Title: Lucky Seven.
Plot: A bad day for Rory O'Shea.
WARNING: Crude language.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters...I just borrow them.
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The sun was setting as the clouds slowly moved by The Carrigmore Home for the Disabled and the wind blew the leaves in the trees.
The sounds of footsteps echoed down the hallway as Erin Flynn walked down the hallway and her long red hair bounced on her shoulders. She had been working there, on the night shift, for a week and liked her job. Her green eyes sparkled in the light as she hummed then stopped seeing someone coming down the hallway.
" Hello Michael ", Erin said as Michael Connolly came down the hallway and his wheelchair stopped in front of her.
Michael had cerebral palsy, which effected his speech, and it was hard for her to understand him most of the time.
" Hello. ", Michael mumbled and she smiled.
" Where are you going? ", Erin asked.
" I'm going to watch television. ", Michael mumbled and she tilted her head to one side.
" Have you seen Rory? ", Erin said and Michael gave her his crooked smile.
" He's hiding! ", Michael mumbled and she frowned.
" He's hiding!? ", Erin asked.
" Yes. He's having a bad day. ", Michael mumbled and the wheelchair headed down the hallway.
" Now, what was that all about? ", Erin asked.
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Rory O'Shea looked out the window as he sighed, his bleached blonde hair sat fluffy and straight on his head, and his dazzling blue eyes were mad.
Rory suffered from Duchene's muscular dystrophy and was only able to move two fingers on his right hand and his head a little bit.
He didn't like living at Carrigmore.
He knew that he had a limited time and wanted to be out in the real world getting all the life he could get.
A flat.
A girlfriend.
Anything but what he had.
He watched the sun going down as he blinked then heard someone coming inside his room.
" Well, there you are! ", Erin said when he made the wheelchair turn to her and she smiled at him, " What's with the hair?! ".
Rory usually wore his hair in gelled spikes and he growled.
" Leave me alone, Erin. I am not in the mood. ", Rory said.
" Awwwwwwwwwwwww! What's wrong!? ", Erin asked.
" Fuck off! ", Rory said as she walked closer and he smelt of soap and shampoo.
" You smell nice. ", Erin said and his eyes went into tight slits.
" Don't start. ", Rory growled and she sat down on his bed.
" So, why are you in here? ", Erin asked.
Rory sighed when he moved the wheelchair closer and she brushed some hair from his eyes.
" Well, if you really want to know. ", Rory said and thought back to what happened.
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The morning sunlight woke Rory as he laid on his back and looked at the ceiling. He watched the shadows when he sighed then yawned but something was wrong.
Very wrong.
He felt wet and sticky when the door opened and Annie walked inside.
She was the head nurse and she walked closer to the bed.
" Good morning Rory. ", Annie said and he looked at her.
" Hi Annie. ", Rory said.
" Are you ready to get up? ", Annie asked.
" Yeah. ", Rory said when she moved the blankets back and gasped, " What!? ".
" Oh my! ", Annie said looking at the soiled sheets and Rory was covered in a brown mass.
" What!? ", Rory shouted and Annie hit the call button, " What happened!? ".
Two other nurses came inside as they came to the bed and Rory tried to look at what they were looking at.
" Rory, you messed the bed! ", Annie said as he looked at her and smiled.
" Oh. Well, clean me up. ", Rory said calming down and she shook her head.
" I mean you really messed the bed! You are covered in it! ", Annie said and he rolled his eyes.
" That would explain why I feel all squishy. ", Rory said smiling and they got him out of bed, stripped the bed then got Rory undressed then onto a gurney and wheeled him to the shower room. Rory felt silly as they carefully got him off then onto the shower chair and Annie scrubbed him.
" Not so fucking hard! ", Rory shouted and she hushed him. She finished when a nurse brought in some clothes for Rory and the other nurse brought in his wheelchair. They dressed him then placed Rory in the wheelchair when Annie nodded then patted his hair dry.
" There! All clean. Why didn't you ring for Erin if you had to go? ", Annie asked.
" I guess it happened when I went to sleep. You going to do my hair? ", Rory asked.
" We don't have time. Now, come on. ", Annie said as he followed her and growled.
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" You shite the bed!? ", Erin said as she choked back the laughter and Rory glared at her.
" It wasn't that funny! ", Rory said and she smiled.
" Sorry. But, that doesn't explain why you're hiding. ", Erin said.
" Lets just say it gets worse. ", Rory said and rolled his eyes.
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The dining hall was crowded when Rory and Annie came inside and Rory headed for the table. He stopped the wheelchair when he saw Michael and Michael smiled at him.
" Morning Rory. ", Michael mumbled.
Rory was the only one that Michael knew that could understand him and they had become best friends.
" Morning. ", Rory said when he looked at the young man across from him and Tommy looked back.
Tommy had wreck his motorcycle into a tree and Rory thought he was nothing more then an arsehole.
Tommy was also someone that made fun of Michael and that made Rory angry.
" What are you looking at? ", Rory asked as Tommy looked away and Annie placed the plate in front of Rory. On the plate was scrambled eggs, toast and sausages cut into little pieces and he looked at Michael, " What's with the food? It's not the usual slop? ".
