Chapter Six: Questions

Brax opened his eyes and saw the stark white of an unfamiliar ceiling. As he began to register the throbbing pain in his chest, the memories started to come flooding back. The boot, the cricket bat, an inability to breathe and a new baby brother. It seemed he was now in a hospital bed. Looking around he saw Heath curled up asleep at the base of his bed. Relief washed over him that his brother had remained close. Danny was not going to be happy that he had ended up in hospital because no doubt the staff were asking questions.

"Good morning Darryl. I'm Dr Sidney Jones. How are you feeling this morning?" the doctor walked over and removed the ventilator from Brax's face.

"OK." Brax replied.

"Are you in very much pain?" the doctor inquired.

Brax was in a considerable amount of pain but needed to get out of hospital as soon as possible. With a new baby about to come home, he knew that his mother and brothers needed him more than ever. "No, I'm fine. Can I go home now?" Brax asked.

"No, I'm sorry Darryl, but you will need to stay in here for a few more days. You have fractured ribs and a punctured lung as well as some damage to your windpipe. These are very serious injuries. We have had to insert a tube to slowly remove the build up of air in your chest, this will take a few days. We also need to keep an eye on your injuries to make sure that the lung and ribs are healing. You need to stay here and rest."

Looking down at Heath who was beginning to wake Brax asked "How long?"

"Until you're well enough Darryl. It will most likely be around a week in hospital but it could take up to 6-12 weeks for your ribs to heal." Dr Jones replied. Brax's heart sunk.

"Brax!" Heath sprung up upon seeing his brother awake and alert.

"Hey Heath." Brax smiled at his little brother.

"Are you better now?" Heath asked eagerly.

"Yeah, almost."

"Heath, do you want to go with Lila and she will get you some breakfast? I need to talk to your brother about something." Dr Jones asked before he called out to the nurse. Lila entered the room and she came and helped Heath off the bed.

"OK" replied Heath happily. Heath looked like a different child to the withdrawn child Lila had first met yesterday. "Can we get something for Brax too?" Heath asked as he took a hold of one of her hands and let her lead him out of the room.

Lila chuckled as she walked with Heath to the canteen. "The doctors will get some food for your brother but we can get him a little treat if you like."

"Yes!" Heath squealed with excitement.

"I'm sure he will like that!" Lila smiled at Heath. In only the handful of hours she had known him, she had grown so fond of him. She did not know Darryl Braxton but she sure was relieved that he had pulled through. It was clear that to the little boy whose hand she currently held, he meant the world.

"Darryl," Dr Jones began, "I just need to talk to you about how you sustained these injuries." Brax just nodded. He knew this was coming and it was not the first time he had needed to think on his feet. "Were you in a fight?"

"No."

"OK, well can you tell me what happened?" Dr Jones patiently asked.

"I fell down some stairs." Brax mumbled.

"Right! It must have been a very big set of stairs."

"Yep."

"You certainly could have received a few of those bruises from falling down stairs, but I don't think that actually explains how you came to fracture three of your ribs. Ribs are pretty tough, especially in someone your age. They need a considerable amount of direct force to crack in the way yours have. Not to mention your damaged windpipe which suggests your throat was crushed." Brax remained quiet. "Darryl, do you want to tell me what really happened? I know that a set of stairs are not the reason you have ended up in hospital." Dr Jones was doing his best to stay calm despite Brax completely switching off and refusing to respond.

"Darryl what happened? Did someone hit you? Dr Jones pleaded.

"No."

"Was it your dad?"

"No."

"I want to help you but I can't if you don't tell me what happened." Brax remained silent, quietly praying that the doctor would stop the questions. He did not have the energy for this anymore and the throbbing in his chest was becoming increasingly worse. "Did Heath see you fall down the stairs?"

At the mention of his brother, Brax tried to sit up. "Leave my brother out of it!" Brax snapped.

Dr Jones gently pushed Brax back. "You need to just lay down and relax Darryl. I'm sorry I've upset you, I just thought that maybe Heath might be able to help me figure out what happened."

"Well he can't. And I already told you what happened! Just leave us alone." Brax's voice cracked as he tried to hold back the tears that were threatening.

Brax knew the doctor meant well but he didn't understand the situation he was putting them in. Pushing Heath to reveal details of Danny's violent rant would be signing his death warrant, especially with Brax stuck in hospital all week. Dr Jones could hear the desperation in Brax's voice and decided to drop the questions. The boy was clearly distressed which was not good for his recovery.

"If that's what you want but if you remember anything else about your accident, please let me know."

"OK." Brax replied.

"Now just rest and relax Darryl. Do you need anything more for the pain before I go?"

"Yep."

"We will get that organised for you." Dr Jones left the room and Brax let out a sigh of relief.