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Maverick was still awake when he got the call from Rooster. He had been tidying something up in the garage and had been surprised that his cell rang at almost 11 at night. Ice had long since gone to bed and Maverick never wanted to wake him when sleep was so precious, so he spent most of his time in the garage tinkering with this and that. He usually didn’t stay up past midnight and was getting ready to head back in and take a shower when Rooster called.
The groaning on the other end of the line was immediate. At first, Maverick assumed it was some kind of prank; that Hangman had dared him to do this.
“This isn’t funny, Rooster. You should be asleep. We have training tomorrow.”
Maverick waited what felt like a lifetime for an answer. Heavy breathing echoed on the line and he had to strain to hear exactly what Rooster was saying.
“D-Dad?”
“Bradley, what’s going on?”
Another moan sounded on the phone. “I-I don’t k-know,” Rooster stammered through what sounded like gritted teeth. “Something’s wrong. It fucking hurts!”
Maverick had never heard Rooster sound so despondent. His godson didn’t complain about anything, even when he was sick or hurt. There had to be something real going on for him to be acting like this.
“Alright, just hang tight, okay? I can be over in ten minutes okay. Just don’t move.”
Maverick was reluctant to hang up, but he needed two hands. Once he made sure that Rooster was sure to comply, he stuck his phone in his back pocket and grasped the nearest keys. They just so happened to be to Ice’s car, though he knew that Ice wouldn’t mind if he took it considering he was in a hurry to see Rooster. Speaking of Ice, he’d have to fill him in later as he didn’t want to wake him up if he didn’t have to.
Silently as he could muster, Maverick slipped from the garage and headed to Ice’s car. He unlocked it the moment his fingers slipped over the door handle and found his way in.
Immediately the sight of how pristine Ice kept his car caught his attention. He had purchased it three years ago, and yet it still looked brand new. Maverick envied him for a moment before reminding himself that he couldn’t keep anything clean this long to save his life. Ice was the only reason their house remained uncluttered as he tended to treat every space that he was in like a bachelor pad.
“Don’t worry,” Maverick murmured to himself as he twisted around to glance over his shoulder as he backed the car from the driveway. “I’ll return it in the same condition you leant it out.”
Although Ice couldn’t hear him, saying those words out loud brought peace to Maverick. He twisted the steering wheel with one hand as he adjusted the rear view mirror with the other. The tires pulled onto the road in front of him as he drove directly to Rooster’s off base housing that he insisted on keeping. Maverick couldn’t understand why Rooster didn’t want to live on base where they paid for the housing, but he wasn’t about to argue when he knew how Rooster felt about it.
The drive only took about ten minutes, yet Maverick’s thoughts wouldn’t stop racing. He could remember phone calls like this from Goose and then Ice plenty of times. Hell, he had even been the cause of some of these calls. However, when it was Rooster, everything was different. This was his kid and he’d be damned if he let anything happen to him. He had promised Carole, promised Goose, that their son would be treated like Maverick’s own, and he intended to keep that promise.
Maverick pulled into the driveway crooked and almost forgot to place the car in park. He scooped the keys from the cup holder and sprinted to the door, the chilly air whipping past his face.
He skidded to a halt in front of the door and began to knock. “Rooster? It’s Mav. Can you come to the door?”
After receiving no response, Maverick grumbled to himself as he took the knob in hand and started to jiggle it. He thanked the universe for the rickety old door that easily unlocked with a few deliberate shakes. He inched the door open faintly and pulled himself through, closing it softly behind him in case Rooster was asleep.
Darkness greeted him, and it took a few moments for Maverick’s eyes to adjust to the gloom. He heard soft moans coming from the living room and immediately headed there. He flipped a light switch as he drew nearer and had to squint as it was a harsh contrast against the black nothingness. What he saw nearly sent his heart breaking into a million pieces.
Rooster laid curled up in the corner of the couch, shaking and sobbing. His knees were drawn up to his stomach as he panted for breath. Thick beads of sweat rolled down his brow and neck, his hair ruffled and clothes damp. The light that usually shone in his gaze had dulled. In fact, his eyes appeared glassy and unfocused as he lifted his head weakly to gaze at Maverick. There was no recognition there, only agony.
“Hey, hey, what’s going on,” Maverick gasped as he drew forward, kneeling beside the couch and threading his fingers through Rooster’s thick hair. Heat streamed off of him in waves and Maverick had to swallow the panic slowly starting to rise within him.
