Chapter 16 – Telling Cheryl

KYLE POV

It was day four and Casey still had not made any change and Brax still refused to leave his bedside, but this time he had Heath and me waiting by his side too. Somehow watching my brothers sitting next to Casey made me feel distant and unsure on what to say to them.

They both shared such a strong bond with Casey and I had only known him for a short time, so it was nowhere near the same as what Brax and Heath had. I still wish I had done something to help Casey.

I loved him too and he was too young to have his life ripped out from under him like this, he didn't deserve this. I had to be hopeful for Brax's sake but I was worried what would happen if Casey didn't pull through.

I realised that it wasn't only us three that should know about Casey's condition, it was Cheryl. I knew of her relationship with my brothers but if Casey hadn't improved by now she had a right to know her son was in hospital. The least I could do was to help take that stress off Brax and Heath and notify Cheryl.

"Ah look I just got to go somewhere, I'll be back later." I stated as I stood up.

"Where you off to?" Heath questioned.

"There's just something I've got to do. Bye." I quickly replied and left.

NORMAL POV

Heath gave Kyle a wave before staring back at Casey. Heath observed the cuts on his arms and gently moved Casey's arm around to check them over.

"What do you think was going through Case's head when he did this to himself?" Heath asked.

Brax ran his hand over the cuts and shrugged. "Nate said that people do that to have some sense of control over their emotions." Brax explained.

"But wouldn't that hurt, cutting at your own skin like that?" Heath questioned.

"Nate said that cutting distorts the mind. Most times that even though the cutting may be painful to them it's nowhere near as painful as the reason they do it." Brax explained, giving a shrug as he tried to understand it as well.

"I guess this revelation hurt Casey harder than any of us could even imagine. I still don't understand it but I guess Casey was so hurt and overwhelmed he felt the need to cut himself to compensate." Brax tried to comprehend.

Heath gently rubbed Casey's arm. "I still wish the kid had talked to us ya know."

"Yeah I know. Me too." Brax replied sadly.

Cheryl opened the door to her house with a queried look on her face.

"What are you bloody doing here?" She questioned, in a rude tone.

"Hello Mrs. Braxton." Kyle greeted.

"Ya didn't answer me question." Cheryl demanded as she scanned Kyle over. "Just look at ya, with that face and that hair and those fancy clothes...I don't want ya on my doorstep, ya got nothing to do with me."

Kyle huffed. "Mrs. Braxton!" He snapped.

"What?" Cheryl replied rudely. "I'm here because I thought you should know about Casey."

"What business of yours is my son?" Cheryl questioned.

"Casey's in the hospital, he is in a state of coma after he almost drowned while under the influence of alcohol." Kyle explained.

Cheryl shook her head. "My boys have done some stupid things but my Casey wouldn't do something that stupid."

Kyle shook his head. "Fine, don't believe me. I just thought you should know, being his mother and all." Kyle turned to leave.

"Oi! You better not be messing with me boy." Cheryl stated.

"I'm not. Casey really is in hospital." Kyle replied.

Cheryl eyed Kyle. "Why hasn't Darryl or Heath called me and instead sent some kid that ain't even mine?" Kyle rolled his eyes at Cheryl's behavior.

"You're exactly like Danny after all." Cheryl commented.

"What?" Kyle questioned.

"Ya got no respect." Cheryl replied.

Kyle gasped at the comment. "Mrs. Braxton..."

"How long has my boy been in the hospital?" Cheryl asked.

"Four days...Well today will be the fourth day." Kyle said.

"Yeah, yeah. Stop blabbering. Has Darryl known this whole time?"

"Mrs. Braxton, I'm not going into..."

"Has he?" Cheryl pushed.

Kyle sighed. "Yeah of course, he's been with Casey since he was taken in."

Cheryl huffed. "Boy am I gonna give that boy an earful when I see him." Cheryl stated and shook her head, grabbing her bag and hitting Kyle on the chest.

"Well what are ya bloody waiting for, get out of me way. I have to go see my baby." Cheryl started walking down the path.

"Mrs. Braxton!" Cheryl turned at glare at Kyle.

"What? Are you still bloody here?" Cheryl snapped.

"Let me give you a lift." Kyle offered.

"What makes you think I'll get in a car with you?"

Kyle knew Cheryl was difficult but this was beyond frustrating. "It'll get you to the hospital faster."

Cheryl considered the option. "Alright, but only because I want to see my baby." She stormed towards Brax's car that Kyle had borrowed and got in.

Driving to the hospital Cheryl did nothing but nag at Kyle. "Urg! Can't you drive any faster?"

"I'm doing the speed limit." Kyle groaned, having had enough of Cheryl's nagging.

"Well it ain't fast enough! And learn to show some respect will ya! I know Danny wasn't much one for manners, but you're in my presence now and I don't tolerate that disrespect!" She lightly slapped the back of his head.

