Cory didn’t answer right away. He was looking at Josh and watching Josh’s movements while gathering his own thoughts. “I guess I understand the basics of what’s happening. But, just like you, I don’t know why, or how this is happening. I didn’t know that you were feeling any effects from this yourself, though, and I also know you don’t have to be here. I realize we don’t know each other, but thanks for telling me what’s going on with you, too. It makes me feel better to know that I’m not in this alone.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Josh said dismissively. “You’re not alone... at least not yet. I’m supposed to be done with my shift in a little bit, though. If you want me to stay longer I’ll need to call my dad.”
“Yeah, this is probably going to get difficult and a little bit complicated,” Cory said with a strained look on his face. “I’d like you to stay. Maybe I can hear what the doctor will say and find out when I can go home. I really feel fine. A little sore I guess, but nothing some Tylenol can’t fix. Do you have a phone to call your dad?”
“Yeah. I keep it in my bag, though. Will you be fine for a little bit if I go get it and change my clothes?” Josh asked.
“I don’t have much choice if you’re leaving. I’ll be fine. I’ll just hang out here until you get back,” Cory said in a teasing way that made Josh smile.
“Cool. I’ll be right back.” Josh tried to sound reassuring as he made his way to the door. “Should only be a few minutes.” He smiled at Cory, though it felt fragile, and left.
Once Josh was changed, he grabbed up his phone and dialed his dad immediately. His dad sounded surprised to hear that Josh wanted to stay later, but agreed easily to a couple more hours. Relieved, Josh shoved everything into his bag and had his ear trained for Cory’s monitor as he approached the room. Josh rounded the doorway in his street clothes and out of breath to the worried looks of Jim and Diane. Cory was waking up and when he opened his eyes he looked right at Josh.
“Sorry,” Josh said, looking only at Cory as he panted a little. He glanced at the concerned expressions on Jim and Diane’s faces, but ignored them and moved closer to Cory. “This is going to be harder than I thought. I was uncomfortable being away from you. Even though it was only a few minutes and necessary, I didn’t like doing it. My dad said I can stay until four-thirty, although he couldn’t imagine why I wanted to stay longer. This...” Josh motioned to the space between the two of them and continued, “is going to be difficult to explain to him.” Josh was feeling more comfortable in the little room and pulled a chair closer to Cory’s bedside.
Jim and Diane looked at each other, but it was Jim who spoke first. “Cory, what’s going on?”
“Josh left to go change and call his dad since his shift is almost over. He’s going to stay with me this afternoon, but needed to get permission. Don’t worry, Dad. Geez,” Cory said, looking at him for the first time since Josh came back. “Can we eat now?” he asked. “I’m starving. What did you get?”
“Uh, we just got sandwiches. It’s cafeteria food, so we weren’t expecting too much. Cory, we got you ham. Josh, what do you like? We have ham or turkey,” Jim said, offering one of each to Josh.
“Thanks,” Josh said. “I’ll have ham, too.” He took the sandwich gratefully and unwrapped it.
Everyone settled down and relaxed with lunch in their laps. As he chewed his first bite, Josh took a moment to study everyone. Both of Cory’s parents appeared to be in their mid-forties, or so, with little crinkles near the corners of their eyes. Jim had lighter hair that was graying throughout and blue eyes like Cory. Diane had medium length, light brown hair with a few glints of gray here and there, that she wore straight and down. She also had brown eyes and a softly rounded face that looked so much like that of a loving mother.
There was a sweetness about the family that spoke of love and support. These people were involved in each others’ lives more so than just parents and child. They had a bond between them that showed in the way they looked at each other. Josh wondered if he would be getting to know them and be included in the looks they shared.
After a few minutes of this reflective silence and eating, Diane asked, “So Josh, where are you from? I don’t think we’ve seen you around Cory’s school.”
“I live in Blyth Hills,” Josh said while looking down at his sandwich. He glanced up at Cory to gauge his reaction, but didn’t offer any more details. It always made him uncomfortable to talk about himself.
