Silent To The Bone

Vivian is arrested and detained, and when Connor passes this news on to Branwell, Branwell reveals with the “BLUE PETER” card that he’s finally ready to speak. Connor asks, “Since when?” and Branwell answers, “Yesterday” (234). Branwell doesn’t want Connor to tell anyone that he’s speaking yet and wants Connor to come back the following day so that he can tell his story.

When Connor returns the next day, Branwell is ready to talk. He tells Connor about how Vivian would often neglect to change Nikki or leave her upset and crying. Branwell would always come home from school and have to take care of her. He loved doing this but hated seeing her neglected. Once, when Vivian took a bath during Nikki’s afternoon nap, Branwell walked into the bathroom accidentally while she was in the tub. The second time Branwell walked in on Vivian, it was only partially accidental and something he did out of pure impulse. The third time, Branwell admits that he wanted to go into the bathroom and that he was compelled by Vivian’s charm and manipulation. When she called him in there, claiming to have forgotten her shampoo, Branwell handed her the shampoo and saw her breasts. Vivian asked Branwell to wash her back and then got out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself as Branwell watched. Branwell approached Vivian and kissed her neck, and his body responded with an erection. The moment ended there, and Branwell left feeling completely ashamed of what just happened. He didn’t tell anyone and did everything Vivian asked of him to keep her from possibly telling.

Although Connor wants to tell Margaret that Branwell is speaking again, Branwell insists that he can’t leave the Juvenile Behavioral Center until Nikki is released from the hospital. He decides to tell Connor what happened on the day of Nikki’s injury. He came home from school that day and found Nikki in her crib, sleeping but breathing oddly. When he picked her up, she threw up and went rigid, and he knew that something was wrong. That was when he called Vivian, and she bolted out of the bedroom in her underwear. When she told Branwell to call the police, he was unable to speak because he didn’t really know what had happened. He believes that he was stunned into silence as punishment for never telling his parents about the way Vivian was neglecting and abusing Nikki. Vivian took advantage of this by telling the series of events as it happened but with Branwell’s name in place of her own. Connor insists that Branwell needs to tell the police, but Branwell worries that they will want to know about the day he and Vivian were in the bathroom and continues to refuse. Connor gets angry and storms off.

Connor decides to tell Margaret that Branwell spoke and told him everything but refuses to tell the police. Margaret understands that Branwell feels obligated to behave and be seen as “good” and that shame is driving his choice. When the lawyer is called in, she insists that Branwell speak out, and he does. Dr. Z decides not to press charges against Vivian on the condition that she be barred from childcare work. Since Branwell is not quite ready to return home, he stays with Margaret for a few days to recuperate and gain clarity.

On New Year’s Eve, Margaret hosts a dinner with Connor, their father, and both their mothers. Dr. Z and Tina come to pick up Branwell and take him home, and in Tina’s arms is a happy and healthy Nikki. Branwell cries upon seeing her, which leads everyone else to cry along with him. Tina hands the baby to Branwell, who cradles her like a precious gem, and together, they head home with a new outlook and a brighter future ahead.