" Heard that we got a new cook. ", Tommy said.
" Hmmmmmm. Well, lets eat then! ", Rory said when an aide came over and stood next to him. She helped him eat when she looked at Michael and he looked at the food.
" Do you need help? ", the aide asked and he shook his head.
" Feed me then! ", Rory said as the aide smiled and started feeding him. Rory ate when he noticed that the toast had jelly on it and she placed some in his mouth. He smiled as he ate then felt something wet and soft hit the left side of his head and some went into his ear. \
" Cathy! ", Annie gasped and the young woman in the wheelchair to his left giggled.
The aide cleaned Rory off when he sighed and rolled his eyes.
" Some of it went down my front. ", Rory said as the aide cleaned him off and went back to feed him. He sipped on the milk when something wet and soft him again and he rolled his eyes.
" Cathy, please stop that! ", Annie said as Cathy giggled and Rory was getting mad.
" It's going down my back. ", Rory said as the aide cleaned him off and he sighed.
" Why does she do that? ", the aide asked.
" I have no fucking clue. ", Rory sighed.
" Rory?! Language! ", Annie said.
" Yeah. Whatever. ", Rory said when something hit the side of his head and got stuck in his ear. The aide removed the sausage piece out of his ear when he glared at Cathy then turned the wheelchair toward her, headed for her and stopped in front of her. She was facing him as they looked at each other and Rory made his eyes into slits.
" Look. We have been going through this every mealtime for the last few days! Will you STOP!? ", Rory growled when he noticed that she had a glass of orange juice in her left hand and he looked at her with concerned eyes, " What are you going to do with that? ".
Rory knew it was a stupid question when Cathy flicked her hand and the orange juice flew into his face and Annie gasped. Rory spit the jucie out of his mouth as the aide cleaned Rory off and he blinked.
" You all right? ", Michael asked.
" Oh yeah. There's nothing like a glass of orange juice in the morning. ", Rory sighed when the aide wheeled him out of the room and he knew where he was going.
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" Two showers within minutes of each other?! ", Erin asked and Rory sighed, " Well, that's not so bad. ".
" It gets worse. ", Rory said and the setting sun sparkled on his hair.
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Rory was sore from the scrubbing as he sighed and wanted to just sit in the main room and do nothing. The wheelchair moved along as he came inside the room and saw the others watching some cartoon on the television. He looked around when he saw Michael near the bookcase and moved the wheelchair towards him.
" What are you looking at? ", Rory asked and Michael looked at him.
" I'm trying to find the next book. ", Michael mumbled and Rory looked at the books.
They had just finished the second book in a series that Rory had read a year ago and they had been taking turns reading.
" It's that one. ", Rory said and Michael pointed at a book, " No, not that one. The one before it. ".
Michael picked the book off the shelf as they settled near the window and Michael opened the book.
" Ok, you start. ", Rory said.
" You sure? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah. I finished the last one. Take your time. ", Rory said and Michael nodded. Michael started reading as he held the pages down and Rory smiled. They took turns when Annie walked closer and looked at them.
" Michael, it's time for therapy. ", Annie said when Michael folded the page down and placed the book on the table. Rory watched them leave when he sighed and flicked the switch. The wheelchair went down the hallway as Rory looked around and tried to find something to do. He moved by the ladders and the aides hung the ferns on the hooks.
The ferns were hanging from the ceiling and was a part to make Carrigmore look more homey.
Rory didn't notice that he was heading right for the stool that one of the aides was using when the wheelchair bumped into the stool and the aide jumped flinging the fern into the air.
" Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh fuck! ", Rory said as he watched the fern coming out of the pot heading right at him and knew he had no time to get out of the way. The world seemed to slow down as the fern flipped into the air then landed on his head and the dirt went everywhere.
" Rory!? ", the aide gasped when Eileen came out of her office and looked at him. He was covered head to toe in dirt and the fern rested on his head. Eileen was trying not to laugh as the aide got the fern off of Rory and he looked at him.
" What happened?! ", Eileen asked and the aide explained, " Well, go get him cleaned up then clean up this mess.".
" Wonderful. ", Rory sighed while the aide wheeled him down the hallway and Eileen smiled then shook her head and went back to her office.
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" Wait! Three showers in one morning?! ", Erin asked and Rory rolled his eyes.
" It's been a fun day. ", Rory said.
" I bet. That's a lot for one day. ", Erin said smiling.
" There's more.", Rory said and Erin wondered what happened next.
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The wheelchair moved along when Rory entered the dining hall and looked around. He saw Tommy and Michael then saw Cathy and she smiled at him.
" Oh fuck. ", Rory sighed when the aide came over and he looked at her.
" Are you all right? ", the aide asked.
" Yeah. Um, can I sit somewhere else? ", Rory asked and the aide looked around.
" Sorry. That's the only free spot. ", the aide said and Rory sighed.
" Fine. ", Rory said as he stopped the wheelchair near Michael and Michael looked at him.
" You ok? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah. Annie checked me over. Only have a lump and bit of a headache. Was laying down when she came to get me for lunch. What are we having? ", Rory asked.
" From the smell, I think pasta. ", Tommy said.
" I never had that. ", Michael mumbled.
