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Disclaimer
– If you want a story with lots of sex, look elsewhere. This is
a love story. Seeing, as it is a love story, sex is in there, but it
is in realistic balance in the characters’ lives. The story
contains sexual encounters between high school age minors, and has
some violence. If this offends you, or if it’s not legal for
you to read, please do not read. Also this story is a work of
fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the
product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is
entirely coincidental.
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Trials and Tribulations
Chapter
4
Safe Haven
Judge Collins walked out into the
main emergency room where all the noise was.
The first thing he seen was that both deputies had grabbed a
hold of Pastor Adams’ arms and trying to walk him back towards
the exit. Miss Anderson was trying to calm Pastor Adams down and the
state detective was leaning back against the nurse’s station
with a smile on his face just taking everything in. When the
detective saw Judge Collins he stood back up and straightened his
tie.
“Judge Collins, the deputies appear to be getting
everything under control here.” The detective said with a
smirk.
Judge Collins shook his head.
This was a hospital and he knew that things should be handled
appropriately and that wasn’t happening. Disgusted he turned to
the State Detective.
“Detective,”
Judge Collins began in a voice that brought even the most callous
defendant to attention, “call your superior and tell
them I said to send someone here that knows how to do their job. I
don’t want someone like you that sits back watching others
while doing nothing to help.”
The
single comment had been said with enough volume to bring
everyone to a standstill, including Pastor Adams, the deputies, and
Miss Anderson. The detective dropped his head and pulled out his cell
phone. As he was walking away towards the exit, he could be heard
trying to explain why he was being dismissed by Judge Collins.
“Bob,
have the other Deputy handcuff the Pastor and place him in the back
of a patrol car” Judge Collins stated,
looking at the pastor with displeasure. “And, Bob, stay
with him. If the other deputy needs assistance securing
him, do so. When you have him locked up, come and find me.”
Judge Collins took control like he was in his own courtroom. Then he
turned and looked Pastor Adams in the eyes, “Pastor Adams, I’m
Judge Collins and these law enforcement officers are authorized to
use whatever force they deem necessary to carry out my orders. As of
right now, you are being arrested for disturbing the peace and
preventing medical personnel from carrying out their duties. If you
continue to resist, you will only be adding to those charges. Miss
Anderson here is from the Department of Community Based Services.
After your son has been examined by the doctors at this hospital,
Miss Anderson, a state detective, and myself will be conducting an
interview with your son and his attorney.”
“My
faggot son doesn’t have a lawyer!” Pastor Adams
interrupted Judge Collins. His face was red and
strained against the two deputies who presently were standing on
either side of him, restraining him from further action.
“Actually
he does, in fact that would be me.” a man said sitting
by the window taking everything in. He stood up and began walking
over to Pastor Adams. He started to offer
his hand then noticed that Pastor Adams
couldn’t shake hands. Instead he smiled, stating, “Carl
Bennett sir, I’m your son’s attorney.” Mr.
Bennett’s smile faded as he noticed the
anger on the Pastor’s face, but he continued, “I’m
not your attorney sir, but my legal advice to you is to stop talking.
The more you say the deeper you’re getting. You can do with it
as you will, it’s free of charge.” Bennett turned and
walked over to Judge Collins.
“I’m sorry to
interrupt, your Honor.” He said, reaching his hand out to
shake. Judge Collins took it and smile.
“It’s good
to see you Carl.” Judge Collins said before turning his
attention back to Pastor Adams.
“Do you have any
questions Mr. Adams?” Judge Collins asked dropping the Pastor
title.
The anger seemed to fade slowly
from Pastor Adams. Then he shook his head ‘no’
before the Deputies lead him out to the patrol car.
Miss
Anderson walked over to where Judge Collins and Mr. Bennett were
standing.
“Judge Collins, what can I do for you today?”
she asked, shaking Judge Collins’ and then Mr. Bennett’s
hands.
Judge
Collins was very aware how the actions of the past few minutes had
disrupted the hospital’s necessary routines. He quickly glanced
around the room before motioning them to follow him.
“Let’s
go over there and sit while we talk. It’s seems a little more
private than here in the middle of the room.” Judge Collins led
them over to a corner that was empty. “First, I’d like to
say thank you to you both for arriving so quickly. I don’t know
how the father found out his son was here this fast.” Judge
Collins paused; concerned that system he and his wife had designed to
keep their son safe might have other problems. However he immediately
refocused on the task at hand. “But
that may work out in our favor. At least we won’t have to go
looking for him if we decide we need to talk to him.”
Judge
Collins took a quick look at the doors to see if Deputy Bob was
coming back in, before continuing.
“Basically, what I
have to tell you both concerns the minor, Joey Adams.”
