AN IMPORTANT DECISION
872 Words
Once we all stopped laughing we told him about what I joked about at the arcade. Brad was so proud of himself that he rendered Noah speechless he was dancing around the house when June and Mathew came home from some errands they had been running and we showed them the video after explaining what I said at the arcade. June begged Rachel to send her the video and Noah sat pouting on the couch at us having a good laugh at his expense. We all ate dinner together. After dinner Lee took Rachel home and I went upstairs to tuck Brad into bed. He looked up at me and asked "will you sleep with me ShellyBellie" before I could answer Noah walks in saying "no can do little man if you wake up thrashing around you might hurt her and the babies. How about she stays here till you fall asleep. I promise if you have another nightmare we will be just down the hall. All of us one of us will come in to help you through it." "ok, he said and curled up in my lap" I sat there running my fingers though his hair until he fell asleep. I grabbed my phone and texted Noah he's asleep I need help. Noah came in and picked him up and I helped tuck him into bed.
We were in our room when he said "that was not funny what you four did to me" I laughed "ahh come on you know it was and considering what we just did together it is kind of true" "yeah, but man it scared me. It made me realize how much these babies are going to rely on us. I made my decision Shelly I am transferring to UCLA no arguments we are going to need our parents help and Brad needs us too." I look at him and say "do you realize how much I love you right now" "no how much Shelly" "more than I could ever put into words." "you think he will sleep though the night" "I hope so if not I think I am going to ask your parents about him seeing a counselor or something" "you don't have to I told my parents already they are sending him to see a Psychiatrist mom said it is understandable being emotionally and physically abused the way he was and being away from his support system can really take a toll on a child." "Thank-you Noah, it hurts me so much that my father would allow her to hurt Brad like that. Today I noticed he has a scar on his back. When I asked him about it he said it happened when they were still here" Tears were streaming down my face. "he...he...said that was part of the reason she made them leave because she had caught him trying to sneak out to come to me the day she left that mark. He wouldn't tell me anymore." I look up at Noah "he used to tell me everything. It's like he is afraid I wouldn't love him anymore. Noah, couldn't protect him from this. I wasn't there. I am his big sister and I failed him. I failed him so bad" Noah catches me just as I collapse crying. He just holds me and rocks me back and forth saying "you didn't fail him Shelly you didn't know. We all didn't know. He is our little man and he is hurting we all are hurting for him and we all will help him though this I promise. NO...PLEASE...SHELLYBELLIE...MAKE HER STOP. I try to get up but Noah won't let me I hear him yell for Lee. Lee comes in and Noah says "go take care of Brad I got Shelly" Lee runs out and comes back carrying Brad. "see Lil' man she is right here and she loves you she is just not feeling well right now and Noah is taking care of her" Brad jumps down and wraps his arms around me. "I thought you left me please don't leave me ShellyBellie" Noah brushes his hair out of his face "we made a decision lil' man." Brad looks up at Noah waiting for him to continue. "Shelly and I will be going to UCLA. I am transferring so we can be close to my mom and dad to help with the babies and to be close to you. I love you Brad" Brad jumps up and throws his arms around Noah and says "I love you too. You and Lee are like my big brothers." Lee says "hey Brad how about a sleep over in my room tonight" Brad jumps up and down "can I ShellyBellie Please" "yes, go for it BradleyBear" He runs out behind Lee closing the door behind him. Noah picks me up helps me get ready for bed and tucks me in. I watch him get ready for bed before he climbs in next to me and I snuggle up close to him. Noah whispers to me as I slowly drift off to sleep "we will do right by Brad I promise you Shelly Baby we will bring back the little boy we all love."
- Writer
