Shit!  She thought to herself. I broke him.  She jumped off the edge of the bed and hurried closer.  She was terrified to hurt him, but she gently wrapped her arms around him drawing him to her shoulder.  "Shhhh, it's ok.  Let it all out."  She wanted to rub his back, but his ribs were going to be paining him enough with the crying, she certainly didn't need to touch them. She kissed the top of his head holding him as he cried. "It is all going to be ok." 

She mentally debated with herself on calling the nurse.  She had to find a way to calm him before he caused himself serious pain.  She smoothed his hair and just held him as gently as possible. "I am here hon.  It is going to be ok."  No wonder the Doctors were taking an interest in him.  He was likely depressed. She should have seen the signs, the isolation, the lack of friends and family. Looking back she could clearly see it, she couldn't help beating herself up a little, she should have seen this before.  

"James.  I need you to take a deep breath for me, as much as you can.  Slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth."  She spoke softly.  "I need you to calm down as best you can, so listen to my voice ok?  We're going to do this together."  She began to slowly count for each breath doing her best to keep him focused on his breathing.  It wasn't going to be easy to breathe deeply with his ribs, so she shortened the count to five rather than the normal ten.