That Week At Patches

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Michael looked out the window of the hospital room. It felt like he had been there for months. His waist was bandaged, and his foot and leg all but healed. It was snowing outside. The first snow of the year, despite it being only November. He had a feeling that the winter was going to be as long and depressing as the summer was.

All his "friends" were talking about school and finals. He went back to bed, hoping someone would come to visit him to ease his boredom, but no one ever did... well ok, that would be a lie. There was one person who came to visit regularly. His name was Chris. Chris was a volunteer at the hospital, he was also in Michael's class, but they never spoke before they met at a group therapy session.

Chris came to visit him a few times a week. Michael appreciated that. He didn't get that many visitors and having someone to talk to definitely beat sleeping the days away. Sometimes Michael would wake up to see Chris sitting by the window reading or doing his homework, patiently waiting for Michael to wake up. His curly red hair bouncing back and forth as his blue eyes darted across the page. At this point, Chris was his only true friend. All the rest of them neglected to see him and only spoke about him behind his back. Michael sat up.

"Good morning." He said cracking a slight smile.

"It's 4 in the afternoon, Mike," Chris said without lifting his eyes from his book.

"Oh, sorry..." Michael chirped.

Chris got up and moved closer to Michael's bed.

"So, you came to pay me a visit?" Michael said jokingly.

"I was here volunteering, I was done, so I decided to come by and say hi," Chris said with a smile.

"Still playing chess with those old geezers?" Michael asked.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Chris said jovially. They both laughed.

"The doctor said I should be out soon!" Michael added in excitedly.

"Really? That's Awesome!!" Chris beamed. "So you'll be coming back to school?"

"I doubt it, Henry wants to homeschool me."

Michael answered. Chris's smile faded.

"Aw, that's too bad." He said sorrowfully. "We're all gonna miss you."

"Honestly, I think you're the only one who's going to miss me," Michael said with a half smile.

Chris never stayed for long. He was always moving from room to room, helping the nurses or playing chess with the grumpy old man that lived in the assisted living ward. Michael stared up at the ceiling. Chris had left a few moments ago. By his side, there was a box full of cards. They were all "get well soon" cards decorated with paper stars and glitter as if some kid made them for him. He smiled, at least someone cared about him. There was a quiet knock on the door. Michael's gaze turned to see Henry, Charlie and Sammy standing on the other side of the threshold. He smiled.

"Come on in guys, I don't bite."

Sammy ran to his side and looked up at him with a toothy grin. They had just turned Four the last weekend. His goofy smile was contagious

"The doctor said you should be fit to come home in a few days."

Henry said with a smile.

"Yeah, I'm almost all healed up, just a few spots still healing. I can walk again." Michael chipped in.

"Well let's see?"

He stood up from his bed and walked over to the other side of the room. Henry applauded. Charlie and Sammy also clapped and jumped around laughing and smiling.