" You don't get out much, do you? ", Rory teased and Michael looked at him, thought, then smiled.
" No. I don't. ", Michael mumbled and Rory laughed.
" Well, you're in for a treat. ", Rory said when the food was served and Michael looked down. The aide came over when she started feeding Rory and he ate.
" It's good. ", Michael mumbled as Rory smiled then looked over at Tommy.
" Hey, you got sauce all over your mouth. You look like you got punched! ", Rory said as the aide cleaned off Tommy and Tommy growled.
" Well, you got some on your nose. ", Tommy growled and Rory went slightly crossed eyed trying to see. The aide laughed cleaning him off and Michael smiled.
" Did you get it off? I don't need another shower today. ", Rory said as the aide nodded then went back feeding him. He ate when something wet hit the left side of his head and he closed his eyes feeling the pasta oozing down his neck and shirt. The aide cleaned him off then went back to feeding him and he sipped on the juice.
Cathy hurled four more handfuls of pasta at him when he had enough and turned the wheelchair around and faced her. He moved the wheelchair closer until they were nearly toe to toe and locked eyes with her. She looked at him when she smiled and scooped up a handful of pasta. Before she could throw, Rory spit the juice he had in his mouth in her face and she screamed.
" Ha! Got you! ", Rory said when Annie came over and Cathy was crying.
" Rory!? ", Annie shouted and he looked at her.
" Come off it, Annie! Look at me! I'm more a mess then she is! ", Rory shouted back.
" But she doesn't understand what she is doing! Now, go get cleaned up! ", Annie said and Rory growled. The aide came closer when they left the dining hall and he wondered if he had any clean clothing left.
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" Not again!? ", Erin asked.
" Yeah! I SWEAR, Erin, I have NO fucking idea why she does it! I have NEVER done anything to her! Annie even told me that this is something new. ", Rory said and she brushed the hair from his eyes.
" Well, that was the end of it, right? ", Erin asked.
" Not even close. Though, the next time, I didn't mind. ", Rory said and half smiled.
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Rory sat in his room as he looked out the window and watched the leaves moving in the breeze. He had decided that the best place was in his room and wasn't going to come out until dinner.
" If that. ", Rory whispered when Eileen came into his room and looked at him.
" Rory? ", Eileen asked and he moved the wheelchair around to face her.
" No offense, Eileen, but I am not in the mood to get lectured right now. ", Rory said and she walked closer.
" I understand that you are having a bad day.... ", Eileen said and his eyes went wide.
" A bad day!? I have accidentally messed the bed, got food lobbed at me, TWICE, got a fern dropped on my head and four showers! ", Rory said and Eileen sat on his bed.
" I see. But, that is no reason to hide in your room. ", Eileen said.
" I think of it more as self preservation. Can't I just stay here!? ", Rory asked.
" No. I need your help with something. I assure you that you will enjoy this. ", Eileen said as he thought then blinked.
" Fine. ", Rory sighed as he followed her out of the room and down the hallway.
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Eileen led him into the room when he saw Tommy and Michael and he stopped the wheelchair near them.
" So, what's going on? ", Rory asked.
" Have no clue. ", Tommy said when the door to the left opened and nine young ladies walked inside, " Fuck. ".
" Yeah. ", Rory said eyeing them and Eileen clapped her hands.
" All right, Ladies, I would like to introduce your " patients ". ", Eileen said and Rory looked at Tommy.
" I think they're student nurses. ", Rory whispered.
" Whoa! ", Tommy whispered.
" Rory? Tommy? Quiet please. Now, Ladies, Tommy was in a motorcycle accident and is paralyzed from the neck down but is able to use three fingers on his left hand. Michael has cerebral palsy. He is capable of speech but you have to listen very carefully to what he's saying. Rory had muscular dystrophy but can use two fingers of his right hand and can move his head a little. You are going to split into three groups of three and each of you will take care of them. ", Eileen said as the student nurses split into groups and Rory smiled at his three.
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The student nurses took turns taking care of Rory when one of them had to help him use the toilet seat and he smiled at her.
She was tall, had blonde hair, with blue streaks, and green eyes and she smiled back.
" So, what's your name? ", Rory asked.
" Sarah. ", Sarah said and he smiled a bad boy smile at her.
" Think you can lift me onto that? I mean the other groups having a bit of a time with Tommy over there. ", Rory said as they looked at Tommy and he growled.
" Yeah. He is a bit of a chubbers, ain't he? ", Sarah whispered and Rory laughed.
" Now, that wasn't nice. Even if it's true. ", Rory whispered and she nodded.
Sarah used the lift chair to get Rory onto the toilet seat when she slid his pants down then heard something. She gently moved his legs apart when she saw the green liquid then looked at him.
" Sorry. ", Rory whispered and she looked at Eileen.
" Eileen?! Rory went to the bathroom! ", Sarah said and Rory glared at her.
" You didn't have to say it that loud! ", Rory said and she laughed.
" Sorry. ", Sarah said when Eileen walked over and looked at them.
" Well, if he has gone, what do you have to do? ", Eileen asked and Rory and Sarah looked at each other.