Miss
Anderson and Mister Bennett both grabbed out pads and began to take
notes. Judge Collins knew this was just the beginning of a long
story. Letting
out a heavy sigh, Judge Collins continued. “This morning my
son, Andy, called my office making me aware that he felt one of his
friends was in danger and asking that he and his friend be taken to
the hospital. I quickly wrapped up this morning’s proceeding
and met them with the Deputies at the school. On the way here,”
Judge
Collins paused shivering as he remembered the ride to the hospital,
“the
boy told me a story that will probably give me nightmares for
years.”
“I’m not sure what State, here in
Kentucky or another State, this part took place in and I need to
check the statues, but it appears at the very least, this young boy
was taken advantage of by an older boy, sexually. The older boy was
seventeen and Joey was fourteen when the relationship began. However,
it continued into the next year when the older boy would have been
eighteen at the time. But all that will be investigated by the State
Attorney’s Office.”
Judge Collins took a big
breath, closing his eyes;
all he could picture was Joey
back in the examination room. The boy was covered with all the
evidence needed for the abuse
case that would be brought against his parents, in fact the evidence
was seared
into his entire upper torso. The
silence brought the full attention of Miss Anderson and Mister
Bennett. The tear
escaping Judge Collins’ eye didn’t go unnoticed by the
other two.
“The reason we are here today is the Father
caught the boys in the driveway as Joey was about to perform oral sex
on the older boy. He dragged his son from the car, ran the older boy
off, and chased the child to bed with words you heard him used here
today.”
Judge Collins stopped speaking and looked out
the window. It
wasn’t often he was the one who had to tell the painful details
of case to someone else. It might have been a while since he was a
practicing attorney, but especially as a judge he had never lost his
ability to empathize with a victim.
“The
next day, Pastor Adams and the Deacons of their church attempted an
exorcism to stop the boy from being gay.” Judge Collins’
jaw tightened as he continued. “They had Joey stripped
naked.”
Miss Anderson gasped at this.
“Are
you telling me Judge Collins that grown men of a church had a fifteen
year old strip naked for a religious ceremony?” she
asked.
“Yes and then they laid hands all over his upper
body and started praying or chanting. Apparently, Pastor Adams struck
Joey on the forehead knocking him to the floor. Joey even says he
started praying for Jesus to save him from ‘them’,
and they took it as a sign the boy was saved by calling out for
Jesus’ help. But
Joey’s couldn’t help from laughing at them, because it
was them he was praying to be saved from.” Judge Collins’
voice became laced with anger as he continued onward.
“And
this caused the father to go into a rage and he began beating Joey’s
naked body with his belt. It seems the Deacons stepped in to stop the
good Pastor from killing Joey.”
“Only the Father
continued the beatings in the privacy of the home until some of the
women of the church began to notice the bruising on the child over
the next few weeks and started asking questions. Pastor Adams either
asked to be transferred or was ordered here to Pine Hills by his
superiors. Joey says the beatings stopped when he was told about the
move a couple of weeks ago.” Judge Collins paused.
Deputy
Bob walked in the room and began to walk towards them. Judge Collins
caught his eye and the Deputy dutifully waited just beyond the alcove
they sat in. The Judge shifted uncomfortably in the hospital chair as
he realized he had come to where his own son became a part of Joey’s
story.
“That
is until Monday, when he forgot to call home and let his parents know
he was at my house with my son and another friend. Apparently, there
had been a fight at school involving Joey, my son and another boy.
The other boy had used a homophobic slur directed at Joey, and
assaulted him as well. My son then got involved and use the forced
necessary to stop the other boy from further hurting Joey. Joey says
the Principal phoned his home to apologize for the incident and that
Pastor Adams assumed the boy was resuming his homosexual ways again,
since the homosexual slurs had been used. When Joey got home from my
house that afternoon, his father beat him until he was unconscious
with his fists, feet and a belt. I’ve seen the boy’s back
and chest and if I wasn’t a judge,” Judge
Collins broke in disgust.
It
was as Judge Collins was finishing that, Mr. Banks, Roger’s
father, walked in. Judge Collins saw him and called him over to where
they sat, “Over here Steve.”
“Sam, you
didn’t get a chance to tell me much on the phone, but I’m
here.” Steve said as he walked over to them. Then he sat by
Judge Collins reaching out and shaking hands with everyone who was
there.
“Thank you my friend for coming here this morning
on such a short notice. I’ll explain what I have in mind in a
minute.”
