Blink 3/7
Chapter Three:
Don arrives first, running practically full speed into the room. He's almost out of breath, as if he ran all the way from the Bureau. He's crying and laughing and talking and hugging Charlie so hard he can hardly breathe.
His words are a whirlwind and Charlie wants to join in, but can't seem to manage it. This part of him, this part he's always relied on, it just isn't there any more.
When Don finally pulls away from embracing him, Charlie looks at his brother. In his mind, he saw Don last a few seconds before he woke up, but he looks different now... older, more worn around the edges. Frustrated at his inability to communicate, he motions to Don for something to write on. When Don looks at him questioningly, he points to his mouth and shakes his head to remind him he can't talk.
Don tries to hide it, but his reaction is strong and emotional. Apparently, no one had told him yet that Charlie couldn't speak. Shaken, he pulls out his notebook and places a pen in Charlie's hand.
Charlie is relieved beyond belief that he can still write. He scribbles out "how long?"
Don reads it, frowns, and tries to dismiss it.
"Doesn't matter, buddy, I'm just so glad to have you back! Dad's on his way, he'll be here soon. You have no idea how happy he's going to be!"
Charlie taps the paper again, impatiently. He has a right to know.
Before he can coerce Don into answering, Alan bursts through the door and stares at Charlie in disbelief and joy.
Charlie stares at him in disbelief as well. When did his father get so gray? His hair was much darker when he saw him last. Like Don, he looks older as well and more weary than ever before.
He accepts his father's repeated embraces and listens to him go on about how happy he is. But Charlie can't stop thinking about time and how much he's lost.
When Alan finally pulls away, Charlie turns back to Don and taps the notebook again in a gesture of annoyance.
When Alan looks quizzically at Charlie and then at Don, Don sighs. "Dad... Charlie... He can't speak. Not yet anyway..."
Alan takes the news surprisingly well for a parent and just seems happy to have Charlie awake again.
Charlie is getting agitated and won't let Don put him off any longer. He uses whatever muscle strength he has left to throw the notebook at Don. Don catches it easily, since Charlie can barely lift his arm.
"Hey... It's okay, buddy... I just thought you might need some time to get used to the idea of being back before we hit you with, well, with what you've missed."
Charlie makes an exasperated face at his brother. More wasted time is the last thing he needs.
Don sits down beside him on the bed and takes his hand.
"Charlie... I don't know what they've told you so far, but you had a stroke during one of your classes and were taken to the hospital. You were in and out for a while but... you ended up in a coma. When you didn't wake up after a week or so... we moved you here, to this long term care facility."
Long term care... Charlie freezes up at what that implies.
"Charlie, you've been gone for seven months."