Rooster shook his head weakly. “I don’t know,” he panted weakly. “My stomach and my back just started hurting. It feels like someone’s stabbing me!”
Maverick didn’t hesitate to lift Rooster’s shirt and press his fingers delicately against his scorching skin. Rooster yelped and drew back, face twisted in pain.
“I can’t feel anything, but if you’re in this much pain we have to see someone. Preferably the hospital but the infirmary on base would work too, if they’re open.”
Rooster pondered both options until another swell of pain traveled through him. He gasped while his breathing grew more sporadic. “I can’t wait,” he sobbed. “Please, it hurts!”
Maverick’s heart twisted in his chest at hearing Rooster’s cry. He never complained and to see him act like this had alarm bells ringing in Maverick’s mind.
“Okay, hospital it is.” Maverick leaned forward and looped his arm around Rooster’s and pulled the taller man forward. Rooster attempted to pull back, but his pain made him much weaker, and Maverick was able to haul Rooster to his feet without much struggle. Rooster still tried to fold into himself with his teeth gritted when he moved even the slightest.
Maverick longed to be able to take this pain from Rooster. Despite not knowing what was causing it, he sensed that it was serious if it was causing Rooster such distress.
Rooster took only a few steps before swaying dangerously on his feet. Maverick stretched out his shoulders to block him from falling as he struggled to hold Rooster upright. He silently cursed his height and realized how beneficial it would’ve been if he had taken Ice with him.
There would be time for that scolding later. Right now this was about Rooster.
“You’ve gotta work with me, man,” Maverick puffed as he readjusted his arm around Rooster’s waist. “We just have to make it to the car and then all this will look better, I promise.”
“What’s wrong with me?”
“I don’t know,” Maverick confessed, realizing with a freezing pang that it was true. “But the hospital will figure it out in no time. They can also give you something for it.”
Rooster’s eyes grew wild once they reached the front door. “I can’t take it! I have to fly!”
“There’s no way in hell you’re flying anywhere right now. You’ll take whatever damn medicine they give you to make you better. Do you understand me?”
It wasn’t often that Maverick had to take on that fatherly role in the form of something serious, but when he did, Rooster knew not to argue. Maverick was certainly more relaxed that Ice ever was, and would lead Rooster into all sort of trouble, but when push came to shove, he could be serious when the time was needed for it.
Rooster gave a resigned sigh as they continued down the sidewalk. Each step was an effort and with each new wave of pain through his lower back, Rooster felt he was closer and closer to passing out. There was no way that he could explain that to Maverick as his knees buckled.
Maverick stumbled under their combined weight, but managed to haul them to the car and forced Rooster to lean against it. He threatened to topple over, though by some miracle he managed to stand upright shivering. His eyes peeled open when Maverick opened the passenger door for him and struggled to help Rooster inside.
Rooster flopped onto the seat and pulled his knees to his chest as he twisted towards the window when Maverick closed the door. His skin prickled uncomfortably as he felt cold and hot at the same time. The pain had done nothing but increase and he swore if this kept up for much longer than he would have to do something drastic to end it. What could possibly make him feel this way?
“Breathe, honey, breathe,” Maverick reminded as he reached over and patted Rooster’s thigh while he started the car. A faint rumble sounded through the engine and while Maverick backed up the car, he couldn’t peel his eyes from Rooster. “Do you hear me?”
“Yeah, Dad.”
Maverick shook his head gravely as he pressed on the gas a little more than he meant to as he sped towards the hospital. With every minute that passed, Rooster grew quieter and quieter until Maverick wasn’t sure whether he was conscious or not. His head lolled from side to side, eyes forced closed and body trembling with chills. Maverick cranked the heat, though it didn’t seem to do much good.
The fifteen minute drive to the hospital felt like an eternity. A couple times Maverick had reached over and rested a hand on Rooster’s chest just to make sure that he was still breathing. At least when he was writhing in pain, he was moving. Now he seemed lifeless and that worried Maverick even more.
“We’re here!” Maverick announced proudly as he pulled into a parking spot and immediately shut the car off. He raced around the other side of the car and yanked the handle.
Rooster almost tumbled out as he was sitting so close against the door. Maverick managed to catch him in outstretched arms and felt a rush of strength through his muscles as he lifted Rooster up. He was nearly dead weight in his current state, yet all Maverick could focus on was getting his godson into the ER anyway that he knew how.
The two had only staggered a few feet when two nurses rushed out to meet them.
