Lightning opened his eyes. It was so quiet in the room. He looked over and saw Sally was asleep next to the window. He still could not believe it was nearly Christmas. He sighed. His mom wasn't in the room at the moment and he was okay with that. It was kind of nice. Sitting in the piece. He sighed then noticed he no longer had iv lines. He smiled at that. Moving his hand and wrist. It hurt to move. He had to do better. The nurse knocking quietly and coming in. He glanced at her as she walked up to him. "Want to try walking before you eat?" She asked.
Lightning hesitated before nodding. He sat up. Still hurt to do that then slid his feet off the bed. The nurse pushing the walker up to him. He grabbed onto it and stepped onto the floor. His legs hurt. His pelvis hurt. Fuck, everything hurt! But he had to get better! He had to get out of here! He pushed the walker. Scooting one foot then the other. He tried hard to lift his legs, but it hurt too much. The nurse reminding, "Don't push yourself. Let's just take a stroll up the hall and back. Then I'll get you breakfast." She smiled.
Lightning glared and asked, "Is it broth again?" She nodded, "You guessed it." He rolled his eyes. Scooting along the dam floor. This was so demeaning. Lightning didn't care if he was injured or not. He was telling his brain what to do, telling his legs to move properly! Nothing worked right!…
Sally opened her eyes. Staring out the window then looking to Lightning's bed. He lay there. Sleeping. She smiled. Happy he was awake. But her smile faded. What she did with Ben.. Multiple times. He wasn't suppose to make it. And she felt bad for that too. She had wrote him off. Gave up all hope and accepted the fact he was going to die! But here he was. He was back and alive and recovering! Now what was she suppose to do!? Minty walked in and quietly when she realized Lightning was resting.
She walked up to Sally and whispered, "How is he?" Sally shrugged, "Just frustrated with himself." "Yeah… He will be." "You don't think he's thinking of going back, do you?" Asked Sally. Minty stared at her son. Back to racing? She sighed before answering, "No matter what… I'll love him no matter what he does… You can't tell Lightning not to do something.." "Yeah, I know.." Sally mumbled. Deep down she hoped he'd give it up. But this was Lightning. It was such a bad accident though. No one really knew what the former racer would do….
Lightning used the walker. Again. Walking and taking a walk up the hall and back down to the room. Scooting his feet across the floor slowly. He just felt he was never going to get better at this rate. As he sat back down on the bed, the doctor came in and paid him a visit. Smiling the doctor asked, "Could you tell me your legal name?" "Monty McQueen.." "What year is it?" "2017.." "Where are you right now?" "A hospital." "Why are you here?" "I crashed…" Lightning said with a sigh. Then the doctor held up his phone and asked, "What's this?" "A phone…" "What's that?" Pointing to the chair.
Lightning glared at the man before answering, "A chair." "And this?" He asked as he pointed to the light above. Lightning looked up. Squinting a bit at the dark room's ceiling, "A light fixture. Are you done?" He asked rudely. The doctor nodded then explained, "I'll send in a nurse to help you shower soon." Lightning immediately asked, "Can I please shower alone?" "Not safe. And you have to use the shower chair." Lightning groaned with frustration. "I can shower alone." He growled. The doctor raised a brow and explained, "You can't even keep your balance yet, Lightning. No. I can't have you get hurt. No falling. So either the nurse helps you, or you don't shower." He was firm on his decision then began to leave when Sally asked, "Can't I help him?"
Lightning lay down on the bed and covered his eyes with his hands. Just so frustrated. He didn't even want Sally with him. The doctor thought a moment before answering that, "I guess… But a nurse will have to be outside the shower in case anything." "Deal." Sally said with a smile. Lightning wasn't very happy about it though. He didn't want anyone to see him right now. The doctor left the room. Lightning sighed and lay his arms by the sides of his body. Sally then saying, "It's just me. it's not some nurse. It'll be fine. I want to help." She said that so sweetly. She meant it. He could tell. Lightning whined with, "I know you do… But I have to prove I can do things alone so I can go home." "Stickers… It's going to take time.. They won't let you go home… Not yet…" she said with a frown.
