Chapter 7

The next morning, Thomas woke up, hearing Henry downstairs, meaning his Aunt was up.

Remembering the night before, he sighed, getting up and dressing before heading downstairs.

Once he made it to the great room, he sighed seeing his father still sleeping on the bench and Aunt Mary, attempting to start breakfast, her youngest nephew in her arms. "Aunt Mary?", Thomas whispered, walking over, a look of apology on his face.

Looking up, Mary smiled as her nephew sat beside her. "It's ok Thomas. You're here now.", she replied, handing Henry over to his open arms.

"How's Pa?", Thomas asked as he gently bounced Henry on his knee.

Grimacing, Mary merely sighed. "Well.."

"Yes?", Thomas pressed.

"He was hurt pretty badly Thomas.", Mary replied, receiving a groan from her nephew.

"Can't I do anything for him?", he begged.

Aunt Mary merely shook her head. "I'm sorry Tommy. I know you'd do anything for your father."

"Of course I would... I love him so much Aunt Mary.", he whispered.

The next few moments they sat in silence when they were suddenly startled by the sound of the others making their way down the stairs, Adam at the end, his expression grim.

"Morning boys.", Mary called as they sat down at the table.

"What's the point? Pa's just gonna leave us like Ma did.", Adam mumbled, causing Mary to sigh, though she said nothing, not wanting to upset her nephews further.

Instead, Aunt Mary turned to Thomas, gently taking Henry from his arms. "Could you please give your brothers their breakfast?", she asked beginning to pat her youngest nephew on the back.

Nodding, Thomas picked up two of the bowls, taking them down beside his Aunt, a bowl in front of each of them.

For the next few minutes, seven of them ate in silence, even Aunt Mary, who, for the moment, had laid Henry in his basket.

Adam, although he pushed his food around in his bowl, because of what was happening to his father and how he felt, found himself unable to eat. Instead, he looked across the room, to the bench where his father slept, the look of pain in his face evident.

Then, to his surprise, his father's hand began to twitch as he began slowly waking up.

"P-Pa?", he whispered, dropping his spoon as he began slowly standing up. Walking over to the bench, Adam knelt at his father's side, carefully taking his father's hand into his own. "Pa.", he whispered again.

Though Simon was only able to move his hand a tiny bit, the slightest sparkle came to his eye, seeing how his son cared. "Oh, Adam. My son.", he whispered.

Barely able to swallow the lump in his throat, Adam merely nodded. Then, slowly turning around, he gasped, now aware that the others stared at him, each of them a look of surprise on his face.

"Simon.", Mary gasped, walking over to kneel at her brother's side. "H-How are you?", she asked her voice trembling.

Moaning, Simon lifted a hand to touch his forehead, when Mary stopped him in the process.

"Simon no.", she whispered. "You'll hurt your head more.

Nodding, he sighed. Looking toward the table his heart went out to his sons, seeing their faces.

"The boys... Henry.", he whispered before wincing having accidentally hurt something in his chest. "Mary, how are they... are they ok?"

"Pa.", Adam gasped watching his father. "A-Are you ok?", he asked, slightly hesitant as he laid a hand on his Aunt's shoulder.

"Mary, what happened?", Simon asked, as she gently took his hand into hers.

"Y-You were attacked by some new fellah Pa.", Adam replied, the concern he held for his father apparent.

Blinking a few times, Simon sighed, looking up at both his sister and son. "I remember seeing him, but nothing after that... nothing."

Nodding, Mary gently pat his hand. "It's alright.", she whispered.

"How's your shoulder?", Thomas asked, startling his brother.

"Shut up!", Adam screamed as he turned around. "Sorry.", he whispered a moment later having realized Thomas had asked.

"What's this about your shoulder?", Aunt Mary asked, sorry that she hadn't known the night before.

Adam gave Thomas a look of disapproval, then with a sigh, looked down. "I hurt it last night when we went after Pa. The new guy got a little rough with me then walked away, laughing at us.", he explained.

"I see. Does it hurt now?", his Aunt asked.

"Well, not really.", Adam mumbled, though he winced a little.

"Are you sure? I do have something that make it feel better if you let me rub a little on it."

Adams determined look remained until he finally sighed in defeat. "Ok."

"Son...", Simon called, knowing what his son was feeling as well as how he could hopefully help.

"Yeah, Pa?"

"Do you think of me any differently because I was attacked?", he asked his son.

"No."

"Good.", Simon said, his mouth twitching up at the edges. "Remember that."

"Why?", Adam asked, confusion on his face.

"Because that's how your brothers see you. All six of them. Your Aunt and me too. Son, you are very strong, in more ways than one. There's nothing wrong with that, but don't make the mistake of shoving those away who love you most."

"Yes, sir.", he whispered, looking to his brothers. "Do you really think of me like that?"

All four nodded.

"Me too.", Thomas said, giving him a brotherly pat on the back.

"Come on. I'll fix your shoulder.", Aunt Mary urged him.

Nodding, Adam allowed her to take him away from the others where she gently rubbed one of her concoctions on his shoulder.

"It's not so bad is it?", Mary asked as she gently buttoned up her nephew's shirt.

Looking up, he slowly shook his head. "No."

"I know you're you... but... well you know."

Making a firm line with his lips, Adam whimpered, barely audible before looking up to his aunt. "I know I don't say it much... rarely... but I love you and Pa. I wish I had Ma back, but... well."

"I know you do Adam. Your Pa and me lost our own parents years ago and we still miss them." Gently laying a hand on his back, she sighed. "I know it's hard... Does it hurt anywhere else?"

Sighing, Adam shook his head, but at the same time pointed a finger to his chest.

Nodding, Mary asked. "Is that physical or emotional?", she asked, her eyes full of compassion for her nephew.

"Emotional.", he whispered, but then looked up, his outlook only a smidge better. "But, talking to you helps... Just like ma. I don't know why."

Chuckling, she replied. "That's because you're special Adam. "Most boys, especially your age don't want to talk to their moms our aunts."

"I guess.", he replied, shrugging her compliment off.

"You're so sweet."

Once more Adam shrugged, not quite comfortable with the extra attention. Then, looking up, he hesitantly asked, "Think I could hold Henry while Tommy eats?"

"Hmm. I don't know if that's a good idea with your shoulder, but maybe once it heals."

"Oh.", Adam sighed.

"But, it won't be long. Come on. Let's get you some breakfast."

Nodding, Adam smiled. "Good." And, with that, he followed her back to the great room.

When they walked in, Mary sighed, her heart warming at the sight, just as it had for the last couple years. Then, tuning to her nephew she smiled. "Go on and eat Adam.", she told him before walking over to where her brother laid.

"Hey, Aunt Mary.", Thomas called as he fed his father a spoonful of warm grits.

"Oh, Thomas.", she whispered, kneeling beside her nephew. "You don't have to do this. Don't you need to get ready for work?", she asked, gently laying a hand on his arm.

"Well...", Thomas hesitated, but his father saved him.

"We were just talking about that. I think the boys should stay here today.", he replied.

"Oh... That might be a good idea.", Mary replied, understanding his reasoning. Adam, certainly didn't need to go and the few who could go wouldn't be able to work with just Thomas to lead them."