Chapter 2: Rehab is a Bitch!

“Mom, those parasites are only looking out for themselves! Don’t let them talk to you without a lawyer present!” Peter almost yelled at his mom later that afternoon.

“Honey, relax,” she replied, sounding cross. “First, I am an adult capable of talking to anyone I like, and second, I didn’t agree to anything. Third, you must stop worrying about this and let the grown-ups deal with it! You have to focus on healing your body and getting better. “ She held his water glass tightly and tried to get him to drink.

“Mom, stop!” he snapped angrily, regretting it immediately. “I’m sorry, I’m not thirsty right now. I know you’re doing the best with the cards we have been dealt. I love you and appreciate everything you’re doing.” He waited as she hesitantly put the pitcher back on the table. “Look, I just want to be a part of this, okay? I may be a kid, but I’m pretty smart. You always brag about that to the church ladies, right?”

Janet Shipley was 43 and carried herself like June Cleaver and Florence Henderson. She sniffed. “Boasting is a sin, rooted in pride.”

He smiled as she calmed herself. “So is gambling, but you still play Bingo every Saturday evening,” he snorted, then smiled, “It’s not a sin to be proud of your genius son,” he added, grinning as she rolled her eyes. She took his hand, and he squeezed it.

“You know what those nice men offered?” she asked excitedly. “They want to pay for all of your college education! Isn’t that wonderful, dear?”

He sighed. “Of course they did, Mom. And they should,” he muttered. “Did they mention how I’ll get there and back? Did they offer to pay for the prosthetic legs I will need? Are they willing to pay for my hospital time, whatever’s not covered by Dad’s insurance?” He knew immediately that he had gone over her head with his questions and saw the haunted look in her eyes as she realized he’d hit upon the fears keeping her awake at night.

He squeezed her hand once more. “Mom, I’ve had a lot of time to think about this. I know you have, too, but you’re overwhelmed by everything. Just take a moment and listen to me, okay? Listen to me as an adult. Can you do that?”

She regarded her son lying in his bed with all the hardware, wires, tubes, and monitors, trying to see the handsome young man he had once been. Tears sprang to her eyes as she held his hand and nodded. “I’m listening, baby.”

“Good,” he replied warmly. “Now, first of all, we are going to be okay. I’ll get better and be able to take care of myself soon, so don’t worry. I also don’t want you to fret about returning to work to pay the bills.” He could tell by her expression that was precisely her concern. “Dad’ s an a-hole for just leaving you ... No!” he exclaimed as she gasped at his language. “I won’t apologize for how I feel about him! He is a jerk and will pay for what he’s done! You’ll get alimony for utilities and food. The house is paid for, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

She nodded and relaxed as he continued. “He will have to pay you child support as long as I live under your roof.” She started to argue, but he cut her off. “I know, in most cases, it’s until I turn eighteen, but he abandoned you right after I got hurt, and that won’t look good in the judge’s eyes when you divorce him.”

She nodded again. “Mr. Wise suggested that the other day when we met at his office.”

He squeezed her hand encouragingly. “See? Everything will turn out for the better. This deal with Johnson Controls has to be handled by lawyers, okay? They are trying to salvage their reputation. They only care about putting this to rest with minimal damage to their bottom line. They are not looking to make amends to me or us!”

“Now that’s not true...,” she started, but he held up his hand. “Mom..., you promised to listen.” She closed her mouth defensively and sat back. He could tell he had lost the momentum to win her over.

He sighed deeply and growled in frustration. She reached for his water glass again, and this time, he nodded, allowing her to help him drink.

He sighed again and decided to change tactics. “Look, Mom. I know you trust the church and see good in everything and everyone, believing God will help us in our time of need.” He gazed evenly at her, but she did not meet his eyes when he spoke. “But these people, this company, aren’t the good guys. Imagine discussing the accident with your church friends as if it wasn’t me! You wouldn’t defend them! A responsible company doesn’t let employees drive drunk on company business, in company cars.” He saw that she meekly nodded agreement and went on. “They are 100% responsible and liable for all of this. And that is why we need an attorney to protect us, not let them control things!”

She sighed. The whole thing was too much for her, and she wanted to go back to the way things had been before the accident, even with her troubled marriage. “I know you’re right, sweetheart,” she sighed, “but I don’t think we can afford to pay for one right now.” She leaned forward and placed her face into her hands. “I don’t know how we’ll make it through until the divorce ends and the settlement kicks in.”

Peter tried to reach her but couldn’t. “Mom, look at me! Sit up and look at me. I need you to hear what I’m about to tell you. It’s going to be okay!”

