Caring for Carers - Minizerk

Chapter 7

About a month later, they've gotten everything sorted. Josh had calmed Simon down, and they talked it through. The new case had a history of mental, physical, and suspected sexual abuse in previous homes on his record, and it had hit Simon hard. Understandably so, seeing as he'd never handled a case like it before, and it's arguably a big step up from what he's used to.

Though you never really do get used to the shit most of these wonderful kids have gone through.

Anyway, Josh lets his mind return to the more positive. Over the last month, Vik has been coming over to spend afternoons in the house alongside Ethan, just to make sure they're aware of each other and know who the other is when they live in the same house, and each time, it's gone better than he'd hoped, Vik already showing Ethan better table manners that they could work on with time. Vik's also already clocked Ethan's echolalia, and so when he wants Ethan to thank him, he'll sign 'Thanks Vik' using his given sign name to receive an actual thanks from the slightly younger boy, which seems to have gone down okay. They have also tolerated each other's television viewing interests, Vik's being a lot of history and scientific documentaries, which even Josh and Simon struggle to find entertainment in half the time, so who knows what Ethan sees in it. It seems, however, Vik is partial to CBeebies, and he's at least some level of fascinated by Teletubbies, in particular.

In short, the two should hypothetically be fine, living with one another.

But Josh knows as well as anyone that something working in theory is not always the case when it comes to reality, and they can only hope the two properly click. He's got a load of trips planned for the five of them.

He really wants to take them on a trip to the beach for the day sometime, seeing as both boys have such a great love for the sea. Josh hates sand with a passion, but seeing the two boys happy would be completely worth it.

That's a while off yet though, seeing as Vik is only moving in today. Ethan's spending the night at home with Ruth, likely being spoilt rotten, and on a sugar high when he returns to the house tomorrow, but it's Simon's day with him, so he'll have to handle the repercussions. Josh is meant to be on paperwork, or helping out at school for a bit, seeing as the main receptionist is going on holiday tomorrow, but he knows he'll probably nip into school, pick up the needed files and head back to the house, just to ease his worried conscience about Vik and Ethan living together.

He's almost glad he's on waking night tomorrow, which will be their first night at home together. He can sit there and worry anxiously until sunrise, pale November sun leaking through the half-open blinds in the office, listening to Tobi's quiet snuffles from the staff sleeping area.

For now, he's got to keep himself calm and not get too involved. It's Tobi and Vik's time to bond properly today, and let Vik know where everything is. Of course, Josh'll be there, but he's going to have to keep his distance.

Fast forward a couple of hours and Vik has arrived, slightly confused, perhaps bordering on agitated at the fact he's here instead of over at House 2, his face clouding.

"Vik, buddy, you know last time I came to see you at House 2,  yeah? I said you'd be moving in here on Friday, and you always know what day it is better than I do, so here we are. It's alright, you know Josh." Tobi both speaks aloud and signs to Vik, so that the boy has ample opportunity to compute what is being said, and truly consider it. Temporarily, his face clears before cocking slightly to the side, his hands coming to form the shape of an 'e', and Josh isn't sure how but the movement and the positioning of his hands is almost questioning. Body language never fails to amaze him, you can tell so much about someone from the way they stand, or the way they move their hands.

Tobi shakes his head gently in Vik's direction, his hands lifting once again to begin signing the important words alongside his speech.

"No, Vik, I'm sorry. Ethan is staying at home with his mum tonight, he'll be here tomorrow night though."