Chapter 41: Pewter city Hospital

Chapter 41: Pewter city Hospital

ging Dr. Statham, paging Dr. Statham. Report to C wing please, called a voice over the speakers. I sat in my chair ignoring it, and the building annoyance that came from having to wait in such a clinical setting. I had given up trying to be comfortable. These were hospital chairs, they werent made to be comfortable. That would result in people falling asleep or wanting to linger.

Hospitals were interesting places. You went there to get better, but you were never supposed to enjoy it lest you linger longer than you should. This was a universal truth that probably had to be drilled into designers. That, or it just so happened that the lowest cost chairs were also the most annoying to sit in.

Broooooock how much longer? Groaned Suzie from next to me. I rubbed her back.

Soon little girl, soon, I said in as consoling a tone as possible.

Coughing and sniffling erupting from my other side made me check on her twin. Timmy hadnt thrown up again, but he hadnt stopped sniffling and coughing which might be good? Or bad? I had no idea. I had each wrapped up in some blankets to keep them warm before I had dragged them with me to our family doctor.

Or I would have, had our doctor not decided to go on holiday to the Orange islands this week. I was less than pleased at this as this was one of those small life hassles that would have been much faster to fix with our personal doctor, or at least his clinic, being open. Money, as the saying goes, sure can solve problems.

Sadly you cant always throw money at problems. So instead of having the issue resolved quickly, with an in-and-out visit to our family doctor, with me already home and me feeding my siblings chicken soup, we were waiting in the local hospital. The very full local hospital meant we had to sit in a waiting room waiting among other people that were sick or injured. Unlike the pokecenters it wasnt a quick in and out with the healing machine or Chansey looking over the injured. So here we were until we got to see a doctor. Then wed maybe get a prescription or some instructions if it was just a virus.

I rubbed my face and sighed heavily. I had been through this song and dance a lot over the last few years. I knew how it went from my past life with an ailing aunt that caused most of her own maladies. It didnt make it better. It made me itch in annoyance.

Growlithe! Barked a small dog pokemon as it wandered over to Suzie and Timmy. It whined when they didnt notice it. It inched forward and pushed its snout into Suzies face causing her to gasp in shock before giggling at the pokemon as it wagged its tail. I relaxed a little. It was good to see she could interact with a comfort pokemon like this. If shed pushed it away she obviously would have been much worse off than Id been aware.

Timmy watched on but didnt get envious. He seemed more tired and resigned. Another wet snout touched him and he jerked in surprise to turn about and see a Flareon bumping into him. Flare? Eon? the pokemon asked with a tilt of its head.

So warm, said Timmy in a whisper.

I sat back and watched the two pokemon slowly make my siblings more comfortable. As fire types they had good control of their temperatures, and it looked like they were groomed with an eye for making them as cloudlike soft as possible. Timmy was more than happy to nuzzle into the Flareon while Growlithe was stroked by Suzie.

The receptionist glanced over at us and smiled before nodding at me. I returned the nod. As the trainer for these pokemon she would have to have them cleaned off between each petting to not spread infection, but it was an effective method for keeping kids calm in a stressful situation.

A machoke accompanied an orderly with a clipboard. Mrs. Adeline? He said while looking around the room. An old woman raised her hand while a young man tried to help her to stand. The orderly walked up and waved his hand back and forth. Sir, please let Machoke assist, shes trained for carrying people safely.

Machoke! The buff bodybuilder pokemon leaned down and picked up the elderly woman carefully.

Oh! Im being swept off my feet! cried the woman as she was carried away.

Choke! Ma! I watched them go.

The Machoke had a rather well-defined back, but I suspected that was because she spent all day working out in one form or another. They wouldnt be the only Machoke Id see around the hospital either. For all that they were more known for their gym-junkie tendencies. Machops entire evolutionary line had long since been integrated into Hospital support. Now people could work as orderlies without the risk of developing chronic back pain, or ruptured discs, as pokemon that loved to lift things took the load. People also seemed to prefer the pokemon even over hoist systems.

They werent the only other pokemon that were normal to see around a hospital either, with comfort pokemon like Growlithe also featuring in different centres.

I glanced to the side to spot a Bellosom floating around with a small spray bottle in her hands. Occasionally she would pause and spray herself before a tiny puff of gas would escape her.