She shook briefly and straightened, taking a tissue from his box to wipe her eyes and blow her nose. “I’m so sorry, baby. It’s just so much to bear—”

“I get it. As you often say, He never burdens us more than we can handle. We don’t have to pay the lawyer upfront. They often represent clients for free and take their fee from the final settlement.”

She sniffed disdainfully at the business card on his bedside table. “I don’t see how these law firms are any different from Johnson Controls in looking after their bottom line,” she grumbled.

“You’re not wrong,” he agreed, “but think about it this way. We’re getting ready for battle. It’s a metaphor but a sound one. Now the ‘other team’ has a lineup of hard hitters and fast rushers, and our only defense we have is ... well, nothing other than the thoughts and prayers of our friends and the ‘goodwill’ of a court system that’s already leveraged towards the best litigators.”

He waited for his words to sink in before continuing. “Getting an attorney to represent us means he will look out for his bottom line but also strive to ensure we get everything we’re entitled to, including expenses you probably haven’t considered. Things like my future medical expenses, retrofitting our home for wheelchair access, and providing us with a vehicle designed for a handicapped person.”

She looked shocked at his words. “Baby, you won’t be in a wheel—”

“They’re cutting my other foot off next week, Mom,” he interrupted.

Her head shook vigorously as she surged to her feet. “They certainly aren’t! Where did you hear such—”

“Mom!” he exclaimed, causing her to pause. “Just peek under the dressing on my left foot.” Janet glanced fearfully at the foot of his bed but refused to move towards it to look. “My toes are already blackened and dead. My foot is useless and will soon die, too,” he said softly as she grabbed another tissue before sitting back down and weeping. “They have no choice, Mom! I will leave here as a double amputee, in a wheelchair, for the rest of my life.” He let her sob for a minute before he cleared his throat, causing her to sit up and reach for his pitcher to refill his glass. After he took a sip, he cleared his throat again. “I’m sorry, Mom, but that is a fact I must live with, and you have to accept it. Even so, it will be okay, I promise.”

“How?” she whispered, tears staining her cheeks as she gazed at him miserably. “How is this—” she waved her hands at him, his bed and the gadgets connected to him, “—going to be okay?” She sank into her chair. “Oh my God, you’re never going to walk again,” she sobbed.

“Oh yes, I will,” he retorted. She sniffed and looked back at his determined face. “Prosthetics, Mom,” he replied confidently, “but that’s ways off still. Right now, we must focus on what’s right for us.”

At that moment, there was a light tap on his door, and they saw Scott Bales peeking his head in. “Uh, hi,” he stammered, feeling the tension. “Is this an okay time?”

Janet stood up and turned to gaze at him suspiciously. “I’m sorry, who are you?” she asked.

Peter cleared his throat, “Mom, please! Allow me,” he nodded to the attorney. “Please come in, Mr. Bales.”

Scott opened the door and stepped into the room, dressed sharply, this time in a suit and tie with a coat thrown over his shoulder. He carried a shiny, soft leather attaché case in his hand, but his unruly red curls clashed despite his professional appearance. He smiled brightly at Janet as he approached.

“Mom, this is Scott Bales, an accident and personal injury attorney,” Peter introduced. “His card is on the table. Scott, this is my mother, Janet.”

Despite her reservations, she reflexively accepted his polite hand after he draped his jacket over his left arm and reached out. His youth and charm did little to ease her, even if he was good-looking!

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Shipley,” he said as they shook hands. “Peter has told me a lot about you.”

The room chilled as the woman stiffened and glared at her son. “Oh, did he? What pray tell, did you talk about?” She snatched her hand away, and Scott’s expression became troubled.

“Mom. I called him!” Peter protested. “I asked him to come by and discuss this accident and—”

“You what?” She spat. “You don’t get to call on lawyers, young man! And you...” she whirled on the surprised attorney. “Who do you think you are, discussing anything with a minor?”

“MOM! That’s enough!” Peter yelled over her, wincing at the discomfort. “Sit down, please! Let me explain everything.” His tone and delivery startled her, and she promptly did as he asked. Her eyes smoldered as she stared at the uncertain gentleman across from her.

“Mom,” Peter sighed, “please put the knives away. It’s not what it seems. I’ve had time to lie here and think, and I had a lot of questions, so I called Mr. Bales. He came here at my request, and we talked. Nothing was decided, and I didn’t retain him behind your back. I couldn’t, anyway. I’m just a kid, remember?” He then mimicked her voice, “Now say something nice.”