Chapter 23 - Richard Returns to the Hospital
Not as patient.
For a checkup.
Mason went after school.
The same wing.
Same smell.
Same elevators.
His chest tightened.
Richard noticed.
“Want to wait downstairs?”
“No.”
They entered the cardiac clinic.
Richard's tests looked good.
Doctor pleased.
Medication reduced.
Mason breathed easier.
On the way out they passed the private room where Richard had once stayed.
Door open.
Different patient.
Mason stopped.
“That's it.”
Richard knew.
“Want to see?”
“No.”
Then:
“Actually…”
They stood at doorway.
Mason remembered sleeping in the chair.
His neck hurting.
Fear.
Richard pale.
Victor silent.
Then school.
Ruler.
Everything began here emotionally.
Richard said:
“I should have sent you home.”
“You did.”
“I should have made you.”
Mason shook his head.
“I would've hated you.”
“I could survive that.”
Maybe.
Mason smiled.
“I shouldn't have thought staying awake kept you safe.”
Richard looked at him.
“We both learned.”
Mason held out his hand.
“Come on.”
Richard frowned.
“What?”
“Stairs instead of elevator. Doctor said walking.”
Richard groaned.
Mason's hand remained open.
Palm up.
Richard took it theatrically.
“My cruel child.”
They walked.
Same hospital.
Different relationship.
On the ground floor Emma and Jamal waited with milkshakes.
“Why are you here?” Mason asked.
Emma shrugged.
“Your dad invited us.”
Richard looked innocent.
“Recovery support.”
Jamal handed Mason a shake.
“Don't fall asleep tomorrow.”
Mason laughed.
The line no longer hurt.
Context had changed it.
Words could be reclaimed too.
Outside, Victor waited by the car.
No dramatic bodyguard pose.
He held four bags of fries.
Mason stared.
“You're my favorite adult.”
Richard looked betrayed.
“Temporary ranking.”
They ate in the parking lot.
Ridiculous.
Wonderful.
The hospital became a place where Richard survived.
Not only where Mason feared losing him.
That mattered for Chapter 25.
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Because endings should return to beginnings differently.
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