If It Weren't for You – Chapter 18

By MyNameIsCAL

-Fang's POV-

It had been almost five months since the incident on the hospital roof. I had to have surgery to fix my knee because it never healed properly after I first ran away from the rehabilitation center. After going through detox, I spent two months trying to get my drug addiction under control. I spent a few weeks in rehab and then tried to go home, but I almost ended up falling apart and Iggy talked me into going back. After a lot of medication, therapy, and encouragement from Iggy and Max, I found some self-control again. I'm still on all this medication now, but at least I can function.

Then I spent another two months trying to get back on my feet. I had to deal with my addiction after my surgery, so I didn't really get to focus on getting stronger. I still couldn't walk without using a crutch, but with some more physical therapy, I'd probably be able to walk on my own. It was slow because the doctors were trying to keep my pain levels down. I guess they were mostly afraid it might push me over the edge again.

I had been home for two weeks. Ava just had her last day of preschool. She was excited I was home. I had only seen her a handful of times over the past few years. God, I felt guilty, but that didn't seem to matter to her.

I just wanted to stay home mostly, but Max and Iggy tried to get me out of the house at least once a day. Sometimes we'd go out to lunch or I would go grocery shopping with Iggy. Nothing to extenuating though. I wasn't really supposed to be exerting my leg that much.

Tonight the Saunders were having a BBQ, but I wasn't really up for seeing the neighbors. I'm not really sure they wanted me around anyways. I had caused quite a scene on the roof of the hospital. It made the news. Iggy was staying home with me, and I realized it had been a long time since we had any time alone together.

"I'll cook us dinner," he grinned.

I watched him waltz around the kitchen as he denied my help. Before I knew it there was a plate of pasta in front of me. My appetite hadn't been the greatest recently, but tonight I scraped the plate clean.

Iggy went to shower when I cleaned up the kitchen. After I showered, we climbed into bed. It was only eight o'clock, but I guess I was feeling tired.

"Max said the medication you have to take before bed is in that pill container on your nightstand," Iggy told me.

It was a painkiller and a sleeping pill. "I'll take it in a little bit."

He raised an eyebrow and I pulled him towards me. He laughed as I kissed him and then we started to undress under the covers.

Iggy woke me the next morning to take my medication. I could barely get out of bed thanks to last night.

"I'm sorry," Iggy chuckled.

I let out a groan. "Don't tell Max."

I made it to the kitchen before Max came down. Iggy had started cooking breakfast already. Ava came running in and sat down next to me.

"Alright are we doing pancakes or waffles today?" Iggy asked.

"Pancakes!" Ava exclaimed.

"You got it!" Iggy placed a mug of coffee in front of me.

"Thanks." I needed it.

Max came in a few minutes later. She gave me my medication and I took it without saying much.

"How was the party?" Iggy asked.

"It was good," Max replied.

I hesitated. "Did anyone say anything to you?"

Max sat across from me and shrugged. "A few people asked. The Saunders were glad to hear you're back home. They said they'd be happy to have dinner if you're ever up for it."

"That was nice of them."

"Daddy, will you take me to the park today?" Ava tugged at my sleeve.

Max opened her mouth, but I spoke first, "Sure. After lunch, ok?"

She cheered and I ruffled her hair.

I took Ava to the park and sat with Max on one of the benches. This had been the first time we had gone somewhere just the three of us. Ava was running around on one of the jungle gyms. It was starting to get hot now that summer had started, but the heat eased the pain in my leg a little.

"Max, I think it's almost time Iggy and I move out. We can't keep living together. Ava will get the wrong idea. She has to understand." I let out a breath. "I mean, I've just been thinking about it. Maybe at the end of the year. I'm not ready yet, obviously."

I was waiting for her to protest, but instead she nodded. "I guess Ava's getting older now. She's starting to figure things out."

I inhaled and exhaled. "I don't know how many times I've told you I'm sorry now."

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter, Fang. You've been through enough. Don't guilt yourself."

We didn't say anything for a while. My attention shifted from Ava to the engagement right that was on my finger.

"Gazzy and Angel want to come see you," she said after a while.

"Really?"

"C'mon, Fang, you're family. Of course they want to see you."

I spun my crutch between my hands. "Maybe I need the distraction."

Ava came running over. "Can we get ice cream?"

"Of course." I rose from the bench and let her lead me towards the ice cream truck. Max said she'd meet us in the car.

"I want a cream pop!" Ava pointed at the one shaped like some cartoon character.

I ordered one for her and one for me. We were heading to a car when someone stopped us.

"Excuse me!"

I turned. "Yes?"

A lady and her kid, maybe only a year or two younger than Ava, stopped in front of me.

"I don't know if you remember us, but you saved our lives that one day in front of the school." She flung her arms around me. "I never got to thank you. I'm so sorry for what we put you through."

I realized she was crying. I managed to put an arm around her.

"I saw you on the news." She let go of me. "And I couldn't help but think…"

I shook my head. "I've got a history, you have to understand."

She took something out of her purse. "I know this isn't much, but my husband owns a restaurant. If you show this to him, you'll always get your meals for free."

It was a small plastic card. I took it and put it into my pocket. "If it wasn't me, someone else would have saved you."

She took my hands in hers. "An angel must have sent you that day. Just remember that there are angels out there looking after you."

Then she motioned to her kid. "This is the man that saved our lives when you were a baby!"

The little boy stepped forward and hugged my leg. I pat his head, suddenly feeling my own tears coming.

Then the woman hugged me again. "Please stop by the restaurant. My husband has wanted to thank you."

I hugged her back better this time and then watched her and her kid walk off. We went back to the car, finishing our cream pops. That moment instilled some new hope into me. It wasn't until then that I realized I had made such a difference.

Well, it's been a long time. Sorry about that. Going to try to update this and my other stories. Thanks for reading!