“What’s going on,” the first one asked as she motioned for the second to grab a gurney.
Maverick struggled for breath as two more nurses rushed forward and helped the first two load Rooster onto a gurney, allowing Maverick to straighten. “I-I don’t know,” Maverick stammered as his mind raced. “He called me complaining of lower back and stomach pain. Then he just became like this and I have no idea what’s happening.”
The nurses raced Rooster down the hall. Maverick tried to follow, but the first nurse blocked his path as she spoke into a object on her shoulder. Maverick couldn’t make out what the medical jargon was that she was saying, no matter how hard he tried to concentrate. All of his thoughts were still on Rooster and what was wrong with him.
“Sir, we need you to fill out some paperwork,” the nurse told Maverick when she had finished speaking to whoever could hear him from the device on her shoulder.
“No, I……” Maverick swallowed hard. “I need to stay with him.”
“And I’ll take you to him as soon as we get some information, I promise.” The nurses’s eyes were warm with understanding and Maverick had to compose himself before he said something that he would regret. They were just doing their jobs, that much he knew, but it didn’t make it any easier to take when he was worried out of his mind.
The nurse led him to the desk at the heart of the ER. Several other nurses were talking to highly agitated and worried patients and their families. Maverick’s stomach lurched as he wondered if that would end up being him if he didn’t get someone to tell him what was happening with Rooster.
“Name, please.”
Maverick snapped his head to the side. “Uh….”
“What is the name of the patient and your relationship to him.”
“Oh, well, his name is Bradley Bradshaw and I’m his godfather. Can you take me back to see him,” Maverick recited quickly as he rested his open palms on the desk and leaned forward. He looked down the long white hallway until the automatic doors closed, blocking much of his view. He grumped to himself as he drew back, only to realize that the nurse was eyeing him expectantly. “Sorry, what was that?”
The nurse sighed to herself. “Does he have insurance or has he visited this hospital before?”
Maverick was reminded of the time he had spent away from Rooster. He didn’t know if Rooster had visited this hospital in the time that he had been out of his life.
“Can’t you just look it up? I gave you his name,” Maverick snapped.
The nurse eyed him calmly as she passed a clipboard with a pen attached across the counter to him. “Fill out as much of this as you can. That may be easier.”
It took all of Maverick power not to verbally lash out at this woman. Couldn’t she see how worried he was? Did they really have to go through all of this right now?
Numbly, Maverick took the clipboard and surveyed the waiting room. A man was pacing in the corner, muttering to himself while a woman with three small children were sitting close by as she struggled to fill out the paperwork with two coughing children beside her. A college aged couple waited on the other side, her head rested on his shoulder as he held her close and whispered softly in her ear as she shook with concealed cries. More people were flooding in by the moment and Maverick had to scramble to find a seat before they were all taken.
He rested the clipboard on his knees and read over the questions. There were so many and he felt his heart pound in his chest when he realized he didn’t know half of them. Perhaps at one point he had, but he had either forgotten it, or couldn’t be sure that things hadn’t changed.
Name. Birthdate. Family History. Maverick was able to fill out all of those, but insurance card, allergies, current medication, and duration of his predicament were unknown to him. Insurance would be taken care of by the Navy, but Maverick didn’t know any info about Rooster’s specifically. Symptoms were only something that he could guess on from the brief time he had spent with Rooster. Why couldn’t they just have him go back and answer these things later?
Maverick tapped the pen against the clipboard anxiously, knee bouncing from under him. He swallowed a groan as he rose to his feet and crossed the small distance back to the nurses’ desk. He waited in line until he was motioned forward and he handed over the clipboard stiffly.
The nurse briefly scanned the few pages, mentally noting the blank sections.
“I only know some of that stuff,” Maverick felt the need to explain. “We’ve recently reconnected and I didn’t want to get anything wrong. I’m sure when he’s stable he can answer those questions himself.”
The nurse nodded as she set the clipboard down and eyed him wearily. “And you put here that your relationship to Bradley is godfather. Is that correct?”
Maverick nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m afraid that because you’re not related, you’re unable to go back until he’s assessed.”
Maverick bowed his head in utter defeat. He hoped that whatever he had to say next wouldn’t be construed in anyway. “I understand your protocols, I do, but I’m all that kid has left. He has a thing with hospitals and doctors. I need to be there with him, please.”
