With You

Chapter 16

E.J.'s POV

I drove to Nini's house to go and see Ricky. He'd been living there for a week now.

"Hey Carol, Hey Dana," I said walking into the house.

"Hello, E.J. can't say I'm surprised to see you here," Carol told me. I laughed. It may be true that I have visited Ricky many times since he's been living here.

"Hey pretty boy," I told Ricky. Ricky blushed from where he was in bed. He scooted over and patted next to him telling me to come next to him.

"I know I saw you yesterday but I miss you," I told him.

"I missed you too, goofball," Ricky told me laughing.

"Have you taken your medications today?" I asked him. His therapist that he was no seeing gave him anxiety medication. She said it would help him stop feeling like everything is his fault and it would help with the nightmares he was having because of his dad. He was also taking iron pills to help with his dramatic weight loss.

Ricky nodded his head yes before leaning on me. I cuddled him close and played with his curls.

"Did you eat today?" I asked him. Along with the therapist he also met with a nutritionist. The nutritionist decided to slowly get Ricky back to eating regularly which meant smaller portions and lighter foods to begin with. He had got the week off of school but I know when he does go back all of us will make sure he stays on track. Getting him to eat has been the hardest part of his recovery.

"I did, Carol and Dana made me a salad earlier." He told me.

"I'm so proud of you, you know that right?" I told him kissing the top of his head.

"You always tell me," Ricky said smiling.

"So where's your sister?" I asked referring to Nini. Now that Nini's moms were in the process of getting custody of Ricky, the two referred to each other as brother and sister. I thought it was super cute.

"She's on a date with Gina," he told me. I smiled. Gina and Nini needed a date. Gina has been beating herself for not telling anybody about Ricky's home life. No one blames her. She was scared and she didn't know what to do. She's upset that Ricky ended up in the hospital. She thinks it's because of him.

"Oh hey guys," Big Red said walking into the room. I didn't even hear him ring the doorbell. "I came to hang with Ricky. Is that okay or should I come back?"

"No stay, Im gonna go," I said kissing the top of Ricky's head. "Bye babe, bye Big Red." I spent so much time with Ricky he barely got to spend time with his other friends. He deserved to spend time with his best friend so I'm gonna give him some space to do that.