Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 20:03:07 -0500 From: Rhaven Subject: The Long Road Chapter One This story contains sexual content between boy/man. For more stories and poems, please visit: www.rhavenlore.com The Long Road He sat down on the stone steps of his house, seeing only the long road leading to the outside world. The wind gently rustled his hair and tickled his nose. Bram wondered if anyone else in the world was as lonely as he was. He sighed deeply and looked up into the perfectly blue sky. He hated the outdoors, he hated everything about it. The dirt, the trees, the bugs. Outside was dirty and grimy; it stank of freedom and wildness, of uncontrolled existence. He dusted off his nicely pressed shirt, though no dirt could be seen and stood up. Bram Brice wondered whom his father would hire now to take care of him. In the last year, he had gone through three different nannies. Now that he had been expelled from Hamilton, Bram needed a tutor. Bram hated the idea of strangers coming to the house and ordering him about, as if he was a cretin without common sense. His only joy was the thought of visiting his father in New York. It would be the first visit in three years and one that had taken months of begging and crying to achieve. The boy walked slowly back into the house, his house, leaving the outdoors to those who deserved it. CHAPTER ONE Jeremy relaxed in the backseat of the taxi, enjoying the beautiful countryside of Connecticut. It had been a week since his meeting with Mr. Brice with doubt-filled days as he thought of his new life ahead of him. Change is always a burden, no matter if that change is for the better. Familiarity is sometimes a person's lifeblood. Although Jeremy hated his life, it was safe and comfortable, not a great reason to hate change, but something deep within him nagged him to continue his non-existence. Moving into a stranger's home and being responsible for someone he had never met, it was in truth, freaking him out. The taxi driver slowed down as they approached a large stone archway. In a marble stone in the center of the arch, Brice was engraved. Jeremy looked around but could only see fields, trees, and the road that disappeared over the horizon. There wasn't any sign of a house. This only made Jeremy more nervous. He couldn't explain why this bothered him, but it did. In moments of despair, everything becomes perfectly clear. The colors that painted the sky illuminated the waxy leaves of the surround trees. The carpet of endless grass, with each unique blade in shades of green to yellow, a collapsed stonewall of some ancient home faded away with the cruel passage of time. All the colors seemed so unreal to Jeremy, like the journey into the afterlife, a passage from one existence into the next. The taxi crept slowly down the smooth black road, passing through a dark thicket of trees until finally the sky could be seen again. At the road's end stood a massive house, a portrait of perfection with red brick and white pillars. Bushes surrounded the building, perfect rectangles of green, a protective wall of nature. The house was old, but had a breath of newness to it, though exactly how Jeremy wasn't sure. "Nice place." It was the first thing the driver had said since the trip had begun. Jeremy only smiled and pulled out some money from the envelope. It had been nice of Mr. Brice to give him some traveling money. The man, his new boss had seemed very personable, but also with an air of indifference. Jeremy was just glad he wasn't working directly with Mr. Brice, that aura of superiority would eventually rub him raw. Jeremy took a deep breath before he stepped out of the taxi. Why was it easier to enter that public school, his former job? Twenty children staring up at him with that look of disgust and pity should be a lot worse than just one child. However, for some reason this single boy was scaring the crap out of him. Jeremy watched as the taxi disappeared into the woods. "Mr. Roberts?" Jeremy turned around to see an older woman stepping out of the house. "You are Jeremy Roberts, right?" "Um. yes, I'm sorry. I'm Jeremy Roberts." Jeremy smiled feeling foolish. "Welcome to the Brice Home, I'm Maggie Baker." Maggie was a plump little woman, who had eyes that seem to see more than what was before her. She looked Jeremy over and smiled. "So you're the new nanny?" She said with a smirk. Jeremy raised his hands in protest. "Actually I'm really just a teacher. I. I." "Please, Mr. Roberts. I was just