" Well, if you have to, you have to! ", Rory said winking and Sarah cleaned him off. Eileen walked away as Sarah used the hand sanitizer to clean her hands and smiled.
" For a small man, you have a nice package. ", Sarah whispered and Rory smiled slightly blushing.
" Thanks. ", Rory whispered and she got him redressed then back into his wheelchair.
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The next assignment was getting Rory in and out of the wheelchair and in and out of bed.
The student nurse, who's turn it was, was tall, with short brown hair and brown eyes and he smiled at her.
" So, what's your name? ", Rory asked.
" Wendy. ", Wendy said as she slid the harness of the lift chair around him and he glanced down, " Is that too tight? ".
" A bit. ", Rory said when she walked to the panel and pushed the buttons on the liftchair. The lift chair moved up when he frowned and looked at her, " Ummm, Wendy, I think there's something wrong. ".
" Hold on. ", Wendy said as she pushed the buttons and he sighed, " That's not right. ".
" No kidding. You sure you know how to work that? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. Just hold on. ", Wendy said and pushed the buttons. The lift chair moved upward then toward the bed when Rory realized that he was higher then he should be and was swinging back and forth.
" Ummmmmm, I don't think I should be swinging like this. ", Rory said as she looked at him and swore.
" Hang on. ", Wendy said as he glanced down and his eyes went slightly wide.
" I'm too high! ", Rory said and she hushed him.
" Not so loud. ", Wendy whispered when the swinging got worse and Rory looked at her.
" Ummmm.... ", Rory said when, suddenly, the harness jerked and Rory found himself hanging upside down over the bed. The harness was tight enough that he didn't slide out and he looked down at the bed, " Fuck! ".
" Rory! ", Michael shouted.
" Shite! ", Tommy shouted when the others looked at Rory and Eileen gasped.
" Someone go get help! ", Eileen shouted as the student nurses ran out of the room and she ran to the bed, " Are you all right, Rory!? ".
" Oh, yeah, I love hanging upside down like a bloody bat! Get me the fuck down! ", Rory shouted when Wendy started crying and the others came into the room. Two interns got Rory down when Annie came inside and examined him.
" He's fine. ", Annie said when Rory saw Wendy crying and sighed.
" Wendy? ", Rory asked and she sniffed.
" Wha-what? ", Wendy asked.
" Come here. ", Rory said.
" No. ", Wendy said sniffing and he smiled.
" Come on.", Rory said giving her a bad boy smile. Wendy sniffed when she came closer and he looked at her.
" Cloooooooser......Cloooooooser....... Clooooooooooser.......Clooooooooooooooser. ", Rory said until she was face to face with him and she blinked.
" What? ", Wendy asked.
" Give us a kiss, hunh?! ", Rory said as she shrugged then kissed him and he smiled.
" You are such a wanker. ", Wendy whispered and he winked at her.
" Made you stop crying, didn't it? ", Rory asked and she nodded.
" Well, seeing that Rory is all right, we can go do the final assignment. ", Eileen said when the interns help get Rory back into the wheelchair and he wondered where they were going.
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The shower room was empty as they came inside and Rory rolled his eyes.
" Not again. ", Rory whispered when Eileen looked at the student nurses and some of them were smiling. Tommy smiled as Michael blushed when Eileen looked at her watch and frowned.
" Oh, Dear, I didn't know it was that late. Well, Ladies, we have time for only one shower demonstration. Who do you want to shower? ", Eileen asked and the student nurses went into a circle and whispered, " Well!? ".
" We've decided. ", one of the student nurses who were taking care of Tommy said, " We chose Rory! ".
" Why am I not surprise? ", Rory whispered and Michael frowned, " What? Do you want to do it? ".
Michael nodded when Eileen walked over to Rory and looked at him.
" Well, Rory, since we have time for just one shower, who do you want to do it? ", Eileen asked and he looked at the trio that had been taking care of him. He looked at the medium size student nurse, with long red hair and hazel eyes, and she smiled at him.
" Hey, Red, what's your name? ", Rory asked and she blushed.
" Terry. ", Terry said.
" Well, Terry, want to give me a shower? ", Rory asked and Sarah and Wendy gently nudged her.
" Ok. ", Terry said when she walked closer and he smiled.
" Now, what's the first thing you have to do? ", Rory asked and she wheeled him over to the shower chair. She took his boots off then his socks as she looked up at him and he nodded. She started to open his jeans when he realized something and frowned, " Um, Eileen, are Tommy and Michael going to watch this? ".
" Michael? Tommy? Please leave. ", Eileen said as Tommy and Michael left the room and Rory looked at Terry. She finished undressing him as the others smiled and Rory looked at Terry. \
" Now what do you do? ", Rory asked.
" You sure you want to use the lift chair again? ", Terry asked looking at Wendy and Rory growled.
" Don't get cheeky! ", Rory snarled and she frowned.
" Sorry. ", Terry said then used the lift chair to get him from the wheelchair to the shower chair and he looked at her. She carefully strapped him to the shower chair when he smiled at her and she brushed the hair out of his eyes.
" Now, what do you do? ", Rory asked.
Terry turned the water on when she tested the water and picked up the soap. She carefully scrubbed him as he smiled and watched her.
