Totally Clueless

chapter 9

Josh made his mandatory visit to the ring side doctor before he left the auditorium.

The doctor confirmed his bruised ribbs. There was a possibility of a tiny fracture but to confirm or rule ut out he was given a referral for an x ray.

"This is to be done no later than tomorrow" The doctor had told him.

"It can get extremely painful, but it will heel as long as you do your part. Always take the pain killers. I will give you some here to last you through the night and a prescription for something stronger tomorrow....breathing can get painfull, but if you don't breath properly the complications are endless, even life threatening, keep your lungs working properly and you should be fine. Take your pain killers and rest up...you'll be as good as new in a couple weeks...and don't forget to make an appointment for tomorrow" he had reminded him.

Finally, after taking Chrisy home, Josh and Reid entered there familiar abode. Reid opened the refrigerator door and took out juice and cold pizza. And they sat at the kitchen table to eat and chat. Reid mostly as pain prevented Josh from doing much.

"What did you do in that last round?" Reid had asked his brother curiously as he remembered watching the teenage giant lay on the ground in pain unable to move for at least a whole 15 minutes.

"I don't know what your talking about..." Josh had answered. "It was a winning strike...I'd never purposely use kalari Marma to actually disable someone..."

"You can do that? What the hell did they teach you up in the mountains that summer?"

"If I told you, then I'd have to kill you" Josh joked"...which I could in one single move...you know that right"

"... Your holding out on me Josh." Reid Joked as they sat and discussed the evening.

Reid woke up to the sound of a crash in the kitchen.
He turned on his lamp to view the time. It was 1 am.
"What could that be?" He wondered.
He had left Josh fast asleep in the sofa with a ice pack on his side and pillows all around him, so he was sure it wouldn't have been Josh.

He got up quietly from his bed and made his way slowly down the staircase and towards the kitchen in the darkness. If there was an intruder he would be sorry.
He flicked on the lights quickly and was shocked to see Josh on the floor.

"What the hell?" He ran to him quickly.

"I'm fine...go back to bed..."Josh had managed to express through clenched teeth and uneven breathing.
He had tried to make his way into the kitchen in the darkness but a surge of pain had knocked him of his feet and he struggled to get up.
He did not have a fever but his skin was clammy. Josh had failed to mention to his brother that he had gotten pain killers he was suppose to take and as his pain progressed to excruciating heights during the night he had attempted to help himself but was failing miserably and he would prefer if his brother didn't know he had ignored the doctors warning completely.

"What are you doing?" Reid asked him. He tried to help him up but instead of moving he screeched in pain. He changed sides and helped him to the sofa.

"Didnt you get any pain killers at all?"

"I never meant to wake you...I'm fine...I got this." he said as Reid helped him lay down.

"waking me up wasn't enough? Now your insulting me, its annoying the way you think you dont need anyone. What were you doing?"

"I thought I'd make a tea...or...I don't know, I just needed something to feel better,"

" You can't even stand straight. You fell?"

"The lights were off and I tripped...you know what, I can do it myself."