making a joke. Mr. Brice informed me of the situation." Maggie gestured for Jeremy to follow her inside. Though the house was large, probably the biggest house Jeremy had ever been in, there was something comforting about it. It wasn't intimidating in his décor, simple furnishings for a majestic home. "Mrs. Baker, can I. can I ask why you aren't the nanny?" "I am the Housemother, in charge of all employed here. including you Mr. Roberts. Believe it or not, but I do not have the time to play babysitter." Jeremy could tell that Maggie Baker felt insulted by his comment, but none of it made any sense to him, he quickly gave a tender smile to the older woman. "I'm sorry Mrs. Baker, but I don't have any idea how to be a . a nanny." Maggie laughed and slapped Jeremy on the shoulder. "Mr. Roberts, the secret of being a nanny. especially for young Mr. Brice is to think like a prison guard. Have courage and you will make it through it." Maggie sighed and looked sympathetically at Jeremy. "It would be nice if you lasted longer than a month. We haven't had the best luck as of late with nannies." Jeremy didn't want to ask why no one lasted, he already had his ideas of 'why'. From what he had read from Young Mr. Brice's school records, the boy had an authority problem. The last school he had attended ended when another boy was attacked while he was sleeping. Jeremy didn 't like what he had read in the reports, he didn't like the comments the teachers had written down. However, the boy's test scores impressed him. Beyond all his problems, young Mr. Brice was very intelligent. Jeremy even read some of the short stories the boy had written for school and was blown away by the depth and feeling he had been able to express. However, despite intelligence or artistic ability, Jeremy couldn't overlook the fact that Bram Brice was a troublemaker. He had met his fair share of rich little brats. It suddenly hit Jeremy as of why he dreaded this new job. He was going to be manservant to a portly little boy, who treated everyone like dirt. He would be waiting on this kid twenty-four hours a day. Jeremy had the sudden urge to just turn around and leave. "I should say Mr. Roberts." Maggie began, obviously seeing the panic in Jeremy's eyes. "I think you have what it will take to straighten out our boy." Maggie laughed as she said this, as if it was a private joke. Jeremy forced a smile and followed the woman up the stairs. "I took the liberty and had all you items unpacked when they arrived yesterday. I hope you don't mind." Jeremy did mind, but he decided not to say anything. It was unnerving having strangers handle his personal property, but the deed was done, no need to dwell on it. Of course, Jeremy knew he would dwell on it, no matter what he told himself. His privacy had been invaded, searched and fondled without a thought to his feelings. Privacy was all Jeremy, losing it was like losing a best friend. He quickly shook his head, trying to rid himself of the negative thoughts. It didn't work. Jeremy was still silently fuming when Maggie finally stopped and opened a door. He carefully peeked in to see a large room. "Here you are, your 'home sweet home'." Maggie gestured to the room and smiled. "This is my room?" Jeremy walked in and looked around in amazement. The room was fully furnished, with a large couch, several high back chairs, a large table, bookcases, television, stereo and much more. "This door leads to your bedroom and bath. You will notice I have set up an area for your schooling." Maggie pointed to the far end of the room. There were two desks facing each other, Jeremy assumed the larger desk was his, for there was a small blackboard and bookcase behind it. "Very nice, I'm speechless." Maggie clapped her hands together in satisfaction. "Excellent, I was hoping you would like it. I have one more surprise for you." Jeremy looked bewildered as the elderly woman dragged him towards the bedroom. He barely had a chance to see the bedroom when Maggie swirled him around, facing another room. It was smaller, all windows and sunshine. An easel was set up in the center of the small room. "So you can relax with you paintings." Maggie almost whispered. "How. how did you know I paint?" Jeremy entered the glass room as if it was a sacred temple. There was a table filled with everything needed in painting, he was speechless. "Mr. Brice likes to know everything about his employees. I hope this will make your stay here more comfortable." "It sure couldn't hurt." Jeremy