Chapter Text
The first thing Teddy sees when he wakes up is white. Pure, blinding white. The world feels entirely too loud and too bright for him. All he wants to do is curl up and fall back into a peaceful sleep, but he knows he won’t be able to do that. Not with the memories of the theater flooding back to him. There was a monster…and…Susie.
Susie. …oh god. He needs to find Phil. Teddy tries to get out of bed, but a searing pain in his leg interrupts him. He takes in a sharp breath, careful not to make any noise. He figures the doctors probably wouldn’t want him strolling around the hospital on a bad leg. He tries to walk one more time, before deciding the discomfort is too much and giving up. The next moment, a nurse walks in, oblivious to his pained expression.
“Oh good! You’re awake!” She exclaims, far to cheerfully in Teddy’s humble opinion. “Your father and brother are here to see you! I’ll fetch them in a moment,”
Teddy feels his stomach drop.
“O-ok.” He manages.
“I got you some medication dear, they should help with the pain.” She grabs a small plastic from her cart and places it on the bedside table.
“Thank you ma-am,”
“No worries, dear, I’ll go get your folks now,”
Teddy is not eager to confront his father. Mr. Uris is a widely respected member of his community, but in the privacy of his own home, things can get nasty. Donald wasn’t much better, he and Teddy used to be closer, but after Donald began his studies to become a rabbi, their relationship grew strained. A sharp voice jolts him from his thoughts.
“Theodore.” His father stares him down.
Teddy forces out a feeble response. “H-hi dad.”
“What were you doing at the theater last night?”
“Uhh…I-“
“You were with that boy again weren’t you?”
Teddy doesn’t bother lying. He knows if there’s one thing his father hates more than a disappointment, it’s a liar.
“Y-yeah.”
Mr. Uris lets out a deep sigh.
“I thought I told you to quit wasting time on meaningless endeavors. They are only meant to distract you from your studies,”
“Yes father,” Teddy replies blankly, trying to keep his expression neutral.
“From now on there will be no leaving the house. Your studies are your top priority, and there will be no friends over. Do you understand? I won’t have you being any more of a disgrace on this family on this family than you already are.”
Teddy can feel the tears threaten to well up in his eyes. No. No. Boys don’t cry.
“I understand, sir.”
“Good,” his father says. He walks out of the room, not giving Teddy a second glance, his shoes clicking against the floor in a hostile manner.
Tears are falling freely now, making their way down Teddy’s splotchy, red cheeks like they have somewhere to be. He quickly wipes them away, the thought of anyone seeing him like this is utterly embarrassing.
“Theo?” Teddy dabs at the remaining tears on his cheeks.
“Hi Don,”
“Theo…what happened?”
“There was an accident at the theater, and I hurt my leg. That’s all,” he forces a smile that’s not convincing anyone, but he can’t bring himself to care.
“Why weren’t you at home? Your bar mitzvah is soon. You should really be studying for it,” Teddy shuts his eyes. The constant bar mitzvah preparation is starting to get to him.
“Are you blaming me? I didn’t want to end up in the hospital!”
Donald sighs.
“No…it’s just, none of this would’ve happened if you just stayed home.” Teddy feels his face grow hot.
“So you are saying this is my fault. Just leave, Donald.”
Donald opens his mouth to protest, but decides against it, turning to leave as well. The boy puts his head back into his pillow, feeling another wave of exhaustion wash over him.