Secrets 3: The Road to the Future

Devin and I got up early on Friday and walked to the dining hall for breakfast, as we normally would.  Devin didn't eat as much as usual this morning, though, because he was excited, and maybe a little nervous about finally getting the operation to remove the titanium plates and screws from his shoulder.  After we finished eating, I walked to my class and Devin went back to the house to wait until it was time to go to the hospital. 

As the appointment hour approached, he drove to the campus and waited for me to get out of class, and then he drove us over to the hospital.  After parking in the three-story garage, I walked with him to the pre-op area and stayed there for as long as the hospital staff allowed, before I was asked to leave.  That's when I walked out to the parking garage, got in the SUV, and headed back to the house.  After leaving the SUV in the driveway, I walked to campus to attend my next class. 

After my next two classes ended, I walked back to the house, got in the SUV, and drove back to the hospital to see how Devin was doing.  He was still in the recovery room when I arrived, so I went to the surgical waiting room until someone came out to let me know that I could see him. 

It seemed as if I waited there forever before his doctor walked into the waiting area and greeted me .

"How did the operation go?" I asked. 

"He's doing fine and I should be able to release him shortly so he can go home with you.  I'm just making sure that he doesn't have any ill effects from the anesthesia."

"Can I see him before you release him, or do I have to wait?"

"I'm afraid you'll have to remain here, because only medical personnel are allowed in the recovery room."

"Ok, I just wanted to ask to be sure."

"I understand and I'll bring him out just as soon as he's ready to leave."

Approximately forty minutes later I saw the doctor headed my way, and this time he was walking ahead of an orderly that was pushing a wheelchair with Devin in it.  I wanted to race over and hug Devin, but I didn't dare because I didn't want to do anything that might prolong his healing process or delay our trip home for the holiday.  Instead, I merely walked over to greet him and ask how he was doing, and then I stood beside him as the doctor covered Devin's post-surgical instructions.

As soon as everything had been covered, the orderly wheeled Devin down to the exit.  At that point, I moved to Devin's right side so I could help him walk to the parking garage and get in the SUV.  After taking the elevator up to the third level, I walked him to the SUV and made sure that he was buckled in first, before I started the SUV and carefully backed out of the parking space. 

"Didn't you go to your other classes?" Devin asked as I was pulling out of the parking garage.

"Yes, I did.  Why are you asking me that, because I told you I'd be back after my classes ended."

"I know, but weren't you parked in the same place as this morning?"

"It may have been the same general area, and I might have even parked in the same spot as this morning, or close to it, but I left to go to my classes after I dropped you off, and then I returned.  So, how are you feeling?"

"I'm doing ok, but I'm still a little groggy.  I might have misled the doctor slightly and lied about how I was feeling, because I wanted to make sure he was going to release me, but I know I'll be fine.  I'm just relieved that he took all of that hardware out of my shoulder."

"I just hope that any pain you might still have to endure is worth it then."

When we reached the house, I made Devin rest on the couch and not move around too much.  "Are you hungry?"

"Not yet.  My stomach is still a little queasy."  

"Ok, I was going to heat up a can of soup for you, but we can wait and go to the dining hall for supper later."

"I'm not sure I'm ready for dining hall food." 

"Ok, then let me know when you decide what you want to eat.  If it's something I can make for you, then I'll do it, but if not, then I can run to the store to get what we need or we can call in an order.  If we do that, I can run out and pick it up or I can have it delivered instead, it just depends on where we order it from."

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

"Yes, if it will ensure that you'll eat at the same time I do."

"Ok, then give me a chance to think about what I want." 

I thought Devin might choose something bland, that wouldn't upset his stomach, but he wanted pizza instead.  I managed to talk him out of getting pepperoni or sausage on it and suggested that he have mushrooms and black olives instead.  Once he agreed, I called in our order and had it delivered, so I wouldn't have to leave him alone.

Since we didn't have any lettuce for a salad, I opened a can of green beans that we had in the cupboards and heated them up in the microwave as soon as the pizza arrived, and then we sat down to eat.  I kept an eye on Devin to make sure he wasn't having any problems, but he seemed to be doing fine, so we finished our meal in silence.

When we were done eating, I had Devin rest on the couch while I washed the dishes that we'd used, and then I helped him go upstairs so he could rest in our bed. 

"I want to shower first," he announced as soon as we reached the second floor. 

