Not Letting You Go
Chapter 16
When Alan and Margaret reached the room it was almost like when they had first learned Charlie was awake. Donnie had again taken up a position on the bed holding his brother close, Charlie in turn was clinging to his big brother. The only difference this time was the nasal tube under Charlie's nose giving him a little extra oxygen. Charlie had already fallen asleep as Donnie looked up when his parents walked in.
"He was dozing when I came back in. He wanted my back up here with him."
Margaret neared Charlie's side, noticing the wrinkled look of Charlie's forehead, even in sleep he looked upset; however his breathing seemed normal. She glanced up at Donnie. "You're doing an amazing job sweetheart, I'm proud of you." Margaret leaned over Charlie, pulling Donnie toward her, careful not to squish Charlie between them. She then turned, looking at the nurse, "Is he okay?"
The nurse was going over everything with Dr. McDonald, who answered instead. "Once he calmed down everything leveled out. We'll leave the extra oxygen on him just a bit longer, it will help while he rests."
Donnie looked toward the doctor, "Will Charlie get to go home tomorrow?"
"I don't see any reason why he can't." Dr. McDonald turned his attention back to Alan and Margaret. "I'll be back in the morning, we should be able to get him home, hopefully, by noon. Dr. Sanders will most likely have the name of the doctor he was talking about by then. I do want Charlie to try and eat something again tonight. Dinner should be around before too long." With that Dr. McDonald and the nurse left the room.
Donnie looked questioningly at his parents, "What doctor?"
Margaret sat in the chair next to the bed, "Dr. Sanders first said he wanted to apologize to you for upsetting Charlie, but he also said it was actually a good sign that Charlie realizes that what he did wasn't the best choice."
"No kidding," Donnie mumbled.
Ignoring the comment, Margaret continued. "He said he has a doctor in mind for Charlie to start seeing. Someone who has worked with people with gifts like Charlie's. He also recommended us going as a family as well and I think that would be a good idea." Margaret noticed the somewhat unconvinced look on Donnie's face. "Donnie, this is important, it's to help Charlie. Maybe it will even help us understand Charlie better then we apparently have been."
Donnie released a deep breath. "I know mom, I'll do whatever I have to do to help him; it's just I didn't care for Dr. Sanders. I don't want someone upsetting Charlie like that again, no matter how helpful they think it is. He was just so scared when I came in the room. I don't want him that scared again."
Margaret patted Donnie's arm. "I know. Hopefully that type of thing won't happen again."
A short time later dinner arrived and Donnie woke Charlie to eat. Alan had gone to the cafeteria to get something for Margaret, Donnie and himself. Once Charlie had eaten most of his sandwich, he again turned toward his brother sitting beside him and fell asleep.
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As morning came Donnie awoke to his parents' low voices; his father's was the first he could make out clearly. "I'm going to run home and bring him back some of his own clothes and make sure we have some of his favorite things to eat. I'll only be gone a couple of hours." Alan leaned in and kissed his wife.
"Just be careful," Margaret whispered. "I love you."
Alan quietly opened the door, "I love you too."
As the door closed Margaret turned back toward the bed and noticed Donnie watching her. "Good morning," she smiled.
"Morning," Donnie mumbled, as he tried to stretch without waking his brother. "We are still getting to take Charlie home today, right?"
Margaret walked over to Donnie, glancing at Charlie still curled up next to his brother. "Dr. McDonald was by a little earlier this morning and yes, once your father gets back, we should be able to take him home."
Donnie looked down at his brother. Worry clouded his voice. "Do you think everything will be alright?"
Feeling his mother take his hand, Donnie heard her speak, reassuringly. "Yes sweetheart, I do."
Donnie cleared his throat, "I've just been so scared…" His voice was just above a whisper. "We almost lost him, Mom!" He looked pleadingly at his mother. "I almost lost him. I…I just can't let that happen again." A lone tear fell from Donnie's eyes.
Margaret leaned her head into Donnie's. "We are going to do whatever is necessary to keep it from happening. Dr. Sanders sent the name of the doctor he recommends for Charlie to see. In the next few days I'm going to see about getting your brother an appointment set up. We will do whatever is needed to help Charlie, I promise."
Charlie began to stir, then slowly he opened his eyes. Donnie smiled at him, quickly wiping the stray tear. "Morning Buddy."
"You okay Donnie?" Charlie's small voice asked.
Donnie tried to sound cheerful. "I'm great, you get to go home today."
"Good." Donnie and Margaret exchanged worried glances at the solemn tone of Charlie's voice.
Breakfast arrived and Charlie just picked at it. He did eat a few bites, not because he was hungry, but because his mother and brother were watching him like a hawk. Alan returned, as Charlie pushed his tray away, with some clothes. Knowing what his father had in the duffle bag he had carried in, Donnie spoke first.
"Do you want me to help you change?"
Charlie had gotten himself to the edge of the bed. Donnie had moved before breakfast, but was now standing next to the bed. Slowly Charlie stood. "I think I can do it, thanks." Slowly, Charlie made his way to the bathroom, where his father had placed his clothes. Watching the door close, Donnie had an irrational fear that he was being shut out. He closed his eyes, shaking his head, then proceeded to go to the chair, retrieving his duffle bag and placing the book and Charlie's much-loved monkey back into its box and into the bag. Once he zipped it shut, he sat in the chair nearest the bathroom door, listening, just in case his brother needed him.
While Charlie was still in the bathroom Dr. McDonald and a nurse returned with Charlie's discharge papers. As they were explaining everything to Margaret and Alan, Charlie emerged from the bathroom. Donnie stepped toward him, but was waved off, as Charlie slowly made his way back to the bed. Dr. McDonald was watching him closely.
"So how's my patient today?"
As Charlie sat on the bed he let out a deep breath. "Okay I guess. I'm getting to go home." the doctor noticed the quiet tone and solemn expression. He glanced at Donnie, who was just a couple of steps away. The teenager only shrugged, not sure himself what was going on with Charlie.
Once all the papers were signed, the nurse brought a wheelchair to take Charlie downstairs. Alan had left to get the car pulled around. Charlie allowed his brother to help him into the chair, but he didn't say a word as he was wheeled out of the room, toward the elevator.
As they exited the hospital, Alan had the car door open, waiting for them. Donnie again helped get Charlie up from the chair and into the back seat of the car. He then ran around to the other side and got in as well. As soon as Donnie got his door closed, he felt Charlie scoot over toward him, leaning into him. Instinctively Donnie put his arm around his baby brother. Alan watched the whole thing in the rear-view mirror, as Donnie let Charlie settle next to him. Margaret had glanced back as well, and Donnie gave her a slight smile as he rubbed comforting circles on his brother's back. Margaret then looked over at Alan, who reached out and took her hand. He brought it to his lips and gently kissed it. "It will be all right," he whispered, as he gently laid her hand back in her lap. Together, the family started the quiet drive home.