After waking up early on Thursday morning, Brax had some time to think, while eating his toasted bagel and drinking his coffee; there was no way Kyle and Casey could both work at the restaurant without causing more tension between them.
Given the events of the previous night, Brax decides it is best if the boys alternated their remaining punishment working days and seeing as Kyle was injured from the attack, Brax concludes Casey would be the first to work solo for the day.
He gets up from the table, having now finished his breakfast and makes his way down to the boy's bedroom.
Brax watches Casey fidgeting and kicking his feet in his sheets and notices the teen has his thumb in his mouth.
Brax approaches Casey, giving him a shake.
"Time to wake up, Case," Brax gently says.
Casey rolls around and groans, still feeling sorry for himself and so tired from not having a good sleep and waking up on several occasions.
"Up you get, kiddo," Brax repeats.
Casey groans again and realises he has something in his mouth and pulls his thumb away quickly.
Sucking on his thumb was his coping mechanism he'd developed since he was young and always resorted to it on occasion whenever he was troubled, but it wasn't something he'd done in a while and so the teen feels mildly embarrassed.
Casey, pushes himself to sit up in his bed and runs his hands through his hair, avoiding looking at his big brother.
"How did you sleep?" Brax asks.
Casey shrugs as he briefly looks up at Brax.
"I kept waking up and was really restless," Casey mutters.
Brax nods in understanding.
"Well, tired or not you need to get up to come to the restaurant," Brax instructs.
Casey nods and wipes his wet thumb on his bedsheets shamefully.
"I thought you grew out of doing that, Champ?" Brax asks softly.
Casey's face turns red from embarrassment and he shrugs.
"I still do it sometimes when I'm worried," Casey mumbles.
Brax gently squeezes his shoulder.
"Hey, it's okay, that's nothing to be ashamed about. Now how about you get up and I'll see you out in the kitchen soon. I'll make you a bacon omelette and a fruit salad," Brax says, smiling before making his way to leave the bedroom.
Casey waits until Brax leaves before flapping back his quilt and grabbing some clothes to change into.
Casey tosses his pajamas on the floor and makes his way out into the dining room for breakfast.
Brax smiles at the youngest teen as he serves up his breakfast.
Realising he had to still inform Kyle of not having to get organised for work, Brax washes off the fry pan and utensils and passes behind Casey on his way towards the flat.
"Finish your breakfast, I'll be back in a sec, Champ," he informs Casey and gives the teen's hair a ruffle.
Casey watches Brax leave as he shoves a fork full of omelette into his mouth and sighs sadly; knowing Brax is going over to see Kyle.
Heath wakes to the knock at the door at seven forty-five and comes out of his bedroom in his boxer shorts and tee-shirt in a grumble and glances over at Kyle who is busily packing away his pajamas and covers.
"Why are you up so early?" Heath groans.
"I want to be ready for when Brax comes so I can go to the restaurant," Kyle replies.
The knock on the door gets louder.
"Hang on would ya; I'm coming!" Heath yells out and opens the door.
"About time," Brax comments, smartly and walks into the flat.
"Well what do you expect, waking me up at this hour on a day off from work?" Heath grumbles.
Brax huffs and makes his way towards Kyle.
Kyle looks at Brax with confusion and panic, surely Brax isn't ready to take him to work yet? He hadn't even had breakfast yet.
"Morning Brax," Kyle greets in a small whisper.
"Hey kiddo; how are you doing?" Brax asks.
"Yeah, I'm okay thank you, but I'm sorry for not being ready. I haven't even had breakfast but I can go without if you need to go," Kyle replies.
Heath and Brax exchange glances.
"You will never go anywhere without breakfast Kyle and besides that's what I'm here to talk to you about," Brax replies in a firm tone.
"What do you mean?" Kyle asks.
"I came to tell you that you will not be coming to the restaurant to work for me today..."
"Why? I still have one half and one full day to make it up to you," Kyle interrupts.
"Yes you do but I have decided it is best if you and Casey don't interact at all for the few days you are apart so that includes at the restaurant too. I am taking Casey in today then I will alternate and you will have your full day tomorrow while Casey stays home," Brax informs.
Heath cheers and slaps Kyle on the back.
"So you get a day off too Bubs?"
"I guess," Kyle mumbles.
"Well don't sound so glum, you get the chance to hang with me all day!" Heath announces.