"I don't think that's a good idea.  There's the chance that you might slip and fall, since you seem so weak, and then your instinctive reaction to what's happening could rip open your incision and expose the area to infection.  Besides those things, there's also the possibility of broken bones or a concussion if you were to fall."

"Quit worrying so much, because the chances of any of those things happening are extremely low."

"I disagree, but if you're determined to do it, then we'll have to take a few precautions first.  The bandages that are currently covering your incision aren't waterproof, so we'll have to replace them with bandages that are."

"Do we even have any of those or are you going to have to run out to buy them?"

"There are a few that were left over from when you were operated on after the accident and I didn't throw them out.  We'll have to buy more later, although not today.  Just give me a minute and I'll go get them so I can cover you incision with them before you do this."  

I then went to the linen closet where we keep the medical supplies and retrieved a couple of the large waterproof bandages.  I used two of the bandages to protect the incisions, and then I got in the shower with him to make sure that he didn't lose his balance when bending down to wash his legs and feet. 

As he was washing his upper torso, another problem occurred.  "This isn't going to work, because I can feel the skin pulling against the stitches when I use my left hand to wash the right side of my body."

"Then you're going to have to let me wash you instead, because if you continue trying to do it, you might cause the incision to reopen."

After I finished making sure Devin was clean, and since I was already in the shower, I decided to wash up as well.  I did it quickly, but I also stayed focused on Devin at the same time, to make certain he wasn't having any problems while waiting for me.  As soon as I was done, I helped Devin get out of the shower and dried him off, and then I dried myself off as well. 

As soon as we were both dry, we put on boxer briefs and a t-shirt first, and I had to help Devin carefully slip his left arm into the sleeve of the t-shirt before pulling it over his head.  We followed a similar routine while putting on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, since it was a little chilly in the house, and then we got into bed together.  I slept on his right side and didn't dare cuddle with him, and I hoped I didn't do that unconsciously during the night, since it's something that I'm used to doing every night.

When we awoke the next morning, I explained what we were going to do.  "I'll help you get dressed first, and then I'll do the same.  After that, I'll throw a few items into our duffle bags to take home with us, and then we'll hop in the SUV and head home.  I don't think you should drive, because it might be too much strain on the incision, so I'll drive the entire way." 

"Seeing I couldn't wash myself or get dressed without your help, I agree that I won't be able to drive either, but you're not used to driving that far."

"I know, but I'll get a break when we stop at the diner for breakfast, and that should be good enough to make it possible for me to drive the rest of the way."

"I hope so, and I'll do all I can to make sure you don't doze off."

I was glad when we reached the diner and had a hearty meal.  I also did something I don't usually do, which was that I had a couple cups of coffee while I was eating.  When we finished our meals, we got back in the SUV and set out on the second leg of the trip home. 

We arrived just before noon, and after we'd both said hello to my parents, my mom made a comment.  "I fixed lunch for all of us, but since I wasn't sure what time you'd arrive, it's not quite ready yet.  You can sit down and chat with your father while I finish up."

Seeing mom had gone to all that trouble, I talked Devin into eating lunch with us, but I had an ulterior motive for doing this as well.  As we were eating, I explained the situation to my parents and asked a question. 

"Devin had an operation yesterday and the doctor told him to take it easy and not do anything strenuous that might undo the stitches for a few days, and I feel that driving fits into that category.  Would you mind if I drove him to the cabin, so he doesn't have to call one of his parents to pick him up?"

"Devin, why did you have another operation?" my dad asked, seeing I'd failed to mention this fact to him when I called to say we wouldn't be driving home until Saturday.

"It was so the doctor could remove the titanium plates and screws that he used when repairing my shoulder after the accident."

"Why did you have him remove those things?  Why couldn't you just leave them there?"

"It was because my shoulder had totally healed and those items were affecting my ability to transition.  I couldn't exactly tell the doctor that in order to get him to agree to remove them, so I had to fake a few symptoms to convince him instead."

"Oh, I see now and it's beginning to make sense.  However, since Michael has driven all the way from Fort Collins already, why don't you stay with us tonight and then Michael can drive you to the cabin after breakfast in the morning."

"Yeah, that makes more sense, since I was worried about him driving for so long," Devin agreed before I could respond. 

"And you don't think Ma and Pa will be upset that you didn't make it there, seeing you can't call them." 

"If they get worried, then they'll call here.  They might just think the doctor made me spend the night in the hospital before he released me, since they already knew that I was going to have the operation yesterday, so I think we're ok."

