Gravitation

Struggling Towards Normalcy

Chapter 4 – Worse Than Originally Thought

By: C-Chan

 

Disclaimer: *Sigh* I searched my whole house, but I couldn’t find anything saying I owned Gravitation.  I guess that means I don’t. ^^

 

 

            When Friday came, Shuichi was a nervous wreck, to put it mildly.  Yuki had noticed the steady change in the singer’s attitude, was a bit frightened.  No long was Shuichi the annoying, pink-haired baka Yuki loved; he was quiet and antisocial.  When his band mates came over the day after to talk to him, Shuichi barely spoke a word.  And then when he woke up Friday morning, Yuki was surprised to find Shuichi crying.  When he asked the singer what was wrong, his answer was a simple “Nothing.”

 

            Shuichi smiled politely when the therapist came to greet him.  She was a bit older than Yuki, with short, red hair and gentle blue eyes.  According her nametag her name was ‘Johnson Samantha’.  She’s foreign…Shuichi thought as he watched her fill out some papers.

“Now Shuichi,” She said in slightly accented Japanese, smiling at him.  “I know you’re scared.  To be honest, rehabilitation is a tough road to follow, but as long as you stick with it and don’t give up, you should do just fine.”

“Aa.” Shuichi replied, lowering his head a bit.

            Yuki was sitting outside in the waiting room because of policy, but even if he was so near Shuichi was nervous.  No, nervous would be an understatement.

            Samantha wheeled Shuichi over to a small desk and sat down next to him.  “We’re going to do a few tests to see if anything else is affected.  Then I’ll explain the rehabilitation process and set up a schedule for you.”

“O-okay…” Shuichi said, managing a small smile.

            The tests were similar to the test the doctor did in the hospital, complete with the weird disked pen.  After a few of those and some scribbling in her notebook.

“Ano, Johnson-san...” Shuichi said, stumbling a bit on the last name.

“Please, call me Sam.” She interrupted.

“Sam…do you think I’ll be able to walk again?” He asked softly, turning questioning amethyst eyes to hers.
            Sam’s face became serious as she turned to Shuichi and placed her hands over his.  “I’m all about honesty Shuichi, and I won’t lie to you.  I think there is a good chance that you will walk again, but that’s only if you work hard.  That means you have to show up and be willing to work.  But, I can’t make you any promises.  This could be permanent.”

“That’s what the doctor said.” The singer said, lowering his head.

“Hey, cheer up!  We have three weeks of rehab until you can start worrying!” Sam said, smiling again.

            Shuichi couldn’t help but smile.  Sam wasn’t as bad as he originally thought.

“Alright, what days are good for you to come?  Should I ask your friend to come in to discuss this as well?”
”N-no…” Shuichi replied.

“How about three times a week to start?  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday…does that sound good?” Sam asked, looking at her notepad.

“Sure.” Shuichi shrugged.  It wasn’t like he had anything else to do.

“Alright…those days at the same time as today?  Sound good?” Sam asked, scribbling down the days.

            Shuichi shrugged again, and Sam wrote again.  When she was done, she turned her brightest smile on Shuichi. “Good.  I’ll expect you here on time, young man!”

            Shuichi nodded, thinking briefly that Sam reminded her of someone’s mother.  She placed down her notepad and turned to Shuichi, reaching for one of his legs.  “I want to do another test, alright?”

            She gently rolled up the pant leg of his leg and began massaging the muscles, moving up and down slowly.  She then did the same on the knee, pressing harder each time.  “Can you feel any of this, honey?” She asked after a while.

“No.” Shuichi frowned.

“Hmmm…” Sam moved on to the next leg and did the same, once again getting the same results.

“Alright, that’s all for now!” She announced afterwards, standing up.  “I’ll expect you here on Monday!”
”Hai.” Shuichi mumbled as she wheeled him out of the room.

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

            The ride home was silent, which unnerved Yuki to no end.  The brat didn’t give him any details about the therapist visit!  Was there good news?  Bad news?  Both?

            When they arrived at the apartment, Yuki was going to find out.  And that’s what he did, over dinner.

“So, how’d it go?” He asked around a mouthful of Chinese food.

            Shuichi played a bit with his rice, shrugging.  “She said the same thing as the doctor.”

“Oh?  So when do you have to see her next?” The novelist continued, trying to act as if he didn’t care too much.

“Monday.” Shuichi replied softly, placing his chopsticks down.

            Yuki raised an eyebrow as he watched his lover.  On top of all the other changes in the young man, he wasn’t eating as much.  It was obvious when his clothes, that were normally a bit big on him anyway, started looking baggier than usual.

            And so, the silence lasted until bedtime.  Yuki helped Shuichi change into something and got him situated in bed.  The novelist kissed him gently on the head before mumbling goodnight and falling asleep immediately.  Sleep didn’t come to Shuichi that soon, however.

            Shuichi rolled over and stared at the far wall.  It’s getting worse. He thought, frowning.  When she was touching my leg…when the doctor did that at the hospital, I could feel something above my knee…this time…I couldn’t….

            The singer wiped a tear as it slid down his face.  I hope it’s just me.

 

 

----To Be Continued----