The Chairs Between Us

The Final Keys on a Piano

The sun rose right outside of my room's window, waking me up at around 6 a.m. 

Officer Jones was back in his police uniform, still watching over me. Except his eyes are closed. 

He sleeps a lot. 

I probably would too if I was a cop.

My left eye seemed to heal so I could see a sliver of a blurry messed up world out of it. 

My oxygen mask seemed to disappear after I threw off my face in the middle of the night. 

I don't care how much I need that thing, it was truly annoying. 

I was also thinking out ripping off the sensors on my chest but I decided to give them a second chance. Also the machines would go off, only annoying me more. 

I already told you I hate hospitals and everything to do with them. 

My brain to slowly flashback again. 

Not again. Please I don't want to remember. 

My brother was laying in his bed, the machines were going crazy. 

His eyes closed. 

His body cold. 

Never to be moved again.

What's going on? Why I am I remembering this? 

Someone grabbed me. I swung my arms trying get free. 

I screamed out but I couldn't hear my own words.

I felt my fist collide with someone.

What is happening?

Then it all went black. 

I woke up. Another headache and a firing pain in my chest. I tried to touch my head but my hand wouldn't move. I looked down to see my hands and feet strapped to the bed. 

What happened?  Why am I tied up?

I jerked my hands back and forth trying to set them free. 

"Calm down Dominic." Dr. Myers was standing next to me. He face a gash on the side of it. I freaked out even more, "What happened?! Why am I tied up?!"

"You freaked out when I came in to check on you. Do you remember any of that?"

I was confused, "No... I just remember dreaming of my brother."

"When I came in you were asleep then you woke up and started ripping off your IV and sensors. Officer Jones and I tried to restrain you but you started punching at us... You punched me pretty good. Then you were screaming for someone named Peter and saying that you didn't kill him. It took three doctors to restrain you. We tried to talk to you but you were just screaming... You got so bad that we had to put you under... You even ripped open some of you stitches."

"I'm sorry. I didn't even know what was going on. It was like I was in a dream... Hospitals bring back bad memories for me and I guess my brain decided to take over." I yanked at my hand again, "Can you take these off? I don't like not being able to move... Please."

"Alright but I have arranged for a therapist to see you."  

I shook my head, "No. Please I don't want to... I can't." 

His look was more stern, "Dominic, we just want to help you."

I shook my head again, "I don't want to talk about it."

He sighed and started undoing my restraints, "We can't force you... but please consider it for awhile. Tell me if you change your mind."

I nodded.

I am still not going to think about it.

I was glad that my hands were free and calmed down a bit.

Officer Jones came in again, "We reached your parents and you stepdad is coming to see you. Liam is here if you want to see him."

My stepdad is coming and if he sees Liam he will blame it all on him. 

"Tell Liam my stepdad is coming and it's probably best if he leaves. He will understand."

Officer Jones left the room. Dr. Myers looked at me weird, "Why is it best that he leaves?"

"Liam is... my boyfriend. My stepdad will probably freak if he found out... Also I left my house with Liam after my stepdad and I were arguing. So he will probably think Liam is to blame for all this."

It felt nice telling someone he was my boyfriend. 

So far we have had to hide it from his parents and when people find out I get put into the hospital. 

I want to see him so bad but I don't feel like getting beat up by my stepdad too. 

My stepdad showed up twenty minutes later. 

Officer Jones came back and when he tried to leave I told him to stay. 

Just to make sure my stepdad stays in line. 

My stepdad was hard to read. I could tell he was mad but he still wanted to care for me, "Dominic your mom has been worried about you... We went driving around trying to find you and then we found out you were here... What has gotten into you? First you get into an argument with me. Then you leave home. Now you are starting fights at school and getting yourself hurt for no reason."

I sighed.

Well this is already going bad.

"I was protecting Liam..."

And there goes keeping Liam out of this.

He seemed to be fuming with anger, "No you weren't. You just wanted to fight someone. I am tired of you and the person you are becoming... and that kid is the one teaching you do these things. I knew he was a bad influence."

Now I was getting angry, "I don't want to fight with you anymore... If a person is bad influence it is you. You don't listen to me... Liam is the only person in my life that listens and I can talk to. He understands me. You are just jealous because... I love him more than you... When mom shut me out I had no one to talk to. I began to push everyone out, even you... I know I should have talked with you more. I am sorry... But Liam came along and pushed himself in. Him wouldn't take no for an answer. Even when we didn't talk, he made me listen through his music. Even when I make the wrong choice he comes with me and says 'I will do better next time'... I love him."

He was shocked. He just stood there frozen. Even Officer Jones was surprised. My stepdad had a tear run from his eye, "You l-love him?"

I nodded, "I do and he loves me."

Another tear ran from his eye, "How did I not know? I am supposed to be there for you..."

Wait is he accepting me? He really does care.

I lifted my arms, offering a hug.

He came over and hugged me tight, "I am sorry, Dominic. I promised that I will listen to you. I want you to be able to talk to me... I will change."

I heard the door click closed as Officer Jones left us alone.

So there I was holding my crying stepdad. 

It was like the final keys on a piano. They are rarely played but when they are, they are the most stunning.