Paralyzed

Chapter 32 : Mad

Chapter 32

A few days later...   

Avery POV

Riker's family had another show close by. Riker didn't want to go to it though. And I don't blame him.

But his family had a few days off from shows, so they were coming home for a few days to spend some time with Riker.

Mark was still not crazy about the fact that I was dating Riker. But I think it's helping him, or at least his mental health.

I was half expecting Mark to tell me to go home while they were visiting, but he didn't, which is probably for the best because I think Riker would've had a big problem with that. Ross told me he had almost nonstop panic attacks on tour but he hasn't had any since he's been home. I think half of the reason is because he's home and has access to the pool, but I think the other half is because he's relying on me so much for helping him get better. He doesn't trust his family to know what to do. So I'm glad I get to stay while they're visiting.

"What if they try to take me back on tour?" Riker asked.

"Stop stressing yourself out. They're not going to. You had too many panic attacks. They won't drag you back on the bus," I said.

"Well even if they want to, I'm not going. I'm not letting them put me back on that bus."

"Try not to make your dad mad while they're visiting. He was just trying to make the best decision for you."

"Well he didn't."

"I know he didn't, but my point was, he meant well. He wasn't trying to cause you to have a million panic attacks."

"I don't care. I'm still mad at him."

"Please just try not to start a fight with him."

"I'm mad."

"You can be mad. But don't start a fight."

Riker flopped down on his pillow.

"It'll be ok. I know you're worried about your dad being here. But you should be focused on being happy that you get to see your siblings again. I know you miss them. You text with Ross like every day."

"Yeah..." He mumbled.

"Riker, look. While your family is here, we might not have as much time to focus on your exercises and stuff. Your daily schedule might look different than it normally does. But that doesn't mean you're going to lose progress. You're doing great, ok?"

"Do you think I'm going to get all the way better?"

"I already told you, I can't know that."

"But if you had to guess, what do you think?"

"I would guess yes. You've been making consistent progress, which would lead me to believe that eventually you'll be all the way better."

"What happens if tour is over and I'm still not better?"

"I don't know. I don't know if your dad will want me to stay here or not."

"I need you here."

"Honestly, Riker, by the time tour is over, you might be able to do most things for yourself. You're very good at being independent and doing things for yourself. You might not really need me."

"I don't care if I don't. I want you here until I'm better."

"I know that. But in case your dad doesn't, I'm just reassuring you that you'll be ok. And you'll have help from your siblings when you need it."

"I don't want their help. I want your help."

"Ok. Well we'll have to see what happens."

"I swear, I will literally not stop fighting with my dad until he lets you stay, so-"

"Riker, don't. I don't want you ruining your relationship with your dad over this."

"He's the one that left me here with a stranger so he could go on tour!"

I sighed.

"I know you're still mad about that. Maybe you guys can calmly talk about it sometime."

"He'll be the only one being calm."

"Riker."

"It's just not fair! Why do I deserve to be treated like this?"

"He had to make a hard decision. I'm sorry you're so unhappy about it."

"Don't you think it was unfair!?"

"I think it was a hard decision that your dad had to make really fast because tour was in a few days. He didn't want to cancel all those shows and disappoint all those fans. And I know you don't think he should've left you here with a stranger, but it worked out just fine."

"It wouldn't have been so bad if he just spent some time checking in with me and seeing how I'm doing. But when he texts me, it's always, Riker why is there another news article about you? As if that's my fault!"

"Calm down," I said, putting my hand on his back.

"Isn't that unfair?"

"Yes, it's unfair."

"Well that's why I'm mad."

"I know. Maybe it'll get better once tour is over. He's probably stressed out handling everything with touring."

"Why would it get better? He'll just have more control over me."

"He'll have more time for you."

Riker rolled his eyes.

"Stop. You're being very negative," I said.

"I'm being realistic."

"Riker, I know you had a good relationship with your dad before this. Why can't that go back to how it was before?"

"Because I'm mad at how he's treated me."

"Well what if he apologizes?"

"I don't know because I'm mad."

I sighed.

"Just don't ruin these next few days by fighting with him. Try to spend some time with your siblings. They miss you and I know you miss them."

"We'll see."

"Riker. That's not the answer I wanted."

"Well I didn't get the answer I wanted when I woke up in the hospital and asked what happened to me."

"Ok. I'm going to go get started on dinner and let you have some time to yourself. You're clearly in a mood."

Riker buried his face in his pillow and I went to the kitchen. I get why he's mad. It's not fair. But I think it was the right decision for them to still go on tour. I don't agree with how Mark hasn't checked in on him, but I think he's probably just really busy, and Riker needs to cut him some slack.