Chapter Three

“You can’t get in here.” A nurse stopped Richie and Kris.

“You wanna bet?” Kris said and pushed her roughly aside. Richie had an apologetic smile on his face.

“Mommy!” her son screamed as soon as she was in the room. Kris breathed out relieved. Thank God, he’s awake!

“John.” She hurried over to him. “I’m here baby….shhh, don’t cry….” She leaned over him, hugged him carefully and wiped the tears away. “It’s ok; we are here now…we won’t leave you alone. Don’t cry, John.” Her son finally calmed down a bit.

“Hi, buddy…” Richie kissed his son’s forehead and took his hand in his.

“Daddy…I wanna go home. I don’t like it here.” His son whined. Richie smiled softly.

“Well, see…ok, buddy? First Mom and I need to talk with the doctor.” John frowned that his father didn’t agree with him, but stayed calm.

The doctor observed the whole situation from a couple meters away. The little boy was much calmer and easier to handle since his parents showed up and he was relieved that he recognized them.

“Mr. and Mrs. Sambora…” They both looked up when the doctor approached them. “…my name is Doctor Cunningham, I did the first examination of your son…or better I tried.“ he said with a little grin.

Kris grimaced. “I’m sorry, normally I’m with him when he has a doctor’s appointment…I…” Doctor Cunningham raised his hands and she stopped.

“I know, I know…that’s ok...it’s normal that kids are afraid, maybe you can help me do some examinations again. He really wasn’t happy about them before.” He grinned. Kris nodded and Doctor Cunningham stepped closer to the examination table.

“Ok, John…remember we two did that before, I touch you and you tell me when something hurts…ok?”

“Mommy…” John tried to sit up.

“No, John!” Rich and Kris said in unison. The boy looked at them unsure.

“Lay down, baby. We are here…and when something hurts you tell us and the doctor will stop.” Kris pushed him down gently. John bit his lower lip, but nodded.

Carefully Doctor Cunningham palpated the boy’s body. He didn’t wince once. “Well, that was that…great job, John.” He said when he was done. “Didn’t hurt, right?”

“No.” John whispered and looked at his parents. Richie winked at him and his son smiled softly.

“Can I look into your eyes again, John?” the doc pulled a little flashlight from his pocket.

John nodded and grabbed the hand of his mother. “It’s ok, baby…I’m here….you doing really good.” She encouraged him.

“See, that was it…” Doctor Cunningham turned to Richie and Kris. “Ok, he seems rather fit right now, nothing is broken which is a miracle considering that he fell from a tree, but he was unconscious and very disorientated when the ambulance brought him here, he has a headache and told me the last thing he can remember is that you two dropped him and his sister off at school…that means he has no memory about the accident…right John?” Doctor Cunningham looked at the little boy.

The boy nodded. “You dropped me and Kathy off, that’s all I know.” Kris squeezed his hand softly.

“That’s ok baby…I’m sure you’ll remember later.”

“The memory can come back…but sometimes it doesn’t.” Doctor Cunningham continued. “He has some symptoms for a concussion and that’s why I would really like to keep him here over night, so we can observe him and be right there when things change.” Richie nodded understanding.

“Can I stay with him?” Kris asked concerned.

“Yes, we have rooms at the children medical unit especially for that situation.” Doctor Cunningham said and Kris smiled relieved. No chance, she would let him alone again.