“That’s in a pretty nice part of town,” Diane said. “Isn’t University Hospital closer for you to get your service hours at?” she asked.
“Yes,” Josh replied, hesitant to go on. “But I think it’s good to come here. I know I’m getting a more well-rounded experience.”
“Well, we’re sure glad you’re here,” Diane said warmly. “Do you attend Blyth Hills High School then?”
“No,” Josh said, looking up at Cory again, measuring his response. “I go to Blyth Prep.” Cory seemed to make an expression that Josh didn’t understand.
“Oh, really?” Diane said. “I hear that’s a very good school. How do you like it there?”
“It’s alright,” Josh mumbled. He didn’t really like talking about it. “Where do you live?” he asked Cory in an attempt to redirect the conversation.
Before Cory had a chance to answer, Ramona knocked on the door and entered with Dr. Thomas.
“So, I hear we have an interesting situation on our hands,” Dr. Thomas said, looking around the room at everyone then resting his eyes back on Cory. “I’m Dr. Thomas and was the one responsible for the sutures you’re sporting on your chest there,” he motioned to Cory where the corner of a gauze bandage was visible through the ‘v’ in the hospital gowns neckline. Taking a pen light from his coat pocket, he proceeded to shine the light in Cory’s eyes as he moved his finger around for Cory to follow. “First of all, how are you feeling, Cory? I see you have your appetite back. That’s a good sign.”
“I actually feel fine,” Cory said. “My chest is sore and I have a bit of a headache, but nothing else is bothering me.”
“Well that’s good news. I think the worst is over. You should probably be fine on ibuprofen, but I can write you a prescription if you want something stronger,” Dr. Thomas said, pulling out his notepad.
“No thanks. I think I’ll be fine with ibuprofen,” Cory said.
“Alright,” Dr. Thomas said easily, slipping the notepad back in his pocket. “So, Ramona tells me you’re having some kind of reaction to this young man here,” Dr. Thomas gestured toward Josh, who was standing back against the wall to give the doctor room. “Do you mind if I see for myself what’s going on?” he asked.
“I figured we’d have to do this a few more times,” Cory mumbled, looking past the doctor at Josh. “Just for a few minutes?” Cory asked with the same uncomfortable expression on his face that was surely on Josh’s own.
“This part is beginning to suck,” Josh grumbled under his breath. “I’ll just be down by the elevators and only for a few minutes,” he told Cory, holding his gaze. The doctor turned to look at the heart rate monitor that should have made a sound, but didn’t. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” Cory sighed resignedly, setting his sandwich down on his lap. “See you in a few.”
Josh turned, looked at the scene in the small room, and walked out the door. He could acutely hear the sound of the beeping in Cory’s room die away, almost as if he were taking it with him. Josh was so used to the beeping that it seemed to be a natural part of Cory. Like the sound was emanating from him and not the machine. Like that sound was a vital part of who he was and without it he was gone.
Checking his watch every few seconds, Josh stood with his back against the wall by the elevators. He had that same achy anxious feeling that seemed to come to life when he left Cory’s side. He rubbed at his chest and counted the number of people that passed him. He needed something to keep his mind from insisting he return to Cory, or stare at his watch and try to make time
go faster. When he reached ten people he figured enough time had passed and he headed back.
Everyone was looking at Cory when Josh entered, but ignoring everyone else was easy as Josh walked through the small room to take his place next to the bed. Cory blinked his eyes open, and Josh smiled at him when a relieved expression crossed his face.
“Hi,” he said softly, seemingly forgetting that the room was full of other people. After a moment Josh startled and blushed when someone cleared their throat. He turned to look at the doctor. “Well?”
“I see what everyone’s talking about. This is very unusual. I’ve never seen anything like this before, but all your vitals seem to be fine,” he said. “Even your heart rate is perfect. It’s just like when you’re sleeping. Then he comes back and your heart rate goes through the roof again. But it seems to be what you need to wake up from wherever you go. How do you feel?” Dr. Thomas asked him.
