"So?"
"Won't Mom be angry?"
"Why would she be angry?"
The little guy breaks down, "Because-Because mom worked so hard to buy it for me. She was hardly home because she was out working many jobs to earn for us. I don't want her to know I wasted her efforts. I don't want her to hate me."
I sigh and turn him to face me, "Look at me, Cale. Your mother has been sick ever since you were not there. She misses you a lot. Don't you want to ease her pain?"
Cale's eyes widen, shining with tears, "Mom's sick?"
I nod, "And she is waiting for you. Won't you go see her?"
Cale nods, fat drops of tears falling again from his eyes, "Let's go. I want to see Mom."
Smiling at him, I approach the car, leaving Ben in charge until Gray returns.
Returning to Chicago Memorial, I carry Cale to the VIP room Jen is in. I enter, knocking, and Gwen, who stands at the window, looks back, her face brightening, "Oh my gosh, Cale."
She rushes forward, taking him from my arms as she hugs him, crying and looking over his injuries, "You are so badly hurt. How could you not get him treated before coming here, you dolt?"
She ends the question by glaring at me as she sits him down on the couch, "Stay right here, bud. I'll go get the doctor, okay?"
Cale leans forward, worried, "But what about Mom?"
She smiles at him, "Don't worry. She is sleeping just fine on the bed."
Cale and I look over at the bed to find Jen sleeping comfortably. I sigh in relief as I walk over to her, and Gwen goes out to get a doctor to look over Cale's injuries.
Jen still looks a little pale and is still sweating a lot. When a doctor comes, I turn towards Gwen, "Can you call another doctor?"
Gwen blinks in confusion, "Why?"
I huff at her, irritated, "Just do it, Gwen."
Gwen rolls her eyes as she goes out when Cale's voice travels through, "Are you calling a doctor to treat your hands?"
Confused, I look down at my hands to find deep gashes. I didn't notice them the whole way to the hospital, probably because I was so focused on getting to Jen, "I'll have them looked over. Don't worry."
Cale looks guilty as the doctor tends to his scrapes, "I'm sorry, Ryan. You got those injuries because of me."
Glancing at the little guy, I comfort him, "Don't worry about it, kiddo. It's only natural to protect your friends, right?"
He looks up, "I'm your friend?"
I grin, "Of course."
Cale smiles and asks the doctor, "Can you please also treat Ryan's injuries?"
The doctor nods as he walks over and cleans up my gashes, wrapping them up in gauze. I ask the guy, "Will the kid be okay?"
The doctor nods, "The injuries only seem superficial. But you should still get him checked thoroughly."
I nod, "Thank you, doctor."
The doctor speaks again, "I wasn't done. The kid might be fine, but you must check your hands properly. You might have damaged some nerves if you can't feel pain."
I nod stiffly as the doctor leaves. Looking at my hands, I don't know what expression my face shows, but Cale cries, "I'm sorry. So sorry."