To everyone's relief, Johnny did agree to give the NAMI group a try. To his surprise, and everyone's relief, he loved going. Although the group met once a week, the DeSoto's made sure Johnny would go each time. Slowly, John was learning that although he may be different, he wasn't the only one with issues. He was also learning more and more about the outside world and how to cope not only with the people in it, but all the stimulation that he never remember experiencing before.
Scarlett soon found herself meeting with Johnny less and less until her sessions ended. It turned out that the NAMI group was helping John learn how to cope with the world better than she had as the special needs adults were a great support system and could tell him what might work. She felt that until things changed, Johnny would be fine without her. Already, three and a half months after the accident, he was able to do the chores required of him, such as setting the table, cleaning his room, and dusting.
Both Roy and Joanne were a lot happier and calmer now that Johnny finally seemed settled in. Doctor Early noticed that each time the group came in, things emotionally were more stable and he was forced to change his opinion that something was going to break. The only thing that worried him was how slowly the bruising was healing inside of Johnny's skull. Calling a meeting at the four month mark with all of the DeSoto's, he laid out what he felt was likely the case.
"I know I normally don't have your kids here, but I thought Chris and Jenny should be here as well," Doctor Early began. "I had hoped to see significant reduction of the contusions, or bruises, on John's brain by now. They are nearly healed, but by the rate they are improving, it might be about three or four more months until they are completely gone."
Glancing towards Joanne, Roy wearily asked, "What does that mean as far as his recovery? I mean, you said it could be about six months, and that isn't that much longer…"
Sighing, Joe took off his glasses and looked around the family who had taken in Johnny, unsure how long he would remain a child. He had hoped to give them better news than this, but he knew they deserved to know.
"It means that by this point, John should be experiencing some signs of recovery. The bruising obviously is a lot deeper than we expected and the changes are more than likely going to stay as they are right now."
Stunned, Joanne gasped.
I knew it was a possibility, but then why am I so shocked? She wondered. Can we continue to take care of him as he is?
Closing his eyes, Roy felt his heart leap, Why him? Can we really do this? Take care of him as he is forever?
Staring in his wife's eyes, Roy saw the same question and the same answer: Yes, they could take care of Johnny, if their kids were able and willing. Looking towards their kids, both parents saw the steely determination and understood they'd get an argument if they'd back down on their promise to take care of Johnny.
Sighing deeply, Roy stood up, "Thanks, doc. And don't worry, he's got a home with us, no matter what."
Smiling slightly as the family left his office, Joe cursed the fates that had robbed a young man of his life.