The Boys of Summer

10.

I sat quietly in the hallway in the hospital with a huge bandage around my wound. Apparently, I needed to have fifteen stitches on my arm since it was a wide cut. I dont really remember what exaclty happened when I passed out, but I recall the part where I fell pf the boat.

Somehow, it was the blade the doctor said and it caused the gash. The only strange thing is that the wound inflicted on did not knock me out.

He said there was a strange drug or chemical in either the water or the blade. As I remember, the lake is fine and it was fine since yesterday. I explained that the fish were still there and even Erik got a chance to take a dip. The doctor then concluded that it coudlve been the blade.

But why would there be a chemical agent in the blades of the motorboat? It was brand new and the runthrough was its first operation.

But the doctor focused more on the treatment for the wound. He said that it wouldnt cause any malignant illness or permanent harm to the body. Given that the drug was unrecognizable, he had to extract blood to examine it further. In the latter, I was allowed to go home.

"Thank you doctor, we'll be careful. Bye." Erik bid as he exited the doctor's office. He shut the door and glanced at me with a small smile.
"Are you okay? Does it still hurt?" He asked as he sat beside me. I shook my head. "No but the aftereffects of the drug impedes me a bit."

Erik nodded. "Well, lets go home. You might wanna stay away from the boat or the lake for now." He looped his arm around me to help me stand up.

"You know, I ought to impose a rule of having you as a first aid emergency kit. You seem to know a lot about stuff like this." I complemented jokingly. Erik snorted. "Isnt that like objectification?"

I looked at hin bewildered. "What? No its not if you dont mean it." I said. He cocked his head. "Im not sure what you mean?"

I rolled my eyes, of course no one understood me at all. "Basically Raven is lucky to have you. She would really need your help."

Erik's eyes darted away. "Yeah... she does."

______________________________

"Oh my Lord we thought you were dead!" My mother came running up to me. "Are you alright now darling?" She asked as she hugged me.

I nodded. "Im alright ma, its okay. It was just an accident."

"Hey youre back bro!" Scott came out from the front door followed by Hank, uncle Logan, and dad. Erik dropped me off in the porch to park the car in the garage. I waved at my cousins as mum helped me back to the house.

"Where's Raven?" I asked, eyes scanning the group around for my sister. Hank shrugged. "She said she was going to go to the store to pick up food. She'll be back in no time." He pressed his inclined glasses up.

When the entire family was back inside, it was noon so mum and the cousins prepared a light meal for lunch that consisted of caeser salad, clam chowder, and homemade bread. Coca Cola was served too with ice.

We all set ourselves on the table; with mum and dad oosite esch other in one end, Uncle Logan sitting beside mum, Scott and Jean sitting in the middle as well as Hank who was opposite them, and then me and Erik in the other end opposite each other.

We all talked here and there and also about my accident which I didnt go too in-depth with about. After a while, Raven still hadnt shown up.

"Im done. Thanks for the mean everyone." I announced, setting down my fork and knife on the plate. "Ill be going upstairs I just wanna wear the drug after effects off." I added.

Erik stood up shortly and folded his napkin. "Oh Im done too. Ill accompany Charles for the meantime." He offered. Everyone agreed and we both exited the table.

Once we were back in the staircase, Erik asked me. "Wanna play chess again?"

I nodded. "Sure."