It made the place smell a bit nicer while also helping with airborne bacteria. I watched her float around cleaning and cheering people up with her smells and chirps. A few times she even danced in front of a waiting patient to entertain them.

When she saw me watching she spun around a few times and skipped before puffing out some more sweet scent that had the Growlithe and Flareon both relaxing further into my sibling's grasp. I chuckled and gave her a head pat which she nuzzled into.

When I withdrew she gave a small, disappointed, los!

I shook my head and gestured to the rest of the room. As nice as it was to pet the pokemon, she had work to do and I didnt want to be too much of a distraction. She patted me on the knee before sauntering off once more with a small song of her name playing out.

Another person came and sat down near me. Brock?

I glanced toward the voice. Oh, Mrs Haridan. What brings you here? For a woman with a mean-sounding name she seemed to exist to reject any thoughtless first impression. She had a ready smile and when she reached out and patted my hand I wasnt surprised to find a butterscotch candy placed within.

Oh nothing so major, I just had a sniffle. She directed her watery eyes towards Suzie and Timmy. Oh my, youve certainly got them bundled up! Are they bug pokemon?

Suzie and Timmy seemed to have gotten a bit of energy back as they smiled at the older woman and chirped pokemon names at her. Weedle! Caterpie! Meta-pod! They chanted in unison before giggling into their hands as she dispatched more candy for them each.

I gave her a fond, if exasperated, look. I nudged the bucket closer to Suzie just in case her stomach acted up again. Mrs Haridan noticed the gesture. Dont worry I handcraft my candies to be gentle on stomachs!

I nodded. I should have suspected as much from the best chef in Pewter.

She flapped a hand at me. Pshaw! Dont butter up an old woman like me! You should be out there chasing young lasses or being chased! She gave me a searching look. Have I introduced you to my daughter?

I believe shes married already Mrs Haridan.

She tapped her chin at that pesky setback. My granddaughter? The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

Still on her journey no? I said after thinking for a moment.

The old woman nodded. Rather enjoying the Sevvi Islands last I heard from her. Ill have to make her swing by to train at your gym! Im sure after your recent tete-a-tete with Lance shed be very open to having you offer pointers!

I shrugged at her, I probably would have indulged her but it had been a very, very long day with the interviews along with not really enough sleep. So instead I diverted to a safer topic. So any thoughts on how to get dinner to stay down? Im thinking chicken soup, but I only have so much stock in the kitchen right now. Any tips to stretch things out?

She perked up and began questioning what I had in my kitchen. In truth, I had lots of things. I always made sure the pantry was stocked if locked at night to handle the kids and the Munchlax wed taken on. That didnt stop her from outlining how to cook what sounded like an amazing recipe.

This an old family secret? I asked jokingly.

She waved her hand daintily. Oh goodness no! I got it from a magazine years ago! I tell my family it is though! She giggled into her hand and I shook my head.

Brock!? Mr Brock? Called a nurse. This time they were accompanied by two Machops that had a bed between them. It was at times like this that my lack of a last name really stood out to me. It wasnt considered strange her though and some people even seemed oddly proud of not having one. It obviously had some cultural or historical context that I hadnt been told about yet.

I stood and nodded to Mrs Haridan. Ill cook that soup when were done here. Thanks for the recipe. I flipped the notepad closed and looked to Suzie and Timmy. Want the Machops to wheel you into the Doctor?

I'd be the last to help you understand

Are you hard enough to be a man?

My man, I dragged the words out, eyeing Suzie as she yawned but continued to watch me. So I kept singing.

Nothing's true and nothing's right

So dont leave me alone tonight

'Cause you can't change the way I am

Are you hard enough to be a man?

I sighed out the next words as Suzies eyes slowly closed.

Lie to me

I promise I'll believe

Lie to me

But please don't leave

Don't leave, I sang before making to stand I got to the door before Suzie coughed. I checked her over but she was now fast asleep. When I left the room I found Yolanda waiting outside the door.

She smiled at me. They alright?

Theyre sleeping now. I patted her on the head and heaved a sigh. Im gonna get some sleep myself. Night.

Night Brock. She hugged into my side, love you, she said into my ribs.