laughed. Maggie stood silently for a moment looking Jeremy over, watching him examine the art supplies. "Well, I'll leave you to get familiarized with your surroundings. And I'm sure you could use some rest." Jeremy wanted to say something to the woman, but couldn't find the right words. She gave him one last smile before she disappeared out of the room. Jeremy had to admit this new job was looking better by the moment. He waited until he was certain Maggie was gone before he truly started exploring his new surroundings. It took him a moment to find his belongings. There wasn't much, a few books, some videos and miscellaneous knickknacks. He was told that furniture was not necessary, so most of his possessions were in storage, it was now something he regretted. His room wasn't his. He laughed as he tiptoed into the living room. It was hard to imagine all this as 'his' room. He sat down on the couch and stared at the wonderfully large television. Jeremy couldn't help but feel like an intruder. The more he thought about it, the more claustrophobic he felt. He wondered what his limitations were here. Could he walk about the house freely? Jeremy stuck his head out of the room and saw no one in the hallway. Cautiously he headed for the staircase. The house that had looked so inviting before, now seemed a prison. He walked down the stairs trying his best not to make any sound. "Can I help you?" Jeremy almost lost his step and had to grab for the railing. He turned to see a young woman coming down the stairs behind him. She was a porn fantasy of beauty, in her maid's uniform. "Um. Hi. I'm Jeremy Roberts. Bram's new teacher." "Yes sir, Ms. Baker informed me you had arrived. I'm Nancy, the maid around these parts." The young woman laughed and held out her hand for Jeremy to shake it. "Nice to meet you Nancy." Jeremy shook the woman's hand, but was surprised when she didn't release the grip. "Mr. Roberts, I know this place can be a little intimidating. But really it's just a house, in fact Ms. Baker instructs us all to make it our home. I suggest you try that." Nancy finally let go of Jeremy's hand. "Thank you Nancy. I have to admit I am a little . unsettled by this place." Nancy smiled; it was a mischievous grin, which Jeremy had seen on his more unruly students. "I know only one way to get you to feel more comfortable." Jeremy found himself lead to the kitchen of the house. Before he could say anything, Nancy had placed a huge bowl of ice cream in front of him. "Don't think of this place as having 50 bedrooms, 40 baths, 4 studies, a library, 6 sun rooms . let's see what have I forgetting. oh yes, 4 dining rooms 1 greenhouse, 2 ballrooms and an indoor pool. If I thought about all that. well honestly I think I would lose my mind." "I see Mr. Roberts has found the kitchen." Maggie said as she entered the sterile white tiled room. "The poor fellow was looking a little lost Ms. Baker, I had to rescue him." "How many people work here?" Jeremy asked think of all the rooms Nancy had listed. The house seemed more immense now that he knew the room count. "At the moment there are only five employed, including you Mr. Roberts." "Only five? Isn't that rather small for such a large house?" Maggie winked at Nancy before she replied. "Trust me Mr. Roberts, five is all we need. Besides Nancy and I, there is Mr. Sonnenfeld our chauffeur and Mr. Fanard the gardener. What else do we need?" Jeremy walked over to the window. The backyard was a sparkling green; a stone fountain decorated the back porch with its calming continuous trickle of water. A forest loomed at the edge of the yard, inviting and yet draped in mystery. Jeremy half listened to Maggie and Nancy as they tried to comfort him. He had to admit, though reluctantly they did make the place seem less menacing. The two women made him realize that no matter the size of the home, the most important thing that it was. a home. "Sit down Mr. Roberts and I'll fix you a real meal." Maggie ordered. Apparently, Maggie Baker wore many hats, not only was she the Headmistress, but also the cook and no telling what else this powerhouse of a woman did. She was a miracle in the kitchen, in only a matter of minutes she produced a complete meal. All three sat at the table and enjoyed the meal of corn beef, carrots and potatoes. Over dinner, Jeremy learned that Master Bram Brice was away and will not return for another two days. He was thankful for the time to get himself organized. Jeremy had gone to bed with a full stomach and a full head. He