Lightning looked away from his wife. This hurt. His body hurt. "I'm tired…" He muttered then closed his eyes. Trying to relax and not think about this too much. Minty and Sally glanced at each other. Lightning was depressed and frustrated. How would they help him?….
Lightning woke up and sat up. His chest and abdomen hurting as he did. He looked at his Mother who was staring out the window. Looking around, he noticed Sally wasn't there r "Where's Sally?" He asked in a groggy tone. Minty glanced over answering, "She went down to the cafeteria for some coffee." "Oh." "Monty.." "Yeah?" "… Are you going to plan to… Are you plannin on racing again?" She asked her son. Lightning frowned and stared down into his lap before answering, "I don't know… I wish I could.. But… I'm pretty beat up.. I can't even walk.. I'm probably not wanted back after this." "That's not true." "I crashed, Mom… Racers don't come back from crashes.. It's their end.. Everyone knows it.." "That's not true. Lots of racers crash and go back." "Yeah, not this badly.." Lightning corrected.
Minty sighed. Staring at her son from across the room. Lightning looked up at his Mother and asked, "What happened? I know I crashed, but…" His eyes filled with tears as he continued, "What happened to me?.. I'm driving the Bolt then the next thing I know I can't walk, I can barely move, I can't eat, it's almost Christmas," his crying becoming louder and filled with panic, "My legs won't listen to me, my body won't do what I want, I can't piss correctly anymore! I can't breathe! I cant drink, there's stitches all over my body! I'm bruised up! My head hurts! I can't comprehend any of th"-"Calm down!" Minty shouted as she rushed I've tried her son and grabbed his head, pulling him close against her. Lightning cried into his Mother's arms.
So afraid. So confused. One moment he was fine. The next he was beaten and battered, broken and unable to do simple body movements. "Ssshhhh…. it's alright, Monty… You're going to get better.. I know you will…" she assured. Lightning just cried. Crying like a child. He was so broken right now and couldn't control his emotions. His brain was running a marathon in his head that wasn't going anywhere. He felt stuck. Then he admitted, "I can't even remember the crash. I remember driving.. I remember being in the race. But then nothing. I'm suddenly here!" He cried. Minty brushed her son's hair. Assuring him it was going to be okay…..
Sally returned to find Lightning in the halls. Walking or rather scooting across the hall with the walker and a nurse. His Mother watching from his room doorway. She smiled and walked up to him, "You're doing great." He just shot a mean look at her. Rude. The nurse walked beside him. Slowly back to the room. Once in there and back on the bed, the doctor came with some medicine. Lightning took the pills then immediately asking, "Can you please tell me what all happened to me? These two here (Referring his Mother and Wife) are useless and hiding things from me."
The doctor glanced at Sally and Minty before answering, "You had a very traumatic accident. The injuries you acquired were severe and you underwent a lot of treatment." "That doesn't tell me anything. I have scars all over. And I know it's from you cutting me open like a fucking doll! What the hell is wrong with my legs!?" He shouted. The doctor sighed snd explained, "You haven't walked in a month. You busted your left knee. It's going to take time and it's going to hurt." "Why can't I lift my legs? I tell them to, and they don't." "You may have more nerve damage than we thought initially. But I think it's more of a healing thing." "What about my shoulder?" "You displaced it and fractured an area of it. I put a plate in and pins to keep it where it should be. So the metal is new and holding it. The body isn't use to that. Take your medications so it doesn't get infected." "Wait, why am I not in casting?" "The knee has a ball joint that is pinned in. No need. It's healed. Just.. You have to be patient, Lightning."
Lightning turned away. Angry. No. Not on his watch. He was getting out of here. "Ready to shower?" The man asked. Lightning glanced at him and sighed. Giving up the little dignity he had left and frowned. Nodding. Sally stood up and said, "It's just me, Lightning. It's not that big of a deal." Lightning just nodded. He was fine with it really. He just… Was just… Giving up.. Racing was over….
Lightning sat in the shower chair. The warm water running down his body. He stared at the floor of the shower as Sally helped him soap up. This was horrible. This was beneath him. This was the worst. Sally scrubbed him gently. Over every bruise, every scar, every scratch. He just gave up. Staring at the floor. He'd never race again. He'd never be the same again. Sally rinsed him then shut off the shower. Drying his hair first then wrapping the towel around him and grabbing a second towel and drying his body. Kneeling down and drying his legs, his knees, his back, his chest.
