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Chapter Seventeen: Visitor
Brax was woken from dreams of cages and loneliness by raised voices. He didn't need to open his eyes to recognise the two voices arguing out side the door of his room. "Is this really necessary Constable?"
"Yes, I'm afraid it is Miss Whitehall."
"Call me Lila," she replied with no warmth in her voice. "He is a very sick little boy, not a criminal. Your presence here is unwarranted."
"Rules are rules Miss Wh… Lila. Darryl needs to remain in police custody until he is seen by a Juvenile Court Officer. That process has been delayed by his hospitalisation but we have to keep guard until the matter is resolved."
"Where exactly do you think he is going to go in his condition?"
"Take it from someone who has had plenty of experience with this family, Darryl Braxton can be pretty resourceful when he needs to be."
"I imagine that kind of attitude is the reason he ended up in this position," Lila sighed. "I don't want him seeing you here when he wakes up!"
"I think it might be too late for that," Dr Sidney Jones interrupted the exchange as he walked into Brax's room. "Good morning Darryl," the doctor smiled at Brax. Lila quickly turned around, feeling guilty that she had let her temper prevent her from doing her job.
"Darryl, you're awake?" Lila said as she followed Dr Jones into the room. "How are you feeling?" Brax groggily nodded in response.
"Lila can I please have a word with you?" the doctor motioned for Lila to meet him at the back of the room and she obediently followed. "I don't appreciate seeing members of my staff questioning the authority of law enforcement officers in this hospital," the doctor reprimanded in a hushed tone.
Lila looked down. "I'm sorry Doctor."
"I think you've become too close to this boy. I'm transferring you to a different patient."
"No, no, please, that's not necessary," Lila pleaded. "I know I've overstepped the mark with the Constable, but it won't happen again."
The doctor pursed his lips while pondering her request. He was about to deliver some difficult news to the boy and it occurred to him that Darryl Braxton would probably need a friendly ally like Lila to help him now more than ever. He nodded. "Ok, but don't make me regret this."
Lila smiled in relief. "Thank you Doctor, you won't regret it." She turned and walked back over to Brax and gently rubbed his arm briefly in an attempt to provide him with some comfort.
Dr Jones walked over and grabbed Brax's chart. Darryl Braxton looked dazed and weak so the doctor knew he would need to go gently.
"Do you know where you are Darryl?" Brax slowly nodded. "Your body started shutting down as a result of the pneumonia." The doctor looked at Brax's chart. "But the good news is, you seem to be responding to the treatment. Your temperature is down and your oxygen levels have improved slightly." The doctor turned to Lila. "We will need to continue with the oxygen therapy but you can remove the oxygen mask now and switch him over to a nasal cannula."
Lila nodded and carried out the doctor's wishes. She propped Brax up with extra pillows before removing the mask and inserting the new tubes into his nose. "You should be more comfortable now that big breathing devise is off your face," she smiled.
"Is there anything you want to ask us Darryl?" Dr Jones inquired while returning the chart back to Brax's bed.
"Is Heath here?" Brax rasped. Brax saw the doctor and Lila exchange a brief apprehensive look and his heart dropped.
Dr Jones sighed. He didn't want to have this conversation with Brax so soon in his recovery but he didn't want to lie to the boy either. He sat down in a chair beside Brax's bed. "I need to talk to you about something Darryl…."
"Where's Heath?" Brax urgently questioned as he sat upright. Lila grabbed his shoulder and gently pushed him back down onto the pillows.
"Heath is not here and neither is your father." The doctor continued. "They won't be able to visit."
"Why not?" Brax whispered.
"When you were brought in we noticed the marks and bruises all over your back. I reported my concerns to the people at Child Protection and they are currently investigating your father. Heath has been removed from his care," Dr Jones carefully explained.
"What? No! Dad didn't do anything to me. You need to call them back and tell them that you made a mistake," Brax desperately pleaded.
"I can't do that Darryl."
"Why not?"
"Because it's my duty to report suspected child abuse."
"Dad didn't do anything, I promise," Brax was working himself into a state as he continued to plead with the doctor.
