Ties of a Friendship
Chapter 19
Trey was sitting up in the hospital bed wearing a light blue shirt and gray sport sweats. He was flipping through channels annoyed by the fact that he was still in the hospital he wanted to be on the beach or doing something else besides being trapped in the hospital. He settles the channel on Cartoon Network he really didn't care what was on not that anything catches his attention. He sighs and looks out of hospital window he didn't see anything, but another wing of the hospital with a glimmer of sunshine making the white wall brighter than it needed to be.
"Bored!" He shouted slamming his head back into the hospital bed he slept in for three days. "I got to get out of here!"
It was morning for the Adams-Foster's clan and everyone went on their way Jude was the last to get up still thinking about the day prior events. He enters the bathroom to brush his teeth as he grabbed his toothbrush he notices the blue nail polish. It was the blue nail polish that bonded him and Connor where their friendship began.
"So, anything new and exciting in your world?" Mariana asked Jude applying a coat of polish on his finger, "Any new friends?"
"Well there is this one boy," Jude tells her. Mariana continued to apply the coat of polish, "His name is Connor and we have Math class together."
"What's he like?"
"I don't know…" Jude answered he just started talking to Connor so he had no idea really what Connor was like he knew he was nice a person, "He's pretty cool I guess."
Jude recalled the moment after Math class where Connor and him was leaving class and he was excited with Connor telling him about this bass that he and his Dad caught. He asked him have he been fishing before Jude tells him no and Connor tells him he should go the next time they come. Connor told him forgot his book and went back in class to grab it. That's when two bullies came up and noticed Jude's nail polish Connor saw from the inside of the class Jude tells the bullies to grow up and one slams into the locker before Connor could interfere a teacher caught them and Jude walked away from Connor.
Jude remembered feeling ashamed for wearing the blue nail polish, but with some reassurance from Lena he decided he was gonna wear it even due to Callie's protest. He went to school feeling safe with the nail polish on his fingers. No one said anything to him which he was relieved. He went to lunch trying to find a seat in the crowded cafeteria. He founded a table where some students were sitting, but left when he sat down. He looks around and then opens back at his sack lunch. He noticed a shadow over it was Connor he sat down and smiles at Jude. Connor picks up his sandwich and Jude opens his, but Jude noticed something, something he wasn't excepting to see Connor proudly had the same color nail polish on his hands as well. Jude smiles proudly he was happy he had a friend who would stand up for him.
He looks at the blue nail polish and remembered how because of this nail polish Connor and Jude became friends. He remembered what Trey was telling him about going for it and how he hasn't had a good life since his Callie and him got toss into foster care, but he found his forever family and he found Connor someone who makes him happy and he won't let anyone stand in his way.
Jude brushes his teeth clean himself up and paint his finger nails. He knew it was a risk, but he was gonna take it no matter what the consequences are. Connor was the most important thing right now and he will see him today.
Trey was bored after the nurse came to collect some of his blood. He was not really in the mood, but just get it over he wanted to leave. His mom soon arrived knocking on the door. She wears a causal white shirt with purple open button shirt jacket and blue tight jeans and black boots. She smiles at her son as he gives her a grumpy look. She places her purse on the nearby wooden table and sits next to her son on his bed.
"How are you feeling honey?"
"Bored mother," He replied annoyed as the rhetorical question his mother asked him, "What else would I be mom?"
"Well happy that you're still alive. I would say!" She responded back giving him a kiss on his forehead. "So no sulking around."
"Mom I'm trapped in a hospital for a couple of weeks there's not much beside reading, drawing, looking at this lame TV and surfing the web! Yeah this is the life!"
"Honey I promise it'll get better…"
Trey turns from his mother and lets out a sigh, "Yeah…if only…"
Jude arrived at the hospital with his finger nails painted. The anxiety and nervousness is a heavy weighted on him it was big step no one knew he was planning to see Connor, but he will see Connor if it's the last thing he do. He exits the elevator and goes to the front desk.
"Excuse me?" He asked the lady at the front desk, "I'm looking for Connor Stevens' room?"
"And you are?" She asked him.
He almost panicked for second, "He's cousin…" He lied hopefully it was enough to convince the lady to tell him where his room was.
Inside of Connor's room Mr. Stevens was sitting down watching TV with his son. Connor wasn't really paying attention he was clearly upset and depressed. Connor being in the hospital wasn't the reason why he was upset or depressed he was annoyed with his father and the fact he wasn't allowed to see his best friend. Mr. Stevens made it known to him and the Adams-Fosters that Jude will never see Connor again.
