Hey chapter 19 comments to the usual email.

I dont want to be the filler if the void is solely yours.
I dont want to be your glass of single malt whiskey hidden in a bottom drawer.
I dont want to be your bandage if the wound is not mine.

From "Not the Doctor" By Alanis Morissette.

I rolled over in bed pushing the covers off my still hot body. I had cooled down but it was still uncomfortable. I felt the cool air blow over my chest and relaxed for a moment. As I began to settle down Mike came bounding into the room.

"Jesus Riley, do you want her to see the piercing?" Mike said crossly.

I had forgotten about my nipple piercing since it had healed.

"Sorry" I yawned.

"Look I'll keep it a secret because your Mother would be upset otherwise" Mike said.

"Thanks Mike." I smiled.

"No problem I got this when I was 16 and I never told my Mother." Mike said pointing to the tattoo running over his abs.

"I'll never forget the day I got it" he laughed. "I was scared out of my mind but me and two friends went and we all got tattoos."

"Thats cool" I smiled.

"Now don't you go getting any ideas young man." Mike laughed.

"But boys will be boys I suppose" Mike winked at me.

"Anyways how are ya feelin?" Mike questioned.

"I'm still kinda hot but I feel a lot better." I replied.

"Me and your Mother didn't sleep a wink last night we were really worried about ya." Mike said quietly.

"You were worried about me?" I asked.

"Of course sure Jesus you were half dead in front of me." Mike answered.

I just nodded but on the inside my heart took a little leap. Mike really cared about me. No older man had ever told me they cared about me. My Grandpa could hug and bring me to the park and all that stuff but he had never came out and said "I care about you Riley." Mike had missed a nights sleep because he was so concerned about me.

"Listen your Mam doesn't want you out of bed ok? So stay here and I'll go rent you some movies." Mike smiled checking my temperature again.

"Cool" I beamed.

Mike pulled the cover up over my chest and walked out of the room. Soon after my Mam came in with some cereal.

"Hey Baby I thought you'd be hungry." She smiled yawning slightly.

"You tired Mam?" I asked.

"Nah Babe I'm fine. I'm here to take care of you not vice versa ok?" She laughed.

"You've got a Doctors appointment later on today ok?" My Mam said with a weak smile.

"Why? I'm feeling better." I groaned.

"She just want's to make sure your fully ok." My Mam explained.

She sat there and watched me eat the cereal with a concerned look on her face that made me nervous. I eat the cereal and Mike arrived back with the movies. I watched half of Anchorman before drifting off again. A few hours later my eyes shot open as I was gently nudged by none other then Ryan.

"Hey Riley" Ryan said with a concerned look on his face.

Everyone seemed really concerned I wondered if I was ok.

"I heard your not doing too good man" Ryan smiled weakly.

"I'm ok" I said rubbing my eyes.

"Your Mam said you had like an insane temperature and that she had to get the Doctor out." Ryan said looking confused.

"Yeah and the Doctor and Mike saw my piercing and my Mam nearly did." I exclaimed.

"Shit" Ryan said a little too loud.

"Is everything ok" My Mam called from downstairs.

"Yeah were fine Mam" I shouted.

"Mike's cool with it he promised he wouldn't tell my Mam" I smiled.

"Wow Mike's so cool my Dad would freak if he saw my piercing" Ryan smiled.

"Yeah but hes not my Dad man." I protested.

"You know what I mean Riley." Ryan sighed.

"Well he did say he couldn't sleep last night cuz he was worried about me." I beamed.

"Aww he loves you like your his own lil boy" Ryan teased.

"Shut up" I laughed.

"I'm only jokin man thats pretty cool" Ryan beamed.

"You still up for tomorrow?" Ryan asked.

"I don't know if my Mam will let me out." I replied honestly.

"Ok" Ryan sighed.

"Come on Ryan he needs his rest" My Mam smiled guiding Ryan out of the room.

"Baby you need to get dressed Mike's driving us to the Doctors office in half an hour" My Mam smiled.

"Ok." I sighed not wanting to leave my bed.

"Are you ok to dress yourself and everything" My Mam asked looking concerned.

"Geez Mam I didn't lose my arms" I said wondering what was up with her today.

"Ok ok I was just trying to help" My Mam laughed.

I got up and pulled on some clothes. By the time I managed to get downstairs we were ready to go. It took me twenty minutes to get dressed I had to sit down a few times because I felt woozy. We pulled out of the drive and were at the Doctors within a matter of minutes.

"Hello young man and how are we doing today." The Doctor smiled.

"I'm still hot" I moaned.

"Ok if you come in here we'll start the checkup." The Doctor instructed.

"Em Mr and Mrs. James you may want to wait outside this will be a complete checkup" The Doctor winked.

"I'm Mr.Hannigan" Mike said "We're not married"

"Oh excuse me" The Doctor replied with an embarrassed tone.

I walked into the Doctors room by myself and the Doctor began the exam.

"If you could please remove your clothes down to your underwear" The Doctor said politely.

I started to get undressed slightly embarrassed about being nearly naked in front of a complete stranger. When I was in my boxers she asked me to lie on an examination table. She took my temperature then checked my heart beat and pulse. The examination was all pretty normal untill she slipped her hand under my boxers and grabbed onto my balls asking me to cough. I was really freaked out and just about managed a little cough.

"Ok then" She smiled.

"If you could just fill this up" She said handing me a cup.

I went behind a screen and completely filled the cup. I took it into her and the rest of the exam was normal but involved a number of shots. When it was all over I got out of the Doctors office as soon as possible.

"Whats wrong with you Baby" My Mam said as we pulled away from the office.

"Yeah how complete was the physical?" Mike laughed.

"Pretty damn complete" I muttered.

"What do you mean baby?" My Mam asked in a concerned way.

"She grabbed at my.......my....you know down there." I said motioning towards my groin and turning a little red.

Mike started roaring laughing and my Mam even laughed a little. When we got home Mike was wiping tears from his eyes still letting out the occasional chuckle.

"Its not that funny Mike" I said angrily.

"Ya Im sorry Riley but it was just the way you said it" He beamed.

I ran upstairs in a mood and locked my door. Half an hour later there was a knock on the door.

"Hey Buddy can I talk to ya for a minute."

It was Mike.

"I suppose so" I muttered opening the door.

"Listen Buddy I'm really sorry for laughing at you I'm sure it wasn't the most fun experience" he said looking genuinely sorry.

"Are we ok?" he asked with a nervous look in his eye.

"Sure" I smiled.

"Great" he beamed and pulled me into a tight hug.

"I wouldn't want you to hate me Riley." Mike smiled.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Cuz your a cool kid and I enjoy your company too much." Mike smiled.

Mike left and I fell asleep having an odd dream were I called Mike, Dad and he called me Son and my Mam smiled all the time.