The nurse looked around at her coworkers as well as the remaining patients in the room. She pushed herself from her chair and motioned for Maverick to follow. Maverick scurried after her, worried that someone was going to call him back when they realized that he was slinking past. He was beyond grateful for the nurse in front of him and struggled to formulate a thankful response to her for what she was doing.
When she stopped beside a curtain nearly at the far side of the ER, Maverick turned to face the nurse. His mouth opened, yet no words came out and he found there wasn’t anything he could say to show his true gratitude for her.
The nurse raised a hand. “I’m raising my best friend’s daughter. I know what it’s like to worry about a child that may not be yours by blood, but they’re yours. Go be with your son.”
Maverick could only manage a small dip of his head as he pulled back the curtain and slipped around. Relief came crashing over him as he found Rooster in the center of the bed, curled onto his side as he swallowed the sobs that Maverick could tell were just waiting to be released. He had an IV in his arm that was connected to a bag of fluids, though it didn’t seem to be doing much from what Maverick could tell.
“Roo, it’s Mav,” Maverick whispered as he pulled up a chair next to Rooster’s hospital bed. He rested his hands on the outside rail, fingers stretched to tuck part of Rooster’s sweaty hair from his brow. “It’s going to be okay. They’ll fix you up real good. That’s what you Dad always said to me when I found myself in medical.”
Rooster’s head lifted weakly, eyes glistening. “Dad, it hurts.”
Maverick released the rail in favor of gripping Rooster’s hands in his own. “I know, I know,” he sympathized feeling his heart twist in his chest. “Let me see if I can get you some meds, alright?”
Rooster’s eyes widened in alarm. “No! I can’t fly.”
“Hush,” Maverick chided as he brushed Rooster’s hair that now clumped behind his ear. “You need to take whatever they can give you. Being cleared to fly is something that can wait.”
That hardly seemed to appease Rooster, but Maverick didn’t give him a chance to argue. He drew away from his godson quickly and peaked his head from behind the curtain.
He managed to catch sight of another nurse heading in his direction and he gave his hand a small wave. “Hi,” he announced awkwardly. “My son is in a whole lot of pain. Is there anyway that we can get him something?”
“Has the doctor seen to him yet,” the nurse asked.
Maverick shook his head. “Not that I know of, but he has an IV. I’m just hoping you can get him something.”
The nurse headed over to a computer. “What was the name?”
“Bradshaw. Bradley Bradshaw.”
The nurse typed around as he adjusted his face mask. “It seems like Dr. Dawn has already been into see him and has ordered an MRI. Let me flag her down and see if we can add some morphine to ease his symptoms for the time being.”
Maverick dipped his head. “Thank you.” He headed back to Rooster and took his seat once more.
Rooster was in the same position that Maverick left him, still trembling from the pain. Maverick longed to take it from him, even if he didn’t know what exactly was going on with him. His mind took him to the worst of what could be wrong and it took all of his strength not to allow it to go there.
True to her word, the nurse headed in with a small vial of liquid. Maverick leaned over the edge of Rooster’s bed to whisper in his ear. “They have something that’s going to make you feel better. Just give it a little bit to let it work.”
Roster hardly responded even when the nurse reached over for his hand and pulled it close. She opened a small square to reveal an antiseptic wipe and cleaned the tip. “You’re going to feel a flush and may taste it on your mouth.”
Sure enough, Rooster screwed up his face in distain and smacked his lips together, tongue swiping across the roof of his mouth as if that would rid himself of the taste. Maverick couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. Rooster may have been a full grown adult, but to Maverick he would always be that little boy that used to follow him around like a shadow, wide eyes eager for everything aviation.
Once the morphine flooded through Rooster’s veins, his posture finally began to relax. He was still curled in a fetal position, but the whimpers stopped and he appeared at peace for the first time since Maverick had laid eyes on him this evening. That was enough to allow him to sit back in his seat as it seemed that Rooster was about to drift off into sleep.
“The doctor will be in shortly,” the nurse reassured behind her mask.
Maverick nodded, feeling as if he couldn’t come up with a better response. His nerves were still on end and he realized that Ice would soon find out that Maverick wasn’t there. Part of him wanted to call Ice to get ahead of it, but he feared Ice would rush to the hospital when he realized whey were there, which was the last thing that his immune system needed. No, he would wait this out, no matter how long it took.
By the time the doctor rounded the corner, a thin curtain pulled back as a young women came forward with two sheepish looking men in white lab coats following. They hung back a little from the women as they seemed to watch her every move with round and scared eyes.
