Note: This story came from a writing prompt, so I hope you all like it.

Tommy kept walking, trying not to stand out. Not in this neighborhood, not on a day when he thought nobody would be able to help him since the limp hadn't been around very long yet. Tommy saw a car heading his way. It was Chuckie, his best friend.

"Hi, Tommy. What are you doing here?"

"Just taking a walk, Chuckie."

Chaz, who was Chuckie's father did the driving while Chuckie was the passenger.

"Do you need a ride?" Chaz asked.

"Yes, I do. I think I tripped on a rock and now I am limping."

"Chuckie, open the door so Tommy could get in."

Chuckie unbuckled his seatbelt and did what Chaz asked him.

"Thanks, Chuckie," Tommy said, slowly getting in the backseat.

"You're welcome, Tommy. We'll take you home and see what we can do to help you feel better."

"I appreciate that," Tommy said as he buckled himself and Chuckie did the same thing.

After that, the three of them said nothing, but they let Chaz concentrating on his driving.

"Have you been to this neighborhood before?" Chuckie asked.

"No. I was surprised to see you here. How did you know it was me?"

"We didn't know it was you right away. Since you looked familiar, here we are."

"Don't you think Mom and Dad are home?"

"I'm sure they are, Tommy. You know they'll take care of you."

"I'm thankful to have them as parents."

They made it. Once again Tommy said thank you as Chuckie helped him.

"Hope you feel better, Tommy."

"So do I."

Stu was in the living room, going through a magazine. Dee Dee was out grocery shopping and getting a haircut.

"What's wrong, Tommy? You're limping," Stu said, watching Tommy.

"I know I think I tripped on a rock."

Stu got up from the couch and helped him get on.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Where were you this whole time? You sure had quite a long walk."

"I was in a neighborhood I don't even know."

"Tommy, you shouldn't be walking in a neighborhood you don't know. Let me get an ice pack."

Tommy didn't say anything as Stu headed to the fridge for an ice pack and returned to the living room.

"Here you go, Tommy."

"Chuckie's dad dropped me off."

"He's a good friend."

Tommy had to agree. Tommy was asleep when his mother walked in with the groceries. Stu got up and helped her put them away.

"Tommy hurt himself," he told her.

"How did that happen?"

"He was walking and thought he tripped on a rock, but Chuckie and Chaz were able to take care of him. He was limping."

"That was nice of Chaz to drive him home."

Stu agreed. He and Dee Dee talked more and Tommy kept sleeping. He didn't hear either of them talking.

"I'll go check on Tommy this time," Dee Dee said as Stu offered to put the grocery bags away where normally kept them.

Tommy woke up when he felt Dee Dee touch him.

"How are you, Tommy?"

"I feel the same."

"We'll let you stay home from school tomorrow so that way you won't be limping or the kids would ger curious and ask questions about it."

"Okay, Mom. It just won't be the same without seeing my friends," he said.

"I understand, Tommy. I'll get an ice pack for you."

"Dad already did it not long ago."

"Let's do it again. We'll call the doctor too."

"I don't need to go, do I?"

"Yes, you do. We don't want to get into an argument."

"You're right, Mom. Do you think you could wait to make the call tomorrow morning?"

"Right after we call in to the principal's office."

Tommy didn't say anything after that.

"I'm hungry."

"I'll give you some carrots and celery."

Tommy liked carrots and celery as his favorite vegetables.

"Thanks, Mom."

She returned with the carrots and celery along with ice water.

"I'll be back later. Just take it easy."

"I'm not going anywhere, Mom."

Stu and Dee Dee agreed that Tommy stay on the couch for the night. Tommy didn't want to complain about it.

"Are you fine sleeping down here for the night?" Stu asked.

Tommy nodded.

"That's fine."

Tommy still felt tired, so he immediately fell asleep again. He was still asleep when supper time. Neither Stu or Dee Dee bothered to call him for dinner since he was still asleep. Before they knew it, the next day was a new one with school. Dee Dee did what she said she would do.

But she called in the school first and then the doctor. Dee Dee arrived to the living room where they left him the night before.

"I called the principal and doctor, Tommy. He said we can see him in an hour."

"Okay, Mom."

Tommy's younger brother did know what happened to him but said he would tell their friends at school.

An hour later, Tommy and Dee Dee were at the doctor's office. The appointment didn't take long, which was a good thing.

"We'll be sure to have one of your friends give you homework assignments since the doctor wants just the rest of the week off to recover."

"Where do you want me, Mom? Here on the couch or in my room?" Tommy asked.

"We can do both, but since the couch is closest, you can stay there for now," she answered.

Tommy was fine with what his mother said.

"Go lie down and I'll bring an ice pack."

"Dad did that when Chuckie dropped me off."

"We're going to do it again now."

He didn't complain. If he did, it could end up in an argument. No way would he let that happen. Stu was still in the living room, but was watching the weather report to see what it would look like for the rest of the day.

"Watching the weather report, Dad?"

"Yes, Tommy. How are you feeling?"

"A little bit better."

"That's good. You'll fell like yourself sooner rather than later," Stu replied.

"I know," he said as Stu helped him on the couch.

"Thanks, Dad."

That's when she bought the ice pack and gave it to Tommy.

He decided to call Chuckie tonight and update him on what was going on since he came back home.

"Can I call Chuckie? I think he needs to know."

"Isn't he in school?"

"Yes, but I'm calling tonight after school."

"Just tell him the doctor wants you to stay for the rest of the week and homework assignments."

"I'll tell him that."

He was home when Tommy called that evening.

"Hi, Chuckie."

"How are you?"

"A little bit better. Mom just took me to the doctor this morning and I need to stay home for the week. Could you bring my homework?"

"I can do that. I'll see you tomorrow after school. I'll pass this on to the others."

"Thanks, Chuckie. I appreciate it."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Chuckie."

"Bye, Tommy."

"He's going to do it."

"Which is good, Tommy."

"He deserves to know first," he told Stu.

He had been friends with Chuckie since they were in diapers, and see each other as close friends. Tommy sighed, but couldn't find anything new to say.

"I think I'll take a nap."

"Tommy, you're better off here on the couch instead of upstairs for now," Dee Dee told him.

"All right, Mom. If you say so."

"Yes, I do. Just don't think you're ready for the stairs at the moment."

Tommy knew what she meant. After that, he fell asleep again.

He actually slept most of the day. It was a little after twelve when he woke up, but was hungry for lunch. Stu was out in the garage, working on a project he started on. Dee Dee was in the laundry room when he woke up. That's when she came in to see how he was doing.

"How are you feeling, Tommy?"

"A little better, but not one hundred percent. Where's Dad?"

Tommy noticed Stu wasn't with him like he was earlier today.

"I'm hungry and thirsty."

"I'll get you something."

"Thanks, Mom. You're the greatest."

"Thank you, Tommy."

Dee Dee returned a few minutes later with a tray she carefully put it on the coffee table so he could reach for it.