More Repercussions

Part 2

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Brian drove to the loft, obviously upset.

He grabbed some of Justin's clothes and some for himself. Then, got Justin's books and computer. This isn't fair. He finally moved on, thought Brian. He was in school and drawing again, not like before but close. Now this. If I ever see Hobbs again, he fumed under his breath.

"I'll stop at the diner to get a sandwich and fill everyone in," Brian thought to himself. "Good, his mom is back," Brian said, getting out of the jeep when he noticed her car.

"Brian, how is he?" Debbie yelled when she saw him come in. Jennifer turned, obviously shaken. They were surrounded by the gang and everyone was staring at Brian.

"He's better. They admitted him, he's asleep. I went home to get some stuff. I'm on my way back," Brian said, his hand on Jennifer's arm.

"What is it? Debbie said he was spitting up blood," Jennifer asked. Her voice cracked on the last word.

"Deb, could I get some sandwiches to go, please?" Brian said.

"For you or for Sunshine?"

"Me, he won't be eating for awhile," answered Brian.

He turned back to Jennifer, "I'll tell you everything. Sit Down."

Everyone moved away to give them some privacy.

"You don't have to go, you all should know this. You're his family now, too," Jennifer told them.

"He has a bleeding ulcer," Brian began.

"My God! He's only nineteen!" Ted said, incredulously.

"They believe it is from the medication," Brian continued.

"Which one?" Jennifer asked.

"The anti-convulsant," Brian replied. He and Jennifer exchanged sad looks.

"I didn't know he was on medication. Does he have seizures?" Lindsay asked.

"When his hand shakes, it's like a seizure. The medication makes it less pronounced, less frequent, and less painful," Jennifer explained. "It is focalized, similar to Jacksonian seizures, localized to a specific set of muscles. It could also be considered trauma epilepsy which is seizures due to trauma."

"They've taken him off the meds," Brian resumed.

"For, how long?" wondered Jennifer nervously.

"For good."

"Oh no! He must be so upset," she cried. Tears formed in her eyes.

"Yeah, for someone so weak, he sure had quite a little tantrum there. They had to sedate him," said Brian.

"Why is he upset? Won't he start to feel better now?" Michael questioned.

"Yes, that's the good news. They don't think there's any permanent damage from the ulcer. It will take time to heal and he'll be on a special diet for a while at least. But he'll be okay," Brian stated.

"What's the bad news?" Emmett asked worried.

"Without the medication, his hand will get worse and won't be able to draw, not even on that beautiful computer Brian bought him," answered Jennifer, somberly.

"Poor Justin," Lindsay says, understanding better than anyone how hard that would be.

"Let's go," Brian said to Jennifer. "I'm sure he'll feel better seeing you. Where's Molly?"

"She's with a neighbor. I'll call and see if she can stay the night. Justin must be upset to be in the hospital again," Jennifer answered.

"I plan on staying the night. I've already got my stuff in the jeep," reassured Brian.

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"Where's Sunshine?" Debbie asked.

"He's not coming. He said his hand is not too shaky today, so he's working on an assignment," explained Brian.

"So his hand isn't too bad then?" Ben asked.

"Well, I don't know, it's pretty good this morning but it was jumping around quite a bit while he was sleeping last night," Brian said.

"Does it wake him up?" wondered Emmett. "I hope he's not getting overtired."

"No, he usually sleeps through it, but he's having nightmares and headaches again." Brian explained.

"Poor, Sunshine," sighed Debbie.

"He's trying to pretend things are okay, that nothing has changed but his hand is getting worse all the time," Brian continued.

"How bad will it get?" Michael asked.

"I don't know, he was on the medication since before he came out of the coma," Brian explained. "It's only been a month. I don't think the doctor's know for sure either."

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"Hey, Deb," mumbled Brian taking a seat at the counter.

"Jen just called, she's stuck in traffic but she's almost here."

"It's bad out there today. I'm not in a hurry, anyway. Could I get some coffee?"

"Sure, Kiddo."

"Are you just going to ignore us?" Emmett hollered.

Brian turned and saw the guys dressed in drag. "I didn't notice you, but maybe I SHOULD ignore you. What the hell are you doing?"

"We're in rehearsals for the fundraiser. Em thought we needed to be more believable. So he insisted we come out in public this way to practice," answered Michael.

Ted crouched down in his seat waiting for Brian to start teasing.

Brian slumped down next to Emmett and kissed him on the cheek," "Hello, Gorgeous."

"Why Mr. Kinney you're such a charmer," Emmett replied.