Adam tried to talk to Connor, but Connor didn't hardly replied, he mostly ignored his father not that it did any good. Adam was still dead set against him seeing Jude. Connor knew it was wrong to sneak out, but he wanted to see his best friend and his father had no right to keep them apart whether they were gay or not. To Connor they were friends first and more so than anything.
"Well I'm going to get some coffee," Adam announced to his son walking towards the door. Connor could care less too be honest he didn't want to see his father any more than had to. "Do you want anything?" Connor just looks at his father with angry and hatred. Adam didn't entertain his son's attitude and walks out of the room.
Jude's nerves were shot. He followed the instruction the lady at the front office told him. This was it today was the day he was going to see Connor. He thought about what would he say? What would he do? Will Connor even want to talk to him? Or even see him? The hallway towards Connor's room felt like an endless path that Jude saw no end to. He finally reached the door, but to his surprise the door opened and Jude knew, he knew he was caught.
Adam walks out of the room and he sees Jude standing there. In front of him Connor's problem the boy he blames for everything. Adam knows he is a child, but he's upset that this boy changed his son's outlook on life, he's the reason Connor identify himself as gay because he fell for this skinny pale foster boy and not a girl like he wanted.
Jude was hoping not to see Adam he wanted to sneak in to Connor without any problems, but it looks like he has to get pass an obstacle, an obstacle called: Adam Stevens. Jude didn't back down he knew Connor was waiting for him and if he had to go through Adam he will.
"What are you doing here?" Adam asked him. He made it very clear he didn't want Jude to come anywhere near Connor and now the boy is here standing in front of him with fear and determination in his eyes. Both boys defied him and it frustrated him to no end. "I told your mom I didn't want you to hanging around Connor."
Jude stood firm he wouldn't back down nor let Adam bully him down. "I know. I want to see him. I want to see my friend and I'm not leaving until I do!"
"I'm sorry, but you will not see my son!" Adam stated firm making sure Jude understood him, "I will call your mom to pick you up and after I don't want you to come anywhere near Connor…or else."
"Mr. Stevens, Connor's my best friend and he's been shot defending me! I will not leave until you let me see him!" Jude replied his determination will not flaunter to Adam, "I care about him…just like you do!"
"Honey, you want something to drink or anything while I pick up something?" Trey's mother asked him.
He really didn't know why she asked it's not like anything he wanted was in the hospital. "How about…a chicken tender sub?" His mom gave him a look. "Fine just pick me up something to drink. You know since I can't rally eat anything I really want!"
"Someone seems cranky," His mom teased before giving him a kiss on forehead, "You should try and get some sleep you know how you are when you don't get enough sleep."
Trey pinches his fingers between his eyes of his temple sighing, "Trust me mom I had enough sleep for now. I need to do something before I go crazy!"
"You will once the doctors discharge you…" She tells him before walking out the room to leave her son in his boredom.
"Well at least if I'm going to be in this hospital might as well walk around!" Trey said to himself getting out of the bed wearing his gray jogging pants and a blue hoodie, "Well at least I'll be conformable." He opens the door to look around to see if the coast was clear, but he saw a nurse and two doctors walking in the general area and he waits.
Lena arrives at the hospital where she sees Jude sitting next to Connor's door and Adam standing in the general area pacing back and forth until he notices Lena and walks over to her.
"I'mma grab a cup of coffee," He tells her, "And when I get back he needs to be gone. Otherwise I'mma call security." He walks away leaving Lena to deal with Jude.
Lena walks over to her son she could see the hurt in his eyes. She sits down and rubs his leg. It breaks her heart to see her son in such pain. "I know how hard this must be for you, honey I do…Losing a friend is one of the most painful things to go through. But Mr. Stevens made it very clear-"
"He's not my friend," Jude stated to Lena. Which confused her to what he meant by that. She's always known Connor and Jude as friends of course so for Jude to say that confused her.
"Connor's not your friend?"
Jude shakes his head, "There were no girls…in the tent. On the camping trip. It was just us. We kissed and now we're like…"
"…More than friends?" Lena finished the thought. She knew Jude had a crush on Connor, but now her lingering question of Connor having a crush on Jude was confirmed.
