Jacob opened his eyes. “You didn’t wake me. I was just waking up.”
Fran looked at the time and frowned. “You shouldn’t be awake for about another hour.”
“Sorry. But I’ve really got to use the bathroom,” Jacob said, just as his bedroom door opened and the brothers, Emory and Finn, walked in.
“You’re awake,” Robbie said, with a slight frown.
“Need the bathroom,” Jacob replied.
“I can give you a bottle to use,” Robbie said, walking to a cupboard and pulling out a weird shaped bottle.
Jacob scrunched his nose up. “Or I could use the bathroom which I’m sure is through one of those doors,” he replied, pointing at said doors.
Robbie sighed. “Okay, but we take it slow and gently. I’ll bring the drip stand, Fran can help you walk.”
Jacob sighed in relief as Fran pulled the bed covers back and then helped Jacob sit up and move to the side of the bed. Jacob pulled in a breath and held onto his stomach.
“The bottle is still an option,” Fran said gently.
“I can shoo everyone out, pass you the bottle and turn my back,” Robbie told him.
Jacob sighed again. “Yeah, let’s go with that option.”
“Good. Everyone out, you too, Fran.”
Fran went to protest, but a shake of Ezzy’s head stopped him. “We’ll be back when you’re done.”
“Thanks,” Jacob said, giving him a shy smile.
Once the others left the room, Robbie unscrewed the lid and handed Jacob the weird shaped bottle, putting the lid next to Jacob. “Can you manage?”
“I hope so,” Jacob replied, taking the bottle.
“I’ll be over by the window looking out at the grounds, let me know when you’re done or need help.”
“Thanks, Doc.” He waited for Robbie to move to the window and moving slowly managed to pee in the bottle, sighing in relief. He screwed the lid on and one-handed sorted himself out. “All sorted, Doc.”
Robbie smiled and came over. “Let me take that from you, back in a moment,” he said, walking off into the bathroom.
Jacob heard the toilet flush and the taps come on before Robert walked back out with a wet face cloth and dry towel.
He handed Jacob the wet cloth. “I put soap on it for you.”
“Thanks,” Jacob said, cleaning his hands and then drying them.
“While everyone is outside, I’ll check your stomach to make sure it’s all healing well. Let me help you lay back.”
Robbie helped Jacob settle, then, putting gloves on, he opened the bandages, and Jacob got his first look at his stomach. There was a large stitched up cut that practically ran the length of his stomach. The area looked red and angry, with some kind of liquid coming out of it.
“Is it supposed to be that red and weepy?” Jacob asked.
Robbie shook his head. “No, it should be healing like normal, this looks like you’re getting an infection.”
“Would the antibiotics not fix that?”
“They should do, yes. I’m going to take some blood and swab this so I can run some tests and see what’s going on. Whatever it is, we’ll monitor and sort it.”
“Maybe you should check your uncle, in case one of his injuries is doing the same,” Jacob suggested.
