The next day the doctors took Larry off of sedation and he began to rally for which everyone, especially Margaret, was totally grateful.
Jake and Dylan were allowed to see him for the first time since they had found him and of course Margaret had told him about 'the talk' and he expressed his gratitude.
"We are just grateful we found you when we did," Dylan told him.
After two weeks Larry was sent home but NOT to school. Margaret decided to homeschool him instead...and Dylan and Jake volunteered to help. They figured this would give them a chance to get to really know him...even though Jake had gone to school with him for years.
Thus the senior year adventure became even more so...and it took a lot of time as Larry slowly healed from his injuries.
For all the world it appeared that everything was going back to normal, and yet Jake in particular had an uneasy feeling that it was NOT going to be quite that simple. He didn't say anything to Dylan or anyone else but just quietly held his breath figuratively speaking.
Dylan sensed that something was wrong but Jake held his ground that all was fine although he nonetheless felt quite the opposite but couldn't put his finger on why,
UNTIL...
It was mid-March, and spring was beginning to rear its not so ugly head...blooms were beginning to bloom and buds began budding and trees were almost feverishly trying to start the leafing process...when Dylan got summoned to the guidance counselors office.
"Dylan, I have some bad news I am afraid. Your brother, Teddy? He was found out behind the dumpsters," and Dylan slumped...fearing the worst.
"WHAT? WHY...how...what?
"I don't know anything more, sorry Dylan...but he was found unconcious and has been taken to the hospital in pretty bad shape as I understand it."
Dylan was almost too shocked to respond. Teddy was an honor student, most certainly well liked, and this was just beyond reason.
"Thanks," and he tore out of the office to go get Jake and high-tail it to the hospital.
"Honey, they just found Teddy, beaten and left behind the dumpsters. We gotta get to him," and immediately Jake knew why he had felt the way he had...only he wished...
They pulled into the hospital parking lot and found a parking space just as Diana pulled into a spot next to them. Dylan's father Peter was out of town and the brothers were on their way from school. Jake had called his parents and Ann pulled in next, and then Rick so all of them made their way into the building and straight to Emergency where the news wasn't as bad as they had feared but bad enough.
They waited a bit and then a doctor came out and sat down next to them.
"I know you all are worried and probably fearing the worst but I can tell you this. Teddy was beaten up pretty badly and is really bruised. I want you to know that so you won't overreact when you see him. He is bruised but there don't seem to be any broken bones and that is amazing and a very good thing. We are going to keep him sedated and in the hospital overnight to let him rest and for observation just to make sure we haven't missed anything...but we can probably let him go home sometime tomorrow."
There was an audible sigh from the group.
"Can we see him?" Dylan asked what everyone else was thinking.
"Yes but only for a minute and remember he is partially sedated so he won't be that responsive," and with that said he stood and motioned for them to follow them.
"Five minutes, please," and then the doctor stood aside to let them all move on into Teddy's room where he lay in bed looking like a Mack Truck had just roared over him. He was indeed badly bruised...two black eyes, face swollen and puffy, and deadly still.
Dylan walked over first and kissed Teddy's forehead, and then the others did the same. Then Ann said she thought they should give him time and space and all agreed, and began walking back out of the room.
Jake was the last to leave, looking back at Teddy...and something changed for him but even he didn't know what nor how or why.
Life began again the next day as they brought Teddy home while still pretty battered looking...and Jake insisted they keep him at the McCandless house where he and Dylan could keep track of him and Diana and Peter reluctantly agreed. Better in a way than in the normal bedlam of the Lassiter house.
There would be someone there all the time, Jake insisted, to keep Teddy safe and in about a week the injuries faded and all seemed to be going back to normal. Seemed to.
But something wasn't...quite...right.
Dylan couldn't quite put his finger on it but Jake seemed to be struggling with something but wouldn't say what...or anything else.
Suddenly this perenially grade A student started slipping. Dylan noticed, so did his parents and Dylan's parents. Jake's teachers also did...but nobody could get anything out of Jake. Finally one night after dinner Dylan got Jake occupied with helping Teddy with homework so he could get Ann aside so he could talk with her privately.
"Ann," and she smiled. "A bit of suberfuge at work here Dylan?"
He smiled back. "Perhaps. I need to talk to you please."
"About Jake I presume?"
Dylan nodded.
"You think there is something wrong too don't you."
"I do and I have no clue what except a suspicion."
"Teddy's beating."
"Yeh, and before that Larry's. Just all seems too much of a coincidence."
Ann nodded.
"There seems no way he wants to let this affect he and I but I don't know. He just seems troubled."
"Maybe he needs to talk to a therapist?" Ann asked what Dylan had been thinking.
"If he will, yes. I wasn't sure if you would go for the idea."
"I do and Rick will too. We have both noticed his mood swings and his quietness and of course, I have heard from a couple of his teachers who tell me his grades are starting to slip. That is the one thing that has NEVER happened. He has always been at the top of his class."
Dylan nodded in agreement. He knew only too well what a bright-eyed overachiever Jake had always been...but now?
The wheels started to turn and a couple of nights later at dinner Ann sprung the news that she and Rick knew Jake was dealing with something and thought a therapist was called for. Jake just sat staring at his plate and Dylan put his arms around him, which was one prod too many and Jake let his head lay against Dylan's chest where he began to silently cry.
The next day...
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