Brothers by Bond

by Brenda Cottern

  "Did Jillian tell you what they did?" Mike asked softly, his gaze never wavering from Johnny's. When his brother only slightly shook his head no, Mike told him. "When you got shot..." Mike paused to swallow the lump of guilt that was suddenly lodged in his throat. "The bullet hit your femoral artery in your groin. From there it bounced off your pelvic bone and into the hip joint. Apparently, it bounced around in the joint for a bit before getting lodged in whatever they call that ball on the end of your femur that goes in to your hip. It caused a lot of damage in there." Mike was watching his best friend's face closely as he spoke. "So, they had to give you a graft to replace the artery and replaced your hip."

  Mike knew telling him about the hip replacement was going to be the worst part and by the pained expression on Johnny's face, he was right.

  "Shit," Johnny mouthed.

  "Don't think about it right now, bro," Mike told him but knew Johnny was doing just that. A hip replacement meant a desk job with the force, at best, or no job at all, at the worst. But now was not the time for his brother to be worrying about it.

  "You have eight weeks of recovery before you need to worry about it," Mike tried to shut the topic down.

  When Johnny lifted his hand toward his cup of water, Mike retrieved it and helped him to drink.

  "I called the folks. They will be here first thing in the morning. They would come now but, hell; I'm not even supposed to be here. Good thing nurse Jillian was bribable with Hershey Kisses." That got Mike a grin.

  "How's your throat?"

  "Sore," Johnny croaked out.

  "Are you in pain? Mrs. B. is worried about that." Mike asked. In reply, Johnny lifted his hand flatly and shook it from side to side.

  "Don't try to be a hero, Johnny, if you're in pain let them give you more meds." Mike told him and received a frown in return. "Don't make your mom worry any more than she has been, bro."

  Johnny nodded and indicated the cup for another drink. "Thanks," Johnny croaked out again.

  "Any time," Mike smiled and watched as Johnny's eyes grew heavy. "Go to sleep, bro, the folks will be here when you wake up."

  Johnny barely nodded as his eyes drifted closed. All Mike could do was sit there and watch him sleep but that was fine because this time his best friend would wake up. It wasn't until a drop of water hit his hand that he realized his own tears of joy had begun to flow.

  ***

  Mike had wanted to stay longer when the Baxters arrived for the morning visiting hours but instead, after a short visit with them, made himself leave as he had done for his previous visits. Mike kept to the same routine and was back at the hospital in the afternoon. Johnny was not in his room and neither were the Baxters. He found the Baxters in the visitor's lounge enjoying them.

  "Mikey," Mrs. B stood and embraced him when he entered the room. "I knew he would wake up for you." She released him and he looked down into her face that radiated joy.

  "I just happened to be there, Mrs. B." Mike told her as she stepped away.

  "Now we both know better than that," she chided him as she returned to sit next to her husband. Mike knew no such thing but kept his thoughts to himself as he sat next to them.

  "They've taken him for another round of scans," Mr. Baxter answered Mike's unspoken question.

  "They had him up and moving around with a walker earlier," Mrs. B. added. "He looks so weak but he is in good spirits."

  "Typical Johnny," Mike commented. "Nothing gets him down."

  "That's our Johnny," Mrs. B. agreed.

  "They said he could come home before the week is out if his test come back good." Mr. B. updated him.

  "That's great!" Mike was relieved they wouldn't be keeping his brother much longer.

  "Michael," Mrs. B.'s voice became serious. "He won't come to the house for his recovery."

  "Now, Sophie," Mr. B. put a hand on his wife's arm. "We've discussed this already. Johnny is a grown man."

  "Grown or not, Andy, he cannot take care of himself yet and you know that."

  Mr. B. seemed to refuse to get into the debate with his wife again when he turned to Mike. "They want to send him to an assisted living facility until he is more mobile but he is fighting against that as well."

  "Michael, you need to talk some sense into him." Mrs. B. implored him.

  "I'll try, Mrs. B." Mike knew that trying to change Johnny's mind was next to impossible once it was made up. "But you know how he is."