She stared at the scars. The stitches. She then lifted his chin and smiled warmly. Lightning looked into her eyes and she could see it in his. He was so broken right now. Sally lay the second towel over his lap then gently brushed her right hand across the left side of his face. All while gazing into his blue eyes. She leaned in and kissed his lips softly. Lightning closing his eyes and taking in her soft lips. It was the best kiss in the entire universe. A kiss Sally thought would never come again. Parting their lips, Lightning rested his forehead on Sally's.
Keeping his eyes closed and taking a deep breath. Happy to have her. Lucky to have her. "I'm sorry.." He whispered. Sally snickered and replied, "I'm sorry.. I had given up all hope.. I thought I lost you.." A few tears ran down her cheeks. Lightning then lifted his head and kissed her forehead, "Thank you…" He said so quietly. Sally just smiled. Feeling his lips on her forehead was such a warm feeling in her heart. He was alive. He was going to be okay. He'd just have to take his time and heal. Sally knew better though. So she pleaded, "Please.. Be patient.. Listen to the doctor… Heal and take your time… Please…" Lightning sighed but nodded. Sally whimpering, "Promise.?.." "Yeah, I can promise that.. I won't like it though.." "I know.." "I want to go home…" Lightning whimpered.
Beginning to cry. Crying in such a state of vulnerability made him feel ashamed. Sally wrapped her arms around his neck gently. Still on her knees. "I love you, Lightning." She cried. Lightning wrapping his arms around her. Both crying a bit. Both had and were so vulnerable. Both thankful to have one another in each other's arms….
Lightning opened his eyes. Blinking a bit. Her glanced over at the window. By the looks of it, it was already the following morning. He let out a sigh. He felt like he was never getting out of here. "Monty." He heard. He looked to his other side to see his brother. Chad's eyes filled with tears as he rushed to his brother's side. Lightning sat up just in time for Chad to meet him with a hug! "Monty… I'm so glad you're back!" Chad whined. Trying not to let the tears leave his eyes. Lightning embraced the hug of his brother. Really embracing and really understanding that this was a big deal with Chad. Chad was there when Robert was in the car.
When Robert didn't get out. He heard Robert's screams. For Chad, these accidents hit hard and were traumatic already. But then an accident like this happening to Lightning.. Chad looked up to Robert, but Chad helped raise Lightning. The love and nature of different for them. Chad got Lightning into racing. Chad taught him the mechanics, the repairs, the basics, the race language. Chad felt guilty for this. "Don't scare me like that.." Chad whimpered. Lightning hugging his brother back and replying, "I'm sorry…" Chad didn't want to let go. Afraid this was a dream. But.. He finally did. Taking a step back and seeing his brother alive and awake.
Chad wiped his eyes and asked, "How are you feeling?" Lightning looked down. Frowning. Chad assuring, "It's just me.. Mom and Sally went downstairs." With that, Lightning looked up answering, "I'm depressed and in pain. I'm alive. I'm grateful I'm alive… just… I just feel like shit.. I want to get home. I don't want to be here. This place makes me feel worse and worse by the day." "You sound good." "I guess.. Doesn't hurt to breathe as much anymore and I'm not coughing…" Lightning admitted. Which made him think about how he was improving. Just slowly.
Sally and Minty walked back in. Chad and Lightning glancing at them. Sally sighed and walked up to the end of Lightning's bed and smiled, "Morning." Lightning frowned and nodded. Just depressed. Sally glanced at Chad then back to her husband and asked, "Lightning… There were a lot of decisions that had to be made regarding your treatments and wellbeing… Why did you sign an advanced directive?… Without me being on it?" Tears gathering in her eyes. Lightning sighed. Staring down into his lap.
Thinking of how to answer. He looked up to Sally and began, "Look… There's… Not just one answer there.. Chad knows racing. He's seen the worst of it. He's my brother. I trust him. He knows when it's too much or even nothing could be done.. You're my wife… I trust you'd do everything in your power to save me. I know you would, but.. I also know how hard it is to make those decisions.. I didn't want you living with that if something happened. You'd need someone other than yourself to blame… That way moving on would be easier... So Chad was willing to be that person. He and I spoke about it and he read over my reasons a few years ago.." "When was this?" Sally asked in a whimper.