Brian continued to drink his coffee without another word. Ted couldn't stand it any longer, "Come on just say it," he challenged.

"What?"

"There is no way that Brian Kinney is going to pass on the chance to comment on me in this get up," continued Ted.

"Well, you got lucky, I don't feel like it today," sighed Brian.

Just then, Gus came running to him and jumped at Brian.

"Dada!"

Brian caught him and couldn't help but smile. Gus looked at Michael, Emmett, and Ted and then looked away shyly.

"Hi Gus!" Michael said.

"Mika" giggled Gus.

Melanie and Lindsay looked at the guys and laughed. "Good afternoon, ladies," laughed Mel.

"Would you like to come shopping with us?" asked Lindsay.

"NO!" Michael and Ted answered at the same time.

"Maybe," corrected Emmett.

Lindsay watched Brian and Gus as they played with their hands.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the day? Aren't the executives, oh, excuse me, the partners supposed to set an example?" teased Lindsay.

"Huh?"

Jennifer entered the diner and cautiously walked over to Brian. "Sorry I'm late."

"That's okay. The appointment isn't for another hour. Besides, I had these lovely ladies to keep me company."

"Emmett, Ted, Michael! What the hell?" Jennifer paused and tried to look less shocked before she continued. "Sorry, my gay etiquette is slow to kick in sometimes. You all look lovely. I especially like your purse Ted."

"We're going to be early if we leave now," offered Debbie as she took her apron off.

"Do I have time for a quick sandwich, then? I haven't eaten all day," asked Jennifer.

"Of course, the usual?"

"Yeah"

"I can eat it on the way if you think we will be late," Jennifer said to Brian.

"The medical center isn't far. It won't take us long to get there," answered Brian.

"Medical center? Oh God! Justin," gasped Emmett.

"Deb, Jennifer, and I have an appointment with his doctor," replied Brian.

"Why?" Michael asked, alarm in his voice. "I know he's been a little down…"

"A little down?" Brian interrupted. "He hardly eats and either he sleeps for days or not at all. All he does is sit in that damn chair staring out the window. Or at that fucking painting your friend gave him," Brian said, looking to Lindsay.

"Are things really that bad?" Asked Mel.

"Worse," Brian said dejected. "Yesterday, I woke up and he wasn't in bed, I found him in front of the window, in that chair staring at the painting. He barely answers me when I talk to him. Sometimes I'm not even sure he hears me. Anyway, I left for work and when I came home, he was exactly where he was when I left. At first, I thought he hadn't moved at all but there was a cereal box out in the kitchen so he got up at some point, but he obviously went right back."

"It's like we are in a race to see who is going to lose their mind first. We all know I had a big head start. I am definitely going to win," Brian continued.

"What about his hand?" wondered Ted.

"He has completely given up. He hasn't drawn anything in the last 9 days."

"Nothing," gasped Jennifer. "I thought his hand was still pretty good at times."

"It is," Brian responded. He can go for a couple of hours before it gets too shaky, but the pain is worse all the time."

"He's in pain?" asked Lindsay

"Yes, and because of that it is getting harder and harder to distract him," Brian said.

"I'm sure you are creative enough to figure something out," snickered Michael.

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"There has to be something? A different drug? Therapy? Something!" Brian exclaimed.

"Tell me about the changes in his condition first," responded Dr. Lewis. "I know about the hand, tell me the rest."

"He's lost hope," Jennifer answered quietly.

"He won't do anything anymore. We can't get him to go anywhere," said Deb.

"Brian, you spend more time with him, than anyone. Tell me what you see," the doctor said.

"I guess the mood swings have leveled off a bit. Unfortunately, he has settled into a low rather than a high. I try to be positive for him, but the truth is I don't think I could handle it either."

"The pain is often debilitating. At times he can't even stand up. His knees just give out. I'm scared he is going to hit his head again."

"What about his appetite?" Dr. Lewis inquired.

"He doesn't eat much, maybe one meal a day. The rest of the time he just picks at his food, says there is no taste to it," explained Brian.

"How is he sleeping?"

"Sometimes he sleeps for a whole night and right through the next day and at other times he goes days without sleeping more than a few minutes at a time. The nightmares are back. They aren't as frequent as when he first left the hospital, but they are more intense. He wakes up screaming and it takes a long time to calm him down."

"His art?"

"He's not even trying anymore," Brian answers the doctor.

"Sex?"

