Chapter 25: Eric, the dog watcher/Calling Cronies, Part 2

"For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed." – Kahlil Gibran (The Prophet )

"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." – Kahlil Gibran (The Prophet)


Sydney hung up the phone and was about to go back to Vaughn's room when she heard someone call her name. She turned to see Weiss coming towards her.

"Hey Eric."

"Hey Syd…how is he?"

"He's better Eric…how are you?"

"I'm ok…I know I haven't been around much for him, I guess after the way he reacted to me, I thought it would be better if I stayed away. It was really great the way you were with him though…see…I told he loved you…"

"Thanks, Eric. You know he was just uncomfortable with everything in that hospital Eric; it wasn't you specifically. He's gonna need people around now though."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm taking him home today if all goes as planned."

"Really? Is he, like, ok enough for that? Is he ready to go home already? Man, I thought that one doctor said it was going to be months."

"No, he's not that good, Eric. He just doesn't want to stay in any more hospitals. The doctors are letting me take him home though."

"That's great Syd. Listen, I've been taking care of Donovan for him. Maybe he'd like to have him at your place? If you don't want a dog in the house, I'd be glad to keep him, but I'm just thinking, maybe Vaughn would like to have him with him…"

"I think that'd be a great idea Eric. You know what, why don't you bring Donovan over…I'll call you when we get home, and you can come over with him. Does that sound good?"

"Uh…sure, if you think that'd be ok. I don't want to upset him or anything."

"Don't worry about it Eric…I think it'll be fine."

"Ok, well give me a call then when you want me to come over."

"I'll do that. Oh, can you bring food along for the dog too?"

"Yeah, sure."

"See you later."

"Bye, Syd."

Sydney went back to the phone and dialed Francie's cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me again."

"Hi, what's up? Think of something else we need to pick up?"

"Um, no…actually, I just told Vaughn's friend Eric that he could bring his dog over."

"Whose dog?"

"It's Vaughn's dog…Eric was keeping it for him while he's been in the hospital. Is that ok if his dog stays over too?"

Francie started laughing, "Yeah, Syd, his dog can sleep over too."

"Ok, I'll see you later."

"Bye."

"Bye."

With everything else in place, Sydney went back to Vaughn's room. He was watching ESPN on the TV when she opened the door. He smiled at her as she made her way over to the bed and kissed him.

"Well, everything is set at home, so if all goes well, we'll bust you outta here today, sweetie."

Vaughn's smile got even bigger. "You're wonderful, do you know that?"

"Of course I do…I realized though I should have asked you if there was anything you wanted when we got home. Do you want anything special?"

"What do you mean?"

"Anything, food, drink, stuff like that…we should pick up some of your clothes too…maybe Eric can do that," Sydney said almost talking to herself. "Anyway, was there anything extra you wanted, cause I can call Francie back again and she can pick it up."

"No, I don't think so…nothing I can think of…you're going to be there right?"

"Of course," she replied confused.

"Well, then that's all I need."

She understood, "You are so incredibly sweet…" she leaned down and kissed him again.

"I know…it's part of the Vaughn family charm."

"Should I ask Eric to bring some of your clothes over?"

"Sure, that'd be great…tell him to bring my hockey shirt, he'll know which one I mean."

"Ok, I'll have to go call him…be right back…" she got up to leave.

"Oh my God, Sydney," Vaughn said suddenly and sat up a little, wincing.

"Whoa! Easy there, what's the matter?"

"Sydney, I totally forgot about Donavan! He's probably lying on my apartment floor dead by now!"

"Cool it, honey! We got that covered. Eric's been keeping him at his place, Donovan's fine."

"Oh…good…that's good to know…"

"He picked him up like the same day we found out you were missing, he's ok."

"Well, I'm sure he's about 100 pounds heavier now too, the way Eric feeds him."

"Are you good now?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, I'm gonna call Eric."

"Ok."

Sydney went out again and called Eric to give him the other instructions on what to get from Vaughn's apartment to bring with him when he brought Donovan. Sydney was on her way back when she met Dr. Barnett in the hall. She was walking with Dr. Tom towards Vaughn's room and smiled as she saw Sydney. Sydney smiled back, but with a hint of apprehension and nervousness, hoping that this therapy session wasn't going to be a repeat of the last one Vaughn had encountered, and hoping as well that Barnett would consent to sending Vaughn home with her.