Finally at around 8pm, four hours after Murray put the prescribed medication in his port, Joe drifted asleep while laying on the plush couch.
Murr watched as his best friend's eyes slowly closed and Joe's chest began to fall and rose in a relaxed pattern, he sighed in relief and got up to find a blanket to cover the now thin form with.
Turning all the lights out and creeping into the kitchen for a snack, Murr couldn't help but wonder about the feeding tube. What good is it truly doing? Is the nutrients getting into Joe's system before it can all be vomitted back up? Or was it just a useless surgery, another tube that his friend did not want to begin with, more agony which they basically forced him to endure. He intended to call the Dr tomorrow and ask these questions.
Grabbing a bowl of cereal he wandered back into the living room to check on Joe, then went into his bedroom, leaving the door open. Murray was scared Joe would begin to vomit in his sleep and choke. He didn't see himself sleeping tonight. Sighing, he set on the bed and turned the tv on, slowly spooning Frosted Flakes into his mouth, not tasting the sweet cereal.
Q shot straight up in bed, grabbing frantically at his cell phone.
It must be 4 in the morning. Terror rose up in his chest, making it hard to breathe, even more so when he saw Murr's name and picture on the face of the cell.
"Murr? What's wrong man?"
"He's okay, bud. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Holy shit, Murray. You can give a person a heart attack like this. What's up?"
"Do you think you can come over here and set for a little bit, so I can sleep a few hours? I'm having a hard time staying awake, and you know I told you earlier that he's been puking all day. I'm afraid to fall asleep because I'm scared the meds will wear off and he'll start vomitting and choke on it, but I can't stay awake."
"I understand, bud. Just hang tight and I'll be there as soon as I can get some clothes one. We'll take shifts."
"Okay, thank you".
James Murray set his cell phone done with a sigh of relief, wiped his eyes and looked over at his still sleeping friend.
Suddenly Joey emitted an ear piecing scream. Murr jumped up from the recliner, rushing to his friend's side.
Wide, terrified blue eyes met his worried and exhausted brown ones.
He rested a hand on the thinning shoulder.
"What wrong, Jo..."
Joe pushed the hand from his shoulder, throwing himself from the couch, hitting the carpeted floor with a thud.
Instantly, he begin to back away from the approaching Murr.
"What are you doing, Joey? Did you hurt yourself, buddy?"
Murr had stopped trying to approach his friend, noting the horror filled eyes showed no recognizition.
Instead he kneeled so that he was eye level with Joe.
"Look at me, Joey, please. It's Murr. Just calm down, buddy."
Joe only scooted further back, towards the kitchen.
"Don't. I'll cut you. Don't hurt me."
Tears streamed down the thin, pale face.
"Joe, please just look at me. It's Murr. I'm not going to hurt you."
He knew he couldn't let Joe get into the kitchen, he stood more chance of cutting himself then he did anyone else and that's all he needed.
So, he quickly lunged and grabbed his friend in a bear hug. Joe struggled with all the strenght he had, which wasn't much, and Murr was able to keep his hold.
He whispered into Joe's hair, trying to keep his voice soothing.
"Joey, Joey, it's just me. Please man, listen to my voice."
Joe lost the little strength he had left and the physical fight left him, but he continued to plead with what he saw as a terrible threat.
"Please don't hurt me. Let me go"
Q found Murr's spare key in it's usual hiding spot and unlocked the door.
"What the hell!"
He ran to his friends' side.
Murr looked up into Q's eyes. His red rimmed brown eyes wet with tears of sorrow, confusion, and frustration.
"I don't know what is happening, man. He just woke up like this, except I'm not sure he's really awake. I don't know who the hell he thinks I am, but he thinks I'm trying to hurt him in some way. He's scared to death of me, Q.".
Q nodded, instantly feeling horrible that he and Sal forgot to mention the side effect of the nausea medication. He put one hand on Murr's shoulder and the other on Joe's back, he could feel Joe's body convulsing in fear and sobs, he could also feel his backbone, which made him sick for his friend.
"It's the nausea medicine, Murr. It's a side effect. He'll come out of it, it's okay."
Moving to Joe's side, he physically turned his friend's head towards his and he spoke loudly.
"Joey! Look at me"
Only getting a terrifed stare, he tried again. Louder.
"Joe! It's Q, and Murr. Snap out of it, buddy. You are scaring us."
This time, he saw Joe's eyes clear as eye contact was made.
"Q?"
Q and Murr both sighed in relief.
"Yea, man. It's okay. It's just us."
Q made a mental note to talk to Joe about who he was so afraid of in these episodes. What the hell happened to him as a child.