Bumps N Bruises

Chapter 7: Mission *ALMOST* Impossible

"No, we are not stealing a wheelchair." Paula said, cutting Shannon off. Brendon was genuinely impressed at how well his mom knew Shannon's background. "Don't worry, Shannon. Like your brothers said, we'll bring you your 'fair share.'" Melissa said, looking over at a disappointed Shannon. "Yeah...But it won't be the same..." He mumbled, turning away from the group. "Uhhhh....Has Jason been sitting there the whole time?" Said Brendon, pointing to Jason, who had been staring blankly at a toddler show this whole time. "That reminds me...Could you change the channel?" Shannon asked, with still a hint of sadness in his tone. Paula nodded and began to channel surf for the young patient. 

2 hours later, the group finally made it back to Brendon's house. All Shannon did was sulk in the guest bedroom, while his younger brothers hung out with Jason and Melissa. "Brendon? Could you check on Shannon for me?" Paula asked, "Sure, mom. He hasn't come out at all since we got home. He won't even use those weird sticks the doctor gave him." Brendon replied. "They're called crutches, Brendon." The mom said, correcting her son. But by then, Brendon had already left the dining room. Brendon reached the guest bedroom and knocked on the door. "Shannon? Can I come in?" He asked, receiving nothing but a cold, dead silence. "Shannon?" Brendon slowly opened the door only to seeing Shannon laying on one side of the bed. "What do you want, Brendon..." Shannon spoke in a monotone voice. "Well my mom wanted me to check on you...See if you needed anything?" Brendon said. After saying this, Shannon began to come up with a plan. "Brendon....do you have the number of that dumb soccer coach of yours?" He asked. "Why do you wanna know... You can't play soccer in THIS condition!" Brendon replied, raising an eyebrow. "Oh this has nothing to do with soccer, my friend. This is for a scene in the movie." Shannon lied. "It would be one of those scenes where he would be arrested for injuring me." Brendon rolled his eyes at this pitch. "Technically you injured YOURSELF, Shannon. But I think I can make it work." Brendon said before walking back to the door. "I'll get his number from my mom." Just as he was about to leave, Shannon stopped him. "Oh...One more thing." He spoke. "What?" Brendon replied. "Could you ask my brothers to see me while you're out there?" Shannon requested. Brendon nodded and left the room. 

"Shannon, you ol' rascal. You've done it again..." Shannon said to himself, rubbing his hands together. "Well...I shouldn't jinx myself just yet, I haven't even started with my plan yet." It was then that the door opened, Mickey and Sean walking in. "You wanted to see us, Shannon?" Mickey asked. "Yes, dear brother." Shannon said, grabbing a hold of one of the crutches from the side of the bed. "Just uh....Give me a second." Mickey and Sean stood by the door as Shannon struggled at first to use his crutches, but he quickly got the hang of it and made his way towards the siblings. "Well. Your genius brother has come up with a plan." Shannon boasted. "Brendon...Did give you guys the phone number, right?" Sean handed over a slip of paper with Coach McGuirk's number. "Thank you for finally being useful for a change, Sean." Shannon said, snatching the slip of paper. "There's gotta be a phone in here someplace..." He mumbled before finding a landline phone on one of the nightstands. Shannon then hobbled over to the phone and dialed the number as he sat on the bed again. The phone rang and rang at first, before McGuirk finally picked up. "So...You finally gave in, eh Paula?" Moaned an obviously hung over McGuirk. "No, you dunce! It's me, Shannon!" Shannon retorted. "Ohhh right, the chicken nosed kid. What do you want?" McGuirk replied. Shannon gave an evil smirk and began to explain his plan. "Since there's a supposed "shortage" on wheellchairs, we've gotta go the extra mile and get one of those electric wheelchairs at the grocery store!" Shannon explained. "And how are we gonna do that? Can't you just use those crutch things?" McGuirk said, scratching his head. "Yes, but they're insanely difficult to use. I can't even walk a couple of feet without my arms getting tired!" Mickey and Sean listened in on the exchange between Shannon and Coach McGuirk, curious to see what their plan is. 

"So all I need is for you to take me to the store and get one of those electric wheelchairs. It is NOT that difficult!" Shannon pleaded. "Well how are we gonna get past Paula?" McGuirk asked, causing Shannon to pause. "....Good point...." But he quickly came up with an idea. "And this is where I need YOU. You're attracted to Paula. Just distract her while I get in your car. Simple as that." Shannon replied. "Come by in 5 minutes, that will give me PLENTY of time to get ready!" He whispered before hanging up. "Rodger that, whatever your name is again..." McGuirk said, not knowing Shannon had hung up on him. Shannon turned to his brothers, "Mission Almost Impossible is in action." He said with a smile. "Now all I've gotta do is put on an act that I'm in need of pain medication, and I'll be set." He paused for a moment, fixing a pillow for him to lay against for the time being. "Besides. Miss. Small was all lovey dovey over me when I got injured. So I have NO DOUBT this will garner the same result." Mickey and Sean knew their brother was a master manipulator, and to make sure they wouldn't wind up getting in trouble with him, they complied to his scheme. 

Just as McGuirk got here, Shannon was finally "in character" and ready to execute his plan. Paula heard the doorbell ring, and just as she was about to answer it, she heard a thud from the guest room. "Oh crap....Uh- Brendon!!! Can you get the door?" She called, resulting in Brendon heading to the front door. He opened it to see none-other than Coach McGuirk holding a boquet of flowers and a heart shaped box of stale chocolates from months ago. "Coach McGuirk? What are you doing here?" Brendon questioned. "Brendon. Please. I need to have a word with your mother." McGuirk said, cutting the boy off. It was then that Shannon came stumbling out of the guest room. "PAIN KILLERS!!! I NEED PAIN KILLERS!!!" He screamed in agony. "I'll go see if I have any in the cabi-" Paula was caught off guard by McGuirk's presence. "John? What are you doing here?" She asked. "No reason. I was just wondering if you wanna...Go out sometime?" McGuirk said, fumbling his words. "Well, that does sound nice, but I've got two kids to take care of." Paula replied. "Just get them a babysitter, Paula. It isn't that hard!" McGuirk retorted. "Plus it seems like that kid needs painkillers, so I'm gonna get him some." He suggested. Paula was skeptical but caved in anyway. "Miss. Small?" Shannon said in a softer voice. "Can I go with Coach McGuirk to get my pain killers? Please?" He then gave the signature "please face" to try to get her guard down. "Fine. Just don't get into any trouble." Paula replied. "Oh thank you, Miss. Small. We'll be back in a flash!" Shannon then headed for the front door with his crutches and let soon after with McGuirk.

"Hey wait for us!!!" Mickey said, waving the two down. "And who are those two?" McGuirk asked. Shannon then sighed, "Those are my brothers, Mickey and Sean. Do you think they could come too? They're in on the plan as well." McGuirk then stopped the car so the two boys could get in. "Alright, the nearest grocery store is a couple blocks away. you kids able to handle that?" Shannon and his brothers nodded in agreement and off they went.