Page 71 of Roll With The Punches
Emma cleared her throat. “So is he going to be okay?” she asked the doctor.
“Hopefully, depending on how he responds to the medication.”
“But he’s not…dying, right?”
Now the doctor smiled. “Probably not today, and likely not any time soon.”
She finally relaxed, slumping back in her chair, a hand covering her mouth as she obviously struggled not to burst into relieved tears. Stuart leaned in to hug her.
The woman with the doctor was his PA. When he finished making notes in the laptop, he handed it to her and she headed out with it.
“I’m not going to lie and tell you there’s a magic bullet for treating this,” the doctor said. “Every patient is different. Some respond well and immediately to medication. Some don’t.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Stuart asked before Brandon could.
“Well, worst-case, we could be looking at chronic pain and some other symptoms long-term, but I don’t want to get into that right now. Way too soon for that discussion. And you said you’re an auto mechanic, correct?”
Jeff nodded.
The doctor shrugged. “Sometimes, it’s difficult for us to tell what’s a ‘normal’ ache and pain versus one linked to Lyme. There are other symptoms, too. We’ll make sure you get a checklist so you can watch out for them. But this isn’t cancer or a stroke or an aneurysm or anything like that. We can hopefully knock it back with medication. Right now, that puts us in wait and see mode.”
Once the doctor left, Brandon forced a smile. “Well, guess that’s one way to scare the crap out of us, buddy.”
“Sorry, Master.”
Brandon nearly burst out laughing at how Jeff and Stuart both froze in horror and stared at Emma.
“Guys, it’s okay,” Brandon said. “Don’t panic.”
“This is another of those things like Kyle’s parents, huh?” she asked, the ghost of a smile finally curving her lips.
“Yeah,” Brandon admitted.
She held up her hands, but her smile widened. “It’s okay, Dad. Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
* * * *
Now reassured that Jeff wasn’t in any immediate danger, and after waiting until Jeff had called his sister and his parents to tell them what was going on, Brandon was finally able to convince Emma it was safe to go home. She had to be up early the next morning for swim practice and the last couple of days of her summer classes.
Trying to convince Stuart to come home would prove more difficult. He didn’t want to leave Jeff alone, even though Jeff assured him he’d be fine.
Brandon didn’t have the heart to order him to leave, either.
Not when he also wanted to stay with Jeff. He sent Emma on ahead to the car with the keys to await them.
Once it was safe, Jeff rolled his eyes. “Hey, I’m not an invalid, okay? I can get up and move around by myself, or call for help from a nurse. I’m hoping whatever they’re going to pump into me knocks me out for the night. Seriously, go home with Master. Please?”
Stuart looked heartbroken. Brandon knew if Stuart started crying, he might, too. Stuart leaned in and kissed Jeff. “It’s going to be lonely without you in bed with us.”
“You’ll survive, buddy. Give Master extra snuggles for me.”
Brandon stepped in to kiss him. “You sure?”
“I’m sure. Look, you both have to work tomorrow. Don’t call off because of me. I’m sure Emma will be over here as soon as she’s out of school. I doubt they’ll let me go home that soon anyway. If they do, she can drive me. If not, come visit me after work.”
“Do you want us to call Leah or June and have them call people to come stay with you?”
“No.Please, seriously. You heard the doctor—I’mnotdying. I don’t want that much attention on me. I feel like shit and don’t want anyone but you guys and the girls around me right now. Just bring me my tablet and some clean clothes tomorrow.”
