Acceptable Behavior (10 page)

“Hey!” Sam smiled. “Come in.” He didn’t look much worse for the wear. His right wrist was swollen and purplish, and there was a knot on the side of his head.

“Uncle Sammy!” Levi ran to him.

“Careful,” Travis advised as the child hugged his uncle.

“I’m okay.” Sam glanced at him while squeezing Levi. “I’m glad you’re here. Sorry we were late. It was a stupid accident.”

They were alone in the room, but Travis wouldn’t have cared if they weren’t. He stepped close to Sam and gave him a hug and a kiss on the temple. “I was so worried. Glad to see you’re mostly in one piece.”

“I’m fine,” Sam assured. With his good hand, he cupped Travis’ chin and planted a kiss on his lips.

Travis smiled back, grateful Sam hadn’t rebuked his affection. He needed to be close to Sam right then, and it seemed Sam felt the same way. Travis bent down and picked up Levi, setting him on the exam table by his uncle. “What happened, Sam? And what’s going on with Mel?”

Sam shook his head and looked away.

Travis spotted tears in the corners of his eyes. He removed a handkerchief from his pocket and passed it over. “Take your time.”

Sam dried his eyes and looked over Levi’s head helplessly.

Travis understood it was difficult to talk. “Okay,” he agreed.

“It just happened so fast. I lost control of the car and it rolled. Mel was knocked out and they took her away before me, although the EMT did say she was stable.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah. They just X-rayed my wrist to see if it’s broken. I’ve got some bumps and bruises, but that’s basically it.”

“Thank God,” Travis breathed a sigh of relief.

The door opened and a doctor entered. “Mr. Madison? I’m Dr. Kramer.”

“Sam Madison.” Sam nodded. “This is my—um, Dr. Travis Nelson. And this is Levi.” He touched the boy’s head.

Travis couldn’t tell if Sam was trying to keep their secret so as not to embarrass himself, or to protect Travis. At this point, he didn’t care and extended a hand. “I’m Sam’s partner, and Levi’s pediatrician. Did the films indicate a break?”

Kramer shook his hand. “Dr. Nelson, good to meet you. No fracture, just a capsular sprain of the dorsal wrist.” He turned to Sam. “It’s not broken, but there is a significant sprain. Fortunately, the alignment is well maintained throughout. I believe we can treat you with a removable brace. You’ll want to ice it and keep it elevated as much as possible. If you’re in a lot of pain I can prescribe a few days’ worth of painkillers, but otherwise just take anti-inflammatories.”

Sam shook his head. “I’m okay.”

“If you change your mind, tell a nurse before you leave and we’ll get you a script. They’ll bring you a brace and show you how to wear it.”

“For how long?”

“At least two to three weeks. After that I’d expect the pain to minimize and you can wear it as needed.”

“I’m not sure I can type in a brace.”

“You type much?” Kramer asked.

“Only for a living.”

He smiled. “Not for two to three weeks, you won’t. I expect you’ll have significant pain for at least that long. After that, a minimal amount of typing and some gentle range of motion strengthening exercises for six to eight more weeks. By then you should be in good shape. If not, see your doctor.” He glanced at Travis. “Or see this doctor. He can let you know what’s normal and what’s not.”

“I can do that,” Sam agreed.

Travis spoke up. “Do you know what’s happening with Melanie Madison?”

“Yes.” Kramer appeared confused. “I thought she was your wife.”

“Twin sister,” Sam offered.

“Ah, I see. Melanie has a fracture of her distal radius. She’s been taken to surgery for it to be fixed and casted. She sustained a decent crack on the head so we’re going to keep her overnight for observation. Provided everything checks out, she can go home tomorrow.”

Levi glanced at Dr. Kramer. “She fractured her radiator?”

Travis touched the boy’s hand. “Radius, buddy. I’ll tell you about it in a minute.”

He nodded.

Kramer said, “Thank you. When you’re done here, the nurse can direct you to the surgical waiting area.”

Travis shook his hand again. “Thank you.”

“Thanks,” Sam repeated.

Kramer left, and they were alone again.

Sam looked at Travis. “What does Mel have, in English please?”

“A broken arm. The radius is one of two big bones in the forearm, the one on the thumb side. Distal radius means it’s closer to her hand than her elbow. They’ll take her to surgery and set the bone, then put her arm in a cast. It’ll probably stay on for six weeks or so, then it’ll come off. She’ll be fine as frog hair before you know it.”