" Not too hot, is it? ", Terry asked.
" No. It's fine. You got a soft touch. I like it. ", Rory said.
" Well, I don't want to hurt you. ", Terry said.
" You're not. Anyway, can I suggest something? ", Rory asked.
" What? ", Terry asked as she washed down his chest and stomach and he smiled.
" That you talk to whoever it is that you care for. If they can talk back, then, they might like to talk. I usually do. So does Michael. You just have to listen close to what he's saying. ", Rory said.
" You mean I can tell someone that I like their eyes? Like you? You have such handsome eyes. ", Terry whispered.
" Thanks. ", Rory said and she carefully rinsed him off.
" Anyway, if you don't mind me asking, were you always like this? ", Terry asked and Rory got a defensive look in his eyes.
" Always been like what? ", Rory asked.
" Cocky? ", Terry asked and he laughed.
" Oh, no, I had to work at it! ", Rory said when she finished and placed the shower head back into the holder. Terry used the soft towel to dry him off as he watched her and she got him dressed. She used the lift chair to get him back into the wheelchair then placed his socks and boots back on and he smiled at her.
" All right. Now what? ", Rory asked and she took the towel and placed the towel over his head, " You have to get my hair totally dry. ".
Terry gently squeezed as he waited then she took the towel off his hair and touched it. His hair was dry as he looked at her and she placed the towel around his neck.
" All dry. ", Terry said as she noticed the brush in the bag on the back of his wheelchair and took it out. She gently brushed his hair out as he watched her and she placed the hairbrush back. She had brushed his bangs forward as she looked down and saw the jar of gel, " What do you do with the gel? ".
" I spike my hair. ", Rory said as she smiled and picked the jar up.
" My boyfriend does that. Care if I do it? ", Terry asked and Eileen sighed.
" We don't have time. ", Eileen said and Rory growled. Terry placed the jar back then took the towel back and Rory left the room. The wheelchair moved down the hallway as he growled then felt like he was being followed and turned the wheelchair around.
Wendy, Sarah and Terry were behind him as he looked at them and they stopped in front of him.
" What do you three want? ", Rory asked.
" Eileen said we could go but we talked it over and were wondering if there was anything you'd like us to do? ", Terry said causing him to smile a big bad boy smile, " Within reason, that is. ".
Rory thought when he led them to his bedroom and they walked inside. They watched when he stopped near the dresser and looked at his nose ring.
" Any one of you know how to put that in? ", Rory asked and Sarah walked closer.
" I have one. Can't wear it at work though. ", Sarah said when she picked the nose ring up and walked to Rory. He waited as she placed it in then smiled and Sarah stepped back.
" Thanks. Now, Terry, can you do my hair? ", Rory asked.
" Sure. ", Terry said, " Do you want me to start at the back? ".
Rory smiled when she did his hair and Wendy brought out a mirror letting him see. He smiled when he looked at them and Terry looked around for something to wipe her hands with.
" Use that shirt over there. ", Rory said as she wiped her hands off and Sarah, Wendy and Terry headed for the door, " Hey!? Hang on! Can I have a hug? ".
They came back then hugged him when they left and Rory smiled.
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" Cheeky bugger! ", Erin teased as Rory smiled and she ruffled his hair.
" What can I say?! I'm popular! ", Rory teased and she rolled her eyes.
" So, five showers in one day. Still doesn't explain why you're hiding. ", Erin said.
" Guess! ", Rory said as she thought then looked at him and frowned.
" You don't mean....? ", Erin asked.
" Yep. ", Rory said and the setting sun gave a slight reddish tint to his hair.
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The wheelchair moved down the hallway as Rory headed for the main room and moved the lever with his thumb.
He wanted only to watch television and not do anything.
Not even have dinner.
The wheelchair moved along when he saw Michael coming and stopped.
" Hi. ", Michael mumbled.
" Hi.", Rory said and Michael noticed that Rory's hair was fixed and that he had his nose ring in.
" You look normal. ", Michael teased and Rory laughed. \
" Yeah. The student nurses taking care of me did it after class. ", Rory said.
" Weren't you scared when the lift chair flipped you upside down? ", Michael asked.
" Kinda. It happened to me before. ", Rory said.
" When? ", Michael asked.
" Three years ago. The place where I was staying allowed family to take us out for little trips and my da took me to this fair. Dunno why. Guess he thought I needed some fun. Yeah. Right. How much fun can I have if I can't even go on the thrill rides? I was so fucking bored. My da took me back and I was telling the aide about it. Now, see, where I was, the equipment was kinda old and rickety. I hated using that lift chair they had because it felt like I was going to fall out half the time. The aide had strapped me in like Wendy did, kinda tight, when the thing starts swinging me then, BANG, the chain snaps and I flipped upside down. ", Rory said and Michael's eyes went wide.
" Were you scared? ", Michael asked.
" Fuck yeah! I screamed! And, the worst part was I wasn't over the bed. I was over the floor! Two more inches and I would have bashed in my head. They got me into bed and, two days later, my da got me into a new place. He even sued the place and got some money. The funny thing was, after it happened, I started laughing. Told the aide that I did want to go on a thrill ride but I wasn't expecting that! ", Rory said and Michael laughed, " So, where you off to? ".
