AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Sad warning ahead and very emotional, it was an intense chapter to write, but I promise soon an adventurous twist will come about and change everything, stick with it to find out. :)
Chapter 56: The interview
Back at the Braxton's:
Brax madly tried to clean the place before Friday, throwing away all the alcohol bottles and cleaning, he didn't have much time, only two days, but he was willing to work hard at it to get Casey back. Cheryl had gone out again so Brax was thankful she would not be there when social services arrived, Heath however was.
Brax heard a knock, turning to Heath he asked, "Please Heath this is important, don't mess things up okay. Do this for Casey."
Heath, who was now starting to take in Casey being gone, had begun to worry. "I said I would, didn't I?"
Brax sighed and opened the door. "Hi Mr Braxton. I'm Christine from social service and I'm here to conduct your interview."
"Come in."
Christine looked around the house, even though Brax had cleaned it the house still looked scungy. Christine accompanied Brax to the sofa and sat down, notebook in hand.
"Now I need to ask you some questions." Brax tried to hide his worry.
"You're Casey's eldest brother right?" Brax nodded.
"Is there anyone else? "
"Just Heath, our other brother, Casey's older brother."
"Where are your parents?" Brax knew if he told the truth they would never get Casey back, he hesitated.
"Remember Mr Braxton we check on this so don't try to hide anything."
Brax sighed. "They aren't around much, Mum goes out, and Dad hangs out with his gang mates."
"Hmm. Is that so?" Christine jotted down on her notepad.
"Just because our parents aren't around, I've still managed to raise Heath and Casey." Brax quickly justified.
"Just stick with the facts Mr Braxton. When your parents are around what is their relationship towards you boys?" Brax did not want to talk about that. "Mr Braxton?"
Brax sighed knowing he had no choice but to tell the truth. "Dad can be harsh sometimes and Mum likes to drink."
Brax felt like he had just handed Casey over to the system, he saw Christine scribble down what he just said.
"How is your father harsh? Did he ever hit any of you? Or was it just emotional or verbal reprimands?"
"How is any of this relevant to getting Casey back?" Brax became defensive.
"Mr Braxton, if you please. Did he ever hit Casey?"
"I was older when he was born. I've tried to protect him, at least until now." He slumped down.
"What about you, you say you look after your brothers, do you have a well paid full time job?"
"Well no, I had to drop out of school at 16 to take care of Heath and Casey."
"So you have no educational degree either?" Christine questioned.
"No. I am working at the local supermarket." Brax replied.
"How often? "
"Three to four days. I always make sure there is enough food on the table for my brothers and that they get off to school."
"Ah yes school. We have records of Casey missing days off school on separate occasions."
Brax remembered how Casey used to run away from school because of the bullies. "I...I didn't know he wasn't at school, but as soon as I found out, I put a stop to it. It's important to me that Casey get a good education."
"And when you said you put a stop to it how? Mr Braxton how do you handle a situation when Casey misbehaved? Have you ever hit him?" Brax stood up angered.
"What! How could you even ask me that! I love Casey and I'd never hurt him, yeah I can be tough on him, but I would never hurt my brother!"
"Alright Mr Braxton, sit down, it's just a routine question. How do you intend to provide for a young boy without financial stability?"
The social worker was cornering him now, but he knew she was right. He struggled to look after his brothers when money was tight.
"I care about Casey and would do anything to get the best for him."
The social worker made final notes and stood up. "Well that will be all for today, we will be in touch."
Christine handed Brax a card with her number on it. "Please give this to your parents when you see them. We will need to do an interview with both of them before we make a final decision."
Brax took the card, knowing if his parents were interviewed there would be no chance of getting Casey back, ever. Brax walked Christine to the door and as he closed it, he slammed his fist on the door.
"Dammit!" He was angry at himself for not stopping this. Heath came out of his room upon hearing the noise.
"How'd it go?" Heath asked.
"We're screwed! There is no way they are going to let Casey back."
Brax ran a hand through his hair, if he wasn't so proud he would cry right now, he missed his baby brother so much. Heath didn't know what to say, he had started to feel partially responsible for what happened.
That night, Danny had arrived back home from being absent with his mates for a few days and saw Cheryl, Brax and Heath at the table having dinner.
"Where's the other brat? Casey get your behind out here with the rest of the family!" He yelled.
"Dad, Casey's not coming!" Brax snapped, getting up from the table.
"He got sent to a group home, somethin' about he's not suitable livin' here cause he was stupid playin' around with drugs and took some." Cheryl explained.
Danny was more worried about being investigated than having Casey gone. "How did that brat get drugs?" He demanded, worried that Casey had gone through some of his 'business essentials.'
Brax didn't want to dob Heath in so preceded to lie. "I don't know." He replied, turning away from Danny.
"Don't give me that Darryl, if that kid's been getting into things he shouldn't…I've always said you're too soft on the boy Darryl. He should have been given a beatin' he'd never forget!"
