Bailey's head was spinning and beginning to throb. Something darker seemed to be tugging at him. Jill's face, their last conversation, Will's black eye, Charlie's tears and then his fury. He crawled on to the bed, trying not to shake or throw up.
Just as he managed to pull his blanket up around him, Charlie burst through the door without knocking. The door ricocheted off the wall and slammed shut.
"Bailey, you selfish brat! Get up now!" Charlie stood waiting next to the bed with his hands on his hips. "Three…. Two…. On—"
"Charlie, please," Bailey begged softly. "I feel really sick now. If I move, I'm going to throw up." No sooner had he spoken the words then waves of nausea wracked his body. Vomit splattered on the floor and Charlie jumped out of the way. He grabbed a small trashcan and shoved it to Bailey, who continued to throw up.
Charlie sighed, "Come on, Bay. Let's get you cleaned up. I'm going to draw you a bath, and I'll clean this mess up." He guided his little brother into the bathroom, turned on the water, and set another trashcan by the tub.
"Throw your clothes by the door and I'll come get them. I'll bring some new ones and change your bed. Just rest for a bit, okay?"
"Okay," whispered a pitiful Bailey. The warm tub helped his muscles relax. Although he threw up two more times, he was starting to feel better.
Fifteen minutes later, Charlie knocked on the door. "Your room is ready. Want to get out now?" Bailey nodded, so Charlie handed him a towel and moved his clean clothes within reach. Then he turned away to give Bailey privacy as he dressed.
"Ready," said the teenager, wearing only pajama bottoms.
"Take these," Charlie held out three Ibuprofens and a bottle of water. Then he stepped out of the way and Bailey slowly shuffled back to his bedroom. The bed was turned down, and after Bailey slipped between the sheets, Charlie tucked the blankets around him.
Bailey grabbed his big brother's hand before he turned to go. "Charlie, will you stay with me?" Tears were already sliding down the boy's face.
"Of course. Bay, you will feel better after you sleep. So, please, just rest."
Charlie grabbed a book off of a shelf and crawled into bed next to his brother. After ten minutes, Charlie noticed that Bailey's breathing had slowed and that his body had relaxed. Soon the book tumbled from his hands as he, too, drifted off to sleep.
