Suffering Alone In Silence

Gerard's POV

I watch as Frankie is given light sedatives and the doctors stitch him up. Did I make him want to hurt so badly? I don’t understand Frankie’s awkwardness with me. I think it may have something to do with the information he shared with me. I had news for him about his parents, I need him to be comfortable with me again.

“Mr Way?” The doctor treating Frank calls my name.

“Yes?” I question.

“I think we need to discuss moving him up a level of care. He is becoming increasingly unstable. This is the third time this week I’ve seen him.” The doctor gives a sympathetic sigh.

“Sure. “ I consent to the doctors’ request for Frank to be moved into high care.

I took one last look at Frank and walked back to where I had left Mikey in the day room.
I sigh as I take a seat next to my brother. He looks distraught.

“Is he ever going to be alright Gerard?” He suddenly asks.

“I don’t know Mikey, I don’t know.” I whisper.

Suddenly a sob escapes from Mikey’s mouth.

“Shh, baby brother, it’s okay, it’s not your fault.” I wrap my arms around him and coo in his ear.

“I just want my Frankie back.” He sobs.

I take a deep breath before I speak my next sentence.

“Mikey, look at me,” I pause and hold Mikey’s shoulders at arm’s length.

“Frank has been moved up into high care. He’s messed up right now and he needs help. I’m trying to get through to him, but its taking a long time, because he’s been so badly broken.”

“Oh.” Is Mikey’s reply.

“Mikey he’s now a child of the state; his parents have been locked up, probably for life. He needs us right now, we are all he has left. Don’t give up on him.” I continue.

“I need to go home.” He replies, standing up and walking away.

I let him go because I know that he will head straight home. What I don’t know is if he will return to the numb, whether he will be smart enough to stay away from the drugs, or whether he will be heading for a downward spiral of self destruction.