Jude begins to breakdown and cries, "Connor. He told his' dad." Lena pulls Jude into a hug and lets him cry on her shoulder. From a distance Adam returned from getting his coffee and was stopped in his tracks when he saw Lena and Jude in their moment.
Adam kept his distance from mother and son. He felt bad about Jude crying, but he knew what was best for Connor and in his mind it wasn't Jude. Jude pulls away from Lena and wipes his tears. He lean back against wall next to Connor's room he still wouldn't leave and Lena could tell that this hurt both boys. She spotted Adam near drinking some of his coffee. She kisses Jude head and heads over to Adam's direction.
"You can't keep them apart forever Adam!" She tells him strange to the point. "What about school?"
"I'm pulling him from Anchor Beach," He replied. He knew this was the only way to keep Connor away from Jude. His distraction from what Adam wants for him.
Lena didn't think that was smart. She figured Adam only doing this to keep Jude and Connor away from each other. As the vice principal it wasn't advised. "With only a few weeks left in the school year? He'll have to repeat the grade." Adam nodded he understood what that meant. Anything to keep Connor from Jude. "Then what? You'll lock him up into his 18?" Adam just kept nodding, Lena took a deep breath before speaking to Adam she wanted to get him to understand what's going on with Connor. "You can keep Jude outside of the door…as long as you want. As long as you're willing to stand watch. But what then? You going to keep all the boys outside the door?" Lena questions were hitting Adam harder than he wanted to admit. It was a tough pill for him to swallow. "You can try, but trust me if you do…you'll be the one end up getting shut out."
The words touch Adam who was on the verge of tears he didn't want to be shut out of his son's life. He loved Connor more than anything, but it was hard for him to accept his son's sexuality. "I don't care if your son is gay." He sighs shaking his head. "I just don't want mine to be."
"I understand Adam, but sometimes life throws us a curve ball especially with our children. As parents we should love them protect them and stand by their side, but we can't control their lives nor the people they love." Lena looks over her shoulder to see Jude depressed from not seeing his friend and Adam looks over to him as well. "Look at him Adam. Do you really want to see your son in that kind of pain more so than he already is? Both boys have been through enough in their lives. Connor been shot and Jude grew up in foster care it's time for them to have some happiness and they found it in each other who are we to stop them?"
Adam nods and walks over to Jude. Jude looks at Adam. He motion to get up and Jude obeys. Adam takes a deep breath and opens the door. Connor lying in the bed miserable just looks at his dad with a sour face. Adam step back and out of the entrance and lets Jude walks into the room. Connor couldn't believe that his father agreed to let Jude see him. Connor smiles and sits up to greet Jude. Jude smiles and walks over to him as Adam looks on he understood that Jude makes Connor and if he truly loves his son he wouldn't stand in the way of him and Jude. He closes the door and give them some alone time.
Connor grabs Jude's hand and smiles. He notices Jude's finger nails. "What's this?"
"War paint," Jude tells him. Both boys' smiles and Connor scoots over for Jude to climb in the bed with him.
Trey finally was able to get out of his room. He knew he couldn't leave, but he could at least walk around and get some kind of fresh air or breather. As he walked he noticed one by one some other patient in their rooms. The hallways were full of doctors, tech, and nurse walking back and forth between the hospital. Trey remembers his time in here and he hated it, but he made it through, but here he is again stuck back in the hospital because his body couldn't keep up it made him mad to think about it. He was deep in thought that he didn't even realize someone running into him. He looks down to see little Latin boy who's probably at 4 years old.
The boy fell down on his butt; Trey kneels down to help the boy. He picks up the boy getting him on his feet. "Hey buddy! Where are you off to in a rush?" Trey asked him dusting all the dirt off of the boy.
"I'm running away!" The boy tells him.
"And why are you running way?"
"Cuz I know want shot! They hurt!" He tells Trey.
Trey chuckles he knows what that's like to get shots. "What's your name little one?"
"Mauricio!" He tells him with excitement striking a super heroic pose.
"Good one my name is Trey," Trey extends his hand to the boy as he shakes his hand, "Come on buddy I'm sure your Mom and Dad are worried sick."
"But I know get shot! I hate them!"
"I know buddy, but it's something they have to do. You know to make sure you're healthy." Trey tries to explain it as best as he could, "How can I put it? You get shots to make you be and strong. So what do say how about we get back to your room and parents?" Trey held out his hand for Mauricio to take it. At first the little boy was nervous, but Trey promised him everything was going to be fine. Mauricio smiles and takes Trey's hand and shows him the way back to his room. "So tell me do you have a favorite superhero?"
