Chapter 3

Paybacks

The doctor came into Bosco’s room. “Glad to see you’re awake. Officer Yokas, can you step out into the hall for a few minutes? I have a few more tests for our patient here.”

“She can stay,” Bosco chimed in rather quickly, with a trace of panic in his voice. Both the doctor and Faith looked at him.

“Yeah, OK I’ll stay if it’s all right with the good doctor,” Faith said as she went around to the other side of the hospital bed, and held onto Bosco’s good hand.

“Looks like I’m out numbered,” the doctor said with a smile. “All right, Maurice. I’m just going to perform a few simple tests, and ask you a few questions. I would have done these earlier, but they’re kinda difficult to perform when the patient is unconscious.”

Faith gave a little chuckle at the doctor’s attempt at humor, but Bosco just nodded his head in agreement. His head was really starting to throb, and he wanted to get this over with so he could sleep.

The doctor moved closer to Bosco’s bed. “Now, I want you to tell me how many fingers I’m holding up.”

“Three.”

“Good. Is your vision blurry at all? Be honest.”

“A little.”

“Any double vision?”

“No.”

“Your vision will clear up eventually, but if it gets any worse you need to let one of the nurses know. Now follow my finger with your eyes.” The doctor began moving his finger back and forth across Bosco’s line of vision. After the second pass Bosco closed his eyes. “Maurice?”

“Sorry, my eyes hurt, and I can’t keep up.” Bosco looked dejected; his chin was resting on his chest. Faith was worried. She didn’t know which was worse; Bosco's mental or physical state.

“That’s OK Maurice. It’s expected with your type of head injury. In fact you’re doing quite well considering.”

“I don’t feel so good.” Bosco said as he laid his head back on the pillow, and wrapped his arms around his stomach. He closed his eyes, and moaned.

“We can continue this later.”

Bosco took a deep breath. “No, I’m fine. Keep going.”

“What day is it?”

“Uh...Friday.”

“Well technically it’s Saturday, but we’ll give you that one since you’ve been unconscious since Friday. What’s the last thing you remember before waking up?”

Bosco closed his eyes and thought long and hard before responding. “Roll call. Then, uh, letting Faith drive the squad.” Both the doctor and Bosco looked at Faith. She could see the panic in her partner’s eyes. She gave his hand a squeeze to comfort him.

“That was Friday afternoon at the beginning of our shift.” Yokas informed the doctor.

“OK,” the doctor looked at Bosco, and saw how worn out his patient looked. “Well, we’ll call it quits for now, and let you get some rest. The nurses will be coming in and out to check on you, and as soon as we get the swelling to go down we’re going to put a cast on your left wrist. So just settle in and enjoy the hospitality.”

“Thanks,” Faith replied as Bosco yawned.

“Tired Bos?”

“Yup.”

“How’s your head?”

“Feels like it’s gonna explode.” His eyes began to close as he started to drift to sleep.

“You just try to get some rest OK.” She kissed his forehead, let go of his hand, and started to walk around the bed.

“You aren’t leaving are you?” Faith could hear the fear in his voice.

“No Bos. I’m just going to move that chair over here so I can sit down.”

“Just don’t leave me,” he paused, “Please.”

Faith smiled reassuringly at her partner, “I’m not going anywhere.”

It was breaking her heart to see him like this. Her once strong and fearless partner was now weak and frightened.