When life crushes you from all sides, who can you count on to watch over you when you stumble and fall? When life crushes you from all sides, who will give you the strength to face tomorrow? When life comes rushing at you who will you choose to face it with? Life will always rush at you and try to crush you from all sides. But when it does will you have someone to give you the power to face it head-on?
Johnny lay in his hospital bed, trying to understand his condition. It's not easy. He was crushed in body and now a little in spirit. He's on day two of rest. The doctor told him "The only thing you need to do is rest." This rest means no thinking and no physical activity. No thinking. Ha! How can he not think? When you're lying here doing nothing all you can do is think. Rest means no TV either. It all sucks and he hates it.
There is no good thing about this. What makes it even suckier are his moods. They constantly change throughout the day. They're always at opposite ends of the spectrum, either angry or weepy. There's no in-between. His moods don't swing. They bounce, swivel, rebound, pivot, kick, jump, skip, run, crawl, and strike. He needs a sign to hang that says Caution: Mood Swings In Progress. But the crying part...
He's never been a huge crier. Now he's a weepy cry baby. In fact just this morning, he grew so frustrated with laying here he started crying. Ava, bless her, handles his moods perfectly. She's been so patient and comforting. She hasn't gotten tired of his drama yet. He owes her big time.
Today the doctor is starting him on cardio for thirty minutes. The nurses are coming to get him and taking him to ride a stationary bike. Dr. Mertaw explained, "Exercise, for thirty minutes a day, will increase your chances of healing properly." Which he wants. He wants to heal properly and quickly so he doesn't have to lie around going nuts. Dr. Mertaw went on to say "A stationary bike, or an elliptical machine, are ideal for getting your blood pumping without making the concussion worse."
This got him thinking, which he's not supposed to do. But he did anyway. Cardio, nothing strenuous, blood pumping, heart rate up, healing ... Another kind of exercise popped into his mind. He took one look at his wife, who is still listening to the doctor like the good girl she is. Quality time with Ava could be a good thing, a healing thing.
As soon as the doctor left, he told her as much. She point blank said "No. You don't need to engage in anything overly taxing. And if somehow you threw your head back, or bumped it, I'd never forgive myself for it." She effectively threw cold water on that idea. That's when his crying started up again.
No TV, no thinking, no quality time with his wife, no nothing. It all sucks! Then he was besieged by tears. Tears, lots of tears were shed. He wept out words. "But I want to have fun. All I can do is lie here and eat crappy hospital food. And the food has no salt." Then he started crying over the lack of salt.
Ava declared "I'm glad you have no salt. The way you shake it on everything, you're cruising for high blood pressure." Her words were not comforting. It did not help his crying state because he started crying over the fact he's crying.
"I hate crying. I HATE crying in front of people, cause I feel weak. I want to tell myself Quiet! But I can't. And what if I'm now a habitual crier? What if I'm a cry baby and it won't ever change? That sucks so hard," he sobbed.
Ava was torn between laughing and feeling sorry for him. The doctor told her this will eventually go away "Just be patient with him." She remembers her mother's words about patience. "Patience is a sign of love. Anyone can say I love you, but not everyone can be patient and prove it's true." So, she waits. She waits for his crying fits to pass and his angry fits too, and all the moody fits in between.
After a horrible lunch, of Salsbury steak, green beans, and soggy mashed potatoes, the nurse came to get him. He noticed Ava sitting in the chair. "You're coming with me, right?"
That wasn't her plan, as she thought the nurse would be able to assist and help him. Besides a few moments of peace, to herself, is much needed. She's been going nonstop since the accident Wednesday. But instead, rising from the chair, she stated "Of course. I just needed to catch my breath first." Then she followed behind the wheelchair, carrying him to the strengthening room. Patience in action.
When Johnny first stood up to get on the bike, he was dizzy. His ribs hurt too, from the movement. Both his wife and the nurse thought he'd have to go back and lie down. The dizziness passed and he assured them both "It's gone now. I can do this." Even if it hadn't gone away, he'd say anything to get out of that bed and that room.
