Chapter 3

Stan's POV

"Just a little closer…" I'm currently in the process of a physical therapy session. She's helping me walk again. She let go of my hands and moved further away from me so I can walk towards her unassisted. I take a few small steps. This is extremely tiring, and I feel like my legs are going to give out any minute.

"T-tired…" I manage to get out before I stop. I'm still working on my speech. It's beyond frustrating to not be able to express myself properly.

"We can stop here for today." She smiles as she picks me up and carries me back to my bed.

"Thank…you…"

She starts typing on her laptop. "You're making a lot of progress in such a short amount of time. You should be proud of yourself."

"Thanks…" Just then Kyle comes in the room.

"Hey dude!" He looks at my physical therapist. "How did he do Melissa?"

"He's did very well." Melissa responds.

"How soon can he leave?"

"You'll have to talk to the doctor, but I think he's close to it."

"Good." She smiles and leaves. Kyle comes closer to me. I don't know why, but for some reason, he makes me a little nervous. "How are you feeling?" As he reaches his hand to touch me.

I close my eyes. "O…okay…"

"You're still acting nervous around me."

"S-sorry." I open my eyes and see that he's smiling at me.

"I'm only here to help."

Maybe he can finally answer the one question I've been trying to ask him. "T-tell me…"

He raises his eyebrow. "Tell you what?"

"My…m-mom…my… and d-dad…dy…"

"Mommy and daddy?" He starts laughing. "You haven't called them that since you were like 5!"

"W-where…?"

"You want to know where they are?"

I nod. It doesn't make sense as they should be here instead of Kyle? "W-why…"

"Why what?" He sounds like he's getting annoyed with me.

"K-Kyle I…"I start pulling at my hair. Ugh! It's so frustrating! He doesn't get what I'm trying to say! I start to tear up.

"What's wrong?"

"I…I…" I can feel tears coming from my eyes.

Kyle smiles. "I know what you need!" He grabs his medical bag.

I already know what he means by that. He's going to get out that stupid needle again. I hate needles! "N-no! P-please…" I beg as soon I see him pull a needle out of his bag.

"It's okay. Remember, I'm a nurse. I know what I'm doing." He smiles as he brings the needle closer to my arm.

I shake my head and continue crying. "I-it…h-hurts…"

"Don't be such a baby! It's going to help you relax. You know I hate when you get upset like this." He then sticks the needle in me. I really want to scream right now.

"K-Ky…" I can feel my eyelids getting heavy.

He pulls the needle out. "Shh! Shh! Shh! It's time for you to rest. When you're awake and calm, we'll talk about your "mommy and daddy", okay?" He rubs my hair.

"K…" My eyes are getting heavier and heavier. I don't think I can stay awake much longer…

Kyle's POV

Heidi and I are in bed. She's snuggling with me and tells me I seem like I'm a million miles away. "He asked about his parents again." I tell her.

"Poor guy. I know you just want to protect him by not saying anything."

I nod. "Yeah, but he keeps asking. He has a right to know. He's been awake for a month now."

"I agree, but it could be damaging to the progress he's made."

I frown. "He's not a little kid, he's 35. I think he can handle the truth."

"Yes, but mentality he's 10 years old. The truth will be hard for him to accept."

"I refuse to treat him like a child even if he looks and acts like one!" It amazes me how in 25 years, Stan hasn't really aged. "I already have a kid, I don't need a man child."

"I didn't say treat him like a child, but you do have to be delicate."

"I just want him to be released so he can come home! I've had his room ready for him!"

"It's going to be an adjustment for him. For all of us actually." Heidi and I live together with our four year old son.

"It's better than a hospital bed."

"Prior to the accident, he had his own room at his parent's house."

"That was 25 years ago! His parent's house isn't an option! I'm his guardian now!" I remind her.

"What are you going to do with him once he's released? Have you even thought about that?"

I shrug. "He can get a job and contribute to the household."

"Get a job? With what skills or education?"

"He can learn."

"It's going to take time. The man has a brain injury."

I really hate having this discussion with her. "Stop saying that! He's awake now and he has to learn to function in the adult world!"

"He lost 25 years of his life. In his mind, he's still 10, that's why he doesn't recognize us."

"He recognizes me!"

She raises her eyebrow. "Are you sure? He always seems scared when you come around."

I nod. "At first he didn't, but I had to show him my license to prove who I am."

"What's the reason for the look of fear?"

I shrug. "Blame it on the brain injury."

"I don't think it's clicked in his head that he's a grown up now. So he may be struggling to realize that you're the Kyle that he once knew."

"He knows I'm Kyle. He calls me by name."

"That doesn't mean he realizes we're all adults now. He's constantly asking for his parents. Something a child would do."

"That's true. Well I'm glad he's asking about them and not Wendy."

"That may happen eventually."

I smile just thinking about that. "I'm actually looking forward to that. I want him and Wendy to come face to face."

"You seem to be taking a lot of pleasure in his potential misery."

"You know I always thought he was too good for that slut!"

"Stop!"

"It's true! He'll realize in time that he's better off without her."

"That's fine, but calling her a slut isn't necessary."

"I don't want to talk about her anymore. I don't want to talk about anyone. I'm ready for another round with you." I start kissing her.

"I like how you think!" Good! I love having sex with Heidi, but it's also a good way to distract her from this whole Stan thing. She needs to understand that I'm doing what's right for Stan as I'm the only one who knows what's best for him.