Jack found Crutchie crying on the floor in the corner of the bathroom. Jack sat down next to him. "Crutchie look at me"
He shook his head. Jack lifted Crutchies chin so that they made eyecontact before Crutchie shifted his gaze to the floor and pulled back, "i... i... Im sorry... I shouldnt be upset... and Im being selfish... it... it..."
Jack stopped him, "No..." he started to tear up again. "Listen, kid, thats scary... you just found out that the polio could come back..."
Crutchie clung to Jack and started crying.
"But Crutchie I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesnt happen..."
Crutchie was shaking, "D-dont worry about me..."
Jack chuckled coldly, "Youre sitting on the bathroom floor, sobbing, Im gonna worry about you."
Crutchie pulled away, "I... I... Ill be fine... g-go to Mandy..." he let out a sob.
Jack embraced him, "No... Im not leaving you... not after that... not while youre still upset..."
Crutchie leaned into Jacks shoulder, "I-I dont want it to come back."
"I know... do you wanna talk to the doctor?... Once he's done with Mandy."
Crutchie nodded timidly. Jack wrapped his
arm around him, Crutchie sobbed. With the help of Jack, he got his breathing back to a normal pace and the tears to stop falling, but the fear was still there. Since they were young Jack created a sense of safety for Crutchie, but that didnt mean he was actually safe. Crutchie curled up closer to Jack. They stayed sitting like this for a while till a peircing shriek broke the scilence.
Oops I did it again