"Hey!" Kyle protested.

"Well shut ya mouth and ya attitude and get driving!"

Kyle huffed and hoped he would reach the hospital soon so he could forget about this whole trip.

Kyle and Cheryl walked into Casey's room. "What's the big idea? You two boys keeping my baby's health a secret."

Brax and Heath stared at Cheryl. Cheryl walked up to Brax and tapped his shoulder.

"Didn't think of telling me Darryl?" She questioned.

"Mum, not now." Brax groaned and glared at Kyle before standing up and walking over to him. Cheryl stood and hovered over Casey.

Brax gripped Kyle's arm. "Come with me. Outside now!" He said through gritted teeth and dragged Kyle out of the room.

"What do you think you're doing calling Mum and bringing her down here?" Brax demanded.

"Brax she should know." Kyle said.

"Who are you to say that?" Brax snapped.

"She's Casey's mum..." Kyle defended.

"That is not your call to make! I don't need her here right now and the last thing Casey would want when he wakes up is to see Mum there!" Brax shouted.

"Brax I'm sorry..."

"Just think next time. When it comes to my family don't ever make decisions without my consent." Brax said firmly, receiving a nod from Kyle.

"Haven't you got a shift?" Brax asked shortly and Kyle nodded.

"Well ya better get going then." He waved at him to leave.

"I'll see you back here later." Kyle said quietly, feeling guilty at aggravating Brax's stress.

"Yep." Brax replied shortly and walked back into Casey's room.

As Brax approached Casey's bed, Cheryl glared at him while gently stroking her son's hair.

"My baby. How could you Darryl?"

"Mum, please just leave it okay?" Brax replied.

"No Darryl. My own son doesn't tell me my baby is in a coma! How do you expect me to react?" Cheryl stated and Brax just slumped in his chair again.

Cheryl grabbed one of Casey's arms from under the blanket to hold his hand and gasped when she saw the harsh cuts over her son's arm.

"What's this?" She demanded.

"Case has been cutting himself Mum." Heath whispered.

"What? What else aren't you boys telling me?" She yelled as she stared at her son's arm in disgust.

Heath sighed. "Case was in the hospital a few weeks ago." Heath started to tell Cheryl.

"Heath don't." Brax implied.

"Shut up Darryl. Go on tell me!" She yelled at Heath.

"He came in with alcohol poisoning after he found out the truth about Dad...He was trying to top himself." Heath whispered and Brax hung his head.

Upon hearing the shocking news Cheryl had tears in her eyes.

"What is wrong with you two? You are meant to be keeping an eye on him!" She shouted.

Brax clenched his fist and stared at his mother. "I don't need this from you Mum! Don't blame us for not looking out for him when it was your mistake of not telling him the truth that got him here in the first place!" Brax yelled.

"He wouldn't want you here, and neither do I. So just leave!" Brax shouted.

Tears slipped from Cheryl's eyes as she stood being accused at by her son.

"It took you long enough to tell me I'm a terrible mother Darryl." Cheryl turned away and went to walk out of the room. "I'll leave you boys alone."

Brax slumped against the bed, resting his hands against his head.

"I'll go." Heath spoke and followed his mother out of the room.

"Mum! Mum!" Cheryl stopped and turned to look at Heath behind her.

Heath could tell she was upset and she had tears falling down her face. Heath approached her and rested his hand on her shoulder.

"Mum, Brax doesn't mean that..."

"He sure sounded like he did." Cheryl choked out. "All I've ever wanted was the best for you three boys and I know I struggled with Danny when you three were growing up but you're all still me boys and now I've ruined my youngest boys life."

Cheryl went to walk off again but was held back by Heath. "Come on Mum, don't be like that. Brax is just upset about Casey, we all are. He loves you just as much as me, and I'm sure Case does too, he just needs time to figure this all out." Heath explained and wrapped his arms around his mother and Cheryl returned the hug.

When Cheryl pulled away she gently stroked her hand across Heath's cheek. "Darryl's right, Casey won't want to see me when he wakes up, but make sure you tell him I love him." Heath nodded.

"I'll let you know when Casey does wake up." Cheryl stepped towards Heath again and kissed his cheek.

"You're a good boy." Cheryl then turned to leave the hospital and Heath walked back down to Casey's room.

"Mum was pretty upset." Heath said.

"What do you want me to say Heath?" Brax snapped.

"You really should have told her." Heath said eliciting a sigh from Brax.

"Not you too. My main focus right now is Casey, I don't have time for Mum's problems."

"I'm just saying she's our Mum mate, Casey's mum." Heath commented.

"Yeah I know." Brax replied quietly and sat down next to Casey again and watched his brother, he knew Cheryl had just as much right to be there as they did.

"I told her I'd let her know when Case wakes up." Brax nodded. "Yeah thanks mate."