Chapter 16

On Monday morning, Ginger sighed happily as he got ready to leave the hospital. Alex sat in the chair and waited patiently. The release papers and prescriptions lay on the table. Alex lifted his head and turned his gaze to the bathroom door when he heard a thump.

"Are you alright in there?" the blonde asked. The door opened, and Ginger stepped out.

"Yeah, I bumped into the sink," he said, rubbing his shin. "These bathrooms are really small," the redhead grumbled.

"Well, let's get your medications filled and go see your parents," Alex said. Ginger smiled big and gave Alex a thumbs up.

On the way to the drugstore, Alex noticed Ginger staring out the side window. His eyes held the expression of being in deep thought.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" Alex asked. "You've got that look on your face again," he said.

"I'm sorry," Ginger apologized. "I was thinking about what the doctor said," he said. "I might have to move back home to live with my family," he continued.

"Don't worry about it right now," Alex said. "Let's tell your parents first," he said.

"You're right," Ginger said. "I need to stop worrying so much," he said.

They reached the drugstore and parked in front of the doors ten minutes later. "Is there anything you'd like to get while we're here?" Alex asked as they walked inside.

"It would be cheaper to get stuff at an actual grocery store," Ginger stated.

"You're right there," Alex said as they stepped up to the counter. "Food here is priced too high," he said. They got the prescriptions filled, paid for them, and headed to Ginger's parents.

"Mom, dad, I'm home," Ginger said as they walked inside the house. Ginger's parents rounded a corner and entered the living room.

"Hello, son," his father said.

"We didn't know that you were coming over," his mother said.

The four of them went into the living room and sat down. "I need to discuss something with you," Ginger said.

"What is it, son?" Irene asked.

"With everything that's happened and with my attacks, the doctor recommended that I get a roommate or move back in with you," he said.

"This is your choice," Lance said. "What do you want to do?" he asked.

"I'm not sure about what I want right now," Ginger admitted. "But the doctor requests that someone stay with me during the night and part of the morning," he stated.

Alex was the next person to speak up. "It's just an idea, but I can stay the night with you, and then your parents can check on you during the day," he said. Ginger's hazel eyes widened in surprise.

"But where would you sleep?" the redhead asked. "It's a one-bedroom apartment," he said.

"On the couch like before," Alex replied.

"I better ask Mrs. Byrd, my landlord, about it first," Ginger said. She's picky about how long a guest stays," he said.

"I'll drop you off when we're done here, and I'll head home so you can talk with your landlord," Alex said.

The conversation ended, and Irene stood up. "You boys must be hungry," she said. "I'll start lunch," she said.

"Let me help you, mom," Ginger said as he rose from the couch.

"Spend time with your friend; I've got this," Ginger's mother said.

"Son, why don't you show your friend your room?" Lance suggested. "It's the way you left it," he said. Ginger's cheeks turned a dark shade of pink.

"What!" Ginger exclaimed. "I can't do that," he stated.

"It's alright," Alex said, placing a hand on Ginger's shoulder. "We don't have to if it makes you uncomfortable," he said. Ginger smiled and said, "Thanks."

Ginger stood on his tiptoes and reached for the cabinet door beside the stove halfway through making lunch. A hand appeared and reached up to open the cabinet door. Ginger looked up and saw Alex towering above him.

"Let me help," Alex volunteered. He reached in, took a small stack of bowls, and set them on the counter.

"I hate being short," Ginger sighed, frustrated.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Alex suggested. "You're fine just the way you are," he remarked.

Alex and Ginger set the table while Ginger's parents finished cooking lunch.

"Is there anything in particular you'd like to drink?" Ginger asked, searching through the fridge. "Let's see, orange juice, milk, tea," he listed.

"Orange juice will be fine," Alex said. Ginger nodded, grabbed the juice container from the fridge, and set it on the table.

"So Alex, how's your family doing?" Irene asked as she brought the food to the table.

"My family is doing well; thank you," he said. "We have our moments, but we're good," he said.

The four of them continued to converse about various topics for an hour. Alex noticed Ginger's hazel eyes were half closed.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," Alex said, nudging Ginger in the ribs.

"I'm awake," Ginger remarked.

"Your eyes were drooping," Alex stated.

"Go home and rest," Ginger's father advised. "We'll see you again," he said.

"Alright," Ginger said, scooting away from the table. The three of them heard the front door open and then close.

Alex stood up and glanced at the direction in which Ginger had gone. A concerned look appeared on his face. "I better go and take him home," he said. "We had fun," Alex said.

"Don't worry too much about it," Lance said. "He gets cranky when he's tired," Ginger's father stated.

"I'll remember that," Alex said. When Alex reached the car, Ginger was already in his seat, buckled in, and holding onto his bag of medicine. The stress was so intense that the vehicle ride was unpleasant. The awkward stillness made them feel uneasy. Nobody said anything or even made eye contact. The red-headed young man got out of the car and went inside Ginger's apartment complex as they arrived.

Alex wanted to follow Ginger inside but decided against it. Ginger was plainly distressed and in need of some alone time. Alex wasn't sure what had prompted Ginger's sudden attitude shift, but he didn't want to draw any unwanted attention at the time. He fired up the engine and drove away.

"Was he mad because of what we said, or was he just tired?" Alex asked himself as he drove home.

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