"Mom, I'm home. Lizzy is gonna hang out with Miranda for a while." Matt called out as he walked into the front door. "Ok honey, I'll be down in one minute and we'll head out." buzzz….Matt pulled out his phone finding a message from Lizzy on the screen.

Matt, can you ask mom if she's cool with us having a party this weekend?

Hoping she'll say yes to me since Im injured lol

No!...Well I mean it couldn't hurt for you to ask

Welcome to the dark side sis lol Ill ask her

Thanks Matty C U later

Later

Jo came downstairs and grabbed her purse and keys before the two headed out the door. "You feeling ok Matthew?" "Yeah I'm good, mom. Just ready to get this thing off. Miss working out." He laughed. Jo thought about the weight set in the garage her son was using regularly before the attack. As they pulled into the clinic parking lot, Matt turned to his mom. "Oh, me and Liz were wondering if we could have some friends over Saturday? We were just gonna be out back, maybe have some food and music." "A party you mean?" Matt grinned. "You could call it a social gathering too." Jo laughed. "I'll double check with dad, but it's ok with me. Nothing wild though."

Heading inside, they checked in up front, and not two minutes later, a nurse came out calling Matt's name. Jo walked with him back into the private room where he sat down on the low bed. "How are you feeling Mr. Matthews?" "I'm ok, sore but I can handle it." "Can you remove your shirt please?" Jo helped her son ease the shirt off his shoulders so the nurse could check his shoulder and stitches. "What's your pain level on a one to ten for your shoulder?" "When I'm not moving a two, but if I move it or bump it a five or six." "Any drainage?" He shook his head. "Doesn't look like any infection is taking place. I'd say it's healing up normally. The doctor will recommend you start doing physical therapy to regain mobility, strength, and movement. Let's look at those stitches." She looked over his chest and, pleased with her findings, she got her suture removal kit and got to work. Twenty minutes later, he was up, shirt on, and ready to go. "Stop by the front desk on your way out to get your therapy recommendations set up." "Thank you." He told her, and he and Jo headed out, stopping to do as the nurse directed.

Back in the car, Matt sent a text to Lizzy letting her know their mom was ok with the party.