An Afton Story

Chapter Six

Michael's POV.

We got to the hospital only a few seconds after the ambulance, I quickly got out of the car and ran inside, and once I saw Evan and started running towards him dad grabbed my arm, stopping me from running over to Evan. I looked at dad while still crying, he had a somber face, and I knew he was also upset about what just happened. Dad took me and Liz to the waiting room, and everyone stared at me as the three of us walked in, since I still had blood all over me from holding Evan in my arms.

Me and Liz sat in the chairs, dad handed me his jacket then walked away to go talk to staff members about Evan. I put dad's jacket on just so then people would stop staring at me, Liz gently put one of her hands on my arm, I looked at her when she did, and I just couldn't keep it together. I started crying more, Liz gave me a look of concern, but she didn't say anything, and I knew she understood that I was just in a bit of shock and fear of what happened, and i knew she was too.

I stuck my hands in the pockets of dads jacket and found a pack of cigarettes. I didn't think dad smoked. Guess I understand though. Maybe I could get away with having one. I pulled the packet out of the pocket and stared at it while I thought to myself. I searched through the rest of the jacket and luckily found a lighter, Liz was looking away from me while I was on my search, and I don't think she saw what I had in my hand, if she did she'd probably give me a lecture of her own, just like dad will when he comes back.

I put one in my mouth then put the rest of the pack back in the pocket I found them in, I then used the lighter and lit it, then put that back in the jacket where I found it. I tried to make it as discreet as I possibly could that I took a cigarette from dad. Liz looked at me and I heard her gasp, I looked at her, still teary eyed, "Mikey? Where did you get that?" Her tone was quiet and upset, I shrugged in response, ready for a lecture already, whether it be from her or dad. She didn't say anything and looked away, she probably wasn't going to tell dad, which I was glad about. I've never been one to smoke, I've tried it a few times, but never really  started doing it everyday, but today was an occasion where I felt like I needed this.

After a while dad walked over, and luckily I had finished the cigarette by then and hoped that dad wouldn't realize that I had done it. Me, Liz and dad were all quiet, I was just worried about Evan more than I was about some dumb lecture about smoking, I was worried yes, but more about Evan than I was about myself. Dad looked at me and sighed, "how about you go get cleaned up. My jacket wont do much for long" his voice was more stern than it was caring, though I knew he was trying to be. I got up and made my way to the bathroom, and when I looked into the mirror I couldn't help but start crying, seeing myself as my father, with the blood all down the front of my body, and his jacket.

I cleaned up a bit before walking back out and sitting where I was before next to Liz. Dad reached into his jacket pocket and grabbed his pack of cigarettes, along with his lighter. I watched as he did what I had not too long ago. Dad slightly looked at me from the corner of his eye after he opened his pack, he didn't say anything and put the pack back into the jacket pocket. We sat there quietly for what felt like three hours, then a nurse came over, "Mr. Afton, you can come see him now" she spoke softly, dad stood up and made his way following the nurse, followed by me and Liz.

Dad told me and Liz to wait outside the room while he went in first, I wanted to protest, but knew it was worthless to do so. Me and Liz leaned against the wall, waiting for dad to leave the room, which he soon did and nodded at me and Liz, telling us that it was alright for us to go in, Liz went in before me and went up to the bed, I followed close behind her and looked at Evan, tears filling my eyes again. This is your fault Michael!  You should have been paying attention and making sure that he wasn't getting too close to the stage!!. I silently scolded myself as Liz started to quietly whisper to Evan, saying that she was worried about him, and that she hopes he's okay.

After Liz finished talking to him she walked out and probably went to find dad, leaving me and Evan alone. I sat down next to the bed and softly held Evans' hand, starting to cry more than before, "I don't know if you can hear me. But I'm sorry, I should've been there for you. I should've been a better brother and paid more attention. I'm sorry Evan. Please just be okay" I spoke through my tears, just hoping that he would be okay. After ten minuets of me just sitting there next to him a nurse walked in and put her hand on my shoulder, causing me to look up at her, still holding Evans' hand. "your father wants you to go home with him tonight. We'll keep an eye on your brother for you" she had a calm voice, and I knew Evan was safe here, I just didn't want to leave him again, not after this. "can you have my father come in here please? Just so then I can talk to him?" I tried to keep my voice calm, but my sadness was still very clear in my voice, though I stopped crying surprisingly.

The nurse walked out, and a few minuets later dad walked in and kneeled down next to where I was sitting. "I know you don't want to leave him, but it's better to go home and we can come visit him everyday, but you can't stay here all night every night, you still have Liz to take care of when I'm gone. Lets go home for now, and tomorrow while I'm at work you and Liz can come see him, okay?" I didn't forget about Liz, but it would be too quiet at home without Evan, and me and Liz would probably just be sitting in silence most of the time during the day after school now. "okay" I very slowly let go of Evans' hand and got up. Dad then took my hand and took me out of the room, like he would with a child, and I couldn't help but start crying again, like I had been all day now.