“Now, I know we’ve gone over this before, but allow me the opportunity to do so once more before you take him home,” Doctor Henry was saying as they were waiting for Sammy’s discharge papers four days later. “With pediatric traumatic brain injuries, more so with the severity of Sammy’s injury, there’s no exact time limit on how long the symptoms will last. The thing I want you to watch out most for is a lack of balance, emotional instability that goes outside of his norm, and memory problems. Also, monitor his headaches. If they get too severe, bring him in.

“Now, with his leg, he’s going to need physical therapy starting within the next few weeks. His leg healed well over the last six weeks, but give it a bit more time. In three weeks bring him back for an x-ray and we’ll have a better idea on where he can start therapy. No strenuous activities. He’ll be able to resume a lot of normal activities once he starts PT, though it’ll be at least a year before his leg is healed completely. He’s going to be very tired a lot of the time and he’s going to wear out easily.” He looked between them, seeing understanding in their faces as they nodded along with what he said. “If you have any questions or concerns,” he handed them a business card, “my personal cell phone number is on the back. Call me day or night.”

Sy looked the man directly in the eye as he spoke, “Thank you so much, Doctor Henry. For everything. Thank you for saving my son.”

Less than half an hour later, Sammy was officially released from the hospital. As they exited the hospital, Sammy buried his face into Sam’s shoulder, who was carrying him in his arms, and moaned at the sunlight as it shot pain through his skull. “Sy, can I have his blanket? Thanks,” he said as he covered Sammy’s head, leaving an opening for Sammy’s nose. 

“My head hurts, Daddy,” Sammy moaned as he tightened his grip around Sam’s neck.

“I know, baby boy. Just keep your eyes covered, we’ll be home soon.”

When they walked through the front door of the house, Shelly was waiting anxiously. She had soup prepared and warmed in case Sammy was hungry when they got home. His room had been cleaned with freshly cleaned sheets and a comforter making up his bed. Sammy smiled at his aunt and reached out for her before announcing that he’d just like to sleep and Shelly carried him to his bed where the three of them tucked him in.

As they ate at the dining table, Sy said, “I’ve been thinking that perhaps we should hire a homebound teacher or tutor or whatever for Sammy. At least until things are back to normal. What do you two think?”

Sam nodded his head, his mouth full of soup as Shelly said, “I think that’s a good idea. I don’t think that he’ll be able to handle going to school for a while yet.”

“I agree,” Sam chimed in. “I don’t know when he’ll be ready for that, though.”

Sy nodded. “I think that that’s something we should let Sammy decide. I think he’ll know better than any of us when he’s ready to attempt any kind of schooling.”

Sy watched as Sam looked away from him, slightly stirring his food. He’d been very subdued as of late, his face and body language echoing the agonizing in his heart. Sy figured that Sammy was just as afraid to bring up what happened that day, to have that discussion, as he was. He knew that one of them needed to bring it up, but he wasn’t sure if either of them knew exactly how to do so.

After dinner, Sam excused himself for the shower. As Sy watched him go, he sighed as that familiar pang shot through him. Shelly watched the two of them, the hanging of Sam’s head as he disappeared down the hallway and the desperate look of longing on Sy’s face as he watched Sam vanish behind their bedroom door. 

Hugging him from behind, Shelly kissed Sy’s cheek. “You alright, babe?”

“No,” Sy answered, his voice rough. “No, I’m not. And I have no idea how we’re going to get past it.” He looked at Shelly as she came around to face him, sitting down in the chair Sam had just vacated.

“Sy, honey, you need to talk to him about what happened.”

“How? How am I going to talk to him about this? How am I going to bring it up?”

Shelly was leaning forward, her elbows braced on her knees, and widened her hands in an I-don’t-know gesture. “I can’t tell you that, sweetie. It’s just something that one of you is going to have to start. You’re both just as equally stubborn as you are scared.” Standing, she kissed his forehead, smiling as she drew back. “I love you, Sy. And I’m always here for you.”

Sy nodded, releasing a heavy sigh. “I know. I love you, too.” He sat there in the silence lost in thought after Shelly returned to her room, only pulled back to the present when his phone began to ring. “Hey, Mom,” Sy answered. Throughout the time Sammy was in the hospital, she had been a godsend. Between making sure that he, Sam, and Shelly ate, she brought them fresh clothes and washed the ones they went through. She cleaned the house and prepared it as best she could for when Sammy came home. The day before she had completely stocked them with groceries. He was eternally grateful for everything she had done to help him over the last six weeks.

“Hey, sweetheart. I’ve wanted to call and check on you all day, but I knew that you would need time to get Sammy settled in and whatnot. But I couldn’t hold off any longer. How is my grandbaby?”

Sy smiled tiredly. “He’s home.” The relief in his words wasn't lost on Beverly and she smiled. “He was pretty tired when we got home, so he’s been in bed since not long after. The three of us have been obsessively checking on him.”

Beverly chuckled. “I have no doubt about that. You sound exhausted. I don’t want to keep you, I just wanted to check in on everyone. Try and get some sleep, son. I’ll call in on you in a day or so.”

Sy smiled. “Thank you, Mom. Thank you for everything.”

“If there’s anything you need from me, Sy…call me.”

Sy smiled despite the ache in his chest. “I will. Night, Mom.” As he hung up the phone, Sy listened to see if the water was still on in the bathroom, but the sound of traveling water through pipes was silent. When he entered the bedroom, he found Sam slipping on an old t-shirt, droplets of water still dripping from his hair. Sam gave him a tentative smile, but embraced him fully when Sy stepped into his arms. “I love you, Sammy.”

Sam tightened his grip, inhaling Sy’s scent and relaxing instantly in his arms. “I love you, too. No matter what, I’ll always love you.”