Chapter 8 (FINAL)

                                    

                                          


                          
Two weeks had passed, and Rodrick was being discharged from the hospital. He had almost fully recovered, but the doctor said that he needed to take it easy for a few more days. His family was helping him pack, not that he had much there anyway. Finally, the nurse came with the wheelchair. Rodrick breathed a sigh of relief, but he gave the wheelchair a skeptical look. 
                          
"Is this really necessary?" Rodrick asked the nurse, "I can walk, you know."
                          
The nurse let out a small laugh. 
                          
"It's a precaution," she said, "We are required to do it."
                          
Rodrick shrugged. At this point, he was so sick of being in the hospital that he would do about anything to get out, and if leaving in a wheelchair is the way to do it, then so be it. So, he plopped himself down, and they wheeled him out of the room, and out to the parking lot.
                          
.............................
                          
The Heffleys pulled up in front of their house. Rodrick got out of the minivan, and took a deep breath in through his nose. The smell of freedom was so sweet! He got his bag and they all went into the house.
                          
"Do you want me to get you anything, sweetie?" Susan asked him.
                          
"No thanks," Rodrick replied, "I think I'm just going to go up and call the band."
                          
Susan nodded as Rodrick headed upstairs to his room. He sat on his bed, got out his laptop and called the band on video chat. 
                          
"Hey," Rodrick smiled, as he saw each band member on the screen.
                          
"Hey, how you doin' man?" Ben said.
                          
"I'm all good," Rodrick shrugged and grinned, "I'm pretty much off the hook."
                          
"Good to hear," Chris nodded.
                          
"So," Rodrick said, "How'd the gig go? Did Sage like it?"
                          
There was silence for a few seconds, before Ward spoke up.
                          
"We didn't go."
                          
Rodrick stared at them wide-eyed.
                          
"What? Why not?"
                          
"Because, man," Ben replied, "You weren't there! We couldn't do it without you. You're the band's entire backbone."
                          
Rodrick narrowed his eyes slightly.
                          
"You tried to perform without me once before," he said crossing his arms, "At the Talent Show."
                          
"That was all Bill's fault, dude!" Ward retorted, "He basically threatened to destroy the band, if we didn't go on with him. We don't know what his plan was, but we didn't want to find out. We never meant to ditch you."
                          
Rodrick rolled his eyes and sighed heavily.
                          
"Ugh, that douchbag!" he exclaimed, "Now I'm really glad I kicked him off."
                          
"Yeah, who knows what would have happened if you didn't," Chris said.
                          
"Yeah, but really guys," Rodrick stated, "You didn't have to cancel the show, I would have understood if you guys went on without me. I mean, c'mon, Sage is a pretty cool chick.
                          
"Naw, man," Ben shook his head, "We're a band. So, we're in this together. We all have your back, and we always will."
                          
Chris and Ward nodded in agreement, and Rodrick smiled.
                          
"I appreciate that, guys," Rodrick replied, "Really, it means a lot."
                          
"So, when are we going to have practices again?" Ward asked.
                          
"Well, I still have to take it easy for a few days," Rodrick answered, "So, I was thinking this Monday."
                          
"Sounds good to us," the band responded in agreement.
                          
"Alright," he nodded and grinned, "See you boys on Monday."
                          
Rodrick said goodbye to his bandmates and closed his laptop. He smiled to himself. It pleased him so much to know that his band was with him until the end, even when it means canceling a gig at a hot girl's party. He knows that he would have done the same for them. Now, Rodrick had everything that he ever really wanted, which was the trust and love of his family, and the loyalty of his band. He sighed contently. For the first time in his life, he felt like the luckiest guy in the world, and it felt amazing.
                          


                          


                          


                          
And that's it, y'all. I hope you enjoyed it, because I sure did! 😉
                          
R&R