Brian looked at Jennifer, then away. He sighed, "Either he can't stand to be touched like before or he almost jumps me when I come through the door. Then, it's all he wants to do and if I try to stop him or slow him down to talk he gets very uppity. He says that if I don't want to, he'll find someone who does. So, I called his bluff last week and told him to go ahead. He said, `fine' but he only got as far as the door. He's too afraid to go out alone so he just went back to staring out the window."

"He's anxious in public again?" Dr. Lewis asked.

"Yes, a lot of the time I can't get him to leave the loft. Yesterday, I talked him into going to the movies. I insisted we walk. I thought he was going to squeeze my arm off on the way there. When we got to the theatre he seemed fine, at first. When we were waiting in line, I realized that he was crying. He couldn't handle the crowd. So, I took him into the corner and waited until everyone went in, then we went home. Every time something like that happens he gets even more depressed. I don't even know what I should do any more. Maybe I should just let him stay home. Stop pushing."

"It's your pushing that got him back last time. You did what the rest of us couldn't," encouraged Jennifer.

"But last time, he was getting better everyday and now he's getting worse," Brian said, sadly.

I have looked at Justin's latest series of MRI films and I have good news and bad news," the doctor began.

"Good news first, please," said Jennifer

"There is a new laser procedure that could possibly solve the brain scarring and seizure problems, as well as, allow the possibility to regain his gross motor functions almost completely and the fine motor skills by up to 90-95%."

Brian, Deb, and Jennifer all perked up in their chairs.

"What's the bad news?" Deb asked, cautiously.

"It's still experimental. They are only doing research trials but the results have been fantastic, there is no doubt the FDA will approve it. The problem is it could take three years before that happens."

"Three years," gasped Brian.

"Is there any way to get him into a research trial?" Jennifer asked almost pleadingly.

"Well, he is a perfect candidate. He's young and otherwise healthy, specifics that make him likely to be chosen. The neurologist in charge does half of his practice in Philadelphia and the other half in Washington. He's come to Pittsburgh in the past. I've worked with him on other types of cases. I am going to ask Justin's permission to give a copy of his file to Dr. Tomkins, to see if there is room in the study."

"I'll give you permission," offered Jennifer.

"Justin is over eighteen now, and these are all his decisions," answered Dr. Lewis.

"I don't understand what the bad news is?" Brian says. "You seem pretty sure that he'll be accepted into a trial, and even if we have to go to Philly or DC that's no big deal."

"The problem is most insurance policies don't cover these types of procedures, especially for adult children," the doctor said.

"They paid for things last time. I had to fight with them but they did in the end," explained Jennifer.

"I didn't know they gave you a hard time," mumbled Brian.

"I've looked at your ex-husband's coverage for your son and I don't think they'll approve it," admitted the doctor.

"You mean there is a solution, a way to get Sunshine back and because of a fucking HMO we'll have to wait years," Deb said incredulously. "It will be too late, he'll be gone for good." She whispered.

"I'll pay for it," offered Brian.

"It's too much," the doctor replied.

"I made partner. I'll sell off my stocks, cash in some investments. Hell, I could sell the loft."

"Brian, I couldn't let you do that," countered Jennifer.

"It's not your decision, it's mine!" Brian answered firmly.

"Brian, it's obvious that you would do anything, but the kind of expenses we're talking about only insurance companies can handle. This surgery is highly effective but requires six months of rehab afterwards. He will have to relearn to do a lot of things. It's all very expensive. I mean insanely expensive."

"So what can we do?" Jennifer asked.

"If you could get a copy of the whole policy and its restrictions and rules from Justin's father, we could look for loopholes. I'm not encouraging you to sue, but since the attack occurred at a school sponsored event before Justin had technically graduated, you might be able to get him covered on the school's policy," the doctor suggested.

"I looked into that before, when I thought they weren't going to pay for rehab. I was told it would be a very difficult case to win because it happened in the parking garage. It wasn't part of the school's responsibility," explained Jennifer.

"Have you considered a civil suit against the Hobbs family?" Dr. Lewis asked.

"I asked Mel about it and she said since Hobbs was eighteen there was little chance of getting at his father's money," sighed Brian.

"Well, let's start by getting Justin's file to Dr. Tomkins. I'll make an appointment for Justin tomorrow to discuss it with him and examine him. Can one of you bring him?"

"I have an early meeting but anytime after eleven is okay for me," Brian answered.

"How about one o'clock and try to get him to eat more. If he ends up in the hospital because of dehydration or malnutrition, he won't make an attractive candidate for the study," the doctor warned. "Don't worry, we will find a way to have the procedure paid for if he is accepted into the trial. We will just look until we find a solution."

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