Impact (Completed!!)

Chapter Fourteen

For the next week Tommy lay in the hospital, unconscious. Nate did all he could to dote on him, pacing the room often. He had his mother bring some of the things from Tommy's dorm; pictures, his comforter and pillow and miscellaneous things that if Tommy....when... Tommy woke up, would help him feel comfortable. Terri had gotten a nearby hotel for herself, offering the second queen bed to Nate, but he wouldn't leave Tommy's side. The hospital even rolled in a stowaway bed for him; not that he slept much. 

Nate talked to Tommy constantly. The doctor could never promise that he could be heard, but he didn't care. He talked to his boyfriend as if nothing had changed. The only difference was there was no response. He was starting to miss Tommy's laugh; his smile; his sense of humor; his voice. Nate found himself holding Tommy's hand, and more than once he had fallen asleep in a chair next to the bed. 

Tommy's doctor, and many nurses, were in and out of the room. Nate would watch with interest as they measured urine output and changed bandages. There were too many tubes coming from Tommy's body to count; several in his abdomen alone to keep things drained. He was being pumped full of more than one antibiotic and the doctor ensured Nate that the narcotics Tommy was being flooded with would keep any pain at bay. 

Nate spoke to the officers again, giving them what he could so that they could find Tommy's father. They wanted to question him about the attack and Nate had no doubt that the man was responsible. He would do whatever he could to get a conviction if and when the time came, but for now his focus was Tommy. 

Nate sat next to the bed gently running a hand through Tommy's hair, lost in thought about what the future held for them. The door opened and he looked up to see his mother returning with a couple of salads from a local restaurant and he realized he hadn't even heard her leave.  He didn't move as she sat and pulled forks, napkins and bread from a bag, setting them on the table. She held one of the salads out to him. 

He shook his head.

"Nate, you gotta eat something." She said. "You've barely touched any food at all this last week." She said kindly. 

"What if this is how Tommy is for the rest of his life?" He asked without looking away. 

His mother paused a moment before taking the salad back and setting it next to the napkins and plastic ware

"Well, Darlin', it's a fair question." She said pointedly. "Is that something you can live with?"

"It isn't me that I'm worried about. This is going to completely shut him down. And if he needs help the rest of our lives? He's going to be embarrassed." 

"It'll work out." She replied. 

"I want it to. God, Mom. I've never seen a human being like this. And its him I--"

There was a stirring under his hand; Tommy's forehead twitching, his brows furrowing. Nate stopped cold and watched. Tommy's eyes slowly began to roll around behind their lids. 

"T?" Nate said, standing. "Tommy? It's me." He said. He turned to his mother. "I think he's waking up." 

"I'll go find the doctor." Terri said before standing and leaving the room. 

Tommy slowly opened his eyes, a light moan escaping his lips. He looked around, confusion on his face and swallowed. 

"Wh-what happened?" He asked, his voice hoarse. 

"You're in the hospital, T. You were attacked." Nate said. 

"Attacked?" Tommy replied. "Someone beat me?"

Nate nodded slowly; tears in his eyes. "I'm glad you're back."

"How long have I been here?" 

"About a week." Nate said reaching out to put his hand on Tommy's. The jock pulled away. "You--uh--had to have surgery and they took one of your kidneys. You were in bad shape, T; you scared the hell out of me."