The Beginning, The Middle and The End (COMPLETE)

Chapter Eleven

"So, what can we do to help him, Doctor?" Connie asked, worry clear in her voice. The mother had went to clean the house, just to be called back from the hospital. But it wouldn't be long until her son could finally be free from his weeks of recovery, in the hospital. 

But the situations here, only seemed to worsen when she was informed that Toby was diagnosed CIPA. 

"It could've been caused from his harsh head injury. But no worry, no brain damage had been done and his skull is, thankfully, not fractured. But...I don't think there is any possible cures that could make this go away, Mrs Rogers, I'm afraid." The man stated. "We have taken tests on him and all his limbs appear to be numb to any physical pain."

"But...is there anything we can do to help? Anything?" The middle-aged woman continued to ask.   "I mean, is his nervous system still working? He can't be completely numb, right?"

The doctor knew he couldn't lie to the boy's parent. Even if all the leads to helping him all came out with dead ends. It was his job to inform the patient's real health after all.

"I'm really sorry, Mrs Rogers. But his entire system of nerves had, unfortunately, shut down. But there are ways you can support his pain insensitvity, Miss." The doctor said, holding that same wooden clipboards. "His kidneys will still have the need to urinate, when he has to. But his brain won't pick up the messages. So the best option, is to keep an eye on him."

Connie sighed. She really didn't want to have to clean his bedsheets, every night. 

"Tobias still has to eat and drink normally, but any sugary drinks could worsen his blood sugar and make him...urinate more than often. Healthy food would certainly help out his diet and slow down his toilet times, Mrs Rogers." 

"Alright, then, thank you, Dr." Connie Rogers said,  slightly forcing a smile. At least, this wasn't as bad as she thought. I mean, what worse?

Anyways, Connie quietly crept into her son's patient room and stopped. Natalie and Lucas were fast asleep on her teenage son. She smiled. Her old wrinkles actually didn't make her feel ancient. She pushed her side-swept dark hair, out of her eyes. The mother of the Rogers, observed the heartwarming scene. 

Toby still needed the tubes to help him breath, but it seemed like he had no trouble without them. Natalie laid on his stomach, curled into a ball. While her arms, were wrapped, lovingly, around Lucas. The three seemed to snooze like nothing bothered them at all. Connie's smile never left. If you were in her shoes, you would feel the same. Connie walked up to the bed and leaned over to kiss her son's forehead. He was no longer,  the precious baby son, she gave birth to. 

"Good night, sleep well, son.." She said, finally heading for the door and left. 

Natalie's childish, hazel eyes filled to the brim with tears. The pain was unbearable, she had fallen off the swing and landed with a harsh thud. The bark beneath, had sliced her little arm open. Her mama and Toby's mom rushed to her aid, but not as fast as her pale, little friend.

"Natalie, a-are you okay?" Little Toby asked, looking at her wounded arm. It was a small cut, but a child Natalie's age, would 've felt like they were dying. 

She shook her head in reply, "It hurts!" 

Toby sat there for a little, contemplating, what he should do. Natalie resumed her chopped-up cries of pain, holding her arm like it was broken. But then, she felt a kiss on her arm.  Her pale friend was kissing away the pain.  Natalie watched in confusion and surprise. "W-What are you doing?"  

"Mama always k-kisses my boo-boos, w-whenever I g-get hurt." Toby explained, his voice oozing with childish pronounciation. "I-It always makes m-me feel better.."

For a while, the young one continued to gently kiss the wound. And Natalie felt something new form in her heart. What was this feeling? 

Of course, she didn't know how to process this feeling. She was only four, for her own sake. But Mary Beth and Connie stared in disbelief. "Oh my god, is my son really doing that?"

"I...think he is." Mary answered, her face was priceless with shock. Her daughter never let anyone do that to her. Needless to say, Natalie Ouellette was a hardcore fighter kid. It was clear that she got that from her father, David. But...this was something new.  Meanwhile, Connie's child was an innocent little boy wouldn't hurt anyone. 

"Oh, our kids are finally bonding, Connie!" Mary exclaimed. But Toby's mother was wordless.

"There, I-Is that better?" The son asked. It didn't hurt anymore. Natalie wiped away her tears and slowly got back onto her little feet. That horrible stinging that previously causing her pain, was gone. Just like that. The girl in the scruffy pigtails gaped at Toby. "How  did you do that?"

"I dunno, I g-guess it just w-works on kids like us.." 

Natalie shrugged. "Eh, I guess. Anyways, do you want some of my sick birthday cake? It's really nice, I'm telling you, man." The girl led him towards the bench, where the food was already set up. And in the middle of the table, was a pretty pink cake with four candles on top. 

"Here, let Jaffy and Mr Moo sit next to each other, so they can have some cake too!"  The child ordered, patting a free spot for their stuffed toys.