  "He'll listen to you, Mikey," Mrs. B. leaned forward and squeezed his arm. "He always does." Yeah, right, Mike thought and gave Mrs. B's hand a reassuring squeeze anyway.

  An hour later, Mike was sitting in Johnny's room waiting for him to return. The Baxters had left him but would return later as was their routine. An orderly maneuvered the wheelchair Johnny was seated in next to a patient chair and assisted moving him to the empty seat.

  "Hey, M&M," Johnny greeted him.

  Mike hated the nickname his Army drill instructor had given him in boot camp. It stuck and by the time they finished boot, he was effectively renamed. The only time he didn't mind the nickname was when Johnny used it but he never let his best friend know that, so he frowned as was expected of him.

  "You're looking good, Johnny," Mike commented as the orderly took the wheelchair and left.

  "Oh yeah," Johnny grinned. "I am the height of fashion in this paisley gown."

  "You look..." Mike caught himself and stopped before glancing around the room.

  "Look what bro?," Johnny was still grinning at him.

  Good enough to eat, Mike thought. Can't say that, now can I?

  "Fine," Mike recovered. "And a hell of a lot better than when you were stuck in that bed." That was a safe enough reply.

  Johnny laughed. "Well it does show off my hot ass when I stand."

  Mike swallowed and placed a grinned firmly on his face. "Only you would be looking to get laid within twenty-four hours of waking up from a coma." Mike shook his head as he chuckled. Typical Johnny: ladies man extraordinaire and always looking for a hook up.

  "Hey, it was my big head that had the issue. The little one is just fine." Johnny replied and grabbed his junk to emphasize his words.

  Mike resisted the urge to follow his brother's hand and kept his gaze steadily on Johnny's face.

  "Pretty sure you should walk before you fuck," Mike told him dryly.

  "Yeah, that's what the doc said to," Johnny replied seriously.

  "What?" Mike asked.

  "Doc said I couldn't even jerk off until I am getting around on my own better." Johnny said. "Now how am I gonna alleviate the boredom?" Johnny's face was so serious that Mike had to laugh. Man, it was good to have his best friend back. "Really, bro!"

  Mike shook his head at his horn-ball best friend. "I guess TV will just have to do."

  "Hello..." Johnny said sarcastically. "Didn't you hear me? No jerking off. That means no porn, so what the hell am I supposed to watch on TV?"

  Mike had to push the image of his best friend beating off to porn out of his head as he covertly adjusted himself when he shifted in his seat. He was grateful that he sat more next to Johnny instead of across from him.

  "I am sure you will survive," Mike grinned and changed the subject. "I told your mom that it looked like a florist threw up in here."

  "Yeah, it does." Johnnie looked around the room as if he hadn't noticed all of the greenery and color before.

  "So," Mike waited until Johnny's gaze settled back onto him before continuing. "The folks said you're refusing to stay at the house or to go to the rehab facility."

  "Yeah, about that," Johnny started and began looking around the room again. Mike just waited his brother out. "I was going to talk to you about staying at your place while I recovered."

  Mike's gut tightened. For over a week before the shit hit the fan, he had been avoiding spending any time alone with his best friend. How would he handle having Johnny stay at his place? Shit. Mike was quiet for too long because Johnny started to argue his cas
e.

  "You know if I stay with the folks that I won't get any rest. Mom will be underfoot and it will take forever for me to recover because she won't let me do anything on my own." Johnny only paused long enough to take another deep breath before continuing. "Plus you know there's no way to sleep in those beds we had as kids. Shit, they are the same mattresses! It's a wonder we both don't need chiropractors." Johnny grinned at his own joke.

  "I don't know, Johnny." Mike started "I don't know the first thing about taking care of someone with a hip replacement and my house is not even finished yet. Hell, I don't even have a guest room yet."

  "So? I'll sleep on the couch or in your bed," Johnny argued and the tightness that had been fading in Mike's jeans sprang back to life. "It's not like we haven't shared to bed before, bro." Johnny continued to grin and shot him a wink. "You won't even know I'm there."

  Oh, I'll know alright, Mike thought.

  "Come on bro," Johnny pleaded.