" The painting room. Want to come? ", Michael asked.
" Not really. Not in the mood to paint. ", Rory said.
" Then come and watch.", Michael mumbled.
" Michael, look, I have had FIVE showers today. I am NOT looking for number six, if you get what I'm talking about. ", Rory said.
" Yeah. But, I promise nothing will happen. ", Michael mumbled and Rory sighed.
" Fine. ", Rory said and the wheelchairs moved down the hallway.
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The painting room was slightly crowded as the wheelchairs came inside and Michael headed for his usual spot. Rory looked around when he sat near the doorway and the aide came over smiling at him.
" Do you want to paint, Rory? ", the aide asked.
" Not today. Just looking. ", Rory said then moved the wheelchair. He watched the others when he stopped the wheelchair between Tommy and Michael and watched Michael paint, " You use red a lot. ".
" It's my favorite color. ", Michael mumbled.
" Ahhhhhhhh. How about a little green there in the corner? ", Rory suggested and Michael picked up the other paint brush and dipped it in the green. Rory smiled as he watched then looked over at Tommy's painting and blinked, " How do you do that? ".
" I use my teeth and tongue.", Tommy said after the aide took the brush out of his mouth.
" Do you want to try, Rory? ", the aide asked and he looked at the brush.
" It's been in his mouth! ", Rory said scowling.
" She'll give you a clean one, you arsehole. ", Tommy said.
" Sod off! ", Rory said when Tommy growled then backed up and into the aide. Rory watched as the bottle of dirty paint water flew out of her hand and the dirty paint water splashed into his face. The dirty paint water went down his neck and shirt and some of it hit Michael as well and Rory spit the dirt water out of his mouth. He glanced down as he sighed then turned the wheelchair to face Michael. Michael gave him a sad smile when he shrugged and Rory rolled his eyes.
" Oh, Rory, I am sorry! ", the aide said and Tommy laughed, " Tommy!? It's not funny! ".
" Yes, it is! ", Tommy said when two aides came over and led Michael and Rory out of the room. The wheelchairs went down the hallway when Michael looked at Rory and Rory looked straight ahead.
" I'm s.. ", Michael mumbled and Rory glared at him.
" Not-another-word! ", Rory growled and Michael nodded.
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" Oh, shite, six showers!? ", Erin asked and Rory sighed, " No wonder you're hiding! ".
" And, I want to stay in here. ", Rory said.
" What about dinner? ", Erin asked.
" Can I have a tray brought in here? " Rory asked.
" No, you can't. ", Annie's voice said from the doorway and they looked at her, " Erin, have you checked on the others? ".
" Yes, I did. ", Erin said.
" Then bring Rory to the dining hall. Dinner is ready. ", Annie said as she left and they looked at each other.
" Well, I guess you have to. ", Erin said as she got behind the wheelchair and started pushing it out of the room.
" But, I don't want to push for number seven. ", Rory said and she smoothed his hair down.
" Well, seven is a lucky number. ", Erin teased but Rory didn't find it funny and the wheelchair moved down the hallway.
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The dining hall was crowded as Erin pushed the wheelchair inside and Rory looked around. Michael and Tommy were in their usual places when Erin parked the wheelchair next to Michael's and Rory looked at him.
" You ok? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah. Look, sorry that I got mad. ", Rory said.
" It's ok. ", Michael mumbled.
" And, it was his fault not yours. ", Rory said and Tommy growled.
" Sod off. ", Tommy said and Rory smiled.
" It was your fault. If you hadn't backed up then the aide wouldn't have dumped the water on us. ", Michael mumbled.
" Hunh? ", Tommy asked.
" He said you're a big fat ponce and it was your fault! ", Rory said and Michael looked puzzled.
" That's not what I said.", Michael mumbled.
" Fuck off, the pair of you! ", Tommy said.
" Ok, you three, that's enough. ", Erin said when Rory glanced to his left and saw Cathy sitting there.
" Oh, fuck, I'm out of here. ", Rory said as he turned the wheelchair around and headed for the door. He was about to leave when Eileen came into the doorway and he stopped.
" And, where are you going? ", Eileen asked.
" Look, Eileen, no offense, but I am NOT staying in here if Cathy's here! She's going to throw shite at me and I have had ENOUGH showers for one day! ", Rory said and Eileen looked from Rory to Cathy then back.
" I had a long talk with her. She isn't going to do anything. Now, go back and eat your dinner. ", Eileen said and Rory sighed.
" She better not. ", Rory growled then went back to where Michael and Erin were and Michael looked at him. Rory looked at the plate when he noticed that there was only a spoon and he blinked, " How come we only have spoons? ".
" Don't know. ", Michael mumbled when the aides brought over the plates and on the plates were bowls of stew and some bread.
" Whoa! Stew! ", Tommy said and Michael looked at the bread.
" What's the bread for? ", Michael asked.
" It's for dipping and getting the leftover gravy out of the bowl. ", Rory said when Erin picked the spoon up and started feeding him.
" Do you want me to help you, too, Michael? ", Erin asked.
" You going to feed me with your right hand and Rory with your left? ", Michael asked grinning and Rory choked from trying not to laugh.
