Chapter Four

Alan returned from Art's a little later than he had intended. He'd stopped off at the pharmacy to pick up Don's prescription and some bandages and gauze. He'd then stopped at the butcher's to pick up three rib-eye steaks. Don needed to be spoilt a little tonight. He walked in and placed his keys on the table. He could hear Charlie in the kitchen, he turned to close the door and saw Don lying on the couch, fast asleep. He quietly walked over and placed his hand on Don's forehead, he smiled when he felt normal body heat, no temperature. He carefully rolled Don's ankle slightly to get a better look under the bandage, satisfied there was no redness he then checked Don's hand. He smiled again. The last thing he wanted was for Don to have to go back to the hospital. The nurse had told him that if the redness didn't dissipate and if it in fact worsened then Don would need to be admitted for a course of intravenous antibiotics. Alan hadn't been looking forward to having to break that news. Don was brave until it came to needles. Then he just seemed to give in and pass out. It had happened a few times, with immunisations and once, when Don's wrist had been broken during a rather ferocious baseball game, he'd actually managed to pass out with such a force he broke a second bone.

Alan walked into the kitchen to find Charlie searching through the cupboards.

"Charlie? What are you looking for?"

"Have you seen my panic whistle? The one from when I was little? I can't find it anywhere"

"Charlie I seriously doubt that's still in the house. I'm sure your mother got rid of that thing after she saw you playing with the Henderson's dog. She guessed you didn't need it anymore"

Charlie watched as his father put away the steaks and set out Don's medications on the table.

"The Henderson's dog. Remember when it chased me and knocked me down in the street?"

Alan regarded his baby boy with a heartfelt look.

"Charlie, the dog was trying to be friendly, we've discussed this. Countless times."

"You have your version Father, I have mine"

"What do you want that whistle for anyway?"

"In case Don needs anything, I thought he could whistle for us"

Alan smiled warmly at his son and then walked over and ruffled his hair. Charlie's face broke into a broad smile.

"Why don't you give Don the bell from the dining room instead?"

Charlie's smile disappeared. "I think he's used up that privilege, I've heard enough of that bell to last me a life time"

"Well, help me with dinner instead then. You can do the baked potatoes "

Alan went to work on the salad, enjoying Charlie's company. For once they were having some time without numbers, statistics and Charlie trying to educate Alan on something or another. As much as he loved learning from him, it was nice to just be with his son.

Charlie's voice came quietly to his ears.

"I wish I wasn't scared you know"

"Well there's only one way to get over any fear Charlie, that's to face it head on"

"I've tried, believe me, but it's embarrassing now; I wish I was like Don. He's not scared of anything"

Alan turned and stood in front of Charlie; he placed his hands on both his shoulders and looked him square in the eyes.

"Don's got his own hang up's you know Charlie, he's not as fearless as you think he is "

"Really?" Charlie looked at his father with disbelief in his eyes.

"Do you know he passes out if he ever has to have an injection?"

Charlie smirked at Alan, he looked downward, lost in thought for a minute, then looked back at Alan and laughed.

"Dad, this is a really lame attempt to make me feel better. Let's finish dinner ok?"

Alan held firm to Charlie's shoulders.

"He passed out today when they gave him a Tetanus"

Charlie looked into his father's eyes; his face looked so sincere, was he really telling the truth? Alan watched as the realisation took hold of Charlie. He released his shoulders and readied the grill for the steaks. Charlie didn't move. He couldn't move.

His big brother was scared of needles. His big brother, tough, strong Don. Scared of needles.

All through dinner Charlie kept looking up at Don. He'd stare at him for a few seconds and then continue eating. Don knew something was up. He put his fork down and looked at Charlie. As Charlie raised his head to stare at Don again he jumped when he looked straight up into Don's eyes.

"What is it Charlie? "

"Nothing how's your steak?"

Charlie had cut Don's steak up in to little pieces to ease the pressure on his hand. Don had almost shouted at his brother , how dare he treat him like a baby , but his father's words from earlier had come ringing back into his ears. Besides, his hand did hurt so it was easier to use just his fork.

"Forget the steak, what is it? You've been too quiet all through dinner, what's going on?"

Alan watched both his son's. This was going to be interesting.

"I was just wondering if they gave you any antibiotics for the bite?"

"Pills Charlie, they're the little white things in the bottle in the kitchen."

"Oh."

Don continued eating, he knew something was still bugging his brother but his rib-eye was getting cold and that just wasn't allowed.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, Charlie couldn't resist another question.

"Did they give you a pain killer at all?"

"Tylenol"

"Any Tetanus?"

There it was, Don should have seen that one coming.

"Spit it out Charlie"

"You passed out didn't you"

Don glared at his father, Alan attempted to look innocent but failed magnificently, the smile spreading across his face betrayed him in a worse way than Charlie had.

"If Dad told you that then he's mistaken, I passed out because of the bite and the shock and, and I hadn't eaten. Do you know how long we worked on that case Charlie? I've barely had any sleep; have missed at least one meal a day. You try being bitten by a dog and see if you stay conscious for long"

Don's steak bore the brunt of his anger. He chewed on a piece with such purpose that his face actually began to turn red. Charlie just sat, smiling at him.

Alan, who'd finished his meal, gathered his plate, knife, fork and glass and moved to the kitchen. From the dining room he heard Charlie's voice again.

"You passed out because of a needle Don" Charlie was a lot braver than he thought he was.