He got on the bike and started peddling. It's hard to grasp the handlebars, cause of his sprained right wrist. But he made do. The exercise is also difficult because of his ribs. He'd really like to groan. If he did he'd be wheeled back to the room in no time. At first, much like the dizziness, a head rush came upon him. It passed too. He was able to sustain sufficient speed for the thirty minutes until he grew tired. At which point the nurse did wheel him back to the room.
After he was put back into the bed, Ava took a book from the bedside table. "Dr. Mertaw advised that you should engage in cognitive activities after exercising. So, we're going to read this book together. I'm going to stop and ask you questions as we go along."
A groan escaped his mouth. The last thing he wants to do is read, but if she's reading to him then that's better. To make the activity comfier, she lay in the bed beside him. He snuggled into her warmth. She began reading, "Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. This story is about something that happened to them when they were sent away from London during the war because of the air-raids. They were sent to the house of an old Professor who lived in the country..."
At the end of the first chapter, there were several things Johnny didn't understand. "That mom is terrible. Why were they sent to an old professor? Why not another member of their family? How did the mother know the professor? We know he's a kook, but what if he were a creep?"
Ava didn't know the answer to these questions. No one has ever asked this about The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe before. Most people focus on the obvious. "I don't know Johnny. Sorry."
He asked more questions. "And why were the children snooping in his house? Isn't that disrespectful? Especially Lucy snooping in his wardrobe. And why is there another world in the wardrobe? How did it get there? It sounds like the author was high when he wrote this book. Surely the kooky professor knew of it, right? Unless he was high on drugs too."
Patience is the key, she had to remind herself. It's a good thing he's asking all of these questions. It means his brain is working. But... "I don't know Johnny. It's a book. A fantasy book, which has other worlds and such. Try not to think too hard about it. We'll read the next chapter tomorrow." She started to get up, but he held on.
"Babe I just want to snuggle. I haven't held you since the accident. I've either been unconscious or awake and uncomfortable. I feel good right now, so please don't go," he begged. Johnny never begs. When he does it's important. Knowing this she cuddled him and smoothed his hair. Sometimes all you need is a hug, a tight hug. Hugs never go out of style and are always the right size. She squeezed him and wrapped him up in love.
"I love you so much, Ava. I just need you to know that." He nuzzled her neck. "And I really want to kiss you. I know we can't, you know, but can we at least kiss? I've missed your kiss." He misses that most of all and he's drowning from not having it.
A smile formed on her mouth. Starting with his head, she placed soft, sweet kisses all the way down his face to his lips. Before she kissed them, she locked eyes with him. He has beautiful eyes. Beautiful blue like the tropical sea. She didn't mind drowning in them. Because in his eyes is a depth of love the likes of which she had never known. True love. Real love.
Inch by inch her lips moved closer to his own. Then they connected. His lips are warm and soft, and she felt his arm snake around her waist to pull her closer. He kissed her back lovingly, with the deep admiration found in his eyes. His kisses are always wonderful and leave her floating, but this kiss is different. It's the kiss of a man starved and thirsty, needing water and she's his oasis.
All the emotions that had been building in him were poured into it. She sucked in a breath, but didn't move away. She couldn't have even if she tried, because there was no other place she wanted to be. His hands found a home on her back, light as butterfly wings with tender caresses. And he deepened their kiss wanting more. She let him, but as soon as the door opened she jumped up like he has a fungus growing on him.
A groan of frustration left his mouth about the same time as "Hey you loser. Are you awake yet," was voiced from Dutch. All of the guys walked in, along with Rachel and Dawn. Chairs were pulled up and a box of Johnny's favorite chocolate candy was given to him.
Finally some non-hospital food. Like a kid a Christmas, Johnny pulled off the lid. He took one look at the box, and frowned. "What the heck Man?" Pieces of candy are missing. All the good ones are gone. He's left with nasty cherry and orange. Barf.