" You ok? ", Erin said gently patting Rory's back.
" Ye-yeah. He just asked if you were going to feed him with one hand and me with the other. ", Rory said and Erin laughed and gave Michael a dirty look.
" You are getting as cheeky as he is, Michael! ", Erin giggled and Michael shrugged smiling. Erin fed Rory when she finished and the aide took the plate away.
" So, what do you think's for afters? ", Rory asked.
" I'm full. Can't eat another thing.", Tommy sighed.
" That's a surprise. ", Rory whispered and Erin gently smacked the back of his head.
" Be nice. ", Erin whispered.
The aides came over when they placed the dishes down and Rory saw the apple pie and cinnamon ice cream.
" Fuck. I hope we keep this new cook! ", Rory said.
" Why's the ice cream pink? ", Michael asked.
" What? ", Erin asked.
" It's pink because it's cinnamon flavored. It's good. ", Rory said and Michael used the spoon and took a taste.
" You're right. ", Michael mumbled as he started eating and Rory looked at him.
" Best way is to mix the two together. ", Rory said.
Erin started feeding Rory as he opened his mouth wide and she tried hard not to laugh.
" You look like a baby bird. ", Erin whispered and he smiled at her.
" Welf, it'sh goo'! ", Rory said between bites and she softly laughed.
" You're going to choke. Slow down. ", Erin said.
" Rory? ", a voice asked as he glanced around then looked at Tommy.
" Who's calling me? ", Rory asked.
" I think it's Cathy. ", Tommy said.
" Rory? ", the voice asked again and he glanced over at Cathy.
" Are you calling me? ", Rory asked and she nodded, " What? ".
" Rory! ", Cathy said louder and Rory rolled his eyes.
" Just ignore her. ", Erin whispered and started feeding him again.
" RORY! ", Cathy shouted and he sighed. Rory turned the wheelchair around when he looked at her and she smiled.
" What!? Can't you see that I'm ea....!? ", Rory said when Cathy lobbed the large lump of ice cream she had in her hand at him and it smacked him in the face then went down his neck and shirt.
" Cathy?! ", Eileen said as Erin turned the wheelchair around and looked at Rory.
" Oh, Rory, no! ", Erin said as she quickly wheeled the wheelchair out of the room and they all wondered where they were going.
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Erin stood by the bed as she looked down at Rory and his eyes were red, slightly puffy and closed. She held onto the first two fingers of his right hand as she sighed and gently brushed the hair from his eyes.
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Rory wasn't one to cry.
Not when he was told what he had.
Not when they told him how long he had.
Not when they poked and prodded him.
Not when he went from one place to the other.
Some when his mother died.
He was ten at the time and cried most of the night.
But this was too much even for him.
Something snapped inside his heart and everything came out.
Erin had seen the tears in his eyes and quickly took him to the shower room and he just started crying. She had taken him out of the wheelchair as they sat on the floor and she held him.
" Shhhhhhhhhhhh. Shhhhhhhhhhhh. ", Erin said as she rocked him but he didn't care anymore. The tears came as he just cried and started shaking.
" I-I want to go home! ", Rory said as she rocked him and stroked his hair.
" Rory, calm down, you're shaking like a leaf. ", Erin said and he cried harder.
" I do-don't care! I hate this! It's n-not fair! ", Rory shouted and she hushed him, " Don't fucking hush me! I ca-can't do this anymore! You do-don't understand! I AM GOING TO DIE! I'm no-not even twenty-one yet! I wa-want to learn to drive a car! To ha-have a real girlfriend not some fling! To have my own flat! To have a job! A li-life! A fucking future! I don't wa-want to die here! Get me out! ".
" Where do you want me to take you? ", Erin said as she wiped the tears from his eyes and the snot rolled out of his nose. She wiped the snot off with her shirt tail as he sniffed and blinked.
" I cou-could go home with you. I don't eat much and do-don't take up that much room. I'd be quiet. Y-you'd never know I was there. ", Rory said and she rocked him some more.
" Don't think my flat mate would like that. We only have two bedrooms. ", Erin said.
" I'll sleep on the fucking couch! GET ME OUT OF HERE! ", Rory shouted as he shook harder and she could feel his heart pounding and skipping beats.
" Shhhhhhhhhhh. Shhhhhhhhhh. Rory, you have to calm down. Your heart's beating too fast. ", Erin said.
" I don't care i-if it fucking stopped! No one's go-going to care if I die anyway! ", Rory said and she glared at him.
" Rory O'Shea, that is a terrible thing to say! ", Erin shouted and he cried harder.
" Na-name one person wh-who would give a fuck! ", Rory sobbed.
" ME, you git! And Michael! ", Erin said and he looked at her, " That's right! Michael! Have you forgotten how attached he is to you?! ".
" I ne-never asked him to! ", Rory sobbed and she rocked him some more stroking his hair. \
" Then why do you let him? ", Erin asked.
" Be-because he isn't like the other lumps a-around here. ", Rory said sniffing and she wiped his nose again.
" How is he different? ", Erin asked.
" There's fi-fire in his eyes. Tommy has some but it's fading. Michael's fire is like mine. He wants a li-life, too, but they're not le-letting him have it! ", Rory said and was calming down.
