Tommy was still lying on the couch when Didi and Stu came in to check on him.
"When can I get off the couch?" Tommy asked.
"We can't answer that, Tommy. We've been talking with the doctor."
"What did the doctor say?"
"He says it was all right if we start switching places with Uncle Drew and Aunt Charlotte."
"You mean Angelica?"
"Yes, Angelica. They agreed to help us out with you so we can take a break once in a while," Stu told him.
"But why does Angelica have to help out? You know her. She wouldn't even bother."
"Tommy, that's not a nice thing to say about Angelica. I'm sure Uncle Drew and Aunt Charlotte probably told her by now about this news on switching places. You can stay with us for a while and then they take you for a while. Even your brother has been a big help so far," Didi told him.
"I want to go back to school and be with my friends."
"We know, Tommy, but the doctor said one more week and we'll talk about it."
"All right, Mom. Whatever you say. I'd like to get up and stretch since I've been here a long time since you took me to see the doctor when it first happened."
"We understand, Tommy. Just be patient for a while longer. I'm sure Angelica is told by now to be careful with you so that way you can heal faster."
"She probably didn't pay much attention to what they told her."
"Now, Tommy, we talked it over with them. You go to Charlotte and Drew's place starting to tomorrow morning."
"Okay, Dad. I just don't want her to do that."
"We'll make her understand, Tommy. I'll stay with you for a while."
"Thank you, Dil."
"Do you want anything to eat or drink?" Stu asked Tommy.
"Nothing right now, but thank you, though."
"Just let us know if you do."
"I will."
Dil wanted to spend some time with Tommy since he thought his brother would want company.
"I can't believe Mom and Dad made the choice to have Angelica help you, Tommy."
"Did you know about it before they said something?"
"Not really. I didn't hear them talk about it," Dil answered.
"Tommy, Chuckie said he'll be over soon and give you the homework for today."
"Thank you, Dil. I know you could have done it yourself, but Chuckie told me in the beginning when this happened he wouldn't mind doing it."
"Chuckie's a good guy," Dil agreed.
"Of course. He's my best friend, Dil."
"Duh, Tommy. I see why you both are close friends," Dil told him.
"Do you want me to get you anything?" Dil asked.
"Just to get off the couch and go back to school. I know that wouldn't happen anytime soon, Dil."
"Of course it's not. We do miss you there."
"Glad to hear it, Dil. So Mom and Dad told you that we would be switching places with Angelica to help me out?" Tommy asked.
"No. I didn't know about it until you did. She wouldn't get much done with us when we switch places with Angelica," Dil replied.
"You're exactly right, Dil. She probably wouldn't let me get better faster anytime soon if we try sending me to her house."
"I'd like to go with you and keep an eye on Angelica."
"I don't think that will work, Dil. I am not sleeping in a girl's bedroom."
"I agree. Why would you want to spend the night in Angelica's room? I can't picture that happening. You'll end up sleeping somewhere else that's even better than her room."
"I guess it might have to be the couch again. I've been here since I first had that accident happen."
"Yeah, Tommy. When you're off the couch for good, then you have to be a lot more careful than that."
"I know."
Tommy wished he could get off the couch this afternoon, but that wouldn't happen. What would the doctor say about that? Tommy asked himself.
"We can try asking Mom and Dad again when you can get off the couch and go back to school."
"I can't get up, Dil. You talk to them unless we have both of them here and tell us at the same time."
"Angelica needs to learn to be nice with other people, Tommy."
"I agree, Dil. Why would Mom and Dad come up with that idea about me switching places between here and Angelica? I don't think that's right."
"You're right, Tommy."
Stu joined Dil and Tommy.
"Tommy, remember when your mother and I shared with you about switching back and forth with us and Drew and Charlotte?"
"Yes. That doesn't sound like a good idea to me, Dad. Angelica's not nice."
"But she's still your cousin, and that won't change. The doctor thought it was a good idea so you can get some change instead of just being on the couch here at home."
"I'm better off with the couch here rather than Angelica's place."
Stu understood what Tommy meant, but didn't say anything after that.
"When do we start switching places?" Tommy asked.
"Tomorrow morning. Drew and Charlotte will be here to pick you up between eight - thirty and nine."
"What about Angelica? Does she have to switch places with you and Mom?" Dil asked.
"No. Angelica's staying so she can help you out, Tommy."
"Just what I thought. Can Dil come?"
"I don't think so. Drew and Charlotte said they'd like to have your brother over, Dil. Gives Tommy and Angelica some time together."
Stu meant what he said.