Like Father Like Son

Aftermath

I opened my eyes slowly to the bright lights. Where was I? I looked over to a clock across the room.
"4:03"
I turned my head to the window to see it was dark out. That clock must be reading am then. Once my mind became clear I realized I was in a hospital room. I looked over at the chair next to my bed and saw dad's jacket. Maybe he around. My sides and head hurt pretty bad. Maybe I should just get more sleep.

I was woken a few hours later by the doctor walking in the room.
"Ah, Parker. Glad to see your up" he said. I tried sitting up but the pain was too bad.
"Is my dad here?" I asked.
"No but one of the nurses is calling him now. He should be here soon" he said. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm in a lot of pain. What's wrong with me?" I asked, curious over how much damage was done.
"Just some bruised ribs and a mild concussion, you'll live" he chuckled, making me roll my eyes. "You might be in pain for a few days"
"Oh that's great" I mumbled as I laid my head back on the pillow.
"Well you seem to have more energy then yesterday. I heard you walked home from school. Can you tell me what happened during the walk?" He asked as he pulled a stool up to my bed to sit on.
"Oh, uh..." I turned my head towards the window away from him as I struggled to speak. I really didn't feel comfortable talking about it.
"That's okay Parker, you can talk about it when your dad arrives" he said kindly. I turned back to him and smiled. "I'll let you rest until then" he made sure I was comfortable before leaving the room.

I was about ready to fall back asleep when dad suddenly burst into the room.
"Parker, are you okay?" He asked as he rushed to my side.
"I'm fine dad. Still here" I said with a small chuckle. Dad smiled and took my hand into his as he sat down.
"I left my jacket here last night so you'd know I was here and thinking of you. I'm sorry I couldn't stay overnight" he said with a sad tone.
"I'm sorry dad. I promised to stay out of trouble and look at me. I'm in the hospital and I broke our promise" I looked away as I didn't want him to see me get upset.
"Did you do this to yourself bud? Did you start a fight yourself?" Dad asked as he squeezed my hand.
"No but-"
"Then you didn't break a promise. Life isn't easy kiddo, and it's impossible for things not to go wrong at least every once in a while. Just make sure you handle it right, okay?" He said. I turned back towards him and nodded. "You should've called. I would have come and got you"
"They broke my phone dad. No one I passed stopped to help" my voice got weak as I spoke.
"What happened buddy?" He asked, his eyes softened with worry.
"It was that boy again dad" my voice cracked as I tried not to cry.
"What boy?" He asked as he leaned closer.
"The boy from the first fight. He stopped me while I walked home, and he had his friends. They outnumbered me dad. I tried to get away but I couldn't. I tried defending myself but they restrained me. They broke my board dad" I was crying by the time I said everything. Dad got up and sat on the edge of my bed, carefully lifting me into his arms. It hurt, but I felt better once he held me close.
"You're okay buddy. I'll make sure they can't hurt you again" he whispered as he rocked me.

Dad left to talk to the doctor once I stopped crying. While they talked in the hall a nurse came in to give me medicine.
"This should help with the pain" she said as she handed pills with a cup of water.
"Thanks" I said before taking the pills. She took the cup back once I finished the water and left. I looked towards the door and saw dad facing away from me as he spoke with the doctor. He seemed concerned, but I couldn't tell cause I couldn't see his face well. I could only guess by his body language.

Dad came back into the room and sat on the edge of the bed.
"The doctor said you can go home as soon as you finish talking to the police" he said. I jumped up, cringing at the pain in my side as I sat up on my elbows.
"Why the police?" I asked in panic.
"Relax. You're just going to tell them what happened" he said as he put an arm on my shoulder. I took some deep breaths in hopes of calming down, but it only made the pain worst.
"I don't even know his name dad" I whined.
"You know he goes to your school. You know what he looks like, what he sounds like. You know enough to help" he said.
"Will you stay in the room with me?" I asked. Dad nodded and smiled at me.
"Of course"

The police arrived about 20 minutes later. I recounted everything I remembered to one officer while the other wrote it all down.
"Alright Mr. Smith, can you describe the boys to me?" The officer asked calmly. I watched the other from the corner of my eye flip to a new page in his notebook.
"I really only remember the main one who started it" I admitted.
"That's good enough for us" he said. I looked at dad who gave me a reassuring nod.
"He's about 5'9", maybe 150 pounds? I'm not sure. He has a black hoodie and blue jeans that were ripped around his knees. I think his eyes were blue or green, but I avoided eye contact. I do know he has long blond wavy hair tied back"
"That's great buddy, thank you" the officers said goodbye to us before leaving the room.
"You did great bud" dad said as he put an arm around me.

The doctor discharged me once the officers left. I left with painkillers and dad pushed me in a wheelchair. The doctor didn't want me walking long distances until my ribs healed. Dad helped me into the car before going back to return the wheelchair. I leaned against the window while I waited for him. After last night I couldn't wait to get home.

"You feeling okay?" Dad asked as we traveled down the street. I ignored him for a few moments.
"Did I tell you why they attacked me?" I asked quietly.
"Do you know why?" He asked back.
"He said he wanted to meet you. He didn't like me saying no, but I wasn't going to give in. I told him you weren't looking to meet a bully" I mumbled.
"I'm proud of you for standing your ground. And I'm so thankful you're okay" he said. There was a long pause. "You know, I wouldn't mind meeting the kid who beat up my son. It wouldn't be pleasant though, I'd have some choice words for him"
"As much as I'd love to see that, I hope I never have to see him again" I said.
"Same here bud"

Dad helped me out of the car when we got home.
"I can walk" I said. He nodded and stepped away, giving me space. I followed him into the house, ignoring the pain in my sides. 
"How we doing" He asked as he lead me to my room.
"Hurts slightly to breath, but i'm okay" I admitted. I walked into my room and looked around.
"I cleaned up a little. Didn't think you want to come home to a mess" dad said as I sat on my bed.
"Thank you" I scooted back and slowly allowed myself to lay down.
"Need anything?" He asked. 
"Not right now, but thanks"
"Alright, I'll let you rest then" He left my room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I hope those kids get arrested for what they did to me. I hope karma gets them. 

I slowly raised myself back up and stood up from my bed. I looked over at my cd player and walked over. My collection was stacked next to it. As I picked up my High Hopes cd, dad walked into my room.
"You know, you could've just asked. I would've put something on for you" He said as he crossed his arms. 
"I'm not going to call you over just for something I don't really need. You gonna check on me every five minutes?" I asked.
"I heard you grunting as you got out of bed" He said. I gave an embarrassed smile and turned back towards my cds. 
"Well, thanks, but I'm okay" 
"Alright stubborn" Dad said as he started walking off. I laughed to myself, making my sides hurt more. I stood still until the pain calmed down before putting the cd in and turning on the player. I walked back over to my bed and took my time laying back down.