Page 46 of The Road Home
"I can't lie to him."
"You aren't. He will be okay. That doesn't mean he won't have to work to recover or deal with a life-changing injury. Somewhere down the road, he will be okay. You have to look at it that way."
"Is that what doctors do?"
"Some. The mind is a strange thing. If I rushed in and told a patient I didn't see any hope, the mind goes to a dark place and their health follows. If I go in optimistic, then the mind sees hope, even in the littlest amounts. People don't want to give up. They are always looking for some good news to hold on to. Give Harry something to want. Let him see that you believe he's going to get through this." Jared pulled into one of the doctors' parking spots near the side of the hospital, giving them closer access to the doors.
"I hope I can." Orson took a deep breath. "Stay with me?"
"Of course, as long as you need me." Jared got out.
Orson met him at the back of the car, glancing up at Jared, needing the extra reassurance. "You really think he'll be okay?"
"I do, but let me read his file. Let them run a few tests. I promise that I will be honest with you, and if there is something you should know, I'll tell you." Jared pressed his hand to Orson's back. "Let's go see him."
As they walked inside, Orson tried to prepare himself to see Harry tied to the bed. He couldn't imagine what Harry would have done to make them need to do that. He was calm and peaceful. Not once had he ever raised his voice to anyone that Orson had seen.
"Doctor Gains." One of the nurses stepped around the nurses' station as they approached.
"How is he, Edith?" Jared asked the older nurse.
"Pissed off. I'm afraid he reinjured his shoulder when he jumped out of bed and tossed one of the chairs across the room. He won't let us get close enough to do anything. We've written him notes, explaining what happened, but he won't even look at them." She sighed. "If he doesn't calm down, we're going to have to sedate him to fix his shoulder back up. I talked the doctor into waiting for you to get here before we did anything. I was hoping that seeing Orson would help."
"It might." Jared still had his hand against Orson's spine. "Give us a few minutes and we'll know." He gently pushed Orson toward Harry's room. "Stay beside me. Don't rush up to him. Let's see his mood before we decide how to handle this."
Orson nodded, forcing himself to breathe as he walked with Jared into the room.
Harry saw them the moment they entered and screamed. "Get me the fuck out of here!" He started to shake the bed as he fought to free his arms and legs from the bindings that restrained him.
"Harry, easy." Orson broke his promise to Jared and rushed to the side of the bed. He settled his hand on Harry's arm. "It's okay."
"Remember, he can't hear you." Jared stayed near the doorway.
Orson sighed, trying not to show how upset he was seeing Harry tied to the bed like an animal. "Paper?"
Harry gripped Orson's arm. "Help me." After speaking, Harry looked even more upset, shaking his head back and forth.
Orson nodded, staring into Harry's eyes, seeing the fear that filled them. "I will." He held up a finger telling him to wait a minute.
Tearing his arm free from Harry's grip, he turned to look for paper and a pen. He found it on the bedside table a few feet away. He quickly scribbled his message.
You were attacked in the park. You're in the hospital. You had a serious head injury. No idea why you can't hear, but they will find out.
He held the note up to Harry to read, hoping he wouldn't ignore him as he had the nurses and doctors. A quick glance back at Jared helped to calm his nerves.
"I can't hear anything!" Harry slammed his head hard against the pillow.
Orson gripped Harry's hand again. "I know." He looked right at him as he spoke, but had no idea if Harry could read his lips. This was so hard. Frustrated, he pulled away again and wrote another note.
They want to help you, but can't if you fight them. Need to fix your shoulder again. Tomorrow morning they will test your hearing and find out why you can't hear. You've been unconscious for a while. We didn't know you couldn't hear. You have to stay calm.
He again held the note up to Harry to read.
Harry read the note, then closed his eyes. "How bad?"
"Um…" Orson glanced at Jared.
Jared stepped farther into the room, coming to stop at the foot of the bed. "Let me see the paper."
