Gravity Rises (S3)

PP: Part Six

A FEW HOURS EARLIER

After Ford and the kids left on their trip to find June, it wasn't long before Fiddleford woke up again.

Melody had only returned to Ford's room a few minutes before. The house was nice and quiet, which was a lovely contrast to the loud bustle that the others had made while they got ready to go. She sat on her chair, taking a moment just to breathe.

"Melody?"

She looked up. Fiddleford's left eye was open again, and he was watching her.

She got to her feet. "Hello again, Fiddleford," she said gently. "How are you feeling?"

He frowned. "Really hungry. And I have to use the bathroom."

"Okay," Melody said. "Do you think you can make it to the bathroom? If not, you're wearing an adult diaper, and I can change it for you."

Fidds wrinkled his nose. "I want to try to make it to the bathroom," he said.

"Okay, we'll try." Melody had brought a walker and other supplies for such an occasion as this. She brought the walker over to the bed. "I'll help you sit up," she said. "But first, do you think it would help if I gave you an eyepatch?"

Fiddleford's right eye blinked open, then squeezed shut again. "Yes, please," Fidds said. "There are two of you. It hurts my head."

Melody nodded. She'd expected this, after seeing Fiddleford's eyes point two different directions when he'd first come out of the portal, and now with his right eye closed. If he wore an eyepatch, he wouldn't have to squeeze his eye shut like that.

She picked up an eyepatch from the dresser (she'd brought three from her home, just in case) and took it to Fiddleford. She put the strap over his head and situated the eyepatch over his right eye. "Better?"

Fiddleford blinked a few times. "Much better," he said with relief in his voice.

"Okay, now let's sit up." Melody helped him to a sitting position just as she had yesterday — except this time, Fiddleford pulled more of his own weight. Then she helped him stand up, and she placed his hands on the walker. "Use this, all right? Even if you feel like you don't need it. Just use it to be safe."

Fiddleford nodded, and Melody stood beside him with a steadying arm around his back. "Good," she said. "Let's go."

They left the room and moved down the hall toward the bathroom. Fiddleford's steps were shambling and a little unsteady, but they were miraculous considering that this was the first time he had walked in thirty years. Melody could hardly believe what she was seeing, and she hoped that Ford and the others would come back soon with Juniper. Melody needed magical help to understand all of this.

They made it to the bathroom slowly but surely. Melody opened the door and helped Fiddleford into the room. "Do you need my help?" Melody asked.

"I can handle it myself," Fiddleford said. He seemed embarrassed at the thought of her coming into the bathroom with him.

Melody's first instinct was to doubt that Fiddleford could actually handle it, but then she reconsidered. He'd been doing some miraculous things so far. Maybe she should let him try this, too. "Okay," she said. "I'll stay out here. Don't lock the door, though, and call me if you need help. There's nothing to be ashamed of, Fiddleford. I'm here to help you."

She closed the door gently and waited. She could hear Fiddleford shuffling around in the bathroom, then relieving himself, then flushing, then washing his hands. There didn't seem to be any problems with his balance or anything.