“Can we see her?” Levi asked.

“Maybe after the surgery, for just a few minutes,” Travis said. “Then we’re leaving. We’re going to your apartment to pack some stuff, and you two are coming to stay with me for a while.”

“Yay!” Levi clapped his hands.

Sam shook his head. “Mel won’t want that.”

Travis shrugged. “Mel doesn’t have much to say about it, for tonight at least. We’ll deal with tomorrow…tomorrow.”

Sam put his head on Travis’ shoulder. “Thank you, babe.”

“Any time and every time.” Travis kissed the top of his head.

Levi glanced at them. “What’s a pe’trician?”

“What, honey?” Travis smoothed Levi’s curly hair.

“You told my teacher you were my pe’trician. And you told that other doctor, too.”

Travis smiled. “Oh. A pediatrician. That’s the kind of doctor I am. I take care of children. Like you.” He poked Levi in the belly lightly.

Levi glanced at Travis, with his arm around Sam. “I think you take care of grown-ups, too, Dr. Trav.”

Travis and Sam exchanged smiles. “Sometimes, Levi. Especially the ones I really care about.”

* * * *

Sam paced the floor in the surgical waiting area. It’d been two hours since he’d gotten his brace and they’d discharged him. Now he was waiting for news about Mel.

Travis had taken Levi to the cafeteria to get some dinner. He’d wanted Sam to come along but Sam couldn’t think about food. He was too sick to eat.

I should have pulled over when she started the argument
. She had the bad habit of bringing up important topics when he was driving, so he couldn’t give her his full attention. She’d done it too many times to count in the past. This was the first time he’d ever wrecked the fucking car.

He couldn’t fathom she really believed the things she’d said. Had Derek influenced her somehow? Were the drugs addling her brain? He didn’t want to think about what might happen when she woke up, if she was still angry with him. She could take Levi and run away, if she thought she had somewhere to go. Since Derek apparently didn’t have anywhere to stay, he couldn’t believe either of them had a place to run to.

Sam held his head in his hands. He’d thought things were bad a month or so ago, but they’d seemed to get better. How had they gone south again so quickly?

“Mr. Madison?”

He glanced up at a doctor in scrubs. “Yes?”

“I’m Dr. Brown. I operated on your sister. She’s going to be just fine. Her arm has been casted, and she’s on some pain meds. Hopefully she can sleep tonight. As long as she’s stable tomorrow you can take her home.”

“Thank you. Can I see her?”

“She’s groggy. You can step in for a minute, then she needs her rest.” He led Sam to the recovery room and motioned to her bed.

Sam took the seat next to Mel’s bed and held her good hand. Both right-handed, they’d each managed to injure their dominant arms. He sighed.
How will she care for herself now?

Mel’s eyelids fluttered before she opened them. “Sammy?” Her voice was hoarse.

“I’m here, sis.” He squeezed her hand.

“Where’s Levi?”

“He’s here, too. Travis took him to the cafeteria to get something to eat.”

“Good.” She closed her eyes again, then opened them once more. “Really tired.”

“The doctor said they’re giving you pain meds and you should sleep well tonight.”

“Want to sleep,” she agreed. “Tell Levi I love him and I’ll see him tomorrow.”

“Okay. Trav and I are taking him home.”

“Would you call Derek and let him know what’s happened? He’ll be wondering.”

Hell no.
“I don’t know his number.”

“It’s in my phone.”

“I don’t have your phone, Mel. It’s somewhere in the heap of metal that’s now my car.”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry, Sammy.”

“Yeah, me too. I can call the bar, I guess. They’ll tell Derek.”

“Thank you.” Relieved, she closed her eyes and drifted off.

He sat with her for a few more minutes, then got up and walked out.

Levi sat on Travis’ lap in the waiting room. They both looked at him expectantly. “Did you see her?” Travis finally asked.

Sam yawned and nodded. “She’s very tired but she’s okay.” He ruffled Levi’s hair. “She said to tell
you
she loves you, and she’ll see you tomorrow.”

He nodded and put his head on Travis’ shoulder.

“We’re all tired,” Travis offered. “I think we should go pack some stuff to take to my house.”

“I’ve got to find the number of the bar and call her boss.” Sam hoped fervently he wouldn’t have to talk to Derek.

“I’ll help you.” Travis stood and carried Levi out.

In the parking lot, Sam wiped his eyes again. “I guess I’ll have to call the insurance company about my car. I only had liability, of course, so I’m pretty much screwed.”

