Archive of Our Own ^beta

Harvey felt bad admitting it to himself, but he did wish he didn’t have to make these house visits. They were happening more frequently now.

But he had a duty, and seeing as Shane couldn’t walk to the clinic anymore let alone fit through the door, Harvey had to bring his services to the man. 

Marnie greeted him when he got to the farm. She had the same worried slightly guilty face she always had when these house calls happened. 

She lead him into Shane’s room, the man was where he usually was, in his bed. Walking had gotten increasingly difficult considering he was over 600 pounds so Shane barely got out of bed anymore. 

Harvey cleared his throat “Marnie called me and said you weren’t feeling well, what seems to be the issue?”

Shane avoided looking at Harvey in the eyes “Um… it just got hard to breathe suddenly earlier.. I guess.” 

“I see.” Harvey took out a stethoscope. He put it to Shane’s large chest “Take a deep breath please.” 

Shane breathed as deeply as he could.

Harvey could hear the wheeze and struggle in his breath “Were you feeling anxious or exerting yourself?”

“I don’t know..” most movement was exerting these days. Even lifting his arms when Marnie helped him out of a shirt he’d been wearing too long, then getting him into a new one. He was always exhausted after that. But this time he’d gotten short of breath while just playing dolls with Jas, which didn’t require much effort besides talking. 

Harvey could hear the man’s heart rate was a little fast “Well, I’m sure you’re aware from our previous check ups that getting some weight off will help your breathing.” Harvey could see Shane check out of the conversation as soon as weight loss was mentioned “You know, I could get you a bariatric wheelchair if funds for it were provided, then it would be easier for you to get around again.” He thought the prospect of getting out of this room, out of this house might help Shane get motivated.

“As if I want the whole town seeing me like this..” Shane mumbled, barely audible.

Harvey frowned “Think about it okay.. while it’s still an option. If the breathing issues persist we might have to put you on oxygen. Look Shane, you need to lose weight if you want to get better.”

By the look on Shane’s face, Harvey could tell the man was tuning him out.

Harvey left the room with Marnie, lowering his voice to say what was on his mind “He’s too big to get his own food yet he’s only gained more weight.. Marnie, you have to stop enabling him.”

“I know..” she looked at the floor “I try but he gets very cruel when he wants food and I don’t give it to him.. or he’ll have Jas sneak it to him. She doesn’t understand how serious things are.”

“Have you explained it to her?”

“No.. it’s- she’s been happy that he’s home all the time, less lonely. I didn’t want to taint that.”

“It’s going to get tainted as he gets sicker.” Harvey sighed “Tell Jas not to bring him anything and if he’s giving you a hard time call me, I’ll come talk to him so you don’t have ti be the “bad guy”.. it can be hard dealing with an addict by yourself.”

“Thank you..” she said, she looked on the verge of tears.

Harvey hoped he wouldn’t be called back too soon as Marnie walked him to the door.