“I remember the name. Do I know Justin?” JC worried his lip as he tried not to look at the doctor who was scribbling furiously on his pad.
Karen patted his arm softly and tried to smile. “Justin is outside honey, he so much wants to come talk to you. Would you like that?”
JC worried his lip some more breaking the skin. A droplet of blood formed on the cut as he nodded.
Roy kissed his forehead and his mother did the same. “We will be just outside son,” Roy said. “I’ll send Justin in.”
JC lay silent the taste of his blood in his mouth; he had unconsciously chewed the inside of his cheek raw. His eyes snapped to the door as it opened slowly. A shorn headed man with bright blue eyes stepped apprehensively into the private room. A smile toyed at the corners of his mouth when he saw JC. He moved straight to his side slipping his long fingers round JC’s own.
“Hey.”
The bound man shivered hearing the smooth voice, so foreign yet so familiar. “Do … do I know you?”
“I’m Justin. And yes you know me, we are very close.”
JC moistened his lips. “I don’t remember you.”
Justin sat on the side of the bed and used his free hand to brush golden bronze curls from the frightened steel blue orbs that watched him wearily. “I know angel, you have suffered so much JC and its my fault. I should never have made you go up on the stage, but I didn’t know baby. I didn’t know David was there and was going to take you away from me. I was so frightened baby. I thought I lost you. I love you JC. I love you so much.
“David said that JC wasn’t real, he said if I thought about him I would be locked in an institution and would have to have more treatments. I don’t want more treatments they make my head hurt and my eyes blurry and I don’t like the injection.” A tear ran down the chiselled cheek. “Don’t let them give me more treatments,” he whispered as he turned his face into his pillow unable to control the immense emotions that had been boiling inside him. One strap loosened around his wrist then from round the other. The strap that was pressing tightly into his torso pinning him to the mattress went slack. He sobbed his body shuddering as Justin wrapped his arms round him lifting him against his chest, crushing him close. “Don’t cry baby, it will be okay, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“Will you take me home?” JC’s eyes were pleading, he sucked his lip into his mouth and snuggled his face into Justin’s neck. “I don’t know who I am. And I’m scared. I don’t want to be scared anymore, please don’t let me be scared any more.” His weeping intensified as the younger man rocked him whispering soothing words and reassuring noises as he stroked the silken brunette strands between his fingers. He kissed the top of JC’s head and nuzzled his cheek into the softness.
“I have to go talk to the doctor darlin’ but I’ll come straight back.”
JC cringed “I don’t like doctors.”
Justin went quiet lost in thought. Did he really want to know what JC had been through? “Tell me ….. What did they do to you? Let me help you.” Justin sat in a stunned silence as JC described the treatments he had be forced to endure at the hands of both doctors and David. The pained after effects of the electro-shock treatment, the humiliating punishments that had been inflicted on him. The blonde swiped at his eyes trying to stem his own tears that were brewing. He pressed his lips to JC’s head pausing there for a while before releasing him and resting his forehead against that of his sweethearts. He cradled his hand around the beautiful but hagged hollow-eyed face.
“I promise you, you will never… never suffer like that again.” Justin pulled back and studied JC’s face. Sharp, angular, dominated by the huge steel-blue eyes that were dead and dull. ‘he doesn’t believe me’ Justin realised.
“I’ll be right back … okay!”
JC nodded and chewed his lip again his eyes fixed on his hands that were now free.
“What is it baby? You can tell me … I’m not going to get mad with you.”
“Can I undo my feet please? I really need to go pee.” Justin covered a chuckle becoming disgusted with himself as the true nature of what JC had said hit him. He was scared to even use the bathroom without permission. He sat back on the bed and unbuckled the remaining restraints.
“There you go. You don’t need to ask to use the bathroom JC.”
“David used to make me. I wasn’t allowed to do anything without his say so.”
Justin sighed deeply his heart heavy. “I’m not David.” He got up and walked to the door. He blew a kiss then left.
*****
Roy had Karen nestled against him, it was obvious she had been crying. Chris, Joey and Lance sat around stony faced. They jumped to their feet as Justin entered the room.
“How is he?”
Justin ran his hand over his short hair. “Scared, confused, lost.” He went over to the pot of coffee simmering on the hot plate and poured himself some in a plastic cup, cussing as he burned his fingers. “I’m taking him home.”
“Now hold on …” the chorus of voices all in shock rang out ain protest at his revelation.
“I’m not discussing it. JC needs stability, he needs to rediscover himself and I think that he can do that best with me.”
“And if he rediscovers you in the process … or is that the plan Justin?” Lance smugly pointed out. “He’s not ready for that Ju he barely remembers you, but I agree that he shouldn’t stay here.”
Roy nodded in agreement. “I agree Josh needs stability. He needs to know that he is loved. We’ll take him home back to Maryland.” Justin started to protest. “You can come see him anytime you want Justin. That goes for all of you, he’ll need you .. All of you. But he needs his mom and me right now.”
Justin opened his mouth to say something shutting it again when Roy silenced him. “Justin either he comes home with me and Karen or I won’t sign his release papers. I’m his next of kin they won’t let him sign himself out not in his mental condition. It’s my way or no way.
“Can I come stay with you?”
Karen smiled at her husband then at Justin. “I think we can find you a bed.”