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“Danny, can you sit for a minute?”
He had just came home from school, still shrugging off his backpack. Lucy was at the table, hands around a mug she wasn’t drinking. He took a seat.
“It’s Matt, isn’t it? What’s going on?”
“Last week… something happened. He hurt himself.”
“What? Hurt himself how? How bad is it? Was it—did he mean to?”
“No. It wasn’t on purpose. It was… impulsive. He wasn’t thinking clearly, and he ended up getting hurt. Dislocated his shoulder. Some bruised ribs. He’s stable now.”
“And you kept that from me till now?”
“Because I didn’t want to overwhelm you. I needed to be sure he’d settled a bit first.”
“Overwhelm me? I live here, Lucy. I’ve been right here, in his house!” he said. “And you’ve been dealing with this alone? While I’ve been sitting in class? Working on some stupid project?”
“Danny, stop. You didn’t cause this. You weren’t even in the room.”
“But I could’ve been there! I could’ve done something, said something—”
“You’re just a kid, Danny. He’s been shutting everyone out. This isn’t yours to carry.”
“I’m not a kid, Lucy. I’m nineteen. I’m eating his food, using his space, and I’ve done nothing to help. I feel like a freeloader.”
“Matt wanted you head-down on school. Not pacing hospital floors. That’s what he would’ve told you to do if he could.”
“Yeah, well, maybe he shouldn’t have. Maybe I should’ve been focusing on being there for him.”
“No one could’ve stopped this. Not you, not Ben, not me,” she said. “Matt’s been carrying a weight that none of us could take off his shoulders. He doesn’t need guilt. He needs to see who’s still here.”
“So… what am I supposed to do? How do I even help?”
“You show up. You talk to him, even if he doesn’t talk back. That’s where he’s stuck. You’re not.”
“Okay. I’ll figure something out.”
“Good. He’ll feel it. Even if he doesn’t say anything.”
Danny got up and pulled her into a quick, solid hug. More than he would’ve a week ago.
“Thanks,” he murmured before letting go.
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The Wake-Up Call