Eyes turned to Tommy. "What?" he said looking sheepish. "I got hungry. I'm sorry, OK. My sweet tooth got the better of me." Dawn was embarrassed for him.
At that moment Johnny's emotions got the better of him. He was so close to chocolate and now it's gone like no salt, no TV, and no quality time. Ava could sense a fit of tears coming on. She climbed onto the bed again, and wrapped her arms around him. He sniffled, but was determined not to cry.
After Dutch and Jimmy finished berating Tommy, for eating the good chocolate, Ava asked "Did you guys win the game?" She hasn't seen them since Wednesday. The guys had decided to give them space until Johnny woke up.
Bobby answered. "Yeah, we won. When the game resumed, all the players who had been in on the dirty playing were ejected. They had to use second-stringers. From their quality of play it was clear they hadn't seen much field time. But coach was pissed. He told the Bakersfield coach off."
"Good," Ava remarked. Someone needed to tell him off. She looked at the guy's faces. "None of you did anything stupid after the game, in retaliation did you?" Of all of them Dutch looked the most guilty. "Dutch, what did you do?"
He shook his leg, in the chair he's sitting in, and then pointed his finger. "Nothing that shouldn't have been done." Johnny gave him a look. "Their faces became friends with my fist. That's all."Â Tommy snickered. And Ava knew that wasn't all. She raised an eyebrow waiting for him to continue. "Alright, alright. Maybe I toilet papered their houses. But that's it." Then he looked at Johnny. "If someone is going to purposely destroy my friend, then I'm going to let them know how it feels. I'd do the same for any of you."
Sniffles could be heard in the room. Heads turned toward the sound and eyes got as wide as melons. Johnny had started to cry. Jimmy asked Ava the obvious question. "Why is he crying? Is he OK?"
Ava rubbed her husband's arm. She shared with them what the doctor said. "He has a moderate concussion. Part of that is mood swings. Johnny cries a lot, lately. Don't you Honey?"
"I'm emotionally overwhelmed. I hate crying. It sucks," he admitted wiping tears away. The guy's eyes raised through the roof at the this knowledge.
She went on to tell them, "Today he started exercising on the stationary bike. He does thirty minutes a day. If all goes well, then he should get released on Sunday to go home."
Bobby rested a hand on Johnny's shoulder. "That's good Man." Then he asked Ava, "So what are the two of you doing about your Spain trip?"
That's a good question. Johnny wants to know too. "I called today, while he was sleeping, and had the travel agent redo the vouchers for the summer. We're postponing our trip until then. I explained what happened to Johnny, and the agent was more than willing to fix things for us."
She turned to look at her husband. "So, that's what we're doing. Your health is more important. Spain will be there for us in the summer. I'd rather have you healthy than anything. Which reminds me. When you get released Sunday, you can't drive. Not your car and not your bike. I'll be doing that for us until Dr. Mertaw releases you to do so again."
Instead of tears, he was plagued with frustration. If he's not crying he's frustrated. It's one or the other. His eyes narrowed, his arms crossed, and he became grumped out. An empty plastic cup made its way across the room. Eyes fixed on him waiting for an explanation, while Ava ran her fingers through his hair.
"This stinks! Everything about this is awful! No TV, no good chocolate, hospital food, no Spain, no thinking, and now no driving. I have to be driven around like some old woman." Then his head turned to Ava. "And you have to drive me." He huffed with impatience.
Her fingers stopped playing with his hair at his harsh words. "And what's wrong with that?"
"Babe, you drive terrible. You follow all the speed signs and never go through caution lights." Irritated, his head turned away.
Ava bristled at his statement. Feeling annoyed and cranky herself, she sat up. "I think it's time I took a break for a little while. Your friends are here. They'll occupy your mind while I'm gone." Looking at the guys, she asked "Do you mind if I run home to shower and change? I haven't been home since Wednesday."
Immediately Bobby told her "It's fine Ava. We'll be here when you get back. Take all the time you need."
