Page 6 of The Road Home
"Hey, easy. I can't force you to go. It was just a suggestion. I can give you pills from here, but the IV would work faster and better. Let me get the cuts and your arm fixed up and we can go from there, okay?"
"I won't go to a hospital." Orson's pulse raced.
"Bad experience?" The doctor seemed to change his tone, becoming more curious than professional as he continued to clean his face.
Orson closed his eyes. "I was in and out a lot when I was younger."
"For?"
"I had seizures. They couldn't find a reason. When I was about fourteen they just stopped. I haven't had one since. The doctors thought it might be something to do with puberty. I can't remember what they called it. But I feel like I spent half my childhood in the hospital having everyone poke and prod me."
"I've heard of cases like that, but I admit I don't know much. Any other medical issues you have?"
Orson shook his head.
"Okay, so stitches, and I'm guessing a cast on your arm. I'll clean up the other cuts too, but I'd really like you to let me do a full physical. There could be damage…" His voice trailed off.
Orson shook his head. "I think I'm okay."
"Wouldn't you rather be sure? I know it's not a comfortable position to be in, but just letting me have a look is better than having a major issue later, right?" He turned his face to the side. "This is going to sting a little."
As a sharp pinch hit the area beside the gash, Orson forced himself to hold still. He understood the doctor's concern, but having him look at his ass was embarrassing. It wasn't something he wanted to be done.
"Okay, give that a minute to numb and we'll get started." The doctor stood and moved across the small room. "How old are you?"
"Twenty, almost twenty-one." Orson relaxed as the pain in his chin started to fade.
"You were on the streets at seventeen?" The doctor shook his head.
"My parents kicked me out." Orson didn't hide what had put him on the streets. He also didn't hide that he was gay. He'd been through too much coming out to hide it from anyone now. If he was going to hide it, he would have agreed with his parents when they told him he must be wrong or just forced into sharing a kiss with the 'delinquent boy' he'd been caught kissing. "They didn't like that I had a boyfriend. Gave me a choice of being straight or leaving. I couldn't be what they wanted, so they kicked me out."
The doctor's face paled.
Orson had seen it before. Not everyone accepted that people were gay. Now the doctor would probably have a problem finishing his stitches. He saw how uncomfortable the doctor had become at hearing the news he was gay.
"They kicked you out?" Dr. Gains shook his head. "That's horrible."
"Yeah, but it is what it is." Orson shrugged. "I'm over it. I don't think back." It was a lie. He thought back on his old life more than he wanted to. It was hard not to wonder what his life would be like if he'd stayed at home and gone off to college like he'd planned.
"I guess that's good, but it couldn't have been easy." Dr. Gains came back over and sat down. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been being so young. Even now…" He shook his head. "Sorry. It's none of my business. Now, do you want to lay down while I do this or are you okay?"
"I'm okay. Needles don't bother me." Orson turned his head to let the doctor work on his chin. The sooner this was over, the sooner he could get out of the clinic and decide if he was going to go to the spot Harry suggested or go on his own. Either way, the sooner he was out of the clinic, the sooner he could get on with his life and decide what he was going to do.
