Still Don't Own Anything... So Sad
Beeping reached their ears as the 3 Eppes entered Don's room. He looked so still and pale under all the blankets. He had a nasal cannal to help him breath and the amount of wiring running out from under his blankets were staggering. His face was a nice assortment of blue and deep black and purple bruises. Alan didn't even want to look under the blankets to see how badly his son was injured. He knew the sight would break his already weakened heart.
Alan had never felt so helpless in his entire life.
He walked forward and took hold of Don's hand, carefull of his IV.
" Come on dude. Lets see those nice brown eyes"
Don moaned and Alan dropped his hand in shock.
" Don? Open your eyes for me baby. Come on" Margret whispered, Charlie clinging to her like a lifeline.
Don's eyes slowly opened, but they were glassy and unfocused. " C-Charlie?"
Charlie turned at the sound of his name. " Y-Y-Yea?"
" You ok buddy? Did they hurt you?"
Charlie let out a laugh that could have been mistaken for a sob. " No, I'm ok Don. They hurt you. Who did this? "
Don sighed and regretted it imeadiatly.
" Its fine. I'm ok. No trouble."
" No trouble?" Alan was shocked!
Margret took hold of his hand. " Donnie baby, do you know who did this?"
Don closed his eyes. " Tired" he mumbled, then drifted off to sleep.
Margret turned to Alan. " He knows. He knows who did this." Her eyes filled up and she pulled Charlie closer. " Oh my baby. What kind of friends do you have?"
Alan pulled them both to him and wrapped them in a hug. " It'll be ok."
Margret was livid " OK? HOW ON EARTH CAN THIS BE OK? OUR BABY IS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH SUCH A BEATING HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND YOU -"
" Mom?" Don whispered from his bed. Margret ran over.
"Yes baby?"
" I'm sorry."
Margret felt the tears welling up" For what Donnie?"
" I didn't protect Charlie. I'm sorry for putting you through this. I'm sorry" tears were running down Don't face. Alan walked over and held his hand.
" Don. You protected Charlie. He's fine. What happened to you ? Who did this?"
Don tried to turn away but a flash of pain that tore through his ribs stopped him. " It doesn't matter. Its over now. Let it go. "
Alan looked at Margret. " Son, we can't let it go. The police will be here soon to take your statement and they will arrest the people who did this ok? You don't need to worry ok?"
Don mumbled something. Alan asked his to repeat it
" Not pressing charges" Don said louder.
" What?" Alan what shocked! " Why not? Young man you are in the hospital very badly injured and you don't want to press charges against these people? What if they do it again? What if they do it to Charlie" Alan knew it was low to say that, but he wanted justice for his son.
Don looked down. " They won't do this to Charlie"
" How can you be so sure?"
" Trust me"
It was said with such conviction, the pieces of the puzzle snapped into place and Alan paled. " Oh my god."
" Dad..."
" Please don't tell me you did this on purpose. To protect Charlie."
Margret looked up, shocked her Alan could even suggest that. Don's answer almost gave her a heart attack.
" Now he'll be safe."