Chapter 2

2

Shock and sadness washed over me, almost drowning me.

Everyone was lying, all for Chad.

My nails broke my skin, pain dragging me back to reality.

Fine, I'll take this whole damn show and shove it right back at them.

I hit record on my phone and wheeled myself to the front doors, greeting Mom and Dad.

Mom looked spooked.

"Danny, why'd you go inside without us?"

Dad frowned. "We told you the hospital was a zoo, we didn't want you going in alone."

"Couldn't wait. Had to pee."

I shrugged, my voice flat.

Mom asked carefully, "You didn't see anyone, did you?"

Her nervousness stabbed me. I wanted to scream.

Why lie?

But what was the point?

I already decided to leave.

"See anyone? Nope, had to go real bad, I didn't notice."

They seemed relieved that I was telling the truth.

"Let's go, we'll come with you."

Dad pushed my chair, Mom adjusted my mask.

"Flu's going around, gotta be careful, Mom doesn't want you sick."

Before, her concern would've touched me.

Now, I couldn't see an ounce of love in her eyes.

At the rehab center on the twelfth floor, I laid down and let the doctor give me the shot.

Half-asleep, I heard Mom and Dad talking to the doctor.

"If we don't do surgery soon, Mr. Lewis may never walk again..."

"We've only done half of the treatment and the meds were switched to vitamins as you requested. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, are you sure you want to see your son in a wheelchair for the rest of his life?"

"I paid you big bucks to come over from Germany, not to ask stupid questions. Do as I say!" Dad's voice was sharp.

Mom backed him up.

"So what if he can't walk? We can take care of him, why do you care?"

"Don't forget who's been paying your salary for five years. Are you gonna let some sense of duty get in the way?"

The doctor stammered, "No, I meant, he's been getting anesthesia for years, and what about building up immunity? What do we do then?"

"That's for you to figure out. Just keep his leg from getting better or worse, and you're good to go."