My Ex-Bestfriend

Slumber buddies

I never thought it was possible that an intensely quiet car ride could be deafening. Michael hasn't said a single word since we left the hospital. He occasionally checks the rear view mirror assessing Walt for any sudden ailments. Michael parks as I step out to assist Walt out as changes in positions are causing him bouts of dizziness still, to which Spencer said would be normal over the next few weeks.  Michael is still frozen behind the steering wheel which is odd in comparison to his heroic quick thinking earlier today. Walt is safely inside as I gesture for Michael to come in. 

"Hey.  Why don't you come inside?" I gently request.

Michael just nods his head in acknowledgement to my request as he turns off the car, unlatches his seatbelt robotically following us inside. I sent Walt to take a shower to wash away the caked on blood left over from the hospital. I tell Michael to find a movie we all can watch together. I pop some popcorn then order a pizza. We will be staying in for the rest of the day since it was already so eventful.

Sometimes I feel like one of the things I liked about Michael was how predictable he was. I knew how he would react in almost any situation. At least I thought I did but now as Michael is still quiet and pensive I can't fathom what is going on in that brain of his. When I would get hurt he was quick to lighten the mood in order to take my mind off the injury. This new Michael is a stark contrast. 

Walt becomes tired as the night presses on and falls asleep between us. At this very moment I'm thankful for Michael's presence who can effortlessly pick up Walt to carry him to his bed. I finish cleaning up the spilled popcorn and start folding the blankets when Michael collapses onto the couch. He hangs his head between his legs as he grips his face rubbing his temples.

"What's going on in that big head of yours?" I probe.

He lets out an exasperated sigh, " Is it always like that?"

"Like what?" My curiosity peaking now.

"When they get hurt? It felt like my heart was being ripped open outside my chest. I wanted to do anything to make him better even if it caused me to hurt worse."

All afternoon I kept mulling over what Michael's problem was and this is far from what I had anticipated. A tear threatens to fall from my face just hearing Michael so consumed with his fatherly paternal instincts towards our son.

I stop folding the blankets to sit next to Michael leaning my head on his bicep. The contact causes him to instinctively move his arm to engulf my body so our sides are touching creating our own safe fortress.

"I think it was made worse because I have been where Walt was today." Michael's husky voice softens and even cracks.

I think he is referring to his injury that he has never opened up about to me yet. I didn't want to bring it up before because I figured he was still finding a way to process it. Plus we had a lot of other things to discuss than his basketball career.

" Care to tell me about it?" I inquire as I slide my hand inside his and give it an inviting squeeze to continue.

"I am sure you read about it." He lifts one eyebrow up and looks at me. He knows me too well to know that I had researched him.

I stretch out across the couch and playfully kick him with my feet. He grabs my feet and wraps his hands around them. The contact alone sends heat from my toes to the burning of my ears.

I clear my Sahara desert throat, " Something about a foul that resulted in a head injury. It didn't elaborate much further just that you weren't cleared to play."

He nods. "When I went up for the lay up and the guy knocked me out with his elbow I was unconscious when I hit the ground. I dropped like a sack of potatoes. Since I was unconscious when I dropped I didn't have the ability to protect my head. I had jumped up for the shot so between that and my height I basically fell from 9-10ft straight onto my head. I suffered a subdural hematoma i.e  a brain bleed, which I was glad I didn't break my neck cause it could have been so much worse. Even such it landed me in the ICU for a few days just so they could watch the bleed. Afterwards the headaches and constant dizziness followed me for weeks. When I finally felt better I went out to play with Tyler ...... the sight of the court alone .." He trails off.