Chapter 5

The next day was no better. Bam hadn't snapped out of it, and it appeared as though he wasn't going to. Jenn had no idea what to do, so she decided to play along with Bam's delusions. As much as it killed her to see Bam act this way, she knew it was the best thing for him at the moment.

Bam sat on the floor, rolling a skateboard he found back and fourth in front of him with is hand. Jenn was in the kitchen fixing Bam the lunch he requested;a typical child's peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the crust cut off. It had to have the peanut butter on top and it had to be cut diagonally or the little prince Bam Bam would refuse to eat it, again.

"Jenn?"

"Yes Brandon?"

"I'm bored."

"Sorry to hear that Brandon. Didn't you find that skateboard upstairs?"

"Yeah. But I can't ride it. You were going to show me how."

"That's right I was, wasn't I? Well your lunch is ready any way. I'll show you how to skateboard when you're done eating, ok?'

"Promise?"

"Yes I promise. But I warn you, I haven't been on a skateboard in ages."

"That's ok. I just want someone to show me how."

" Brandon come here and eat your sandwich at the table please."

"'K."

Bam stood up and kicked the skateboard out of his way. Instead of nicely walking straight into the kitchen, he decided to take the most interesting and fun path as possible, which drove Jenn nuts.

He spied Mischief and Trouble in the corner and decided to pay them a visit.

"You have key keys!" He squealed as he reached for Trouble's tail. "I love key keys!"

Trouble howled as Bam pulled on his tail, which caused Mischief to run away. Bam let go of Trouble's tail and Trouble took off, followed by a giggling and squealing Bam.

" Brandon! You leave those cats alone!" Jenn yelled.

"But I was playing with the key keys!"

"No you weren't playing with them, you were terrorizing the poor things. Now come here and eat your sandwich."

"I wanna play with the key keys. Can I please?"

"I'm sorry Brandon. You can't play with the key keys until you learn how to play nice with them."

"But I'm a nice boy. Why can't I play with them?"

"You are a nice boy Brandon. But the key keys don't like it when you pull their little tails and chase after them. You understand?"

"Ok."

"Good. Eat your sandwich and afterwards I'll show you how to skateboard and, if you promise to be nice to them, I'll let you play with the key keys. But only if you finish all of your sandwich and milk. Ok?"

"Ok. I promise."

"And I mean all of it."

"Ok! I'll eat it all." He paused and sat down, staring at the glass of milk with a frown. "And the milk too?"

"Yes and the milk too." She said as she pushed his chair in.

"But it's gross. Can I have soda?"

"No Brandon, drink your milk it's good for you."

Bam groaned and began to eat his sandwich. Just like any other little kid, he purposely saved his milk for last, and tried to trick Jenn into thinking he was drinking it.

Jenn caught him as he was about to pour the milk down the sink and stood there watching him as he drank every last drop.

Later that evening Bam stood gazing out the window towards the driveway. His hands and nose were pressed up against the glass as he focused on the driveway as if he were expecting someone to come.

" Brandon what are you doing?"

"They're not coming are they?"

"Who?"

"My mom and dad. They're not coming."

"Uh, no sweetie they're not."

Bam turned around to face her, showing the heartache all over his face. "You lied to me last night." He said with a quivering lip.

"What are you talking about?"

"You told me that my mom and dad was coming to pick me up today."

"Oh that's right I did."

"You lied to me. The sun is almost gone and they're not here. Why aren't they here? Why?"

" Brandon it's ok."

Bam sank into the floor and tears ran from his eyes.

"Where's my mom and dad? You said they were coming to pick me up! Where are they?"

Jenn rushed up to him and tried to wrap her arms around him. He pushed her away from him and cried harder.

"I want my mom and dad!"

" Brandon really it's ok. Listen to me sweetie. They are coming to pick you up, they just got a little delayed that's all."

"You're lying to me!"

"No I'm not. Look I talked to your mom on the phone. She told me that they wouldn't be able to pick you up until sometime tomorrow. Ok?"

"You sure?" He sniffed and more tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Yes I'm sure. Now calm down. It's getting time for your bath any way."

"I don't wanna take a bath!"

"You have to Brandon."

"Why?"

"I said so."

"That's not fair!" He stuck his lower lip out firmly.

"Tough."

Jenn brought Bam upstairs and ran a bath for him. Since he hadn't been getting out of bed until that day, he needed a bit of cleaning up. Jenn knew that because of his condition this was the best opportunity to get him to wash like he needed to do.

When Bam was done with his bath and in clean clothes, Jenn read him a story or two on the couch. After the stories she then sent Bam back upstairs to bed.

She stood in the doorway and watched as Bam fell asleep. Then after leaving Bam's earshot, she slid down to the floor and leaned against the wall.

She wrapped her arms around her legs and shed some tears. It hurt her so much to see Bam act this way.

"Oh God, Bam, what are you doing to me? Why must you constantly make me worry about you? I can't take this, I just can't."