Seeing that had been agreed to, we continued eating our lunch, and when we finished, I took our duffel bags up to my room.  When I came back downstairs, I joined them in the living room so we could chat with my parents.  They asked us a bunch of questions about how our classes were going and how we were doing academically, and then my mom began asking what we wanted for Christmas.  That discussion took a lot longer, because Mom kept pushing us to give her more ideas.  I feel she might have continued this all night, but Dad turned on the TV so he could watch one of the college football games. 

Devin and I decided to watch it with him, and when it ended, he explained what he wanted us to do next. 

"Go get ready, because I'm going to take us all out for supper.  Devin, I watched you while you were eating your lunch and noticed how you were avoiding using your left arm, so do you think you'll be able to handle eating in public?"

"Yes, but maybe not steak.  I'm not sure I'd be able to use both hands to cut anything like that, so maybe a restaurant where I can just eat using my right hand."

"That won't be necessary, because I'll cut it for you," I offered. 

"I don't mind you doing that for me at home, but not in a restaurant.  I'd feel like a little kid again." 

"What if we order the same thing, and I'll cut up the meat on the plate the server gives me first, and then we'll just swap plates.  Just push your plate between us before I'm done, and then I'll hand you the plate with the steak that I'd just cut up before I slide the other plate in front of me.  I don't think that will be as obvious as having the server set both plates in front of me so I can do that for you."

"Ok, but I'm still going to feel like a little kid." 

"Not a little kid, just an injured one," I teased.

We pulled that off without attracting any attention, so Devin was able to eat without feeling too self-conscious. We actually had a wonderful meal after that, and when we finished eating, we returned home. 

Devin and I decided to watch TV with my parents, and during one of the commercials, Dad made another suggestion. 

"You can drive Devin to the cabin after we have breakfast together.  I know you're going to want to spend some time with Aaron and Doris as well, so why don't you stay with them overnight.  I'm sure they won't mind if you do that, and then drive back here the next morning.  Devin will be able to ride back here with his parents when they come to celebrate Thanksgiving with us."

"Ok, that works for me," I confirmed, "and just so you know, we'll be leaving the day after Thanksgiving to return to Fort Collins."

"Why so soon?"

"It's because we have something important that we have to do on Friday, and it's only a day earlier than we'd normally return to campus anyway.  Besides, both mom and Ma will be busy taking advantage of the Black Friday sales, and you and Pa will be watching the football games and betting on them."

"We don't bet much, just enough to make the games interesting," Dad insisted.

"Yeah, I know, but this way you and Pa will be able to do it in peace and quiet, without me, Devin, or Mom and Ma around to bother you."

The commercial ended, so we went back to watching the show, and when it ended, we went upstairs to get ready for bed.  "I want to shower first," Devin announced when we reached my room.  "Do you have any more of those waterproof bandages?"

"I think the two you currently have on will hold, but if they come off, then I have two more in my duffel bag.  We should stop at a drug store on the way to the cabin, though, and pick up some more."

I showered with him again, just like we'd done when he returned to the house in Fort Collins after the operation, but this time he was much steadier on his feet.  I washed him again, just to make certain he didn't pull the stitches loose, and after I'd taken care of him, I washed myself.  When I finished, I helped Devin out and then I toweled each of us dry, and then I wrapped one towel around Devin's waist and the other around mine, so we could go back to my room. 

When we got there, we each put on a clean pair of boxer briefs, and then I helped him put on a t-shirt, before I put on one myself, and then we got into bed.  Once again, I slept on his right side, but this time I took a chance and cuddled with him, but I only wrapped my arm across his waist, and then we gradually fell asleep. 

When we woke up, I helped Devin get dressed before dressing myself, and then I packed an overnight bag for myself.  When that was taken care of, I  carried it and Devin's duffel bag downstairs when we went to have breakfast with my parents.  "I hope you're both hungry, because I've made a variety of items this morning," Mom said shortly after we sat down. 

"It all looks good," Devin confirmed after she'd placed everything on the table, "so I'm going to try a little of each."

"You'd better have more than a little of each, or else my husband will be stuffing himself with what's left."

"Ok, I'll eat as much as I can."

We chowed down and chatted for the better part of an hour, and it was all as delicious as it looked.  When we finally pushed away from the table, Mom looked at us and smiled.  "You did great."

"That's because it was all so good," Devin responded. 