  Mike sighed. He could never deny Johnny anything. Even as kids, Johnnie could get him to agree to anything and usually they ended up in trouble. Mike had a sinking feeling that he was just asking for trouble again if he agreed to let Johnny stay with him.

  "All right," Mike agreed as his mind was telling him what a bad idea this was and his body was disagreeing wholeheartedly.

  Chapter 5

  There was no way Mike could get the house ready for Johnny's stay. The downstairs hall bath had a floor and that was it. All of the plumbing was capped but even if he made the trip to Home Depot, it wouldn't matter. None of the plumbing was run under the house. He would just have to work on it while Johnny was there.

  Mike rearranged his sectional and moved the table so there would be more room to maneuver around his living room. After he was finished, he stared at the stairs. He would just have to help Johnny up them when it was time for him to shower. The thought of his best friend naked in the shower flashed through his mind. No, don't go there, he shook his head and climb the stairs.

  The master bedroom was to the left and there were two unfinished bedrooms to the right. From where Mike stood at the top of the stair he could see clear through both rooms into the adjoining full bath that separated them. No walls upstairs aside from his bedroom and bath because he had been so focused on the downstairs. At least he had a full kitchen so they wouldn't starve.

  Mike grunted and entered the bedroom that was closest to him. Sheet rock leaned against one of the frame walls and Mike wondered how much he could get done before he headed back to the hospital in a few hours. Only one way to find out, he thought as he bent to pick up his tool belt and set to work.

  Four hours later, arms and back aching from hanging drywall, Mike entered Johnny's hospital room.

  "You look like shit, bro," Johnny smiled at him from his hospital bed.

  "Thanks asshole," Mike replied with his own smile. "I'm working on the house."

  "Bro, I'm not company, man, I am family and I've already seen that dump you live in." Johnny never missed a chance to bust Mike's balls about the state of the house.

  For two years they had been working on it almost every day they had off. Mike thought that the last six months of renovations acted like therapy for Johnny and helped him to get over his divorce from Susan. Hell, Johnny practically lived with him during those first three months and worked his ass off. So much so, that Mike frequently had to make him stop and get him drunk. Those were the hardest nights on Mike because he couldn't trust himself to tie one on with his brother. How many beers had he faked drinking?

  "Shit, Mikey, you know I am just fucking with you," Johnny said and Mike realized he was frowning at his memories and Johnny must've thought it was due to his ball busting.

  Mike forced to grin onto his face. "It's all good."

  "You know I love that shithole of yours." Johnny looked like he was genuinely worried he'd upset Mike.

  "I know you do bro." Mike reassured Johnny and watched the worry lines on his brow smooth out. How badly Mike wanted to smooth those lines with his fingers. Mike looked away, pretending to focus on the chair he planted his ass in.

  "M&M?" Johnny waited until Mike met his gaze. "You okay?"

  Not by a long shot, Mike thought.

  "I'm good," Mike lied and when Johnny looked skeptical, he added, "really, bro."

  "It's just a hip replacement," Johnny said thinking it was what Mike was worrying about that was causing his mood. "Hell, they have me up and walking a few times a day already."

  "Really, I'm good." Mike lied again and gave his best friend his most convincing smile.

  "Mr. Baxter," a robust day nurse entered the room and ended their conversation. "It's time for your walk." The nurse smiled pleasantly.

  "See bro? They are slave drivers," Johnny grinned at him. "But at least they are pretty slave drivers." Johnny flirted with the older nurse who didn't seem immune to his charm.

  "Here we go, Mr. Baxter," the nurse lowered the bed rail and stood to assist Johnny in swinging his legs over the side.

  "Loretta, how many times have I told you that Mr. Baxter is my dad?" Johnny shot Mike a wink before he smiled at the nurse. "You're breaking my heart by not calling me Johnny." Johnny clutched his chest like he was in pain and Mike laughed when Loretta rolled her eyes.

  "I think you are the heart breaker out of the two of us, Mr. Baxter." Loretta smiled down at Johnny as she pulled the walker over to the bed. Johnny pulled the metal walker close to himself and Loretta continued. "Alright. Now remember to use your arms until you have your feet under you."

