"The doctor said you could try walking with crutches later if you're up to it."
"Yeah, let's do it. I'll do whatever it takes to get out of here."
She smiles. "Need anything else?"
"No. Just send my brother in when you see him."
A few minutes later there's a knock on the door.
"Yeah, come in."
The door opens and I see Jake standing there. I want to jump out of this chair and run to him but I can't because of my damn knee.
"Dean!" Jake runs over to me, leaning down and hugging me. "I was scared, Dean. I was so scared."
"I know, buddy." I hold him in the hug as best I can in this stupid chair. "Let me see you."
He slowly pulls back, tears running down his face. I don't see any bruises on him but his eyes look tired and I can see the outline of his cheek bones. The kid needs to eat.
"It's okay," I tell him, wiping the tears off his face. "You're back home. You're safe."
He sniffles. "I didn't know, Dean. I didn't know he was like that. He told me what he did to you."
"Don't worry about me. I'm good. Just a few more days and I'll be out of here."
"How could he do that to you?" he asks, choking back tears. “He's our dad. How could he do that?"
"It's just how he is. I don't know what made him that way. But he's locked away now. He won't be coming back."
Jake’s lip quivers and tears run down his face. "He told me he killed you. I thought he really did. I thought I lost you."
"No way that would've happened. You know how tough I am. And you know I wouldn't leave you."
He nods, sniffling.
The police officer walks in. "Everything okay in here?"
"Yeah," I tell him. "Thanks for bringing him by."
"Take your time." He walks out.
"Were they good to you?" I ask Jake. "The cops?"
He nods really fast. "They got me pizza, and clothes and stuff."
Just then, I saw my kid brother coming back. He does that fast nod when he's excited about something. It's the pizza. It's his favorite food.
"Pizza, huh?" I smile. "Your favorite."
"Uh huh. And they let me pick what kind." He wipes the tears off his face.
"How was the ride back?"
"Good. It was a lady cop. She talked the whole way."
"Girls like to talk," I say in a kidding tone.
"Yeah. She has two kids. One of them is my age. He plays football like you but he's into video games like me."
