Bradley

Hazel and I took a few days off from work while Braydon was in the hospital. Jace and Dallas asked what was happening to their brother. We gave them a brief explanation until we could find out everything.

Jayden ran tests and assessed Braydon's condition. He also prescribed medication for Braydon while Braydon was in the hospital to monitor his reaction.

Grayson visited the school and had the video footage pulled. He reviewed it extensively with the principal and discovered the other boy started the fight. Braydon used self-defense in the situation. Grayson was meeting with the other parent's attorney to discuss the matter. He said he would inform us of the outcome.

After two days of tests, Jayden gave us Braydon's diagnosis. It wasn't what he had suspected. Braydon had the onset of schizophrenia. Hormonal changes during puberty had started the process of his schizophrenia. With intensive therapy, medication, and support, Braydon would live a normal life. Well, as normal for him. It was okay. We would deal with it as a family.

Jayden set up weekly appointments for Braydon. He would monitor his medication.

Now, it was time to tell the family.

*******
Hazel got Braydon settled in at home while I called our family and friends over. I sat the boys down and explained what was happening to their brother. I didn't want Jace and Dallas to fear Braydon. Braydon was still their brother and our son.

"Are you okay?" I asked the boys.

"I don't understand anything that you told us," Jace said, shaking his head.

"I know. But that's why we're taking classes as a family to understand your brother's illness better."

"Will Braydon die?" Dallas asked.

"Not if we work at supporting him. Jayden is optimistic about your brother's condition. So, we need to think positively."

"We'll do whatever Braydon needs," Jace said.

I nodded and smiled.

Shortly after talking to Jace and Dallas, the others arrived. Jace and Dallas kept the kids busy while I spoke to the adults.

"Damn, I'm sorry, Bradley," Odin said.

"Jayden's optimistic about Braydon's diagnosis. So we're keeping positive thoughts," I said.

"What do you need from us?" Owen asked.

Everyone looked at me and waited.

"Support would help. I don't want people to treat Braydon differently because he has schizophrenia."

"Whatever you need," Oliver said.

"We have a family appointment with a counselor to learn about schizophrenia. Hazel and I will need time off for Braydon's appointments."

"Not a problem. Just give us a heads-up. Devin can cover for you when you're at the appointments," Odin said.

I glanced at Troy and Carrie since they hadn't said anything. "I'll understand if you don't Braydon around Emerald."

"It's a lot to take in, Bradley. But we wouldn't do that to Braydon," Troy said.

I looked at Marla and Dexter.

"We're good," Dexter said while Marla nodded in agreement.

"It doesn't matter," Jordin said, shaking his head.

We looked at Jordin.

"Braydon is family, and family takes care of each other."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

I got Braydon and brought him to the living room, where everyone had gathered. He sat on the couch and glanced at everyone. Conner sat beside Braydon and started talking to Braydon, asking him simple questions. Braydon answered them honestly. Everyone listened while Braydon talked.

My son has schizophrenia, but he's still my son. I didn't want anyone afraid of him. I didn't want Braydon to endure what Tim did with the stigmatism of schizophrenia. Why should someone suffer from an illness they can't control?

******
After that day, my family and I attended a family session with the counselor. The counselor provided information to educate us about Braydon. Jace and Dallas asked questions while the counselor answered them truthfully. Braydon listened, absorbing the information like a sponge.

Hazel or I would attend Braydon's therapy sessions when Braydon went. We would sit on a couch and listen. Since Braydon was a minor, his legal guardian must be present during the therapy session. Braydon also missed school while Jayden adjusted his medication. Jayden recommended it was better, so Braydon didn't react. We agreed and had Jace and Dallas bring his missing assignments home.

As for the legal ramifications, the other student's parents dropped it once Grayson proved their child started it. It was one less worry with everything happening at home.

Our family and friends were incredible with their support. They didn't treat Braydon any differently from before his diagnosis. But they also informed us that if Braydon became agitated, we could deal with it. They were a godsend through this adjustment.