I mirrored her words and headed straight for my room where I collapsed into bed. I let my mind wander. Everyone was in bed now, right? My family was fine? Theyd been fed hadnt they? I vaguely remembered Yolanda heating something up from the freezer for the others while Id been busy.

I tried to relax and force sleep to claim me.

It didnt work.

My mind kept going to the walk back to the gym and what had happened.

Could I really leave Flint to look after my siblings? I kept coming up with an answer that made me chase my tail. Hed seen us! He couldnt deny that! And he just sat there.

I wasnt the person that had had so many kids. I had never signed on for this. Id known it was coming though. Id tried to avoid it. Part of me hated myself for that.

Part of me longed for the open road again and I despised that part of me that knew it was a selfish reaction.

Life was easy when you were on the road. You lived day to day without too many worries. It made you more present? I wasnt sure how, but it made you focus on the now. It was easy to be free when you didnt have any responsibilities. It was one of the best things about living in a pokemon world. Everyone understood that, it was why pokemon journeys were so prevalent in our culture. Sadly they could be addictive if the number of single parents was any indication.

Id had mine and loved it. Id despaired when Id been called back early. But I had made the best of the situation.

I looked at the walls of my room, imagining the walls beyond them. There were strong walls around a strong gym. I looked at the colours and toys Id collected spread across the room. My siblings were happy and had most of what they needed.

If I only wanted to consider my happiness, I would do as Flint did and walk out the door. I grit my teeth at that comparison. And it was a comparison. If I left, wouldnt I be no better than him? Did I know that I needed to accompany Ash on his journey? Brock in the anime had been a stabilising feature that cooked meals and helped look after pokemon. Hed also been a recurring joke with his failed flirtations with women. He might not have been the main character, but he had his role to play in guiding said character. Did that make it an apples to oranges situation then?

What about the gym? What about all the work I had put in?

I turned over and tried to get comfortable. I could feel the fatigue in my bones. I felt tired. It was an experience Id gotten used to in my older life. Now I was not even sixteen and I was already feeling like an old man. Maybe it was just my old soul? Or, and this had taken me a while to understand through experiencing it enough in my past life, maybe I was just having a no-good-rubbish day. You got those sometimes. Id bounce back. Sometimes we all struggle a bit in the dark after all.

I chuckled to myself at the accidental pun. Then I grimaced, sitting up to fluff my pillow. Maybe that needed to be changed out soon? I wasnt getting more comfortable despite my efforts.

Yup.

Today was one of those days.

Those no good, rough days that made you feel like you were about to either be kicked or do some kicking yourself. I felt my eyes slide shut as I breathed out loudly.

I had no idea when I next opened my eyes, but I did so to find myself looking into red eyes. I was held in a blanket that was scooping me up from the floor and carrying me. Had I rolled out of bed? Or had I eventually decided to try sleeping on the floor? I couldnt really recall.

I dozed with my eyes just barely opened. When I was set into bed I felt a softer form lay down behind me and wrap me in a hug. I had to wonder what Sabrina was doing here.

My sleeping mind offered up the answer. Had a rough night, yourself?

The form behind me nodded once. I tried spending some more time outside with my father and mother. We ended up with a lot of people wanting something from us. Mother wanted me to stay though so I stayed, said Sabrina.

I rolled in her arms and lay an arm over her. She stared at me and I smiled at her. Yeah sorry. That happens sometimes, I said lightly trying to let myself fall back asleep. I hadnt realised it but I had been rather cold down there. Thoughts could get heavy sometimes. I could only imagine how being a psychic could make things harder.

Thanks for picking me off the floor, I said with my eyes shut as sleep claimed me.

I woke up the next morning alone. Next to me, a small depression marked where another body had laid. I sighed and sat up before making my way out to start a new day. I found myself slightly more relaxed than I had been though. I hummed and shot Sabrina a message to thank her, even if shed needed me, her being there last night had helped.

I headed out and found all of my siblings' bar Suzie and Timmy already fed and getting ready for school. Suzie and Timmy were still sleeping. I sent them off and when my sick siblings woke up, got them to eat something.

Then Georgina called to tell me she had no paper work for me, leaving me to enjoy a lazy morning on the couch, watching cartoons with my siblings. Today already seemed to be off to a better start.