“I feel fine,” Cory told the doctor. “Honestly I don’t feel any different with my heart pounding like that. But I can tell you,” he said speaking to Josh now, “that I don’t really like the feeling when you’re gone. It feels like I’m drowning in fog. Like I’m lost and screaming to wake up from a bad dream.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” Josh said. “I didn’t want to leave,” he told Cory quietly. They both looked at the doctor who had turned his attention back to Cory’s heart monitor.
“It seems that your heart reacts very strongly to Josh. Even to making eye contact with him,” Dr. Thomas said. “Your heart skips a beat every time. I understand that you two don’t know each other, so forgive me if this makes you uncomfortable. I’d like to see what happens if you make physical contact with each other. I need to be sure that Cory will be fine if I send him home today,” Dr. Thomas said, looking from Cory to Josh.
Josh was nervous. He’d been wondering the same thing for a while. How would Cory react? How would he react? As he looked at Cory, the other boy seemed nervous too. Josh moved closer to Cory’s bedside and put out his hand, palm up, never breaking eye contact, as Cory slipped his hand into Josh’s. The feeling was like the most natural thing in the world; like his hand was meant to be there, it was shaped to fit exactly into Josh’s own. Josh could feel the callouses on Cory’s palm from something he did in his life and the smaller shape of it against his own. Josh could feel the strength of Cory’s fingers as they wound around his palm effortlessly. They both blushed, but neither looked away. The moment was so intimate Josh had forgotten they were in a hospital surrounded by watching eyes.
Again someone cleared their throat and gave a small chuckle. Josh drew his hand back quickly. He blushed even deeper, but didn’t look away from Cory.
“Well I guess we have our answer,” Dr. Thomas said. “Cory? How did that feel?”
Cory finally dragged his eyes away from Josh’s, looking a little bashful. “Huh? Sorry. What did you say?” he asked.
“How do you feel?” Dr. Thomas repeated, with a light chuckle.
“Uh, I’m not sure. A little light-headed,” Cory said, shaking his head like he was trying to clear his thoughts. “But besides that I feel fine,” he added.
“When the two of you touched, Cory, your heart rate dropped back to normal,” Dr. Thomas told him. “It would seem to me that you two have some kind of connection that’s beyond any rational explanation, or my expertise. I could call a specialist if you like. See what they say. I don’t know what to make of it, but I see no reason that you need to stay here another night. I’ll have your nurse get your paperwork finished for your discharge. Just take it easy with your ribs for a while. Concussion protocol should be followed, and we need to remove the sutures in eight days. The nurse will go over everything before you leave.”
Josh watched as Dr. Thomas turned to Jim and Diane. Diane had her hand woven through her husband’s left elbow and was looking at the doctor expectantly.
“I don’t seem to be able to explain what just happened, but do you have a plan for your son? You might need to make some decisions about how things will proceed from here.” He patted Jim on the shoulder and left the room while Ramona began the process of unhooking Cory from all his monitors.
~
It was clear to everyone that Josh and Cory needed to be together as much as possible. By four o’clock, Cory was dressed and his discharge paperwork was ready. Josh had hardly left Cory’s side. It was decided that Josh should go home with Cory, at least to make sure he was settled in and comfortable. Then he would go home and explain the situation to his dad and try to persuade him to come meet Cory and see the situation for himself. Josh thought it was going to be a challenge and his dad would think he was crazy, but it was the best they could come up with.
“Are you alright?” Josh asked Cory, leaning into the open door after his dad helped him from the wheelchair to the car.
“I’m okay. It only hurts a little when I move,” Cory chuckled, then winced and wrapped his arms around his chest to stop the movement of his laughter.
“Very funny.” Josh smirked at him. “Okay, if you’re comfortable, I’m going to go get my car, and I’ll follow as close as I can to your dad. I’ll be right behind you, and I’ll see you at your house in a few minutes,” Josh explained. He looked at Cory’s uncomfortable expression and sighed. “Sorry, I know this sucks, but we’ll get it worked out,” Josh tried to sound convincing. He gave Cory his best brave smile and closed the car door.