"Shut up Dad! Just shut up! You and Mum may not have cared about Casey, but I did!" Danny gripped Brax by his shirt.
"You dare speak that way to me Darryl? You just keep ya mouth shut. Don't go telling people stories when they come askin' questions."
"They already have! Social services came around earlier!" Danny gripped him tighter and pulled his face to his.
"What did you tell 'em boy?"
"I told them what they needed to know!" Brax shouted.
Danny glared at his son and released him. Heath watched his oldest brother's reactions and knew he was really hurting, he loved Casey, and not getting him back would crush him.
Brax stormed into his room and slammed the door. The picture that Casey had drawn on his first day of school fell to the floor. Brax ran his hands through his hair, angry and frustrated. He turned to see the picture on the floor. He picked it up and saddened.
"Casey I'm so sorry I've let you down." He said as he stared at the picture, the scribble marks of a five year old and the attempts of expression of love.
Emotion ran through Brax and he scrunched up the picture and tossed it. Feeling frustrated he realized what he done and went to pick up the picture and unwrinkled it. Looking at the wrinkles in the paper, he sighed defeated, and collapsed to the floor, not holding back anymore emotion and cried.
"Casey what have I done?" Brax covered his eyes with his hands, sobbing hard while he continued to hold Casey's picture close, it was now all he had left of his baby brother.
Later on, Heath walked down to Brax's room and saw him sitting on his bed with his hands on his face, gripping his hair.
"Are you okay?" Brax looked up at Heath. "Yeah mate." Brax whispered.
"Brax, I'm sorry I was stupid meddling with those drugs. I want to stop but I can't."
Brax was pleased Heath had finally seen the reality of the problem. "I'm glad mate."
"I know you won't stop fighting to get Casey back and I wanna help."
"Thanks mate, I'd like that." Heath nodded and left Brax alone in his room.
The following day Danny and Cheryl headed down to the group home. Danny was angry and wanted to make sure he made Casey understand the error of his ways and to ensure he kept his mouth shut. They were greeted by an administrator at the desk.
"Can I help you?"
"Yeah, we're here to see our son Casey Braxton."
"I'm sorry sir, we can't allow that. Please wait here while I get a supervisor."
The lady left and soon came back with the manager of the group home and a member of social services. After not being able to get hold of Danny and Cheryl for the interview, the investigation was on hold, but now they were here, the social worker decided it was the best opportunity and it was noted on Casey's file that an interview with his parents was required and so the administrator notified them as well.
"Ah, Mr and Mrs Braxton, could you both come this way please, Patrick, our social services worker would like to ask you a few questions."
Cheryl and Danny follow them into a nearby office. "Look I didn't come down here to sit and answer stupid questions. I wanna see my son and give him a good dose of my hand!" Danny hit his hand hard against the other for emphasis.
"Do you often hit Casey Mr Braxton.?" Patrick questioned.
"When the kid needs it. I can't help it that Casey's a difficult child. Someone needs to sort him out, I ain't having no son of mine going off the rails and if that means giving him a good whacking every time he steps outta line, then so be it! He sure deserves one for this stint. As a matter of fact I think a thorough whacking with my belt is what that boy's gonna get when I see him. Now where is he?" Danny demanded.
"I can't allow you to see him while we are pending this investigation." The manager stated.
"This is stupid!" Cheryl exclaimed. "He's our son, we should be allowed to see him, whenever we please!"
Danny noticed the social worker writing everything that was said down. "Hey, why are you writin' this down?"
"It's for the records. Now can either of you tell me where Casey got drugs from?"
"How should we know? That kid's always touching things he shouldn't! That's why he often has to deal with me hand."
"Right. Your other son Darryl, we interviewed him the other day and from what we know, neither of you are around a lot."
"So, we're busy."
"Do you work?" Getting no answer Patrick continued. "Mrs Braxton, it is our understanding that you like to have the occasional drink?"
Already gauging what Danny was like, the social worker had to investigate if what Brax said about Cheryl was true.
"Did Darryl tell you that?"
"I cannot say, just answer the question."
"So what? Most people like to have a drink. It's stressful raising three boys!" Danny snapped.
"Right. Back to the drugs. Is it possible Casey picked up the drugs from home?"
"What are you implying? That we're some kind of druggo?" Cheryl yelled.
"No, we just need to clarify some answers."
"I don't believe this. That Casey causes all this trouble and we get the third degree!" Cheryl continued and stood up.
"If ya ain't gonna let us see Casey, we ain't answering anymore of your stupid questions!" Danny added as he stood up next to his wife and turned to leave.
"You wanna write something? Write this, as far as we're concerned, Casey ain't nothing but trouble, and we'd be glad for him to stay 'ere!" Danny and Cheryl spoke in turn.
Danny and Cheryl stormed out of the group home and headed back home. Social services finally had all the information they needed to make their decision.