Rachel and Dawn stood up to go with her. She got off the bed and grabbed her purse. Johnny caught her hand before she could leave. "Babe, can you bring me some real chocolate and Doritos?"
Not an I'm sorry to be found in his words. No. This made her ill as a bee that's been swatted at. She cut her eyes at him. "I don't know that you deserve any." Then she left the room in a snit.
When she left, Johnny turned to his friends. "What is her problem? It's not like she has a concussion."
Ever the voice of reason, Bobby explained it to his temperamental friend. "Well Johnny, she's been with you ever since she watched you get destroyed on the field. She's upset because she's taken care of you and then you say her driving sucks. You didn't apologize either."
All his concussed friend said was "Oh". Then he rubbed at his temples. "My head hurts." He looked at his friends. "I'm not supposed to be thinking." He continued rubbing his temples.
Staring at Johnny, Jimmy wondered something. "Wait a minute. You're not supposed to be thinking? What does that mean?"
Cutting his eyes as if to say, idiot, Johnny spoke. "I don't know Man. My doctor says I'm not supposed to engage in prolonged strenuous thought. It's probably why I have this headache."
Bobby muttered, "Or because you feel guilty." Johnny heard him and glared.
Smiling to himself, Tommy couldn't hold it in. "You are so lucky. You don't have to think. Do you know how much I would love that?"
Dutch shook his head. Looking right at Tommy, he remarked "Man, do you realize all of the sarcastic comments I could make right now? You set yourself up for it. But it's too easy, so I'll let this pass."
"Gee thanks Man," Tommy stated. He loves his friend like a brother but sometimes he gets on his nerves.
The guys sat around talking about soccer, spring break, and karate. They haven't dared to talk about karate since the tournament. But it's been months since then and the wound isn't as raw. They discussed kicks and the new issue of Martial Arts Magazine. However, Tommy decided to mention "Johnny you've had a crappy sports year. You lost the tournament and now your laying here with a concussion." They all looked at Tommy and sighed.
"If only sarcasm got me A's I'd be an honors student," Dutch stated. "Tommy, why'd  you say that?" They both glared at each other.
However, Johnny didn't mind. "I agree Man. I have had a crappy sports year. I played my hardest at both and illegal moves took me down. But I've also learned a lot about myself too. So it hasn't been all bad. I still want to open my own dojo and maybe one of the scouts saw something in my playing they liked. I don't know."
After that, Johnny grew tired. He wants a nap, but it would be rude to do so with his friends here. Ava's been gone for a long time now and he wishes she were there. So, he settled back and listened to them talk. He commented every now and then.
At almost six, his wife and her two friends returned. She had been gone for nearly three hours. When she entered the room he felt much more calm and composed. The guys all said goodbye and promised to come to visit tomorrow. After they left, Ava handed him two bags. One was take out from Wendy's and the other was a bag containing Doritos and chocolate.
His eyes didn't want to make contact with hers. He had said things that weren't nice and he feels guilty like Bobby said. But instead of being a coward, he raised his head to look at her. She seemed less tired and more relaxed. Her clothes had been changed and her hair was pulled up on her head. "I'm a big huge mess right now. But this mess loves you so much and is so sorry for how he treated you."
Coming closer to the bed, she leaned down and placed a kiss on his forehead. "You are a mess. A hot mess." He formed a smirky smile at her choice of words. "I love you too." Then she crawled onto the bed beside him.
They talked while he ate. He found out she had showered and taken a nap at home. She told him that she had given Rachel and Dawn cash, to go buy a list of grocery items. They did that for her while she had taken a nap. "Now all of your favorite things will be there when you break out of this joint Sunday."
That's when it hit him. That feeling of being so thankful for someone. Had this been any other chick, they wouldn't have done half of what Ava has for him. Sometimes it's the little things that let you know you've got someone truly special in your life. Then he started crying at all of these thoughts. "Oh, God. I'm turning into a girl." She handed him tissues amid her laughter.