"I like Superman! Cuz he fly!" Mauricio makes whoosh sounds and animates his body as if he was flying as Trey smiles over the little one's enthusiasm. "I want to fly as well!"
"He is a cool hero. I like Batman cuz he's dark and mysterious."
"No no no!" Mauricio shakes his head, "He creepy scary!"
"I know that's why I like him!"
"No we like Superman!" Mauricio pouted pulling on Trey, "We fly like Superman! No Batman okay?"
"Fin, fine!" Trey laughs at the four year old serious tone about Superman over Batman, "Superman better than Batman!"
"Yup! Superman is!"
Mauricio and Trey finally arrives at his room. When they enter they see his mother as she gets up running to her son and hugs him tight. The doctor and father walk over to Trey and thanks him.
"Oh honey we were so worried about you!" She tells him pulling him back into another hug. She notices Trey standing next to them. She controls her emotions and picks her son up, "Thank you for bringing him back. I know he must've been a handful."
"No problem," Trey tells her trying to be modest. "Actually he was fun. I've been stuck in my room for a while and I needed someone to talk to anyway. Have that little guy talking to me about Superman was the highlight of my day in all honesty."
"Well now that the little is back we should get his shots ready?" The doctor tells the parents. Trey noticed Mauricio tense up when the doctor said the word 'shot' he felt bad for the little one.
"No shots! Mommy please!"
"You have to…its only to make you feel better."
Trey suddenly got an idea to help Mauricio. "Hey remember Superman isn't afraid of any shots!" Superman's name caught Mauricio's attention. "Now if you like Superman like you told me then you have to be brave like him! Or else Batman will be the better hero."
"What no! Batman no better than Superman! And I am brave!" He pouted sticking his tongue out at Trey.
"Then prove it to me and Superman that you are brave!" Trey tells him folding his arms. "Let the nice doctor give you your shots and then you can get a lollipop after. You know Superman's favorite is red!"
"Red! I love red just like Superman!"
Trey's mother was walking down the hallway holding a drink in her hand. Coming down the hallway she saw someone familiar. The afro fluff woman was talking to a firm muscular tone man who looked stressed. "Hi!" She greeted them.
"Hello I see we meet again…" Lena extended her hand.
"Trena!" She answers shaking her hand.
"Lena…and this is Adam." Adam gives her a polite nod.
"Good to be properly introduce since we we're both stressed out last time we talked," Trena smiles, "How's your son's friend is he okay?"
"Yes my son is fine. Thank you for asking," Adam replies.
"Oh you're the father. I'm glad your son is doing okay and both boys been through enough seeing a friend hurt is hard."
"How's your son?"
"He's fine. He's alittle restless of course. You know being stuck in the hospital and all for some weeks. Something I'm sure Adam you will hear from your son pretty soon."
"Don't I know it."
After the shots were done, Mauricio rubbed his arm, but Trey gave him a red lollipop for being so brave. His parents thanked him. Trey smiles and waves a goodbye to his little friend. Before he leaves Mauricio runs up to him and hugs his leg. Trey bends down and ruffles his hair and smiles telling him how proud he was of him being a brave boy and Superman is the best. The little boy smiles and Trey, takes off leaving the family.
Trey makes his way down the hallway still looking around the floor. He saw a nurse rushing down the hallway pass him. He moves out of her way so he wouldn't get in her way. He then notices a familiar voice around the corner he went to investigate. As he got closer he knew the voice.
"Mom?!" Trey calls out as he turns around the corner. What Trey didn't except to see was Lena and Mr. Stevens. She turns around from her conversation with Lena and Adam to see her son coming towards them. "Mrs. Adams-Fosters?! Mr. Stevens?! What's going on?"
"Trey you know Lena and Adam?" Trena asked her son.
"Yes Lena is Jude's mom and Mr. Stevens is Connor's there the friends I was telling you about I met. How do you know them?"
"Well I met Lena the other night when you were here in recovering. Apparently Jude and Connor were here that night as well."
"Wait are they okay?!"
"Their fine," Lena answered, "Connor got his foot shot. There in Connor's room now."
"Well that explains a lot. Well since their here I should see them!" Trey tells him as Lena pointed to the room Jude and Connor were in. "They probably finally got to together. If you asked me it's about time right?" The three parents raised their eyebrows. "What did I say something?" Trey smacked his head he figured that they didn't know. "Wait you guys didn't know well probably until now…"
"You knew that Jude and Connor had feelings for each other?" Lena asked him.
