Don opened the car door and helped Charlie to the house. Charlie made to move out of Don's arms but a threatening look from Don stopped all signs of protests. Don deposited Charlie on the sofa while Alan moved to the kitchen with groceries to get started on dinner. Don came and sat next to Charlie and switched on the TV.
Don was watching the TV but was really keeping an eye on his brother. Charlie was lost in his own world of numbers and stared blankly ahead.
" Dinner's ready." Charlie and Don moved towards the table. Alan served a plate and put it in front of Charlie, one of the rules was that Charlie couldn't serve his own meals.
Don and Alan started eating their food also but their eyes were on Charlie. He was going through every bite slowly. Eventually he set his fork down, he ate less than half of the plate. He moved out of his chair to excuse himself.
" Charlie, you need to eat more." Alan added, quietly. Another condition was that Charlie had to eat at least half of what was on the plate.
Charlie sullenly sat down and slowly picked the fork again and shovellled food into his mouth and then stormed out into the garage.
" I'll go talk to him." Alan said, getting up.
" No,dad. I got this." Don said, pushing Alan back into his seat and going into the garage.
In the garage
" Charlie, you need to eat something. Remember what Dr. Sterling said?" Don said walking in on Charlie at the blackboard.
" Don, just let me be, all right, I really need to solve this problem" Charlie replied
" You're gonna give me and dad a heart attach over a math problem?" Don practically shouted." Charlie, get this straight. Your health is more important that anything else even I if have to drag you in the there and force you to eat."
" Don… I'll do better at dinner, I promise" Charlie said, defeated.
" Good, cause if not I'm calling Dr. Sterling." Don said, banging the garage door as he left.