Page 40 of Deep Down
Chapter 15
Craig
Craig called his parents and explained a simplified version of events. His mother broke down in tears, and he ended up talking to his father, who resolved to bring everyone up to see him. Craig tried to call them off, but they wouldn’t listen. Some things never changed.
They arrived the day before he was due to be discharged. Craig had an appointment booked with Amanda, and as soon as they finished, Craig would be going home.
“How did your parents react to the situation?” Amanda asked, sipping her water.
“Mum cried. Dad was more stoic. They’ve not said a great deal about it, to be honest. I think they’re trying to be upbeat for me for some reason.” He chuckled. “I’ve no idea what they think about it because they won’t acknowledge it, other than to ask how I am.”
Amanda frowned. “They need to be able to talk about it, as you do.”
“I will talk to them about it, but I think it will be easier when I’m on home base.”
“Possibly.” She paused, cocking her head. “How are you feeling about going home?”
Craig blew out a long breath. “I’m not going home. At least not straight away. I’ve decided to head to my parents for a few weeks. My shoulder needs rest, as you know, and my mother asked. So, I agreed.”
“And when you return home? How do you feel about going back?”
“I’ll be glad to get back to my own bed. Apart from that…I don’t know. It feels like home when I think about it. I’ve no idea.” Craig glanced at the table, trying to imagine being home alone. He couldn’t picture it. It had been a long time since he had done it. Not in the sense of being alone when Darren was at work, but in the evenings, when Darren was always around. It had been roughly five years since he’d spent a night utterly alone. He shared the thought with Amanda.
She nodded. “It will be an adjustment, Craig. You might find you like the quiet and settle in well. You might find the opposite happens and you need sound and light to be able to find your new normal. Take it one step at a time. I’m always here, at the end of the phone, as well as in-person if you need me. Day or night.” Amanda leaned forward. “You’re not alone in this situation, Craig. Remember that if nothing else. You may go home to an empty house, but you are not alone.”
“Thanks.”
“Well, make sure you also remember to tell your family when you need to leave. Be strong about that. You need time to figure things out for yourself.” She paused, checking her diary. “Okay, while you are at your parents’ house, I will be at the end of the phone if you need me. As for when you come back, I can book you in for Thursdays at three if that is okay with you?”
Craig nodded. “Yeah, fine.”
“Okay, I will book you in for three weeks’ time, but please call me if you need me beforehand. And if you want to scream and shout about your parents, I’m here.” Amanda smiled as she spoke of parents as if she knew what it was like.
“Thank you, Amanda. I appreciate it.”
“Now, get out of here. And enjoy being spoiled even if it drives you crazy.” She laughed.
Craig snorted and stood, making his way around the sofa to the door. He stepped into the corridor to find Alex resting against the opposite wall, doing something on his phone. Alex glanced up when the door shut behind Craig.
“Oh, hey. I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed before you left.” Alex pushed off from the wall and stepped forward, sliding his phone into his pocket.
Craig’s heart pumped a bit faster, the closer Alex came. “Um…yeah, I think I have everything I need.” He spun towards his room, and Alex fell into step beside him. Craig couldn’t understand what his reactions were all about regarding Alex. Craig liked having him around, but in the same breath, he felt nervous and confused. It was something he could figure out later. After this, he wouldn’t see him often, if at all, anyway.
“Good. Your brother is here already. I let him wait in your room. I hope that was alright.”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Thanks.”
Craig entered his room first, watching as Blake closed his phone abruptly and stood up.
“Hey, Craig. You ready to escape this joint?” Blake smiled.
“Sure. Let me grab my things.” Craig’s heart rate increased again when he went to his little cupboard and emptied his belongings into a bag his brother had brought with him. This time, he knew it was because he was leaving the hospital. He wasn’t sure what his emotions were trying to say to him, but, as Amanda had said, he needed to face them. Then he could figure out his new normal.
“—nothing you need to keep an eye on specifically. Craig is more than capable of knowing when he’s doing more than he should.”
Craig glanced towards Alex and Blake, who had obviously asked what they needed to do with Craig. He huffed a breath, silently and shook his head. His brother had not changed either, always needing to be the one who knows everything and sorts it all out singlehandedly.
“I’m ready.” Craig forestalled any further questions, hiking the bag onto his good shoulder.