"Of course it doesn't take long to see that connection." Adam and Trena made a face at Trey. "Sorry mom and Mr. Stevens I know you don't really approve it, but listen if there's one thing I know life is too short to be living in no regrets. The two boys are both innocent and who are we to stop them from being with each other gay, straight, bi or whatever I'm sure you can understand that."
"It's just hard to understand..." Trena replies, "Especially for Adam it's not every day you found out your son is gay-"
"Yeah, I know that mom," He cuts his mom off, "but think about this if you love your son no matter what his sexuality is does it really matter? I know it hurts, but its life and we have to deal with it. Those two boys are my friends and before I die I want the people I care about to be happy no matter what the cost is." He turns on his heels making his way to Connor's room before he enters he turns back to face the parents. "Think of this…if you only had a week to live what would you do? Who would you spend it with? Who do you love? Once you get that answer apply that your prolong life."
Inside of the room Jude and Connor were watching TV, but soon Connor turned off the TV and looks over at Jude. He grabs Jude's hand and holds it tightly. "Is everything alright?" Jude asked him.
"Jude I'm sorry for all of this," Connor tells him. "I'm sorry that it took me getting shot in the foot for me to see that. Jude Adams-Foster I like you and I guess that makes me gay and I was afraid that I might lose you! There's nothing more to say and no more time to be lost I want us be together. Will you be my boyfriend?"
"Connor…I'm sorry for all of this as well! I care about you more than anyone else besides Callie. I've always liked you since the day you came over, but I didn't want to mess up our friendship…and I know the same was for you and with your dad. Connor, I thought I lost you when you pushed me out of the way and took the bullet. I knew then Connor I couldn't lose you…Connor Stevens I will be happy to be your boyfriend!"
"Good! Because I really like you and I want to be with you!"
"And I too…"
They both lean towards each other staring into each other eyes. Connor moves closer to kiss Jude, but before they could kiss, the door open and the boys pushed away from each other fearing it might be Adam instead it was a familiar face. It was Trey.
"Trey?!" They both said in unison. Shock to see their friend standing in the doorway.
"It's me!" Trey laughs walking into the room. "I see Jude finally took my advice and you guys are finally a couple! It's about time I said."
"Wait hold on Trey what are you doing here?" Jude asked.
"Oh yeah about that I was going to tell you, but the night that you and Connor was sneaking out was also the night I had an attack my body kinda of spazzed out and I couldn't breathe. I was emitted here in the hospital and been here ever sense I mean man it's boring like crazy. I'm sure you can understand that Connor?"
"Wait! You had an attack?!" Jude jumped up from the bed. "What's going on Trey?"
"Well I meant to tell you the truth," Trey tried to avoid this as long as he could, but he couldn't. "I'm dying I don't know how much time I have left. I didn't tell you because I felt like you would treat me differently like others I just want to live a normal life as much as I can without people treating me like I'm some kind of sick person who can't take care of himself!"
Jude walked up to him and places his hand on trey's shoulder and smiles. "You think I would've abandoned you just because you were sick? I'm not that kind of person. Of course I will worry, but that's natural. I guess that means we'll have to spend as much time as we can with one another for as long as we can."
"Um…hello I'm here to!" Connor tells them. "I mean I can't walk yet, but hey I won't leave either! Now you guys get over here instead of standing in my doorway!"
"Of course Connor," Trey smiles as the walk over to his bed. "I see that it took one of you getting shot for y'all to get together." Connor and Jude both blush in embarrassment. "Hey I say do you. Life is too short for real trust me I know. I'm here in the hospital when I can be at the beach or working or whatever, but I'm here stuck…"
"Well looks like we can keep each other company while I'm stuck in the hospital!" Connor tells him.
"Yeah that sounds fun hanging with my friend's boyfriend!" Trey laughs sarcastically.
Lena enters the room, "Jude honey we have to go we'll come and visit Connor tomorrow. Trey be on your best behavior and after you and Connor get out of the hospital I except you both over for dinner."
"Yes Ma'am!" Both boys said in unison making Lena smiles and Jude giggles. Jude hugs Connor and Trey and leaves.
Trey turns to back to Connor, "So you guys are boyfriends now?" Connor blushes not knowing what to say. So much was going through his head, but today was one of the best days he had in a really long time.