Hide Your Heart

Visitors

Gene had pried the hospital location out of Paul and soon showed up with Eric. They saw Tommy and their eyes widened. "Damn, are you sure that was with a golf ball?" asked Eric. "It looks more like a bowling ball."

Paul turned around with tears in his eyes. "Gene, he's gonna hate me." "We have a show....oh shit....Monday." "Who in the hell is gonna stand in?"

"I can." said Bruce from the hallway. "Someone will just have to do the makeup."

Paul wondered how Bruce had known where they were. Before he could ask, Bruce replied, "Tom always lets me know where he is. It stems from....his last relationship." "Let's just say it's for his own comfort." "I was told by the b-n-b what happened. That's why I knew where to find you."

Raising an eyebrow, Paul turned back towards the bed. "I will never play golf again."

"Thank god." replied Gene.

"Hey guys, Tom's coming out of it." said Eric. "Maybe someone should give him a heads up."

Gene led Paul out of the room so Eric could talk to Tommy. "Hey, you're in the hospital." "Do you remember anything?"

A shake which caused Tommy's head to hurt. When he tried to speak, he started freaking out. 

"Easy, you have bandages on you." "Paul hit you with a golf ball."

Eric read off the injuries as he held Tommy's hand. "Sh, you'll be better in a few days." 

Bruce shooed Eric out so he could calm Tommy down. When Paul came in he found his former guitarist with his arms wrapped around his present one. He placed a coffee cup down and waited for Gene to come back in. After a few minutes he and Eric  left along with Bruce. "Baby, could I get you something to drink?"

He held the coffee out to Tommy who slapped it away, causing it to hit the floor. Tommy pointed to the door and turned away from Paul.

"Baby--" Paul started to say. "I'll leave." he said finally. He stormed out of the room.

"Paul, don't go off half cocked." warned Gene. "He's scared right now and just needs some time." "Let's go and grab lunch, okay?" "Eric? Bruce?"

The four of them left as the nurse entered the room. "Well, you're awake. Let's see how you're doing." She  coaxed Tommy into sitting up so she could take his temperature and blood pressure. When she finished, she left the lights low and replaced the sedative in the i.v.

A few hours later, Paul peeked back in. Tommy was still asleep so he walked in and sat next to the bed. Singing softly to Tommy, Paul hoped he would be forgiven. He dozed off holding Tommy's hand.