“We’ll figure it out.” Travis unlocked his car and strapped Levi in the back.

Sam glanced back at him. “He doesn’t have his booster seat.”

Travis got in. “And yet, he survived the trip here.”

“Is everything always going to be roses and sunshine with you? I need to know, now, because otherwise that’s going to piss me the hell off.”

Chuckling, Travis started up the car and drove. “Just trying to balance your negativity with some optimism. Things could be worse, Sam. They could be very much worse.”

“I don’t have a fucking car anymore.” Sam knew he sounded like a petulant child, but he couldn’t control himself.

“And I told you we’d figure it out. You’re not alone, babe. You don’t have to shoulder all this by yourself, and it doesn’t have to be resolved tonight. For now you need to eat, and then you need to sleep. Both of those will be best accomplished at my place.” He pulled up in front of the apartment complex.

“I thought we were going to your house,” Levi said, his voice panicky.

“We are, honey. We need to pack a bag for each of you first so you can come and stay.”

“Okay.”

Sam led them to the door and realized he didn’t have his keys. He’d been lucky to walk away from the crash with wallet and phone. He tried the door and found it unlocked, so they went in.

“Unlocked?” Travis blinked. “Are you kidding me?”

He shrugged and turned the lights on. “Levi’s room’s in there.” He opened a closet and pulled out a trash bag. “Here’s his suitcase.”

Travis snatched the bag. “Classy. Come on, Lev. Let’s get your clothes.”

Sam took a bag for his own clothes and filled it. He did have a suitcase, and loaded it with other possessions that he wanted to keep. Since neither he nor Mel had keys any longer, he couldn’t lock the door. Which meant anything inside was fair game for thieves. He grabbed his computer and all his work notes.

“Jesus H. Christ!” Travis yelled from Levi’s room.

“What?” Sam poked his head in.

“Fucking cockroaches!”

Sam wasn’t fazed. “And?”

Travis’ face reddened. “And… All this shit stays in the garage until I get a chance to wash it. We’re
not
bringing roaches into my house.”

Sam sighed. “We can stay here, Trav. Levi and I will be fine.”

His face grew redder. “You will most certainly
not
stay here! Take everything you want now because, if I have my way, you two won’t be coming back.”

Sam turned to go back to his room. “Hate to break it to you, dude, but you probably won’t get your way.” He continued shoving stuff into his bag.

Travis yelled from the other room, “Hate to break it
you, dude
, but I almost always do. Now chop-chop. We’re wasting daylight.”

Sam could only smile.

At Travis’ house, they piled their bags on a workbench in the garage, removing only what they’d need to wear the next day. Sam carried those things and his laptop into the house.

“You need to eat something,” Travis insisted. “I have leftover pizza or some frozen dinners.”

“Pizza sounds good. And beer. Lots of beer.”

“One beer.” Travis kissed his temple. “I’m going to stick Levi in the tub then give him a bedtime snack.”

“He doesn’t usually eat before bed.” Sam reheated a couple slices of pizza.

“He can if he wants to,” Travis insisted. “The choice is his.”

Sam nodded, too tired to argue. He must have zoned out because he was still nursing his beer when a pajama-clad Levi joined him in the kitchen for cookies and milk. When the last drop of milk was gone, he supervised Levi’s teeth-brushing and helped Travis tuck the boy into the large bed in the spare bedroom.

He seemed so small in the queen-sized bed, and acted a bit nervous to be left alone.

“I’ll leave the hall light on,” Travis agreed, “and we’ll only pull the door partway closed. Like this. Okay?”

“Okay,” he agreed hesitantly.

Sam leaned in for a hug. “Night, Levi. Sleep tight. Love you, kid.”

“I love you too, Uncle Sammy.” He hugged Sam’s neck tightly.

Levi reached for Travis next. “Night, Dr. Trav. I love you.”

“Aw. Love you too, buddy. Goodnight. We’re right down the hall if you need us.”

“Okay.”

Travis ushered Sam out and pulled the door closed as agreed. He glanced at Sam. “You want some help brushing your teeth, sweetie?”

“Shut up.” Sam shoved him gently and padded down the hall. He entered the master bath and managed to not only brush but also floss with one good hand. It took three times longer than normal and his wrist hurt like hell afterward, but he’d gotten it done.

Sam stripped to his boxers and climbed between the sheets where Travis waited for him. “I’m beat.”