Joe had been sleeping for 6 hours straight, but in the last hour or so he had started mumbling and turning in his sleep.
The Dr had mentioned this to Sal. That confusion and altered mental state was a side effect upon waking.
Sal was in the kitchen, making himself a sandwich when he heard his friend call out. The panic in Joe's voice made him bolt for the spare bedroom.
He was opening the door when he heard the plaintive cry again.
Sal flipped the light on.
"Joey, I'm right here man. We're in my apartment and you had a nice long rest, bud. You look better!".
Joe looked at his friend, confusion etched on his face.
"Sal. My mom was in here, did she leave?"
Sal didn't know how to answer this, and hoped Joe came to his senses before he had to, to so he tried to stall.
"Are you thirsty buddy? Or hungry, you look so much better. Do you think you could eat something for me?"
"I don't know where my mom went, Sal"
A stray tear rolled down one pale cheek.
Sal sighed, fighting tears himself, and gently wiped the tear from Joe's cheek with his finger.
"Look at me, Joey".
Big blue eyes gazed confusingly into Sal's brown ones. He placed both hands on the thinning shoulders.
"Your mom is in Heaven, buddy. She's been there for four years. The new medicne just messes with your head for a while when you wake up, the Dr said it would,
but it will be okay."
Tears were now streaming down Joe's handsome face and it broke Sal's heart to think that in Joe's altered state of mind, he just lost his dearly
beloved mom all over again.
"She's dead?"
"Yes, Joey, she is gone." Sal's hand moved to Joe's forehead, just to make sure a high fever wasn't causing the confusion, he was warm, which was the norm as of late, but there was no sign of a exceptionally high fever.
A moment of silence followed as awareness crept into the baby blue eyes.
Joe then met Sal's worried gaze.
"I'm sorry Sal. I'm all here now. I really thought she was in here with me, but I guess I was dreaming."
"Don't be sorry Joey, you have nothing to apologize for. And you know what, maybe she was here with you. You know she's watching out for you."
He smiled as he helped his friend set up.
"So what do you say? Want to go into the living room and I'll get us something to eat and we'll find a movie?"
"I'm down for the movie part. But, I'm not sure about the eating part."
Joe's voice was stronger and Sal could tell he was feeling much better, knowing this time was limited he wanted to make the best of it.
"Just try to eat something, okay, buddy?".
Joe smiled and nodded.
"I feel better. How often can we put this stuff in my port?"
The grin on Joe's face made Sal grin in return, then he sighed and looked at his long time friend setting on the edge of the bed.
"Dr said every 8 hours and it will wear off before the time is up. More so every time we use it. But hey, it is helping and you feel better right now so let's make the most of it."
"Do you have chicken noodle soup?".
"I do. Campbells even! Let's get you in the living room and I'll heat a can up for you."
"Okay, not promising anything, but I will try."
Sal smiled at his friend and turned to get the wheelchair.
"Wait Sal. I think I can walk. I want to try."
"Sure thing".
Putting his hand behind Joe's back, he helped him to his feet and then supported him as they made their way slowly to the living room couch.
Joe didn't quite make the short walk and Sal ended up carrying him part of the way, but he walked further than he had in a week.