Brax rolls his eyes at Heath's comment.
"Well, I better get back and get Casey and I organised. Have a good day and I'll check on you later," Brax says.
"Brax, wait," Kyle calls.
"Is something the matter, Ky?" Brax asks.
"I was just wondering, if I'm not paying you back at the restaurant today am I meant to do extra chores?"
Brax thinks for a moment and under normal circumstances it would be an immediate yes, however Brax's answer surprises the teen.
"I'll leave that up to Heath to decide for today seeing as you are under his responsibility," Brax replies.
Kyle looks towards Heath and the older one smirks.
"I'll see you boys later," Brax farewells and heads back into the house.
Casey glances up at Brax as the eldest walks back into the house.
Casey had just finished his breakfast and had been daydreaming and staring sadly at the table.
"Is Kyle alright?" Casey asks with genuine concern.
Brax smiles at Casey and pats his hair as he approaches the youngest.
"Kyle is fine, kiddo. If you've finished your breakfast: go and clean up your dishes and get ready so we can leave by eight-forty," Brax instructs.
Casey nods and gets up from the table, taking his dishes to the sink and quickly washing them before walking to the bathroom to do his teeth.
As Casey follows Brax to his Ute he glances around to see if Kyle is coming out but when the older teen doesn't show Casey becomes curious.
"Brax?" he calls, as Brax hops in the driver's side and gestures for Casey to get in.
"What Casey?" Brax asks as he shuts his door.
"Where is Kyle; why is he not coming?"
"Kyle isn't going to work with us today. I told him that it's best you both remain distant just until you both properly cool off," Brax explains.
"Oh," Casey mumbles sadly.
Brax glances over at his dejected baby brother.
"I know how sorry you are over what happened, and you want Kyle back but I'm doing what's best for both of you," Brax explains.
Casey nods and stares out the window in silence as they drive towards the restaurant.
Back in the flat, Heath swings his arm around Kyle's shoulder.
"So: now that you're a free man for the day, what would you like to do?" Heath asks.
"What about chores? Don't you want me to do something, like dust this place or clean the bathroom or kitchen?" Kyle asks.
Heath chuckles, "Stop making unnecessary jobs for yourself, Ky. Brax said I'm in charge, and I say you don't have to do anything like that, besides you've been putting in a hundred and ten percent with your punishment already, you can have a day without."
Heath gives Kyle a nudge and Kyle smiles.
"So, what do you say we check out the latest Spiderman movie at the cinema, tuck into some popcorn and drinks, and play a game of air hockey?" Heath suggests.
"I can't do that when I'm grounded and Brax said no buying treats either," Kyle responds.
"Just this once won't hurt."
Kyle shakes his head.
"I'd rather not. I don't want to make Brax mad and in honesty I think it's wrong doing something that's not meant to be done when being punished," Kyle explains.
Heath nods his head in acknowledgement and pulls Kyle in to kiss the top of his head.
"You're a good honest kid, Ky, but think on what you'd like to do then and let me know. Right now I'm going to duck in for a shower."
"I'll make some breakfast. Did you want anything special?" Kyle says; nodding his head at Heath's statement.
"Surprise me!" Heath chuckles and disappears into the bathroom.
Kyle looks in the cupboards. It was true Heath didn't have as many options as Brax, but he has basic things and Kyle wonders if maybe that is the reason Heath is always coming over and stealing their food.
Kyle picks out some ingredients for making pancakes and makes a start on cooking.
Heath comes out of the bathroom.
"It smells yum in here!" he announces as he makes his way into the kitchen to check out Kyle's cooking.
"I made pancakes and they are just about ready," Kyle informs his brother.
Heath takes a seat at the breakfast bar as Kyle hands him a plate with four pancakes.
"Good job, Kyle," Heath praises and takes a large bite of his pancakes as Kyle takes a seat next to him with his own plate of two pancakes.
Heath gobbles up his breakfast whilst Kyle eats slower.
"You had any thoughts on what you'd like to do?" Heath asks with his mouth full of food.
Kyle nods.
"I was thinking we could play some games, like phase ten, snap and monopoly; that is if you want to," Kyle suggests.
"Doesn't matter what I want, but I think that's a good idea anyway and sounds like fun; I'll go and get the games after breakfast," Heath says.
