Chapter 28

The nurse had come into my room to let me know the Doc would be with me around 11am, I was now all packed ready to leave for home, and today was my discharge day; touching my side I was still sore, but I had healed quicker than I thought I would, what I wanted to do before leaving for home was go and see Jon. I wanted us to have a talk, since this whole nightmare began for him we had only managed snatched minutes and now there was no one with him, Dot had finally gone home to rest, the band had gone back to their families it was now just Jon and me.

Heading out my room I went to the nurses station to check I could go visit Jon, I was given the ok so I left walking in the direction of Jon's room.

We were all amazed with Jon's progress too, cause despite Jon's frail body he was healing well and better than expected, Just goes to show what a real fighter he is.

Pulling up at his door,  I knocked, he was watching TV, when he heard the knock he looked towards the door and smiled and gestured for me to come in.....

I moved to the side of the bed and took the frail hand of my best friend. He looked better than he did finally all the bloating and edema was down though he still had to wear the hose on his legs as he wasn't strong enough to be out of bed just yet. 

His voice after all the problems we had with it sounded a lot better also not the sore croaking that he had been talking since he woke up. 

It was clear and soft though as he was working to gain any energy. 

“how you feeling?” I asked as I sat on the edge of the bed being careful not to jostle anything.

Jon smiled at me and waved his hand “okay .. still tired and sleep most of the day away but Doc says I am doing fine they are moving me to a regular room tomorrow ...” he looked down his face losing the smile he had just graced me with.

“what's wrong Jon?” I moved forward we didn't need anymore bad news. Doc said he was doing good.

 “come on bud tell me...”

Jon sighed “I talked to Doctor Markus .. I am doing better but I am still so damn weak and being bed ridden for so long I have no muscle or strength right now … Pop came and talked with me too... Rich they said I have to go to a rehabilitation hospital for awhile...”

He shook his head 

“I don't want to.” 

He looked over at me.

 “what are the fans going to say when they find out …. hell the press...”

“right now I don't want you to think about the fans or the press or any of that .. Jonny you just went through hell yeah six month is a long time for being in the hospital but we almost lost you … if pop says you need to go to one he's only thinking of your best interest …. its going to take time for you to get back on your feet and those places will help you do that … its what they are trained for...”

“But I'll be alone...”

"Yeah, but you need that one to one bro, no distractions, sides we will all be back waiting in your room when your done with your session, we're not stopping now."

"I'm scared Rich, what if my body refuses to carry me?"

"Can you hear yourself? Are you fucking serious?, man you have been at deaths door for months , you have undergone a life saving operation, and now you are getting better.... you doubt yourself?"

"But...."

"But what?"

"Oh, I don't know, I guess being told I need to build muscle and re learn how to walk, it's another shock.... You know, jeez,  I'm like a ninety year old man" 

I laughed , "yeah but a good looking one"  Jon smiled at me. 

"So what's it to be?, you gonna be another pain in the ass and behave like a kid or ya gonna go to re hab and get back on your feet?" 

Blue eyes locked with mine as he spoke "I'll go, and yeah I'll do it quietly, no complaining, no diva .... I'll do everything I'm told, I promise , I want this over as fast as possible, I need to get back to what I do...... What we do " 

" pleased to hear it, on both counts, and I promise you, we will be there every step of the way." 

We just looked at each other but our hands locked in a brotherhood grip. "I'll make ya another deal, while your in re-hab I'll set about writing some songs for us, I'll run them by you, will give ya more focus right?" 

"Yeah, I'm so stale here, last few days lyrics are going round in my head, can't really write um on a chalk board" 

"You want me to bring some pens and a pad?" 

 "Yeah bro, that would be good." 

You thought about the band much ?" 

 "Yeah loads, what would you say to giving Alec full leave from the band ? After all the shit he gave on the last tour, I'm tired of him?"

"I agree, Alec was so high most nights I'm shocked he played as well as he did, we need a bass player though right?" 

"Yeah, I know who I'll ask too, that'll be cool." 

"Great, well I guess I better let you rest some, Doc will be roasting me if he knows I'm tiring you out "

"Nah, he'll be fine, honest I've missed ya Rich" 

" I've missed ya too bud," 

"I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me...... Without you .... Well.....  I.... " 

 "Stop, I did it cause I love ya man" 

"I love ya too Rich and thank you man, thank you." 

Your welcome, just put it to good use and get well ok?"

"Ok,"

Getting off the bed I walked to the door, I needed to head back to meet the Doc for my release . 

"That's me then I guess, I best get back"

"Rich"

"Yeah"

 " you'll still come see me right?"

" sure bud, I wanna make sure you don't go taking anymore bad medicine" he laughed, 

"Hey great title for a song" 

I laughed and smiled right back, "it sure is" raising my hand to say goodbye, On that thought of a song I headed out and back to my room to wait for the a Doc.