Trent sat in the hospital cafeteria wondering how he should have responded to the text. Should he have told her he understood it wasn't her choice and he would take care of Brock until her return? Should he have railed at her for her selfishness? Cussed her out? Begged her to stay for his brother? Told her to leave for good, that Brock needed focus in his recovery and life. He had no idea so he just sat rereading the text in his mind.
~Trent, I have been reassigned. I'm leaving the country... can't say to where. Please tell him I'll be home as soon as I can. Please take care of him. And tell him I'm so sorry I can't be there with him.~
The more he thought about it the angrier he became. Did she honestly expect him to break Brock's heart on her behalf? And the presumption that he needed to be told to take care of Brock was enraging. So there he sat seething. Rage flowing through him in a way he wasn't accustomed to but in the moment didn't mind enough to fight.
Clay and Vic immediately saw Trent in the back corner of the cafeteria clenching and unclenching his fists on the tabletop. His breathing was more rapid and unfocused than Clay had ever seen from their stoic medic. Reaching a hand out he stopped Vic. "Grab three coffees and wait to join us until I signal you." Vic nodded and took one step away before Clay called out to him. "And Vic get french vanilla creamer."
As Clay approached Trent seemed unaware of his presence. Staring staight ahead and continuing to make fists as if he was using every ounce of his strength to refrain from punching something or someone. Clay sat across from him wordlessly.
"Vic needs to see him before you tell him she's gone." Clay inhaled sharply at the sudden glare from Trent. "The kid isn't okay. He's struggling almost as much as you Trent, but I know why he's having a rough time. What's going on with you, brother?"
"What's wrong is a list Clay. You want the fucking list?" Trent lowered his eyes to his clenched fists before intentionally flattening his palms on the table.
"Well yeah I do because if I had a list you'd sure as shit force it out of me." Meeting Trent's eyes he pressed on. "Or Sonny would."
"Yeah he would. Brock would stare at me until I broke and spilled my guts. You know that's part of it. After every op he stays at my house the first night home? It started after we rescued Mandy almost a year ago. I'm so used to it now I'm not sure what I'd do if he didn't show up. We almost lost him. We almost lost him and I should have been there. If Vic hadn't found him... and when he was still out I hated Vic for being the one who did. If he hadn't been cognitively there I'm not sure I would have forgiven Vic. I'm mad that I have to explain simple shit to everyone and I sort of hate myself for that. I'm pissed she ditched and even more pissed that I have to tell him. And honestly I'm a bit pissed that I'm rambling this all of to you." Trent lowered his head to rest on his hands still splayed across the table top. For a moment Clay didn't know what to say but thought about Brock and realized no words were needed for Trent. Leaning across the table he laid his hand on the back of Trent's lowered head and sat. The slight shake of Trent's shoulders told him silence was the right choice as he shook his head to Vic indicating more time was needed.
After a few minutes Trent straightened up and his red rimmed exhausted eyes met Clay's. "Coffee is probably cold and the kid is probably freaking people out with his pacing."
Clay's laugh caught Vic's attention and when both men nodded he tried not to spill the coffee as he joined them. Reaching in his hoodie pocket he pulled out two handfuls of French vanilla creamers which promptly scattered across the table. Fumbling with the cream he nearly dumped the coffee as Clay took it from his hands and looked to Trent.
"Kid it's enough." Trent spoke softly as he continued. "You did good but you can't stop seeing him down. Everyone is saying he's better but you close your eyes and he's dead while you break his ribs in desperation... Vic you have to stop avoiding him. You need to see for yourself that he is okay."
Vic's chin trembled slightly as he nodded. They sat sipping coffee that Clay insisted they all added vanilla creamer to until Vic broke the silence. "Clay I'm ready."
Walking together down what seemed to Vic to be an endless hallway made it feel less undoable. His brothers matched his steps and eased his anxiety until they stood together outside the door to Brock's room. Vic could feel the fear and hesitation with every beat of his heart as he pushed the door open.
Brock was pushing grayish scrambled eggs around the tray in front of him when the door opened. "I wouldn't feed this to Cerb." He watched as Trent slumped into a chair and Clay stood awkwardly close to Vic. "You broke my ribs." His tone was even and his face unreadable.
"I did." Vic nodded while his voice cracked slightly.
"Thank you for being so damn stubborn." Brock looked between his brothers for a moment. "Now is someone going to get me something edible to eat?"
