Our Brothers are Bad for our Mental Health

Part 6

Mason was in the hospital for the next three weeks. He had another surgery after he got an infection in one of his burns, but overall, he did well.

Amelia tried to wean him off the anti-seizure meds, but it did not go well, Mason suffering from three seizures in a span of a few hours. Amelia ran an EEG and officially diagnoses him with epilepsy, determining that he would probably be on medication for the rest of his life.

As the time drew closer for Mason to leave the hospital, Amelia pulled Maya aside.

"What are your plans for when he leaves here?" Amelia asked, guiding Maya into her office.

"Well, I was thinking maybe he could come live with me?" Maya said, "Or our mom? They've been getting along pretty well so that might work."

"Maya, he can't just go from here to home," Amelia said, looking at her friend, "Sorry if we didn't make that clear. He needs more rehab. The left side of his body is still really weak and then there's the drugs. I know a really good place that's not too far from here that has both drug rehab as well as physical and occupational therapy. It's probably the best place for him, and I already called and they have a few beds open right now."

"Umm..." Maya said, suddenly feeling very overwhelmed, "Yeah, I guess. I need to talk to Mason about it, but if he can't come home, then I guess this place sounds pretty good."

"I know it's a lot," Amelia said, putting a hand on the captain's shoulder, "I'm here if you need me or you need to talk about any of it."

"Thanks," Maya said, taking a deep breath as she stood up, walking out the door.

She walked to the burn unit, happy that she was no longer required to fully suit up because Mason was healed enough. She took a deep breath before walking into the room.

"Hey Mas," she said, sitting down next to him, "How's it going today?"

"I wanna get out of here," he said, shaking his head.

"I actually need to talk to you about that," Maya said, "I was just talking to Amelia and she told me you need to go to a rehab after you leave here, to keep getting better."

"Like for my arm and leg?" Mason asked, knowing he was struggling with his movements.

"And to get clean," Maya said, looking right at her brother.

"I don't need drug rehab," Mason said, shaking his head, "I'll get off the drugs. I'll be fine."

"Mason, drugs are what got you here," Maya said, shaking her head, "You were in so deep that you were trying to cook meth and you almost died. I almost lost you Mas, forever."

"Like it would be the worst thing in the world if you did," Mason scoffed.

"Mason," Maya said, trying to keep the tears out of her eyes, "I need you in my life, alive. I love you Mas, and I'm sorry that I wasn't there when you needed me when we were young, but I'm willing to be here for you now, but you have to get proper help. Please."

Mason was a little surprised, not used to seeing his big sister this emotional around him.

"Fine," Mason said, "But I need to be able to do therapies for my body too."

"Amelia found a place for you," Maya said, holding up the brochure to show Mason, his hands still wrapped in bandages, "It has both. They have a bed for you. I need to call and reserve it, but you'll go?"

"I will," Mason said, nodding as Maya showed him the brochure more, "It looks like they have art classes."

"Maybe you could work on a portfolio there," Maya said, "Finally go to art school?"