VERY IMPORTANT
Whatever is underlined is something that it’s being said but not out loud.
Whatever is underlined plus in italics is something that it’s being said in both forms.
Whatever is in bold letters is written down.
Jennifer came running into the hospital, not sure what was going on. All she received was a call from Brian telling her that they were at the hospital. Jennifer had immediately left work and came rushing to see what was going on. She got to the waiting room and saw a couple of people she knew and some she didn’t. She had thought that it was about Eric until she saw her grandson sitting with a blonde woman.
“Where is Justin?” Jennifer asked as she came face to face with Debbie.
Jennifer had met her when Justin had applied for work at the diner. The two of them talked to each other whenever Jennifer went to the diner.
“The doctor is looking at him.” Debbie said.
“What happen?” Jennifer asked getting worried, not sure what was going on.
“Brian called and told us he couldn’t wake Justin up.” Lindsey said to Jennifer. “Justin stopped breathing, but the paramedics got there just in time.”
Jennifer covered her mouth and started crying.
“It’s okay.”
“Where’s Brian?” Jennifer asked, looking around.
“He’s outside having a cigarette.” Emmett told her.
“Or a box.” Ted commented.
“He’s pretty nervous.” Lindsey said. “He was a mess by the time we got him here. He really cares for Justin.”
Jennifer nodded and practically ran to the end of the hall when she saw Brian coming their way. She hugged Brian quickly.
“Tell me what happened.” Jennifer demanded.
“The doctor said he had an allergic reaction.” Brian said. “Then he gave me a list of the things he was allergic to. I didn’t know it was so many things.”
“What did he have?” Jennifer asked.
“Seafood.”
“Oh god.” Jennifer said.
“I called 911 because he passed out and then he completely stopped breathing. They took him away and I stayed with Eric.” Brian said and took a deep breath. “Debbie prepared us some dinner and sent it over with me. We had dinner and then went to bed. He didn’t realize what he had eaten. He had been trying to catch his breath like forever and I just thought it was because…well anyway, I wasn’t fucking paying attention to him. I should have known there was something wrong with him.”
“Brian, relax. It’s not your fault.” Jennifer said, letting a few tears fall down. “He will be okay.”
Brian nodded but still felt it was his fault.
***
Justin opened his eyes slowly and frowned when he saw Brian sleeping in a chair at an uncomfortable position. He looked around and wondered what he was doing in the hospital. Justin sat up and then threw the covers away. He felt like he had a hangover when he got up and onto the cold floor. He walked towards Brian slowly and caressed the man’s face.
“Wha…Justin!” Brian yelled.
Brian got up and hugged Justin lifting him up in the process. He held tightly to Justin until Justin pushed him away and got back on the floor.
“I like breathing.” Justin said.
Brian smirked and nodded. He grabbed the blonde by the waist this time and caressed his face.
“Justin, you scared me shitless.” Brian said, pushing Justin’s hair back from his forehead.
“What happen?” Justin asked.
“You had an allergic reaction. Your lungs closed up and you passed out. God, Justin, I’m so sorry.” Brian said.
“It’s not your fault.” Justin said.
“It kind of is. Remember the food that Debbie sent?”
Justin nodded.
“It had little pieces of shrimp. I didn’t know you were allergic to seafood. I’m so sorry, Justin. We were trying to figure out what it was. Then the doctor gave us a list of all the things that could have caused it. I had no idea. I almost killed you. I can’t believe it. To think I…”
Brian stopped talking because Justin had put his hand on his mouth.
“I get it.” Justin signaled.
Brian bit his lower lip.
“How are you feeling?” Brian asked.
Justin stretched and frowned.
“A little drowsy.” Justin signaled.
“I’m so sorry.” Brian said.
Justin smiled and took Brian’s hand, putting it on his chest.
“I’m okay.” Justin assured him.
“Come here.” Brian said.
Brian held him close and kissed Justin’s pink lips. He smiled and finally started to relax when Justin hugged him back tightly.
***
It had been two days since Justin had been released from the hospital. Justin was glad that people had stopped pampering him. He had enjoyed it at first, but afterwards it became tiring.
He was at the diner taking a break and enjoying his ice cream when Michael sat across from him. He smiled at the man but then frowned when he saw Michael’s face.
“What’s wrong?” Justin asked.
“Are you saying hello to me?” Michael asked.
Justin shook his head and pointed at Michael’s appearance.
“You don’t like my clothes?” Michael asked.
Justin rolled his eyes and got up. He went into the kitchen and came back with a notebook.
I’m asking you what’s wrong.
Michael read it and looked at Justin with sad eyes.
“Ben and I had a fight and Brian won’t talk to me. I didn’t do anything.”
Justin smiled and wrote in the notebook.
Men!
Michael saw it and laughed.
“Well, you are doing pretty well with Brian.” Michael said.
Justin nodded and smiled. He took the notebook and wrote something and then passed it to Michael.
Yeah. But boy, is he something else. He’s such…a drama queen.
Michael started laughing.
“I know.” Michael agreed. “But he has a good heart.”
I know. That is why I love him so much.
Michael looked at the words and smiled. He looked up at Justin and felt bad for what he had done.
“I’m sorry that I was such a jerk to you before.” Michael said.
It’s okay. I know I’m different and it scares people sometimes. Justin wrote down.
“Justin, you can talk. Why don’t you?” Michael asked.
Justin frowned before he started to write down the reason.
I know it sounds weird and you know it. I don’t like people looking at me like I’m some kind of freak because my voice just doesn’t sound right.
“I’m sorry.” Michael said.
It’s not your fault.
Michael gave him a small smile and nodded. The waiter came to ask for Michael’s order. Justin started drawing in his notebook while Michael ordered something to eat. When Michael’s food came Justin got up and left. Michael grabbed the notebook and looked at the drawing of a man sitting in one of the booths. He smiled as a thought occurred to him. He just hoped that Justin would like his idea.
***
Justin threw his bedroom door shut. He was tired of his mother trying to help him. He had tried everything there was out there and he didn’t want to keep on getting his hopes up for nothing. Jennifer knocked on the door and came inside.
“I don’t want to talk about his.” Justin told her.
“I’m just trying to help you, Justin. You don’t lose anything with trying. This operation can give you back your hearing.”
Justin shook his head. Jennifer took a deep breath and frowned. She wanted to help her son lead a normal life but Justin had given all hope and she knew it.
“Just think about it.” Jennifer said.
“I already have.”
“What about Brian?” Jennifer asked him with a little smile.
“What about him?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice if you could hear him?” Jennifer asked.
“Stop it.” Justin signaled getting frantic. “Don’t do this mother.”
“Maybe you should talk with him about this.” Jennifer suggested.
“It’s my life.”
“I thought he was part of it.” Jennifer told him before she turned around and left.
Justin crossed his arms and stood there fuming. He looked up again when his mother came inside with Eric.
“Here.” Jennifer said, putting Eric in Justin’s arms. “He was crying.”
Justin looked at his mother, not sure if it was true. He looked at Eric who looked okay and wondered if his mother would say something like that to make him reconsider the operation. He took a deep breath and sat down with Eric on the bed. He didn’t know what to do anymore.