Curves for Them

The Road to Recovery

CALLA
Upon waking up, I feel sharp intense pain shoot through my abdomen. I haven't moved an inch and the pain is constant.

My cries wake up Payton. He looks around, dazed from sleep. Finally he looks at me and it clicks. He jumps up and gets my medications from the side table.

Theo wakes up next. He sees Payton fumbling with the medications and takes over.

As soon as the pills are in my reach I snatch them out of his hands, stuff them into my mouth and chug water to get them down.

I cling onto Mr Po as more sharp pains run through me. I try to muffle my cries into my blankies so I don't wake up the other two, but I was unsuccessful.

Leo and Collin both get up in sync. Collin quickly rounds the bed to get to me. His hand runs through my hair.

"How are you feeling, my love?"

All I can do is shake my head and continue crying.

"I tried to wake you up in the middle of the night to give you more pain meds but you wouldn't wake up. I knew it would hurt more this morning, but I thought you could use all the sleep you could get. I'm sorry, Calla," Collin says then presses a kiss to my forehead.

Leo comes over with a paci. He pushes it past my lips and I suck on it instinctually. It soothes me a bit emotionally, but obviously does nothing for the pain.

Leo sits on the edge of the bed near my knees and runs my leg. "Can I get you anything?"

I think for a moment. Taking note of my mental health. I feel nothing, emotionally. No depression yet no happiness. No anxiety. It's just blank.

"Milkshake," I mumble with my paci still in my mouth.

Leo nods his head then looks over at Collin. He nods his head as well and Leo stands to leave the room. "Strawberry?" I nod. He didn't need to ask, that's what I always get.

Seconds after he exits the room, his head pokes back in, "ice pack?"

"Yes, please," Collin answered for me. Leo heads downstairs.

"You can't shower yet because we can't get the incision wet for another couple days. But do you want me to get the wipes to clean you a bit?"

"I guess," I mumble.

Collin uses the wipes to clean my body, the only part left untouched is the incision and the immediate surrounding area.

I keep quiet during the process, not having anything to say.

Payton turns the tv onto Bluey. I suck on my paci more aggressively as I put my po up to the crook of my neck while putting all of my attention to Bluey and Bingo. It distracts me from the physical pain a bit. The show is mindless and easy to follow. I don't have to think about what comes next or question who is who.

After one episode, Leo comes back in with my milkshake and ice pack. Collin takes the ice pack and wraps it in paper towels. He gently lays the ice pack right below the incision. "Is this ok or do you want it higher?"

"Thas good," I say with a lisp. I'm not in little space, but I'm not in adult space either. My mind is foggy and I don't think I like it. My attention goes to the strawberry milkshake. It's in a sippy cup and has a wide straw, so it isn't hard to drink and I won't spill all over myself.

Leo holds the straw up for me and allows me to take a couple sips. The brainfreeze is almost immediate. I stop drinking and scrunch my face, trying to get rid of it.

"Slow sips, baby. It's not going anywhere," Leo chuckles. I give him a pout.

He puts the delicious drink on the table and climbs in bed next to me. He's in regular clothes, so he stays on top of the covers. It's only the two of us and Mango. I don't know where the others went, but I'm glad to have peace. It can be overwhelming with them all when I'm not feeling good. Also, Leo's a doctor so he will know how to take care of me. Well, more so than Payton and Theo. Collin is the expert in this field, but Leo will suffice. I trust him with my health.

Once he's settled, we fall into a comfortable silence. The only noise coming from Bluey. He massages my scalp as I watch.

"Do you want to talk about it or save that for later?"

"Later," I mumble.

Slowly, my eyes close on their own accord and I'm out like a light.

THEO
I stand in front of the stove, making sure the eggs and bacon don't burn. My mind is anywhere but cooking, though my instincts are forcing me to feed Calla what she needs.

Payton and Collin are talking behind me but I'm not able to concentrate enough to make out what they're saying.

Maybe Calla needs her family. She's very close with her mom, to the point that she tells her everything. But her mom doesn't know about us, or our situation.

No, she only needs us. We are her lifeline, her shoulders to lean on for everything. Her mom can't support her like we can.

".. - eo?"

I turn around, seeing Collin right behind me. I hum in response while my eyes stare dully at him, not overly wanting to talk to anyone.

"We are talking about Calla. Can you listen?"

Nodding, I give them some of my attention, while the rest is upon the stove.

"I'm obviously going to be doing all of Calla's follow ups, physically. When are you going to start her therapy sessions?"

I think for a moment, "I'm going to give it a couple days. Let her settle into her new routine, start healing physically. I'm going to be the one to administer all of her psych meds. I need to make sure that she is still taking them correctly. After something like this, I fear that she isn't going to take care of herself and neglect that part of her. Her emotions are probably going haywire, but she can't skip her medications. That would make everything exponentially worse."

Both Collin and Payton nod, agreeing with me.

"What can I do to help?" Payton asks quietly.

"You can be there to support her. It might not be medically, but she needs it in every way that it can be provided. If she wants to cry or vent her emotions, you can be there. If she wants to be little, you can be there. If she wants to snuggle, you can be there. If she wants to walk around the room, you can be there. You aren't useless, Payton. There are many more aspects to this besides medical. She wants you to be there just as much as she wants the rest of us. You provide support that the rest of us can't. I'm not one for mushy romance, that's you. I'm not an expert when it comes to little space, and I have a feeling she's going to be in that mindset quite a bit as a coping mechanism. And you'll be right there by her side to be her Daddy. You are needed just as much as all of us, don't discredit yourself, Payton." I turn and give him a hug. I'm not one to show my brother physical affection. But I do when it's needed. And it is at this moment.

He hugs me back tightly as he sniffles. I feel some tears fall onto my shoulders. Rubbing his back, I talk quietly. "We are all here, Payton. We are all needed just the same, all for different reasons. We are there for each other, not just Calla."

He nods instead of verbally responding. We stay in a hug for a couple moments before he pulls away. He gives me the best smile that he can muster up before walking away.

Once he's out of the room, Collin runs a hand down his face. "I hate that he feels that way."

I nod in agreement. "We will show him that he is just as important as the rest of us. Even Leo isn't like him when it comes to being a Daddy. They both have their own personal styles."

Going back to the food, I turn all of the burners off and make us each a plate.

Once it's ready, with a dish that has higher sides for Calla, I bring all of it upstairs. Hers also has a lid on it, in case she doesn't want it right away.

I see Calla asleep with Bluey playing on the TV. Mango is laying on the bed and Leo is laying next to Calla. Payton is sitting beside Leo, absentmindedly watching the TV. You can tell that he isn't really paying attention. Collin takes his place next to Payton. I hand each of them their food while putting Calla's on her nightstand. Giving myself a mental pat on the back for adding the cover to hers, so it doesn't get cold.

"Thanks T," Leo says, sitting up so he can eat.

I nod, taking my spot next to Collin. We eat in silence.