About fifteen minutes after Johnny fell asleep, Irene came to drop off Chris. Greeting her husband, Mike, as well as the other DeSoto's, she peeked in on Johnny. Satisfied that he was still sleeping as well as he could, Irene made her way back into the living room where Joanne had gathered up snacks and drinks for everyone.
"Oh, you didn't have to go through all this," Irene softly scolded, a smile on her face.
Also smiling, Jo simply said, "It was the least I could do. How was things today, Chris?"
"Great!" he told her enthusiastically. "We're planning out all the stuff we'll need for the camping trip that's coming up in a couple weeks."
"But what did we talk about in the car?" Irene gently prodded Chris, hoping he would open up to his parents.
"What?" Roy was concerned, seeing the downcast look on his son's face.
"Well…" he breathed out slowly. "I know all this stuff is going on with Uncle Johnny…and you and mom are going to be busy helping him out, especially now that he is home. I told Mr. Daniels that you wouldn't be able to help out like you usually do. I mean, like going with us and stuff, ya know?
"I get why, so don't feel bad, okay?" Chris added in a rush, not wanting them to feel guilty. Despite the disappointment over knowing his dad couldn't go this year on the Scout camping trip, he really did get why.
Sighing, Roy looked over to Joanne, who nodded to him. Glancing over to Cap and Mike, he hoped that he wouldn't be building up false hope for either Chris or Jenny.
"Actually, and this does depend on how things go, as well as a few other things, but," Roy paused, leaning towards Chris. "Since the trip is still two weeks away, what your mom and I are hoping is that by the time your Boy Scout camp out is here, Johnny will be more comfortable around Mike and Cap."
Interrupting, as he could tell where Roy was headed, Mike held up his hand, "I'd have no problem staying here while you and Chris went on the camp out. I have plenty of vacation time saved up and the Chiefs are more than willing to be flexible so we can help out any way you guys need us. If you don't mind, I can stick around more while I'm off shift, so Johnny gets used to me. I believe it would help a lot."
"Plus, the camp site you go to is near a ranger station," Hank put in. "So, if something does come up, it would be fairly easy to get a message to you. Our shift, along with the doctors Johnny is working with is close by and should be able to manage whatever comes up until you get back."
"A similar situation can be set up when Jenny has her Scout camp. I'd be more than happy to continue helping out with meals, as will Marco's mom I'm sure. Even if not, it won't be much different than years past. I'll just come over for at least a few hours or so every day, help out with chores and whatnot so you can concentrate on helping Johnny," Irene put in.
"I don't know," Joanne wearily said. "It just seems like a lot to be asking of all of you."
Sliding over, Irene embraced Jo, "Honey, we truly don't mind. We've never minded helping out with the kids when the camping trips come up. This isn't much different. Hank and I, heck, all of the Station 51 crew, feel like he is part of the family. Besides, I really think it'll be good for both you and the kids to continue the tradition."
"Besides, you two as well as Chris and Jenny, are going to need breaks at some point. This will help all of you and Johnny get used to relying on others when things get to be too much," Mike pointed out.
"Alright," Joanne gave them a watery smile. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. And you can tell how much Jen and Chris appreciate it."
"Just remember, it does depend on how things are going," Roy cautioned, hating to dim the brightened looks on his children's faces.
"We know dad," Chris groaned. "We wouldn't want to go if Johnny wasn't doing well anyway."
"Anyway, before we take off, I thought we'd show you some things we did around the house," Hank purposeful changed the subject. "Some of the ideas came from the docs, some from Mike and some, well, well, maybe our crew went overboard, but we figured it was better safe than sorry. You can always undo them later."
Standing up, Hank and Irene led them into the kitchen, showing them a bolt that had been installed at the top of the sliding patio door.
"You can still open it a few inches, but you have to disengage the lock to open it all the way," Mike explained. "That way, if Johnny gets confused, upset or something, he shouldn't be able to get out."
"We also moved the medications to a top cupboard and put a child-proof sliding lock on that cupboard. We also did the same to the cleaners that are stored here in the kitchen," Irene pointed out. "The doctors feel that he shouldn't be able to manipulate them. We also installed the sliding cabinet locks on the cabinet under the bathroom sinks, both in your room, as well as the main bathroom and half-bath.
"Each of the doctors gave us a schedule of the appointments John us, as well as if they are going to be done here or at the hospital. They also included what, if anything, would be needed to be brought to the appointment. I took that list and set up a schedule similar to the one you have posted for Chris and Jennifer here on the refrigerator," Irene shrugged at the astounded looks. "I also have the original ones behind the weekly schedules."
Taking over, Hank said, "I hope you don't mind, but we posted John's medication schedule not only here on the fridge, but also in the cabinet with the medication, as well as one by each phone. It was suggested by both Mike and John's doctors, just in case of emergency."
Nodding, Roy and Joanne just followed Mike, Hank and Irene silently, stunned by how much was done. Their two kids were floored by how much had been done just in the few hours they had been gone that day.
"I don't know if you noticed, but we also installed a bolt similar to the one on the patio door to the front door. Again, it was for the same reason," Mike explained as he went to the window next to the door. "Each window in the house now has these plastic "wings" that are stuck on by adhesives. To open the window fully, just press the flaps down completely. I would recommend having at least one adult watching Johnny when the window is open.
"I don't expect there to be a problem," he said, eyes down. "But, then again, we aren't sure how he is thinking and my sister has tried to escape through windows. These have helped a lot. When someone isn't in the room, you just simply press the flaps again, which pop up. The Cap, crew and I have it set so you can open the window about four inches."
"All the outlets that were open now have covers, rugs were removed, cords wrapped and placed out of the way as much as possible and the fireplace hearth has a cushion around the edge," Hank listed as his eyes darted around the room as if making sure everything was ready for inspection.
"Wow…I'm not sure what to say," Joanne's voice trembled. "I think you thought of everything."
"Well," Irene said softly. "We did do a few more things, such as line the bathtub with non-slip mats. We also picked up the bath stool Doctor Early recommended, along with the bathtub bars and toilet bar. However, we thought it best to leave it to Roy to install them at the right height."
Tears spilling over, Jo grabbed Irene in a fierce hug.
"Thank you," she whispered in a husky voice. "You don't know how much all this means to me…to us."
Wiping at his own eyes, Roy's voice crackled as he told them, "To have all this help, well, I just don't know what to say other than…thanks. As hard as things have been, you and everyone stepping in to redo our house and Johnny's room, and especially making sure our kids are taken care of, well, it makes things a little bit easier. A little less scary."
"Anytime, Roy," Irene smiled up at him. "Now, I know it's getting close to supper, so Hank and I will leave you guys to it. There are plenty of meals in the freezer, snacks in the fridge and cupboards. You guys need anything, and I mean anything, just call."
Nodding, Roy and Jo walked them out, sigh as if a burden had been lifted.
A bit uncomfortable and unsure what to do, but knowing it was important to stick around, Mike announced he would go and wake up Johnny. A bit uncertain at first, Roy nodded his consent, realizing that now that John was home, the main burden would be upon him and his family. With no one knowing how long until Johnny recovered or even if he would recover, it was more important than ever to have Johnny get used to people other than just the DeSoto's.