Now that we were finished, we said goodbye to my parents, and then I picked up both of our bags and carried them out to the SUV.  After I tossed them onto the backseat, I helped Devin buckle in and then I walked around and got in the driver's seat so we could head to the cabin.  Along the way, I stopped at a drugstore and picked up more large waterproof bandages, and then I drove the rest of the way to the cabin. 

As soon as we arrived there, I carried both of our bags, along with the bag with our purchase from the drug store, as we went inside and said hello to Ma and Pa. 

"Why did you drive Devin here this time.  Wasn't he capable of doing it himself?" Pa asked. 

"Didn't he tell you about having an operation?" I asked confused.

"Yes, he told us he was having the plates and screws removed from his shoulder when he called me at work to make sure we hadn't changed our insurance coverage."

"Well, he had the surgery yesterday and the doctor said he should take it easy for a while and not do anything strenuous.  I thought driving the SUV would be strenuous for him and I didn't want him to do anything that might reopen the incision, so I also drove all the way back to my house."

"That was probably a good idea," Pa responded, "and I'm glad that you're looking out for him."

"Thank you.  And since I'd driven so far already, my parents said it would be best if we stayed there last night, and then I could drive him here this morning.  If it's ok with you, I'll stay here tonight, and then I'll drive home in the morning.  My dad said Devin would be able to ride back with you when you come to our house for Thanksgiving, since I'll have to use the SUV to get back home.  Just so you know, we'll be leaving for Fort Collins on Black Friday."

"You know you're always welcome to stay with us and you don't have to ask," Pa agreed. 

"Yes, you're always welcome to stay here," Ma chimed in, "but why are you two going back so early?"

"It's because we have a commitment in Fort Collins on Friday.  We have friends coming to there so they can go to the football game with us on Saturday, and it's only a day sooner than we'd normally go back.  You and my mom will be shopping all that day anyways, and Pa and my dad will be watching football, so we wouldn't be spending much time with you on Friday anyway, even if we stayed one more day."

"I guess I didn't consider all of the things you just mentioned, so you're correct.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going upstairs to see if Devin needs anything, since I saw him carrying his duffle bag up to his room while we've been chatting."

"Oh, I wish I'd realized what he was doing, because I would have gone with him" I said. 

"Why?  What difference would that make?"

"I've been walking behind him when he's going up the stairs and in front of him when he's walking down the stairs, just in case he lost his balance and started to fall.  That way I'm there to prevent him from tumbling down the stairs.  I started doing it after he'd commented that he was a little dizzy when I brought him home from the hospital, and then I just got in the habit of doing it for him."

"Ok, I understand now, but he appeared to be doing fine."

After talking with Ma and Pa a little longer, I grabbed my bag and the plastic bag with the waterproof bandages before I went up to spent some time with Devin in his room.  He was a little tired, so I laid down on his right side and cuddled with him, but I made certain that my arm was only wrapped around his waist again, so I didn't come into contact with his incision. 

Devin actually dozed off and slept for about an hour, and when he woke up, we went downstairs together and I explained to them about what had happened.  They didn't have a problem with us being gone for that time, so we sat down and began chatting with them.  

Ma kept getting up and going out to the kitchen to check on the things that she had in the oven for supper, but then she'd come back to rejoin us.  When I noticed that she was taking items out of the oven, I excused myself and went out to see if I could give her a hand as she brought the food to the table so we could eat.

"Seeing you boys are going to be leaving the day after Thanksgiving, I think we'll drive to your house on Wednesday so we'll have a little more time to spend with you," Ma stated. 

"And we'll be back for Christmas and New Year's in a few weeks as well."

"Yes, Christmas is just a month off as well," Pa added, "and the school that Doris works for has the entire week of Thanksgiving off, the same as CSU.  My dad's and my businesses were only going to be open for a half day anyway, so that will work out fine.  I'll even take everyone out for supper that evening."

"I'm sure my parents will be very grateful, since I believe they have to work their normal hours on Wednesday."

After we finished eating, we agreed to play a game, so Ma went out to get the game ‘Sorry!'  She felt it would be easier for Devin to play, since he could do everything with his right hand and not have to use his left arm to play the game.  We did that until Devin got tired, and then we said goodnight to Ma and Pa and went up to his room to turn in for the rest of the night.

When we woke up the next morning, I had breakfast with Devin and his parents first, and then I grabbed my overnight bag, tossed it in the SUV, and drove it back to my house in Jamesville.  Not only did I need it to return home, but it would also be at my house when Devin and I were ready to return to Fort Collins on Black Friday. 

