tongues out at him and he flipped them off. Dr. Alleyne was explaining how to take care of Richie's incisions to Went and Maggie, so Martha began to tell the teens. She pointed to the bag.

"I'm gonna remove your IV, okay?" Richie nodded. "That has everything you'll need to take care of your incisions." she began, grabbing a band aid to place on his arm. "There's gauze, medical tape, butterfly stitches in case you get scared the incision will pop open in one spot when you get the staples out- which I highly doubt it will, as it's rare. Scar ointment to help you a bit, ointment to fight possible infection while the staples are still in, There's a prescription for pain medicine that'll make you drowsy at first, so no school for a couple more weeks, or driving for that matter. You shouldn't drive until two, maybe three weeks after staples are removed." she put the band aid on and smoothed it down gently.

"When do I get them removed?" he asked.

"Next week Dr. Alleyne will call your mom or dad and set up an appointment in her office for a checkup. About a week or so, I believe." Richie nodded. "There are written directions in here as well, of course, and you know how to and how often to change your patch, right?" Richie nodded again. "Good." she walked over and patted his shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Richie, you've been strong this week." he smiled at her and nodded.

"It's gonna suck not seeing you everyday, but I'll be glad to get out of here."

"I know." she chuckled. "I'm sure we'll see each other around town. When I'm not working, I'm out spending time with my kids at the mall, so if you ever go, check out the hub where all the kiddie toys are. I'll probably be there." she laughed and he grinned.

"Are we ready?" Dr. Alleyne said.

"I need pants." Richie said. "It's cold outside."

"Ah, true, and a jacket. Went, grab his pants out of that bag, I got a jacket for him on me." she said, holding it up. As they helped him get the pants and jacket on, Dr. Alleyne said,

"It's gonna sound ridiculous, but the best way to shower without getting your incisions wet is to keep the gauze on, but cover it up with plastic wrap or wax paper and tape it with medical tape, and after your shower, you can remove all of that and take a warm wet cloth to clean around the areas." Richie nodded.

"I'm doing that as soon as I get home."

"Do you have a seat of sorts in your shower?" Dr. Alleyne asked Maggie, who nodded. She turned back to Richie. "It'd be better if you sat down to shower the first couple of times. I know you can stand for a while but showers are different, you're scrubbing and bending over and all, so it'll be easier on you." Richie nodded.

"Crazy of you to assume I don't already sit in the shower." he replied. She laughed at that.

"I honestly don't know, he used to as a child before he was able to do it himself, so he probably does." Maggie chuckled.

"And I've heard that you like to wear button up shirts?"

"Like a dad on vacation, yes." Richie replied. She snorted.

"It'd be best to wear those for a while too, until your shoulder is feeling better. And speaking of, if you feel like you can stand taking the sling off, you can take it off on Monday." Richie nodded. "Now, is it okay if I have a moment alone with Richie?" she asked. Everyone agreed and decided they'd go with Went to get the car and take their belongings, deciding to meet Richie, Martha and Dr. Alleyne downstairs.

After they left, Dr. Alleyne sat in the free space on Richie's bed. "You… have really amazed me. In my fifteen years of doing this, I've never seen anything like it. Most people still wouldn't be breathing on their own, or even walking around or shifting in their bed by themselves. You're strong, so strong, and I know you can get through anything. You've gone through a lot, from what I've been told, and still have a sense of humor." Richie smiled so softly at her, it almost made her cry. "Don't lose that humor, be you. If someone doesn't like you for who you are, screw them, they don't deserve you."