" And, you want to help him get one? ", Erin asked.
" That's why I tease him. Push him. Drive him up the fucking wall. So he can get the strength t-to finally demand one. At least one of us will have a fu-future. ", Rory said as he stopped shaking and she held him closer, " I'm getting you all wet and sticky. ".
" That's ok. Anyway, Michael would be crushed if you weren't here. I mean who'd translate for him? ", Erin asked and he looked at her.
" Is that all I am? His interpreter? ", Rory sighed and she stroked his hair.
" No. I think you're his best friend. I don't he ever had one before. ", Erin said.
" Well, he could have done worse then me. ", Rory said half smiling and she laughed.
" Got that right. ", Erin teased and he looked at her. His eyes were red and puffy as she brushed the hair from his eyes and he sniffed, " Now, lets go get you cleaned up. Afterwards, I'll take you to where the nurses sleep and I'll use my hairdryer on this hair of yours. Make you look really handsome. ".
" Sounds like a good idea to me. ", Rory said as she held him and felt his heart slowing down.
" All right then. ", Erin said.
She rested Rory against his wheelchair when she got up and went to get the lift chair. Rory smiled at her when she placed him in the wheelchair then moved the wheelchair to the shower chair and gave Rory his shower.
" Lucky seven, hunh? ", Rory asked.
" Yep. ", Erin said as she washed him and both of them smiled.
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Eileen had been waiting for them when Erin pushed the wheelchair down the hallway and they looked at her. Erin had gotten his pajamas from his room before giving him the shower and had changed her uniform. Eileen led them into Rory's room where Annie examined him after Erin put him under the blankets and Eileen walked closer. Both noticed the needle when Rory frowned and made his eyes into tight slits.
" What are you going to do with that? ", Rory asked.
" I had gone to see if you were all right and heard most of what you said in the shower room. ", Eileen said.
" So, you're going to dope me up so I don't do myself injury, is that it? ", Rory asked.
" No. This is just to help you sleep. I think you've had enough for one day. ", Eileen said but Rory wasn't convinced.
Neither was Erin.
Eileen injected the sedative into Rory as he sighed and Eileen and Annie walked to the door.
" Erin? Lets go. ", Annie said.
" I would like to stay until he falls asleep. ", Erin said and Eileen nodded. They left the room as he looked at her and Rory sighed.
" I really don't like her. ", Rory said then yawned and she brushed his hair back.
" I'm not too pleased with her either. ", Erin said when Rory slowly closed his eyes and she tried hard not to cry.
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Erin let go of his fingers when she walked to the door then walked out into the hallway and Tommy and Michael looked at her.
" Oh! Hi guys.", Erin said.
" Is Rory ok? ", Tommy asked.
" Yes. ", Erin said.
" Can we go in and see him? ", Tommy asked.
" Don't think so. He's been through the ringer today. Best let him get some sleep. ", Erin said.
" Oh. Ok. Lets go, Michael. ", Tommy said when they left and Erin turned and looked back into the room. She closed the door when she sighed and walked down the hallway.
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Rory felt like he was being watched when he half opened his eyes and looked to his right. Michael was sitting by the bed as the light from the open door shined behind him and Rory half smiled. Michael was looking at something when Rory sighed and Michael looked up.
" How long have you been there? ", Rory asked.
" A little while. ", Michael mumbled.
" So, what are you doing? ", Rory asked.
" Reading. ", Michael mumbled.
" Oh. ", Rory sighed.
" You ok? ", Michael asked.
" Yeah. ", Rory said.
" Annie said that Cathy can't eat in the dining hall anymore. ", Michael mumbled and Rory half smiled.
" Well, that's good to know. ", Rory sighed then yawned and Michael looked at him, " Sorry. So, anyway, can I ask you something? ".
" Sure. ", Michael mumbled.
" Am I your best friend? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled.
" Why? I mean there are others here that are more interesting then me. ", Rory said.
" No, there isn't! ", Michael mumbled and Rory noticed that he was getting mad.
" No? I mean all I do is tell people what you're talking about. ", Rory said.
" That's not all you do. ", Michael mumbled.
" Well, I also tease you. Drive you up the wall. Get you into trouble. What kind of best friend is that? ", Rory asked.
" Mine. ", Michael mumbled and Rory felt like he was going to cry again.
" Well, I'm a hell of a lot worse. Believe me! You sure you want to hang around with me? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah! ", Michael mumbled.
" All right then. So, you are really reading that? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. I'll show you. ", Michael mumbled then flipped back to where he had started reading and Rory frowned.
" You're going to read to me? ", Rory asked.
" Yeah. ", Michael mumbled and Rory was stunned.
Maybe this isn't such a bad day after all., Rory thought.
" You sure you want to? ", Rory asked and Michael laughed.
" Yes! ", Michael mumbled and Rory smiled.
" Thing is, what if I fall asleep? ", Rory asked.
" Then I'll just have to read it to you again tomorrow. ", Michael mumbled then smiled and Rory rolled his eyes.
" Fine. Go on. ", Rory said when Michael started reading and the stars twinkled outside the window.
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The End........