had more thoughts than he could manage. So much was pressing on him, so much to do or needed to be done before Bram returned he wasn't sure he had enough time. It was a sleepless night as he tossed and turned. A waste of such a wonderful bed. Jeremy had been use to a small twin size and now he had this amazing king sized bed and couldn't find sleep. He ended up wandering his living room or sitting in his sunroom staring up at the starry night. When the sun finally appeared, he dressed and headed down to the kitchen. He wasn't truly surprised to find Maggie already fixing breakfast. Nothing this woman did would surprise him. He was sure she never slept and kept a constant eye on everything that happened in or out of the house. "Good morning Mr. Robert, I hope you slept well." "Yes, thank you." Jeremy lied. Maggie handed him a cup of coffee, which he drank eagerly. "I assume you have a busy day ahead of you?" Maggie asked as she cracked a few more eggs into the sizzling frying pan. "I have to work out a program for Bram. He's missed a lot of school, but I don't want to overwhelm him. I need to find out what he is capable of, and go from there. Plus. I still don't know what my responsibilities are as his . his . damn I wish I could think of a better name than 'nanny '!" "Oh come now, Mr. Roberts. Nanny is fine." Maggie laughed. "I will prepare a schedule for all your duties with Bram." Maggie placed a plate of eggs in front of Jeremy and sat down next to him. "It's not brain surgery you know. All you have to do is make sure he gets up at a reasonable time, doesn't do damage to himself during the day and gets to bed before it's time to get up." Maggie sips at her coffee looking at Jeremy with those eyes again, looking at him but seeing more. "Think of him as your son, Mr. Roberts. Punish him when he desires it and reward him when he's earned it. He will test you as all children do and have done for time eternal. However, I have a feeling you can handle yourself just fine. More coffee?" "No thanks and thank you Maggie." "For what? Telling you what you already knew? Go get organized. Lunch is at noon." Jeremy looked at his watch; he had six hours to start organizing his work area and work out a schedule for Bram. He thanked Maggie for the breakfast and headed back to his room. It didn't take Jeremy very long to organize his desk, apparently Maggie had already accomplished that task. He found all his textbooks and paperwork exactly where he needed them. With that chore finished, Jeremy set forth to figure out which subjects Bram needed and what part of the day they would be taught. Jeremy found himself reading the boy's school documents again and wondering whom this child really was. "Hello? Mind if I come in?" Nancy said as she stuck her head in the door. "Please come in." "Thought I'd see if you were still breathing in here all alone." Jeremy smiled and pushed aside the paperwork. "Nancy. I was wondering if you could tell me a little about Bram. What is he like? What does he do for fun, does he have friends and if so, what kind of boys are they?" Nancy walked over to Jeremy and took his hand. "If you want to know Bram follow me." Jeremy was confused as Nancy pulled him into the hallway and to the door next to his. "What's this room?" He asked feeling tense as Nancy opened it slowly. "This is Bram's bedroom." Jeremy walked silently into the room. He walked through the living room and into the bedroom with a little encouragement from Nancy. It wasn't a boy's room, it was more like the room of an old man. No knickknacks scattered about, no pictures on the wall. The only books on the shelves were encyclopedias or world history, nothing that would designate it a young boy's room. Even the bedroom was beyond plain. "Is this how Bram wants it or is it something his father enforces?" "Mr. Brice? I'm not sure Mr. Brice has even been in this room. This room reflexes Bram as he is. Does this answer your questions?" Jeremy walked over the small plain desk and ran a finger across the monitor of the computer. Sterile, emotionless were the only words that came to him. He took one more look around the bedroom and slowly nodded. The boy's room had never seen the joy of childhood. A plain, incomplete life as unadorned as the room he lived in. This was but the surface of the boy named Bram. What else was Jeremy going to have to deal with? He left the room overwhelmed with sadness. It was a feeling that clung to him like a wet blanket. A feeling that was all too familiar.