Lightning shrugged, "I can't remember. A few years ago." Sally stared. She hated that, but she stared at Chad and he at her. Chad was willing to be the one Sally blamed everything on if something should have went south. Sally finally wiped her eyes and muttered, "Thank you…" to Chad. His eyes widened some. Surprised to hear that from Sally.
The nurse walked in with a trey of broth and jello this time. "Got a little more than usual." She set the trey down on his lap. Lightning sighed. Nope. No. Nope. He was over this. "This means I have to walk again, don't I?" He asked the nurse. The nurse nodded, "After breakfast. A few questions for you. What's your legal name?" "God… Monty McQueen." "What year is it?" "2017… Unless I went into another coma.." "Nope! And where are you?" "Prison." The nurse stared a moment.
Lightning sighed and rolled his eyes before snapping, "I'm in the hospital because I had a crash! I crashed!" Then he began pointing to objects and identifying them, "Window, tv, trey, chair, you." Pointing the the nurse then pointing to the, "Door." Pointing towards the exit of the room. The nurse's brows lowered then she left. Chad snickered saying, "I don't think she's coming back." Chad then pushed the try to the end of the bed and sat up out and off the bed. Sally asking, "What are you doing?" "Walking." "Lightning…" She growled.
Minty then pushed the walker to her son. Lightning stared at it. He hated this thing. Chad then asking, "Do you need help getting up?" "No…" Lightning whined. Fuck this hurt. He was never going to walk again. Lightning was determined though. "Yes.." he gave in. "Not that thing." He snarled as he pushed the walker away some. Chad lent his hand out and Lightning took it. Sally quickly yelped, "No! You have to use the walker! You could fall!" Chad pulled Lightning up. Lightning growling, "If I fall, I fall! I'm walking!" Lightning holding onto his Brother's arm for a moment. Trying to test his balance. Slowly. Carefully. He let go of Chad's arm.
Standing on his own. Sally stared with fear. Afraid he was about to fall! Lightning took a deep breath. The weight on his legs hurt but.. Not as bad as before. That had to be good! He then attempted to slowly lift his right foot. Back and fourth with it barely lifting an inch off the ground. Chad coaxing, "You got this.." softly. Lightning set his foot down. Regaining balance a bit more. He then lifted the left foot a few inches off the ground and stepped down. Smiling. He actually took a step! A real step! Now the left leg hurt the most. It was difficult getting the strength to stand on it.
Chad noticed Lightning was wobbly trying to stand on that left leg and grabbed Lightning's arm. "Let's make it to the wall." Helping Lightning take about four more steps before lightning pressed his palms on the wall. Using it as a brace. Practicing lifting his legs. The right foot was the most difficult to lift. But only because the pain in his left knee and calf. That just like hell! But he was taking steps. Barely. But he was!….
So it wasn't long, and Lightning was beginning physical therapy in the hospital. Mostly just lifting his legs back and fourth while seated, stretching, range of motion movements. It was very repetitive and he hated it. Every morning and evening. He had to do a visit and hearing screening. Then mental health came and asked some questions before diagnosing him mild depression. He was free to go as soon as he completed physical therapy!…
Lightning woke up. Yawning as he sat up. Shaking his head a bit then stretching his neck. God, he had to piss. He looked over to see Sally asleep on the pull out. Minty wasn't in the room. Chad was asleep in the chair. He sighed and swung his feet off the bed. Staring at the floor. He slid off the bed. Stepping down onto the floor and standing up. Slowly. He stayed balance. Lifting his left leg up pretty easily. I'm pacing that left foot down. He hesitated lifting that right leg. He glanced over at Chad and Sally.
They were both asleep. He stared back down to the floor. Taking a deep breath. If he fell, it was going to hurt like hell. He spread his arms out a bit. Taking a moment to assess if he even could do this. Slightly lifting the right foot. Then lifting the right leg and taking another step. He smiled. Able to do it! He did it! Taking another step. Another! He could do this! He lay his hand on the wall as he reached it. Just for reassurance but he did it! He could walk. Slowly. But he was walking!