My parents were already at work by the time I arrived, and since it was nearly noon, I thought I'd go out to get a sub.  However, before I left, I checked the freezer to see what meat was there.  I found some boneless pork chops in freezer bags that I could use, so I took them out and placed them in a bowl of cold water to thaw.  I then looked up a few recipes online, because I wanted to prepare a special supper for my parents. 

I headed to the grocery story first, so I could do some shopping for tonight's supper, and when I finished shopping, I made one more stop to pick up a sub before returning to the house.  As soon as the pork chops had thawed, I soaked them in milk next, since I'd read online that doing this would help to tenderize the meat and help prevent it from overcooking.  Once that was taken care of, I sat down to eat my sub. 

When I finished my lunch, I took the pork chops out of the milk and placed them in the honey sesame sauce to marinate.  I'd leave them there for as long as possible before I placed them in a baking dish and put in the oven. 

I then peeled several potatoes and cut them into slices, and then I placed the slices in rows in a rectangular baking dish.  I chopped up an onion and minced some garlic as well, so I could spread those around in the baking dish with the potatoes.  I then used butter, flour, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and a little salt and pepper to make a creamy sauce that I poured over the items in the baking dish.  When the sauce was evenly distributed over the contents, I set the baking dish in the refrigerator until I was ready to place it in the over. 

Before my parents were expected to be home from work, I set the oven to 350 degrees (177 C) to preheat, Once the oven wass ready, I placed the baking dish with the potatoes au gratin in the oven.  Fifteen minutes after that, I placed the other baking dish with the boneless pork chops inside to cook.  Everything was ready by the time my parents' SUV pulled in the driveway.

Mom immediately sniffed the air when she entered the house and then asked a question.  "What is that delicious smell?"

"It's boneless pork chops that I marinated in a honey sesame sauce and au gratin potatoes, and we're also having a green salad with it.  I just took the pork chops and potatoes out of the oven, so you and Dad have time to freshen up a bit while those dishes cool."

When they came downstairs a short time later, I prepared their plates and carried them out to the table.  "I've given each of us a pork chop, and there's one left over that I can cut up if you want more later.  I've also added a decent size scoop of au gratin potatoes on your plate, and there's plenty more if you want seconds.  We each have a salad as well, and I've placed the dressings on the table so you can choose whichever one you prefer.  Oh, and I have a low-calorie frozen yogurt raspberry cheesecake and fresh raspberries for dessert

"It sounds and smells absolutely wonderful and I'm eager to try it."

"What kind of lettuce is this?" Dad asked.  "It doesn't look like either iceberg or romaine lettuce."

"It's sweet butter lettuce, and I also added several black olives and a couple of tomato wedges, along with some croutons." 

"Damn, you went all out."

"And I hope you enjoy it."

"The pork chop is very tasty and quite moist," Mom observed. 

"That's because I soaked them in milk before marinating.  I read online that soaking the pork chops in milk first helps prevens them from overcooking, and it obviously also prevents them from drying out."

"It's quite good," Dad added, "and the potatoes are delicious as well.  I also like this lettuce."

"I'm glad, because I was a little worried how you'd react to something different."

"You did a wonderful job," Mom confirmed.

"And I'm looking forward to the dessert," Dad added. 

When they finished what I'd put on their plates, Mom wanted a little more, and Dad concurred, so I cut the remaining pork chop into three equal portions for us to share.  I also divided up what remained of the au gratin potatoes between us, since I'd only put about half a helping on each plate until I'd made sure my parents liked it first. 

I cleared the plates and salad bowls from the table, and then I got three bowls out of the cupboard for dessert.  I placed a scoop of frozen yogurt raspberry cheesecake in each bowl and surrounded it with fresh raspberries before I used a platter to carry the bowls out to the table.

"Are you sure this is low-calorie?" Mom asked, "Because it's delicious.'

"Yes, I'm sure it is, and I'm glad you think it tastes good."

"I do too," Dad replied, "and I think adding the fresh raspberries was a nice touch.  Is there enough so we can have a little more?"

"I think we'd better save the rest until tomorrow evening," I replied, much to his chagrin."

After we finished out desserts, I told my parents to go into the living room and relax while I washed the dishes. When I joined them later, we watched TV for a while, and then they went up to bed.  I followed them a short time later, because I was so bored without Devin here.