Medication was inserted into the port in Joe's chest. Within ten minutes peace washed over the kind face and blue eyes closed.
"He's resting, Q, why don't you go on home and do the same. Get some sleep man."
Brian Quinn stood up and took a closer look into his sleeping friend's face.
"He is, Thank God it worked so fast. He was so miserable and tired."
"I know, but he's out now. I bet he sleeps the entire day. Grab a cab and go home man. I have him, they'll probably released him soon and I'll take him home with me. Is the dogs okay at your house for now?"
"Sure, they are fine. I know he'll want them with him though, so I'll drop them by tomorrow if he's at your house."
"Okay, sounds like a plan. Now get your hardheaded ass home.".
Q only grinned tiredly at this and walked to the bed and placed his hand on the now cool forehead.
He placed his mouth close to Joe's ear before whispering.
"I'm going to get some sleep buddy, I'll see you tomorrow. Sal's here with you."
He didn't expect a response and didn't get one, but wanted to let Joe know he was leaving anyhow.
He waved to Sal on the way out the door.
"See you later, bud. If anything changes or if they keep him, don't hesitate to wake me up."
"I know man, I won't. I'm going to try to call Murr in a few minutes."
Quinn nodded and walked slowly to the parking lot to call a cab.
Ten minutes passed before Sal decided to try to call James Murray.
Murr had brought his parents to a family reunion in Jersey, but was probably on the way home now.
He was only gone for two days but called either Sal or Q's phone at least twice a day, and checked in on messenger and texts throughout the day.
Three rings later, a worried voice picked up.
"Hey Sal, what's up? Everything okay?"
"Yea, man, he's okay. Don't panic, Murr, but we are in the emergency room. He's okay, he was just throwing up constantly, had a high fever, and he's very weak. We just thought he needed some relief."
"Shit, I know the Dr said this would happen, but I was hoping he was wrong. I hate this is happening man, out of all the people for this to happen to Joey deserves it the least.".
"I know, Murr, but we'll get him through this. He's going to be okay. He's sleeping now. They put some meds in his port and he is out cold."
"Are they sending him home? Going home with you or Q?".
"I think they probably will send him home, hell we had to fight to even get in here. He'll come home with me. Brian is exhausted, I don't think he's gotten any more sleep than Joey has, so I sent him home. Are you on your way home?"
"I actually just dropped mom and dad off, I'll run by the hospital before going home. You know I can take him with me this week if you need me to.".
"I know, but I've got him. You can take next round. We are in ER room 233. He's very much asleep, I don't think he'll know you are here, but I completely understand if you want to come by anyhow."
"I do, I just want to see him before I go home."
Not long after hanging up Joe's Dr came in the room and stopped at the foot of Joe's bed.
"Oh good, I was hoping this is what would be happening when I came by! He needs to rest."
"He is so week that he can't walk at all. We didn't realize this would happen so fast."
"It doesn't take long for this Chemo to hit hard. I'm not surpised. Just hang in there with him, and if you all become exhausted of it, just let me know and we can put him in a care home until the Chemo is completed. They will take excellent care of him there."
Sal's head jerked up at the Dr's last words, just as Murr pulled the curtain back and stepped into the room, also hearing the Dr's last words.
Sal spoke first, walking up to the bed and taking the hand of sleeping man.
"I'm sure Murr agrees with me, as well and Brian, that is not even a consideration. Regardless of how sick or weak he gets, unless he needs medical care that we can't give him, he is going to stay with us."
"Sal's right, we will take care of him. Any kind of home besides our own is not an option."
"I understand" the Dr looked from man to man with admiration and respect. "I was just making sure you knew it was an option, I didn't think you would consider it. He is blessed to have you all.".
Murr was not standing at the other side of the bed, holding the other hand. "We are blessed to have him, he would give his life for any of us. He would do anything for us. We're not about to desert him when he needs us."
Sal and the Dr only nodded.
"Okay, so I was going to release him to either of your care. I will send some of the medication home with you to put into the port. You may use it every 8 hours. It will wear off. He'll wake up and most likely be ill. It also will not do anything for the weakness, that is just something this particular Chemo causes and it's worse than any other.".
Both men nodded and shook the Dr's hand.
Twenty minutes later Sal was gently placing his still sleeping best friend into his spare bed.
"Just rest, bud We got his.