The Prince

Part 48

Noah was glad that he was given another week to recuperate. Not that he had much time to rest. Skye would bring home mountains of work for him and tutor him through it. By the end of each session, it felt as if his head was being stuffed. At least I don't have to do chores, he thought moving to the sitting room to watch some TV.

"Hey Noah, It's good to see that you're looking so much better," Raymond sat down next to him.

"I feel much better, thanks," he shyly smiled at Raymond.

"That's good to hear. Eh, do you have a moment for me?"

"Sure," he said with some trepidation, not sure if he was going to be thrown out.

"Well, it's about your living arrangements," he started. "Don't worry, we're not kicking you out," he gently smiled trying to set the young boy at ease.

"It's just that we're going to have to make some serious decisions about what's going to happen to you. Of course, I don't think you should be anywhere near your brother," Raymond continued.

Noah swallowed the lump in his chest, his heart beating fast, not sure what was going to come next.

"We have some options, but it would be your decision at the end of the day."

"I'm not sure if I understand what you mean, Mr Cook."

"Well, my mother wants you to go and stay with them, you could stay with us, or if Skye will be staying at his place, he'd be more than happy. Although, I'd really like both of you to stay here."

"What do you think I should do?" He asked surprised that Raymond's mother had offered him a space.

"It's your decision to make. We'd all like you to stay, but only if you want to. We all have agreed that we don't want you staying at home with your brother." A frown marred Raymond's face. Noah's brother was given a suspended sentence, but he was sure that it wouldn't stop him from hurting Noah again.

"Do you mind if I think about it a bit?" He chewed his bottom lip trying to think of the next step.

"Of course, take your time. The longer you stay here, the happier Jackson will be," he chuckled.

"Are you sure you don't mind me staying?" He had to make sure that he wasn't being a burden. His brother had made him feel like one for so many years, that it was hard to silence those thoughts.

"We're all sure. Now, my mom has asked that we visit this weekend, so we'll all be staying over. You are coming along, aren't you?"

"I, eh, okay, I'll go along, thanks."

"Don't worry, this isn't an ambush, only family annoying each other for three days," he laughed getting up. "You'd better get some rest. Skye is on the way and will probably be upset that I allowed you to sit up!" Chuckling, he walked off.

What Raymond had said kept turning in his head. He appreciated their offers, but would it be right to take them up on it? They've helped him so much over the past few months that he wasn't sure whether he should be asking any more of them. What he did know was that he'd never go back to his brother if he could help it.