What surprised me the most was baseball helped Braydon because of the fresh air. It also gave Braydon something other than his illness to focus on.

It was just another stumbling block that our family had to overcome. But we would do it together.

*******
Jace

I understood what Dad meant when he said your brothers are essential. Dallas and I became more protective over Braydon, especially when Braydon returned to school. If anyone started shit with Braydon, we finished it. Yeah, Dad got called frequently to school. But we didn't care. No one messes with our brother.

We were warming up before our game and talked.

"You good?" I asked Braydon, tossing him a ball.

"Yeah, I'm good," Braydon said, throwing the ball to Dallas. "I don't feel like I'm spinning out of control."

"It's not your fault you developed an illness," Dallas said.

"I know. But it sucks. I had no control over my actions. And the voices don't help."

"Is that what happened?" I asked.

Braydon nodded. "It's like whispers telling me to do something wrong."

"Do you still hear them?" Dallas asked.

"Not since I've been taking my medication. It helps a lot."

I didn't understand what Braydon was dealing with since I didn't have it. But he was still my brother. He can't help what happened to him.

We finished warming up before playing. I glanced at the bleachers and spotted our parents, Julia, family, and friends sitting there, cheering us on. I couldn't help but smile as I threw the first pitch.

******
Bradley

Our family and friends supported the boys while they played baseball. The boys didn't let Braydon's diagnosis hinder them and forged ahead. Hazel and I dealt with the phone calls from the school. How could we punish the boys for protecting their brother? We couldn't.

"Go, Jace!" Julia yelled as Jace struck out the batter.

I chuckled because Julia was Jace's biggest cheerleader.

The batter hit a line drive to Braydon. He caught it and threw the ball to the second baseman, getting two people out.

"Yeah, Braydon!" Odin shouted and clapped.

I watched Dallas give Jace the hand signal. Jace nodded, wound up, and threw the pitch. They clocked his fastball at 98 mph. That's my boys.

While watching the game, Conner looked for signs that Braydon had started having issues. We had to cut them off at the path before they got out of control. It helped since I only remember what happened with our brother after his psychotic break.

Then, the signs reared their ugly heads. Braydon's head jerked slightly as he shook his head. He blinked several times, trying to focus when he missed a line drive coming right to him. Braydon slapped the side of his head with his hand while muttering. Dallas motioned for a time-out while Conner and I moved past people and headed to the field.

We reached the boys as Jace and Dallas surrounded Braydon.

"Braydon, focus," Jace said.

"Jace, make them stop," Braydon begged.

"Make what stop? You're not making any sense."

"The voices."

Connor and I exchanged glances before stepping in.

"Braydon, let's take a walk," I said.

Braydon grabbed his head as we walked off the field. Conner and I walked on each side of Braydon but didn't touch him. We walked him to the car and had him sit in the back seat with the door open.

Connor crouched before him. "Braydon, did you take your medication?"

Braydon looked at Conner, gripping his head and shaking it. I opened his backpack and searched through it until I found the medication bottle and gave him a pill and water. Braydon took it without hesitation.

I switched spots with Conner. "Why didn't you take your medication, Bray?"

"I forgot because of the game," Braydon whispered.

"Son, you can't forget." I sighed. "It'll help you."

"I hate this." Braydon shook his head.

"I know. But it's something we'll handle together."

"I don't want to get kicked off the team."

"You won't. I spoke to your coach. He and the school will work with you. But you need to take your medication religiously. Mom and I will ensure you do at home."

Braydon nodded.

"Braydon," a voice said.

We turned to see Emerald standing in the parking lot.

"Are you okay?" Her brows knitted in concern.

"I don't know." Braydon shook his head.

"Do you want me to stay with you?"

Braydon nodded in response.

Emerald approached the car and stood beside Braydon. Braydon reached for her hand and hooked his fingers around hers as he rested his forehead in his other hand.

All it takes is a little compassion to help someone through a difficult period in their lives.