Darkness

Mothers

"It's quarter past five, Scott...why are you calling me?"

Scott heard her bedsheets rustle. "I know, I am sorry. Take a deep breath, okay? Avi and I went camping, to Big Bear. He fell and we are at the hospital right now, he's in the NSICU with a brain swelling and a broken arm- he's conscious, he's responding. They already popped his shoulder back in but- maybe you can come? I know that I'm asking for a lot-"

Shelly took a shaky breath and needed a second to understand and respond. "Oh goodness. No, you're not. We'll be there as soon as possible, Scott. Would you mind sending Mike your location??"

"Yeah, sure, I'll- just a second. Avi is asleep right now but we talked for a little bit. They intubated him while he was awake after the ambulance brought him here, he threw up and was choking and now he has bruises on his shoulders-" he rambled and couldn't hold himself back. "I think the staff held him down against his will after they thought that he wasn't responding to their instructions. It's messy, Shelly. And I don't know what to do. He panicked when he woke up and he's not letting go of my hand, even in his sleep. Something must've happened and I can't handle it on my own. I don't trust them with him and I think he needs you and Mike."

The woman was silent for a few moments until she took a deep breath. "We'll hurry. Thank you for calling me. Do you want us to bring anything? Avi left some clothes behind the last time he visited."

"Uhm, actually- yes, that would be great. He's wearing just pj bottoms and I didn't have time to pack a few things for him. But once you're here I might be able to grab his stuff from the lake house we stayed in. If he's okay with me leaving for half an hour."

"Okay, of course. Please keep me updated."

Scott rushed to use the restroom at some point while Avi was still asleep and managed to get back to his spot next to the bed before the bearded man started to stir just a couple minutes later. When he opened his eyes he needed a second to collect his thoughts but then he gripped Scott's hand tighter and turned his head in his direction. The baritone noticed small bruises forming on his cheeks as well, partly hidden by his beard, the same size as the ones on his shoulders.

"Scott?"

"Right here, Love. How are you doing?"

"Alright..little headachy but otherwise alright. What time is it?"

"Just after 9am. Do you wanna eat something? One of the nurses brought some yogurt."

"No, I'm nauseous. Just wanna sleep. Can you turn on the music again?"

Scott smiled to himself. "Of course. I talked to your parents while you were sleeping and they should be here in half an hour, maybe an hour."

"Who's coming?"

The baritone touched his cheek. "Your parents, Love." He realized that Avi wasn't fully there and assumed that he'd need a couple of days to recover and therefore would still be out of it and struggle until then.

Shelly and Mike arrived an hour later. While the woman immediately rushed over to her son and carefully hugged him, Mike patted Scott's shoulder. "Thank you" he said and smiled lightly before they hugged as well.

They both seemed tired but happy to finally see their son after the long drive.

"Hi Mama" Avi whispered and bit his lip to stop tears from forming in his eyes. "So good to hug you." He wrapped his arms around her as Shelly leaned down to hug him. The familiar scent of his mama's laundry detergent mixed with her shampoo calmed him. To him it meant happiness, safety and good times.

The woman brushed his hair back and pressed a kiss right on top of it before she guided his head back down on the pillow as careful as possible.

"We'll stay with you for a little so Scott can go home and get some clothes for you, eat something and take a shower."

"But he will come back, right?" Avi asked and frowned. "He has to-"

"Of course I will come back, Love. As soon as possible. Until then you can hold your mom's hand, okay?" He walked over to the bed, gently cupped Avi's right cheek and kissed his forehead. Scott thought for a moment, then he swiftly pulled his shirt over his head and wrapped it around Avi's left hand. "Here." He grabbed the hoodie he had brought to the hospital with him and put it on. Scott hoped that the feeling and smell of the fabric would help Avi to relax while he wasn't there, knowing how much he relied on those senses.

Shelly couldn't help but smile as she watched Scott leave the room and then turned back to Avi.

Scott took an Uber back to the lake house where he showered, ate and called his mother while he collected Avi's clothes.

"Scott, hi!" Connie said enthusiastically. "How is the vacation?"

"Great" he mumbled and sighed before he sat down on the couch. "I don't have time for the long version but basically- Avi is in the hospital, he fell and hit his head badly, Shelly and Mike are here, the staff mistreated him to the point where his face and shoulders are bruised because they held him down with that much force and he panics when I'm not close enough for him to touch my hand. So, yeah. Vacation is great. I love it."

"I'm so sorry to hear that..." she began and sighed. "Does he have to stay there for long?"

"His brain is swollen. We're lucky that he's conscious, mom. If it gets worse they have to perform surgery to open his skull and I really don't want to think about that now, he hasn't reached the peak yet."

"Scott, if you want me to come to-"

"No, no it's okay. I have to take care of Avi, he needs me."

"And you have to take care of yourself. Make sure you eat and sleep enough, and talk to Shelly or call me when you feel like it's getting too much." Connie noticed that Scott wasn't in the mood or had the time to talk. "Please."

"I will. Thanks, mom. I have to go now, Avi might wants to put on a shirt.." the man teared up and sniffled. "Bye" he said and ended the call before his mom had the chance to reply.