Sally opened her eyes. Lightning wasn't in the bed. She rubbed her eyes and stood up. About to panic when she heard the toilet flush. She sighed with relief and sat back down. Chad woke up and looked towards the bathroom. Lightning stepped out. Holding the door frame at first then taking those couple steps. Without the walker. Sally panicked! "Lightning! You"-"Let him try." Chad interrupted. Sally sighed. Watching. Worried. Lightning walked slowly to the bed. But he was walking. Lifting his legs. A little unstable but he wasn't falling! Sally smiled. Seeing him walk was extremely hopeful! He'd be out of here soon!…..
Minty began placing a wreath under the tv in the room. Lightning asking, "Mom…. What are you doing?" Feeling tired as crap from his therapy session this evening. Minty turned and explained, "Well it's Christmas Eve. If you got to spend Christmas in the hospital, we need to make it a bit more festive." Lightning only growling, "Gah… It's a hospital.. It's not suppose to be festive." "The neighboring patients have wreaths and lights and tinsel around their doors. Yours looks ugly." "It's not a contest." He reminded.
Sally then walked in with a small box. A tree. Seriously. Lightning sighed the got up out of the bed and carefully walked up to Sally. She smiled looking up into his eyes. "Why do you encourage her…" He asked quietly as he glanced at his Mother. Sally rolled her eyes and defended, "I agreed with her. The hospital is making it very nice and christmasy here. You are making yourself look like the grinch." Chad then teasing, "He's more a Scrooge with the cane they gave him." Lightning shot a mean glare towards his brother for that one.
Chad shrugged then grabbed the Christmas bulbs his mother bought. Sally then noticed Lightning wasn't even using the cane. "Where is your cane, mister?" Chad adding in, "Yeah, mister Scrooge. Where's your cane?" Lightning glared at Chad once more before answering his wife, "In the bathroom. I don't need it." "Mmhmm." Chad muttered quietly. Sally then put the small tree down and walked into the bathroom and grabbed it.
Bringing it back out and handing it to her husband. "Use it. I don't want something happening. What if you fall or trip and mess up your knee again? Or your hip?" Lightning singled and scolded, "I'm not that old, Sally." Minty then insisted "No, but you're injured. Use the cane, Mon. Listen to your wife." Lightning rolled his eyes. But really, it was nice. What Chad, Sally and his Mother were doing. He really appreciated this and them. Especially Sally…..
Lightning lay in bed. Staring at the tv. Browsing channels. Careful to stay away from RSN. Sally would not allow that. Sally then walked up to Chad and Minty and handed them a list. Asking them to go get a few things in the city. Chad agreed. He'd drive and Minty helping out. Sally closed the rooms door behind them then walked over and crawled into bed next to her husband. Nestling in with him. Lightning smiled and asked, "Are you okay?" "I am now." Sally assured.
Lightning kissed the side of her head. Browsing channels. Sally then pulled Lightning's face towards hers and kissed his lips. Lightning smiled and kissed hers again as he shut off the tv. Sally smiled back and the two began making out. Oh how she had missed this. His lips, his tongue, his warmth. Lightning brushed one of his hands through Sally's hair. Moaning a bit as they made out. But Sally broke the kiss. Lightning kissing her cheek, her neck and pleading in a low tone, "Don't stop…" Sally giggled quietly, "We aren't home yet. Besides, you have not got the okay to do anything to rambunctious."
Lightning kissed the corner of her lips and argued, "It doesn't that to be that way… It can be slow and gentle.. Take our time.." Sally gently pushed him away and smiled, "I'm glad you're getting back to your normal self." Lightning sighed. Smiling at his wife. But something was wrong. She was smiling, but something was off. He caressed the side of Sally's face with his warm hand. Asking, "What's wrong?…" Sally felt a tear roll down her face. She cheated. That's what was wrong. She slept with Ben not once, but multiple times!
Sally wiped her tears then answered, "Nothing. It's just emotional. Having you back and feeling you…" She then grabbed his right arm bicep. Lightning kissed Sally on the forehead before settling back into the bed. Pulling her close and cuddling with her. Both taking in one another and snuggling and watching some tv before both drifting to sleep…..