  Mike watched and felt helpless at his brother's immobility. He wanted to move around the bed and help but he knew Johnny's pride would not appreciate the gesture, so he stayed put. It broke his heart to watch his brother struggle to stand.

  Loretta stood back and let Johnny do it on his own. Once Johnny was on his feet within the 'U' of the walker, Loretta spoke again.

  "Okay, good. Now, Mr. Baxter, just like before. Move the walker forward with your arms and then step into it."

  Mike stood as Johnny took a step toward nurse Loretta as she back toward the door. Johnny moved like an old man as he inched toward the door. Every small step seemed like work and look like it required concentration. Mike remained quiet as he followed his best friend out of the ICU room.

  By the time they reached the nurse's station, Johnny was sweating but nurse Loretta didn't seem concerned and continued telling Johnny how well he was doing. They made a circuit of the ICU ward and returned to Johnny's room where he sat in the patient chair. The look on Johnny's face was one of relief and he didn't argue when nurse Loretta handed him a small clean cup that contained a pill. Johnny didn't even wait for a cup of water but instead swallowed the pill dry.

  "Thanks," Johnny gave Loretta a tired smile.

  "You did good, Mr. Baxter." Loretta returned his smile. "If you keep up at this pace, you are sure to be home in a few days." Loretta turned and gave Mike a smile before she left the room.

  "You okay?" Mike asked before he sat down next to Johnny. "Yeah. Just hurts like a bitch for the second half of that lap." Johnny replied with a lopsided grin. "But the pill will take care of that. Better living through medication and all that." Johnny joked and waved his hand in the air.

  "Maybe they should give it to you before your walk," Mike suggested.

  "That's what I said!" Johnny laughed. "But that would take all the fun out of the torture."

  Johnny's words were light but Mike could see that his brother was in pain and was glad when Johnny's eyes began to grow heavy. Mike waited until Johnny was asleep in his chair before he left for home.

  ***

  Mike busted his ass on the upstairs bedrooms over the next three days. Some guys from the force came over to help as they were able but the rooms and the bathroom were nowhere near inhabitable. But at least he had walls now.

  Johnny was waiting for him when he arrived at the hospital. He was dressed and sitting in a wheelchair. The look on Joh
nny's face said he was ready to get the hell out of there and Mike couldn't really blame him.

  They had to wait for an orderly to bring Johnny downstairs which was just as well seeing as Mike had to carry the walker, a set of crutches, and the few belongings that Johnny had at the hospital. The Baxter's had already taken the flowers, plants, and balloons to Mike's house even though he really would have preferred them to be elsewhere. Mike could only hope that Johnny knew how to take better care of the plants than he did because Mike had the touch of death when it came to anything green.

  They talked about nothing important on the ride to Mike's place. Once there, Mike had to resist the urge to help Johnny into the house. The nurses had made a point of telling him and the Baxter's that the more they did to help Johnny, the longer it would take him to get back on his feet. Mike understood the logic but couldn't help feeling the way he did as he watched Johnny take baby steps with the walker as he made his way up to the house.

  "You redecorated," Johnny said once he was inside the door and had caught his breath.

  "Yeah, if you want to call moving shit around so you don't bust your ass redecorating." Mike grinned as he squeezed by Johnny and was careful not to touch him. Mike repositioned the pillow and blanket on the far side of the couch before he turned back to his best friend.

  "How sweet. You shouldn't have... Really," Johnny said jokingly.

  "Shut up, asshole, and come sit down before you fall down." Mike grinned and turned away so he wouldn't have to watch his brother inch his way toward the sectional sofa. "Want something to drink?" Mike made his way toward the kitchen.

  "Thought you would never ask," Johnny's voice drifted into the kitchen from the living room. "A shot of Jack with a beer chaser would be great."

  Mike smirked as he grabbed the diet from his almost empty fridge and returned to the living room.

  "I don't think so, bro," he told Johnny as he held up a can of diet. "You need a pill?"

  "Blah, take all my fun away why don't you?" Johnny joked. "Nah, I am good." He picked up the remote and turned on the TV before looking back at Mike. "You don't have to stand on my account," Johnny grinned and kicked his walker to the side with his good leg.