Chapter 11
When Jenny, the nurse at the hospital came to see Lucas one evening, she could see the immediate difference. No longer had the youth got bags of fatigue under his eyes, the colour had returned to his cheeks and he had even put on some weight since she had last seen him… All in four weeks.
"Well, someone seems to remember me, don't they?" Jenny smiled as the youth ran at her and almost knocked her off of her feet. "But usually my patients run the other way when they see me coming!"
Baz laughed and invited the pretty nurse in.
"He's still not talking, but we can communicate now. We've taught ourselves sign language, so Lucas can be included." Baz clarified.
Jenny was impressed, though when she saw the look in Baz's eyes, she knew he really did care for the lad.
"So, how has things been going? No tears in the stitches, bleeding, anything like that?"
Baz shook his head.
"Oh cool. Now I'm going to take them out today, is that ok?" Jenny asked Lucas, who nodded his head in relief. The stitches had been annoying him.
"If you've seen the amount he complains about them, I mean even though he can't talk, he still manages to make the biggest fuss over them." Baz laughed. He watched as Lucas went into a mock stress with him and pretended to sulk, but only for a second before he switched on a sunny smile and hugged Baz.
"Can we go somewhere private to take the stitches out? Or do you want me to take them out right here?" Jenny asked Baz jokingly.
"Yeah, I'll show you through."
***
After Jenny left Lucas fell fast asleep, his energy spent out with the day's excitement. Lucas floated off into a dreamless sleep. His clothes were still on when he hit the pillow on top of the covers.
***
The next day, Matt and Baz tried to get Lucas talking. They had made it into a sort of a routine, so each day after breakfast they would take turns in persuading the troubled youth to talk. Lucas, however, was stubborn and only talked in sign language, despite all their efforts. Just then the door bell rang out, making them all jump. Baz frowned as he wasn't expecting anyone but went to open the door. He was surprised to see Amy, Matt's mom standing there and was even more surprised when she began to lecture him.
In the lounge, Lucas and Matt could hear the silent, but arguing voices. Lucas suddenly began to feel afraid and cuddled up to his big brother for protection. Matt hugged him back. They could almost make out the words the voices said, but not quite. The voices gradually got louder and Lucas became more frightened, clinging to Matt, trying to block out the noise the voices were making. Finally Matt couldn't take it any more. Marching to the owners of the raised voices while still carrying Lucas in his arms, Matt shouted above the din,
"Excuse me! Can you please shut up? You're scaring Lucas."
Both people turned towards him, stunned at his courage. When the mysterious guest turned round, Matt was surprised to see his mother standing in front of him. She was supposed to have picked him up weeks ago, before the attack on Lucas even.
"Come on, pack your things, we're going." Amy was deadly serious.
"And who says I have to go anywhere with you?" Matt sneered, his hatred growing every second.
"Me. You know? Your mother?" Amy was being sarcastic.
"No, I'm not going and you can't make me." Matt calmly replied, while inside his heart was racing; he didn't want to leave Lucas and Baz. He knew he wouldn't see them again. Matt drew Lucas protectively closer.
"Oh yes you are, now pack your things or I will." Amy threatened.
Baz signalled to Matt to give him Lucas, who was becoming restless in Matt's arms. Matt passed him over, and watched as Baz comforted Lucas who had burst into tears, knowing that his brother couldn't win over Amy; she always got what she wanted.
"But why can't I stay with Baz and Lucas?" Matt whined.
"Baz has got a lot to worry about with Lucas and a job to hold down. You've got school work to catch up on and you're not going to catch up with this amount of hassle. I'm moving with you to San Francisco." Amy looked dead serious.
"But that's the other side of America. I can't even come and visit…" Matt started to cry, knowing that he couldn't win over his mother wishes.
Baz swooped down and, still holding Lucas, he hugged the young boy. Baz looked at Amy with a now-look-what-you've-done look upon his face. Amy just scowled at him. Lucas, sensing Matt needed some attention, hugged Matt and Baz together.
"Listen, we'll come and visit you in the holidays and half terms and we'll call you to see how you're doing." Baz complied.
"But why can't I stay with you?" Matt asked tearfully.
"Cos you're mom wants you to move with her and she is you're mom, and I'm not, so I can't fight against this." Baz felt tears wash to the front of his eyes, but refused to cry.
Amy moved upstairs to pack Matt's stuff, while Baz continued to comfort the crying brothers. Baz didn't want to let Matt go, but he knew he had to do what was necessary to ensure Matt didn't try to run away.
The last thing Lucas saw of his brother was when he was in the back of the car, turned around in his seat as he waved good bye. Lucas hadn't said a word up until then, he had just kept everything bottled up inside, but as he saw the car driving away the bottle exploded and Lucas began screaming,
"Why did you have to let him leave? Why? He didn't do anything wrong, I should be taken away, not him. Why Matt? Why now?"
Baz, shocked by this sudden outburst at his brother's departure, did the only thing he could think of and hugged the kid towards him, not wanting to let go. Lucas was suddenly afraid that if he let Baz go, he too would disappear out of Lucas's life and he would never see Baz again. Lucas squeezed Baz as tight as his little hands could manage.
To be continued…
Sorry these parts are taking so long, I had a bad run of luck, including a friend, who was rushed to hospital. Anyway, I hope the next ones shouldn't take quite so long, but ya' never can tell.