After a fifteen minute car ride, Jim’s car slowed down and turned onto a quiet lane with only six homes on it. Jim pulled in to the last driveway on the left, and Josh followed suit, parking behind him.
Cory’s home was a tidy, white single-story house set back a ways from the road. The front yard was large with two huge oak trees shading the lawn. There were several little flower gardens interspersed in a natural looking way throughout the space. Ornamental trees were also planted here and there and tucked into the flower beds at unpredictable intervals. The effect of the space gave the appearance and feel of a park. The bigger of the two oak trees held an old-fashioned swing, and under the other tree were two wooden benches with carvings of hummingbirds on them.
Farther away, Josh could see along the edge of the yard was an old looking, short stone wall. At a few intervals there were arbors that arched over the breaks in the wall and looked to lead away from the house up toward the hillside.
Josh was pleasantly surprised by all these little things that caught his attention. Cory’s house differed greatly from his own.
Noting those little things while approaching Cory’s dad’s car, Josh was pleased to see Cory sitting up. His dad was there holding his hand from outside the car and murmuring to his son.
Josh joined them. “How did you do on the drive home?” he asked from behind Jim.
“I don’t really know. I wasn’t awake for most of it. I kept going in and out,” Cory said sleepily. “I feel better now though. I’m ready to get inside and chill even though that’s all I’ve been doing. It has been a crazy few days. My head's still spinning with all this…” he motioned back and forth between himself and Josh. “I’d like to go inside, but I think I still need a little help getting up,” Cory admitted sheepishly as if confessing a great weakness.
“Of course,” Josh and Jim answered in unison. They each took one of Cory’s hands and helped him slowly out of the car. Jim put his arm carefully around Cory’s waist and Josh walked close at his left side. They walked slowly up the cobbled path to the front entry, and Diane was already there holding the door open for them.
The entry opened into a small living room that was neatly organized and decorated with warm and inviting colors. There was a small fireplace with a mantel that housed an antique clock, and a large painting hung above that. The furnishings were just the right size to make the space feel cozy without feeling crowded. There were several large windows and skylights that gave the room a very open and light feeling.
The living room was adjoined by a dining area tha
t looked out onto the backyard. Next to that was a moderately sized, but relatively modern kitchen. Judging from the row of cookbooks next to the stove, somebody in the family loved to cook.
Once they were in the living room, Diane closed the door and had a blanket and pillow ready for Cory on the larger of the two sofas. Jim and Josh carefully maneuvered Cory around the coffee table and over to the sofa.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d want to be in your room or out here,” Diane mentioned as she adjusted the coffee table to be closer to him. The ringing telephone drew her attention. “Be right back,” she said.
“I know we just got home, and you probably want to rest, Cory. So I’m going to give you two a few minutes to talk while I go pick up Jenny from Nick’s house. I know she has to be missing you. I imagine Nick is missing you, too,” Jim said, moving to the door. He smiled and paused a moment longer. “Josh, I suppose we might see you later this evening with your father?”
“Yeah. I’ll see if I can get him over here,” Josh said with an unsure tone.
“Okay then,” replied Jim. “See you later.” And he shut the door behind him.
Cory and Josh sat alone once more. It was the first time they had been alone without all the hysterical beeping and machines monitoring Cory’s every move. Josh sat in the armchair near the fireplace while Cory was stretched out on the longer sofa adjoining the armchair. He seemed at ease and finally able to fully rest since the day Josh first noticed him. Josh could hear Diane talking softly in the other room.
“Last week seems like a lifetime ago,” Cory said, drawing Josh’s attention. He spoke in a tone used by one reminiscing about old times. “I would never have imagined my weekend turning out quite like this. Or coming home from my baseball game with you.” He smiled at Josh teasingly. “Everything has changed in the blink of an eye, and I can’t help but wonder if things will get back to normal, or if that’s even possible.”
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