“Good morning. I’m Dr. Burke. This is Dr. Smith.” She motioned to the blonde haired man. “And this is Dr. Jameson.” The curly haired man dipped his head. “They’re going to be shadowing me today. Is that alright with you?”
Maverick reached over to nudge Rooster’s shoulder. He weakly lifted his head, eyes drifting open before collapsing back down and letting out an incoherent mumble. Maverick rubbed at his upper back as he looked to the doctors. “That’s fine. Can you just tell us what’s wrong with him?”
Dr. Burke reached for a pair of gloves and pulled them over her hands as she made her way close. “When did this pain start,” she asked as she began to poke and prod around his abdomen.
Rooster struggled to answer. “Don’t know. Tonight,” he rasped.
“Hmmm.” Dr. Burke continued to move her hands until she wrapped around to Rooster’s side. “Let me know if any of this hurts.”
The moment her fingers pressed on his flank, even lightly, Rooster almost jumped out of the bed. He curled closer to Maverick, head almost buried his chest as Maverick rested his chin atop Rooster’s head. It was a testament to how horrible Rooster felt for him to allow Maverick to coddle him like this. Usually so independent, Maverick wasn’t quite sure what to do with a clingy adult Rooster.
“Alright. I won’t touch you anymore,” Dr. Burke reassured as she turned to her two companions. “I’m going to order an MRI to confirm, without contrast.” She looked back to Rooster and offered a kind smile. “I hope you feel better. We’re going to do all we can to get you back to your usual self. It says in your file that you’re Navy.”
Maverick nodded. “Both of us. Naval pilots.”
“My brother is in the Marines, and has been since he turned 18. Thank you for all that you’ve done and continue to do. You don’t get compensated nearly what you should.” Dr. Burke peeled her gloves off and reached for the wall for hand sanitizer. “Do either of you need an extra blanket while you wait to be taken back?”
Maverick glanced down to Rooster to see him shivering. “If you wouldn’t mind, thanks. Can you tell us what you think is going on?”
“I’d like tests to confirm, but the good news if this is what I think it is, it can be treated outside the hospital,” she reassured.
A weight seemed to release from Maverick’s shoulders. They might not have a solid answer yet, but she was the most hopeful person he had spoken to all day. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” With that she stood and motioned for the two younger doctors to follow. Maverick could imagine them peppering her with questions as their book knowledge came into contrast with on the job training. It happened to nearly everyone in every occupation, though Maverick couldn’t help a smile from appearing on his face at thinking that those two doctors would learn from a compassionate and knowledgeable instructor.
“Hear that, Roo,” Maverick whispered against the top of Rooster’s head. “She has an idea of what the hell is going on with you. Looks like it might get you out of that competition with Hangman after all.”
Rooster screwed his face in distain as he craned his neck to look at his godfather. If not for the current situation, Maverick may have busted out laughing.
“Did I ever tell you about the time your father broke his foot and just ignored it for two weeks?”
Rooster rolled back onto the bed as the worst of the pain seemed to ease. “I don’t think so.”
“You’re never going to believe this one.” Maverick’s face lit up at the memory. “He stepped out of the jet and completely missed the top step and fell. You could hear that thump through the entire hanger! He insisted he was ‘fine’ and we continued on for an embarrassing amount of time until one day it swelled so bad he couldn’t get his boot off. Don’t even ask me how he was able to put it on. The doctors had to cut it off and when they saw the state of his foot, I thought the medic was going to have a conniption. He had to wear a boot for about a month and was grounded. Your dad was so pissed, but I told him if he hadn’t left it then maybe they wouldn’t have banished him to desk duty.”
The story seemed to produce a small grin on Rooster’s part. “Sounds like Dad.”
“He could be a real dumbass, usually because he was following my dumbass.” Maverick leaned back in the chair, arms crossed, a wistful look on his face. “I miss him everyday. I can only imagine how much you do too.”
Rooster looked down. “I do, but I have less and less memories it feels like everyday. It’s like the old and new can’t coexist if that makes sense.”
It took all of Maverick’s strength not to want to interrogate Rooster about what he meant. Pressing wouldn’t get either of them anywhere. Besides, a hospital was not the right setting.
As though like it was fate, the nurse from earlier came and pulled the curtain. “I’m here to take Bradley for his MRI. We’ll be back in no time.”
Maverick watched as she started to unlock the wheels while he reached over and ruffled Rooster’s hair. Rooster pulled away, embarrassment on his face. “Dad,” he complained.