Kyle smiles and finishes off his breakfast.
At the restaurant, Casey follows Brax inside after Brax opens up and turns off the alarm.
Realising there is no point in delaying his punishment and especially when he is still feeling miserable from the previous night, without being told, Casey makes his way towards the cleaning cupboard.
Brax furrows his brow as he sees Casey rummaging in the cleaning cupboard.
"What are you doing Casey?" Brax asks.
Casey comes out with the mop and bucket.
"I was going to clean the floor," Casey mumbles.
Brax nods approvingly and smiles; leaving Casey to fill up the bucket and begin mopping the restaurant.
Casey continues to clean and do his regular jobs for the first part of the morning while Brax undertakes a stock order.
After Brax sends Casey for his lunch break, Brax has a moment to reflect on Casey's persistent effort to do his jobs with minimal complaint or procrastination.
As Casey is about to head back into the kitchen after his lunch, Brax pulls him aside.
"Listen Case: I've been watching your efforts this morning..."
"I've been trying!" Casey immediately protests; cutting Brax off.
Brax silences his brother with a surrendering hand raise.
"Hush, I know you have, that's why I want you to do something else. Seeing as I'm down someone to help clear tables, I would like you to help with that..."
"Are you serious?" Casey exclaims; interrupting again.
"Yes, but I have rules: you are not to take orders or take any of the food to the tables; understood?" Casey nods his head.
"Off you go, you'll find the cloths and spray in the cleaning cupboard."
Before he takes off to start his new task, Casey looks at Brax and smiles.
"Thank you."
"What for?" Brax asks, curiously.
"For letting me do something out the front and not just making me clean floors and dishes. It means you treat me special, like you do Kyle," Casey replies.
Brax raises his brow and pulls Casey towards him so he can kiss his forehead.
"You'll always be special to me, Case."
"Brax!" Casey complains, feeling embarrassed at being kissed in public where people could see; ruining his tough exterior.
"And?" Brax laughs, "I just hope you've really learnt your lesson."
Casey nods.
"I'm never going to do anything to your Ute again or if so be careful not to get caught," Casey says cheekily.
Brax scowls but quickly cracks a smile.
"Get on with ya!" Brax laughs and playfully slaps Casey on the head.
Casey rushes off to get what he needs for cleaning the tables just as Romeo walks into the restaurant.
"G'day, Romeo; what can I do for you?" Brax greets.
"Hi Brax, I was after an order that my Mum called up about: some salads and pasta dishes," Romeo replies.
"Ah yes; let me see how it's coming along." Brax leaves to head into the kitchen.
Casey emerges from the back room with the cleaning spray and cloth and spots Romeo.
"Hey: Case!" Romeo cheers.
"Hey: Romeo," Casey replies.
"Hey, I heard about you and Ky being grounded; that really sucks," Romeo says.
"How much do you know?" Casey asks, not having been aware of any of his or Kyle's friends knowing.
"Just that you and Ky are grounded for a long time. Kyle apparently told Dex and Dex told the rest of us. We don't know what happened though; what did you guys do?"
Casey shrugs and before he has a chance to explain what he did not want to explain, Brax comes back from the kitchen with Romeo's order.
"Here you go Romeo. Is your Mum having some sort of gathering?"
"Not really. Just some of Mum's friends are coming around and my sister is coming to visit from the South Coast."
"How long is she staying for?" Casey asks.
"Just a few days," Romeo answers, completely forgetting about the question he asked Casey.
"You are not here to socialise, Casey; goodbye Romeo," Brax prompts.
Casey sighs.
"Bye. I'll see you around, eventually, once my eternity of grounding is up," Casey states drearily.
Brax groans, "It's not eternity, Casey; it's six weeks."
Brax slaps Casey on the back and leaves to attend to some customers.
Casey rolls his eyes.
"He doesn't think six weeks is eternity but for me it is," Casey comments.
"Again that really sucks, dude. We won't be able to practice basketball or hang at the arcade during the school holidays."
"I know; don't remind me," Casey groans.
"Well, remind me, to never piss Brax off," Romeo laughs, making Casey laugh as well.
Brax glances over in their direction.
"Look I better get back to it," Casey says.
"Yeah, I don't want you getting into more trouble; see ya," Romeo states.
Casey waves goodbye to Romeo then starts clearing and cleaning some vacant tables.