Sad Faces: Changes

Chapter 6: See The Way

Chapter 6: See The Way 

"Hello, Rad; how are you today?" Marcus asked, looking at the Red/Blue Heeler mix. "I'm okay, I guess?" Rad replied, looking down. "Yeah? Any more nightmares?" Marcus asked. Rad made his knee bounce up and down while thinking of an answer. A gunshot rang in his ears, and an image of his nephew falling and holding his gunshot wound flashed in his head. Rad shuts his eyes and holds his head. "Yes... tons at night," Rad answered. "Are the pills now helping?" Marcus asked while writing something down. "He... he was in my arms bleeding out," Rad said with tears in his eyes. "Thomas? Have you seen him lately?" Marcus asked, adjusting his glasses. Rad was shaking from fear.  *gunshot*

(Flashback)

Thomas falls to the ground as the gunshot is fired. Rad rushed over to his nephew with time, feeling like time slowed down as he fell. "Thomas! No! No! No!" Rad said, panicking while putting pressure on the gunshot wound. Thomas was spitting out blood from his mouth. "Hey, it's gonna be okay, mate," Rad said softly while crying. "T-Tell my dad I-I love him," Thomas said, shaking in pain. "No! You're going to tell him that you hear me!" Rad shouted, still holding the wound. "I-I love you too, Uncle Rad," Thomas said, trying to stay Conscious. "I love you too, mate... stay with me, please, Thomas," Rad said softly, still with tears in his eyes. "Stay With Me!" Rad shouted.

"Rad..."

(End of Flashback)

"Rad?" Marcus said, making Rad lose his train of thought. "Y-yes?" Rad said, now looking at Marcus. "Have you seen Thomas lately? He's doing pretty well and recovering great," Marcus said, putting down his pad. "Not since the welcome home party," Rad answered. "He's also worried about you. Maybe you two could be ready to open up about it," Marcus said, playing with his pen. "Maybe... I don't know," Rad said, looking down again. "It could be something to think about," Marcus said, placing down his pen. "Yeah, maybe," Rad answered. "Something else on your mind?" Marcus asked, tilting his head. "Having this happen... made me feel like losing Charlie all over again even though Thomas isn't mine... he's like my son," Rad explained.

"I see. Have you talked to Bandit about this feeling?" Marcus asked. "No... we have been Distant from each other since it happened," Rad answered. "Do you think Bandit would want to talk to you about it?" Marcus asked. "I don't know, Thomas is his world, along with Bluey and Bingo, and I'm just living in it," Rad explained. "Do you think Bandit would feel the same if the tables were turned and your child was in his arms?" Marcus asked. "Of course! Bandit has always been the loving one! He always had that father figure in him!" Rad said, frustrated. Marcus nodded, writing something down. "Alright, Rad, I'm going to up these meds, and I'll check back with you next week," Marcus said, looking at Rad. "Alright," Rad said with a nod. "And Rad?" Marcus said, still looking at the Heeler. "Yes?" Rad asked, looking at Marcus.

"As your brother's friend and knowing your family well, Talk to Thomas and Bandit; they are essential to you despite the history you share with Bandit; they love you very much," Marcus said with a warm smile. Rad nodded as he stood up. Marcus gave Rad his new prescription, and Rad left the office. Rad sat in his truck and called Frisky. "Hey babe," Rad said. "Hey honey, how was your appointment?" Frisky asked while she was drying some dishes. "It's good, I guess... he's going up the dose of my meds, and I guess go from there," Rad explained while walking out of the building. "Well, that's a start," Frisky said as she placed the last dishes away. "Yeah, it is," Rad said as he got into his truck. "Are you going to see Bandit?" Frisky asked as she looked down at the sink. "I... I don't know," Rad replied with his ears down. "Well, if you do, just let me know," Frisky said softly. "I will," Rad said as he swallowed a lump in his throat.

"I love you," Frisky said, looking out the window. "I love u too, Frisk," Rad said softly. "See you soon; drive safe," Frisky said as she smiled to herself. "See you soon, and I will," Rad said before hanging up the phone. Frisky then hung up the phone and sighed as she stared into space. Rad took a deep breath before he started his truck and went on his way. Bandit was in study catching up on the work he had missed since the tragedy on his happy family. Bandit mainly kept to himself, pushing all his worries and thoughts away. Even though Bandit was strong-minded to keep this all away, it still held him. His seventeen-year-old son, his baby boy, could have been taken away from him forever. Tears started to roll down his cheeks while he kept working.