"If that's the case then I'm sure your father will be cleared of any wrong-doing. But if your father and his belt had anything to do with those marks on your back, as I suspect they did, it is a good thing that Heath has been taken away, don't you think?"
Brax slumped further into the pillows feeling defeated. "Where is he?"
"He has been placed in the care of your aunt and uncle." Dr Jones stood up. He could see that the boy had started shutting down and he thought it would be better if he left him for now. "If you need anything let Lila know and I'll be back to check on you later."
As the doctor exited the room, Lila gently put her hand on Brax's shoulder to try and comfort him. "I'm sure Heath is OK. You just need to focus on getting yourself better."
"Why? So I'm well enough to be sent off to juvie?"
Lila didn't know what to say. She shot an angry glance over to the police officer who was standing at the door. "I'm sure it's not going to come to that Darryl," she began slowly. "But one step at a time hey? We need to get you well again first."
"Whatever."
"I'm going to leave you to get some rest but if you need anything just buzz me." Lila started to make her way out the door.
"Lila?" Lila stopped at the doorway and turned around.
"Yes Darryl."
"Have you seen Casey?" He softly inquired. "Is he ok?"
Lila shook her head. "No, I'm sorry I haven't seen him. Your mother and Casey are in a different ward that is separate from the main hospital." Lila saw the sadness in Brax's eyes. "But I'm sure he is fine," she gave a reassuring smile. Brax turned his back to her and closed his eyes.
-x-
Over the next few days, Lila watched as Brax became more and more withdrawn. He wouldn't eat any of the meals, he wouldn't talk to anyone and he spent his days staring at the wall. "Sidney, I'm really worried about Darryl."
"His oxygen levels are definitely improving."
"It's his mental state that I am worried about."
"Recovering from pneumonia and a rib injury is a long and difficult road," the doctor deliberated. " And that's not even taking into account the fact he is a kid with no family support and a pending legal issue hanging over his head. It's hardly surprising."
"Yes, but I think it runs deeper than a sick kid who is doing it tough," Lila frowned. "I think he is depressed Sidney."
Dr Jones nodded. "I trust your judgment. See if you can organise a counselor to come and see him as soon as possible."
"Yes I think that's a good idea. In the meantime I have another idea, but I need your help."
"Go on…."
-x-
Brax heard someone enter his hospital room but he did not turn around. Why couldn't they all just leave him alone? He wasn't hungry and the last thing he felt like doing was engaging in meaningless conversations with people pretending to care. He didn't have the energy. He didn't have the energy to care about anything anymore. "Darryl?" Lila called. "I have a visitor for you." Brax didn't move. "It looks like your big brother doesn't want to see you Casey. What a shame." Brax snapped his head around to face the door and joy flooded through his body. Casey. Lila laughed. "I had a feeling you might feel differently about this visitor."
"He has grown so big," Brax turned his body and sat up in his bed.
"Babies have a habit of doing that," Lila smiled. "Do you want to hold your brother?"
"Yes." Lila gently handed the baby over to Brax. He held him in his arms and looked down at his baby brother. "Hi mate, do you remember me? I'm your big brother." A tiny smile filled the baby's face. Brax's heart skipped a beat and he began to laugh. "Lila, look, he smiled. Casey smiled."
Lila herself smiled. "I think he is excited to see his big brother again," she stroked Casey's head. "He missed you."
"I missed him," Brax whispered softly as a single tear ran down his cheek. Brax held out his finger and Casey latched on. Brax never wanted him to let go.
Brax nursed Casey to sleep and felt so content as he watched him sleep in his arms. After an hour, Casey stirred and started to grumble. "I should probably take him back now so they can feed him," Lila said.
Brax looked up with sadness in his eyes. "Already? Can't he stay here with me?"
"No, I'm sorry Darryl. I need to take him back."
"When will I see him again?" Brax gripped Casey tighter as Lila reached over to take the baby from him. He gave his brother a last hug before reluctantly handing him over.
"I'll speak to the nurses over in your mother's ward and see what I can do." Lila left to take Casey back to the psychiatric ward and Brax felt empty once again.