“Sorry, kid. I’ll be right here when you get back,” Maverick promised as he watched his godson be rolled away down the hallway.
His phone suddenly started buzzing and he looked down to realize that Ice was calling him. Better to take the verbal lashing now than with Rooster in the room. Here went nothing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took about forty-five minutes for Rooster to be brought back. He was sluggish and half asleep, but at least he wasn’t writhing in pain. The nurse informed that Dr. Burke would be in soon to give them the results. Maverick nodded to her as he reached over and nudged Rooster’s wrist.
“I talked to your Uncle.”
Rooster blinked his bleary eyes. “Mmm’Ice?”
“Yep. He damn near took my bike and drove himself over here.”
“I didn’t know Uncle Ice could ride.”
Maverick rolled his eyes. “I think ride is a relatively loose word to explain what he can do, but for you he’d learn on the spot. I managed to talk him down and told him that once they released us you’d be coming home with me.”
“Mav, you don’t need to do that,” Rooster protested as he tried to sit up.
Maverick stood and urged him back down against the pillows. “So, I’m Dad every other time, but when I say something you don’t like I’m back to ‘Mav’?”
A faint flush appeared on Rooster’s cheeks as he turned away. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just you guys have enough going on without looking after me.”
“Hey!” Maverick reached out and grabbed Rooster lightly by the chin. He turned his head and looked deep into Rooster’s eyes. “You’re our kid. We’re never too busy for you. Do you understand me?”
“But—“
“But nothing. We look after each other no matter what, remember? Ice would never forgive himself if something happened to you just because you didn’t want to bother us. You’re never a bother.” Maverick kissed the top of Rooster’s head and watched as his son pondered the words that he had just spoken. Rooster had always been a thinker and this was the one time Maverick was glad for it.
“Knock knock.”
The two looked up as Dr. Burke emerged back in with a clipboard in hand. “Good news is that my suspicions were confirmed. You have a rather nice sized stone in your left kidney. Have you had any blood in your urine?”
Maverick looked to Rooster and almost gasped when Rooster gave a small nod of his head. Rooster hadn’t mentioned that.
“What can we do for it,” Maverick questioned, mouth dry.
“Well, this one isn’t large enough for us to intervene unless it can’t be passed naturally. So, I’m going to prescribe you a painkiller to take as needed these next couple days. In the meantime, you need to drink plenty of water to try and flush this stone out.”
“Will I know when I pass it,” Rooster questioned.
Dr. Burke nodded surely. “Absolutely. It will be quite painful, but the relief should be almost instantaneous once you do. You can also try warm baths or a heating pad as well for the pain. It won’t be a pleasant few days, but it will be worth it once that stone passes.”
“What can cause it,” Maverick chimed in.
“Well, it can depend on what type of stone it is. There are calcium ones but the more common one is sodium. Excess sodium in your diet or drinks such as iced tea can be a leading cause,” Dr. Burke explained as she handed a pamphlet to Rooster. On the outside was a large kidney with a few tiny dots seeming to hang out in the center of it. “Do you drink a lot of iced or sweetened tea? Or Sodas?”
“Um….I…..”
“That’s all you drink when you’re at our house,” Maverick cut in.
“Most of the time it’s fine in moderation, but for those more predisposed or drink an excessive amount it can be a huge contributing factor. I’m not saying to completely cut it our of your diet, but just be cautious.” Dr. Burke patted the side of Rooster’s bed. “Let me grab that prescription and then we can send you two on your way. Get some rest, alright? And don’t forget to drink plenty of water.”
“I will,” Rooster promised as he leaned back in bed. He looked towards Maverick shyly. “I’m never having anything besides water ever again. This fucking sucks.”
“I knew someone in basic who had one. He was massive and he sobbed like a baby over it,” Maverick recalled with a shudder. “At least we know what it is. Ice will be relieved. I think he already has the guest bedroom set up for you.”
Rooster frowned. “It’s the middle of the night. I can’t impose like this.”
“Whether you can or can’t isn’t up for discussion. You are coming home and that’s final.” Maverick’s voice was stern, though he tried not to make it sound like a command. “Let us do our jobs and care for you, please.”
Rooster seemed to melt as he let out a heavy sigh. “Okay, Dad. Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it, kiddo,” Maverick whispered as he glance at his son as pride swelled within him. They had all raised such a good son and despite the circumstances, as long as he was with his family, there was nowhere else Maverick would rather be.