Paralyzed

Chapter 4 : "I can do it myself!"

Chapter 4

The next day...

Ross POV

Instead of having to carry Riker around everywhere, Ryland came up with a great idea. He got dad's desk chair from his office because it had wheels on the bottom. And anytime we wanted to bring Riker somewhere, like to the kitchen for a meal, we just put him in the chair and pushed him there.

And then Rocky sort of went crazy when lunch was over and took Riker outside on the driveway. He started running up and down the road while pushing Riker on the chair. And I saw Riker smiling, so I knew he was having fun and I was glad for that.

And then mom called them in and said Riker needed to rest. So we got him back on the couch and decided to have a movie night. Rydel made popcorn for everyone.

We let Riker pick the movie. And it was a pretty chill evening.

And then dad called a family meeting.

"Ok, I've figured out what we're going to do about tour," dad said, walking in.

"What?" Rocky asked.

"So I was telling one of my coworkers what happened to Riker and he was telling me how his daughter is a college nursing student. But she's not taking any classes over the summer and has 3 months free. So we talked about it with her and we decided that we're going to hire her to watch and take care of Riker while we're away on tour. It'll be great experience for her."

"Wait. You're just going to leave me here!? Alone with a stranger!? I can't even walk! You can't just leave me!" Riker said, starting to panic.

I put my arm around him tight, trying to calm him down a little.

"Riker, it's just for a few months. She's already had 1 year of nursing classes. She knows what she's doing. She probably knows more than we do. You'll be in good hands," dad said.

"But I can't walk! You can't just leave me!" He said, starting to cry.

"Riker, you'll be fine. I promise," dad said.

"Why can't you just take me with you!? I can just stay on the tour bus! I'll rest! I promise!"

"Riker, all the driving wouldn't be good for your back. You need to rest. Not on a bumpy bus," dad said.

"But I don't want you to leave me here!"

"Alright, I want everyone up to bed. I want to talk to Riker alone," dad said.

Everyone got up and went upstairs. But I stayed with Riker since I would be sleeping down here with him. I was rubbing his back, trying to calm him down, but it wasn't working.

Dad came and sat down beside Riker.

"Riker, I know you're upset and overwhelmed by everything that's happened lately. But a college nursing student is going to know how to take better care of you than we would," dad said.

"I don't care! I don't want you to leave me!"

Riker clung onto dad tight and cried into his shoulder.

"Riker, you're going to be fine. You have a few more days with us before we leave. You'll be in good hands. I promise. I wouldn't be leaving you with her if I thought you wouldn't be ok."

"Why can't you or mom stay?"

"We need to be with your siblings and handle the tour stuff. You'll be ok, Riker. I promise. How about you take a bath, calm down, and then try to get to bed?"

Riker let go of dad and flopped back against the couch.

"Ross, please help him," dad said.

"I will."