Huge thanks to the fantastic response to Chapter 1 of this story I really appreciate all the time you have taken to let me know your thoughts whether it's a review or a PM. Chapters for 'Matty' and 'The Youngest Grey' are developing well and hopefully I will have time to publish tomorrow. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Best Wishes Mx

As dad pulls into the parking lot at school and we climb out of the car Matty holds tightly onto mom's hand. If anyone says hello to us then he almost hides behind her legs. Elliot and I make our way towards the front of the theatre where all the performers are seated. I look behind and can see Matty sat between mom and dad, he's looking at the programme intently as if he's concentrating on the words but I'm not sure if he can read half of them.

The concert starts and I lose myself in my thoughts as the dreadful performances numb my mind. I'm the last to perform in the first half of the concert. I stand and take to the stage and settle myself on the piano stool and start to play. I lose myself in the music and when I finish and the lights go on there's a huge round of applause and people get to their feet to give me a standing ovation. I stand and take a small bow and then make my way back to my seat.

'Well done bro, you were the best.' Elliot says as he comes towards me.

'You're biased.' I say with a huge grin on my face.

'Well done Christian.' Dad says as he touches the top of my arm affectionately. I can cope with being touched there.

'Thanks dad.' I say. 'How's Matty coping with the concert?'

'He's sitting very still surprisingly and very quietly. He gripped the programme all the way through and the only words he has said were 'Christian next' though that was almost a whisper and I nearly missed it.' Dad says. 'I thought you played perfectly but Matty shook his head in one part.'

'I did hit a couple of bad notes, I was hoping no-one would notice.' I say.

'I don't think anyone else did.' Dad says. 'Mom is still in her seat because Matty refused to move.'

'He's probably scared of all the people.' Elliot says. 'I'll wander up there and say hello.'

'I'll come with you.' I say.

'I'm just going to get Mia a drink.' Dad says as I walk up the aisle with Elliot. When we reach mom she is talking to a lady who is sat in front of her. Matty is still engrossed in the programme that he is gripping tightly.

'Matty.' Elliot says gently and he looks up. He looks terrified. 'Hey it's OK buddy, it's only me and Christian.' Elliot says as he crouches down in front of him. I sit on the seat next to him that was dad's.

'You best.' Matty says quietly. So only I and Elliot can hear.

'I told you.' Elliot says with a grin.

'It was OK.' I say.

'Two notes wrong.' Matty mutters and I sit in shock, he knows all the pieces I play inside out.

'You're right Matty.' I say and Elliot looks on in amazement.

'Wow you are very clever Matty.' Elliot says. Matty shrugs and looks at the programme again. He then points to something and then looks at Elliot. 'That's right Matty that's when I'll be playing.' Matty nods and looks back down.

'Matty, dad wants to know if you want an ice-cream, there's vanilla.' Mia says as she approaches. 'You have to decide quick cos he's near the front of the queue.' Matty looks at her and then hesitates before shaking his head. That's strange he never turns down ice cream.

'I'll have one Mia, a vanilla one.' I say.

'OK Christian.' Mia says and skips her way back to dad.

'Will you come and sit on my knee?' I ask him. He nods slowly and I help him climb onto me.

'I'm going back to my seat.' Elliot says. 'Laters.'

'Matty, why didn't you want an ice cream?' I ask him gently. He looks at the programme once more and avoids the question. I take hold of his chin and make him look at me. 'It's OK you can tell me.'

'I, I, I, ….' He starts to say. I smile at him to encourage him to speak and then he whispers. 'I haven't got any money to pay.'

'Oh Matty.' I say and bring him towards me in a hug. He puts his head on my chest and it feels OK even when he rests a hand there. 'You do realise dad was paying.'

'No.' he whispers. Mom turns round at this moment and looks at us.

'Is everything OK?' she mouths at me. I nod my head at her.

'Matty, dad is nearly back now I'm going to put you back on your seat.' I say.

'OK.' He says quietly so I slide him off my knee and sit him down. Dad hands me the ice cream and I give it straight to Matty, he looks at me with a puzzled expression. 'It's OK I didn't want it really but I knew you would.' He smiles as his eyes light up and then he looks at dad.

'Thank you Wick.' He says politely before digging into the vanilla tub. I stand and make my way to the aisle as Mia slides into the seat next to him with her drink.

'I thought he didn't want one.' Dad says as I stand next to him.

'Dad when have you known Matty to miss out on ice cream. I said I wanted one knowing he would have it and then got it out of him why he didn't want one.' I say. 'He was worried that he didn't have any money to pay.'

'Oh bless him.' Mom says as she hears the end of the conversation. There are tears in her eyes as she looks affectionately at him. 'I think you were right earlier Christian, we do need to sit down with him and tell him what's going on. He's petrified of everything at the moment, even at the supermarket this morning he was totally different to how he used to be. I need to think about getting him back to pre-k as well.'

'He won't go.' I say and mom looks at me. 'He'll be terrified that something is going to happen and will wonder who is going to pick him up.'

'There's only three weeks of this semester left it might be best to wait until after the vacation.' Dad says.

'But we're not going anywhere.' Mom says.

'No but he'll get used to being in the house with us all around.' Dad says.

'OK and we'll talk to him tomorrow.' Mom says.

'Yes, Christian you better go and take your seat for the second half. We'll wait in our seats at the end so you and Elliot come to us.' Dad says.

'OK dad.' I say and then look at Matty who has almost finished the ice cream. I walk over to him. 'Is that good?' I ask. He nods, too busy to speak. 'I've got to go now so will come and find you at the end.' Another nod so I leave him to it.