* * * * * * * * * *
“Having
trouble staying on the chair, dear?” the nurse asked me barely
keeping a laugh in. She then looked up at Joey and handed a gown to
him, “Here honey, you need to undress and put this on. I’m
sure this young man would be happy to assist, if he can keep from
falling all over you.” She turned and left with a huge smile on
her face leaving the two of us very embarrassed. It was a relief when
she left and we were alone again. The double meaning of her words
weren’t lost on me and just caused me to blush more.
I
looked up at Joey and we both burst out laughing. I never knew
busting my ass would make me feel so good, but seeing Joey laugh like
he was, I’d gladly do it a million times. I was so giddy. I
felt like a kid on Christmas morning and just gotten the best gift
ever in the history of Christmas. I didn’t know what Joey and I
were now, but I knew I was one happy camper. We both started calming
down enough to pull ourselves together. When I looked into his eyes,
gone was the sadness that had been there before. The sadness was gone
but hopefully now that was desire I was seeing there. I knew then I
wanted to be there for Joey in every way. I got up off the floor and
stepped between his legs. As I looked deeply into his eyes, I found
myself pulled to him. We kissed with the same passion, but without
the rush I felt before. This time I broke the kiss on my own without
having the shit scared out of me by someone walking in on us.
“We
better get you dressed in this cute gown before the doctor or my Dad
comes in.” I grinned.
“Oh no, out.” He said
with a serious face.
“What? I can help you with…”
I started.
“Out, I’m not getting undressed with
you in here. Now go.” He said pointing towards the door.
“I
can’t” I shrugged.
“What do you mean you
can’t? You use those sexy legs of yours to walk to the door,
open it, step through and close the door behind you.”
“But
Joey, Dad said for neither of us to leave this room.” I pointed
out.
“If you aren’t on the other side of that door
by the time I get up from here, you’ll be wishing you were.”
God he was so hot and cute when he was frustrated.
“Okay,
okay.” I said smiling and throwing my hands up in surrender.
“But, it’ll cost you a kiss”
He smiled and
leaned into me for another kiss. God, I could never get enough kisses
from this boy. I turned grinning like a possum and almost skipped,
hopped, and danced to the door. I pulled opened the door and looked
back at him and said, “I shall return.” I bowed like a
jester at court and the door hit me in the head as it closed. I could
hear him laughing on the other side of the door as I rubbed my head
and smiled.
* * * * * * * * * *
Deputy
Robert Mason, known by all as Deputy Bob, stood waiting patiently for
Judge Collins to finish. He had worked for years with the judge and
respected the way he handled, not only the cases before him, but the
people he worked with. When Judge Collins finished talking to those
he was sitting with, he signaled for Bob to come over.
“Sorry
to keep you waiting deputy. I appreciate you giving us time to
finish.”
Deputy Bob nodded.
“Judge Collins,
the prisoner has been secured in the patrol car. I was also notified
by dispatch that the State Police is sending Detective Jones to do
the interview with the Adams boy. I think you’ll like him. He’s
young and isn’t homophobic. He’ll at least listen to the
boy and be fair.” Deputy Bob explained.
“Thank
you, Bob. Please have a nurse show you where the boys are now, and
see that they aren’t disturbed by unofficial visitors.”
Judge Collins said, pleased with what he just heard.
Turning
to the others, “I could use some coffee, would anyone like
some?” he asked.
“Make mine sugar and cream,
please.” Miss Anderson responded politely, while she continued
to look over her notes.
“I’ll take mine black,
sir.” Mr. Bennett added quickly. His attention was focused on
the notes he had taken as well.
“Steve, come give me a
hand,” Judge Collins began, looking at his old friend, “we
can talk as well.”
“Sure Sam.”
As
they walked towards the hospital cafeteria, Judge Collins tried to
figure out how best to address the many things he needed to discuss
with Steve. The two men had been friends nearly their entire lives,
but the request Judge Collins was about to make would affect not only
Steve, but his family as well. It was only due to his greatest trust
in his old friend that he also planned to ask some advice concerning
his own son.
“Steve,” Sam began. “I want to
ask you to do something, but I don’t want you to answer me just
yet. I would like for you to agree to take Joey in, at least
temporarily. He’s new here in Pine Hills and has had a shitty
deal so far in life. He also seems to have made friends with Andy and
maybe Roger.”
“Is this the boy Andy got into a
fight over the other day at school?”
“As matter of
fact, he is.” Sam looked up, surprised Steve already knew about
the fight.
“Roger mentioned it to us. He said Andy did
the right thing and defended the new boy, but that the boy he got
into the fight with is bad news.”
“The boy who
started the fight is a McCray. You know the family’s history.”
Sam said, shaking his head. Steve nodded.
“You need to
know that the Adams boy is fifteen, like our boys,” Sam paused
and faced his friend before he continued. “He also believes he
is gay. Personally, from what he has told me, I think he is as well.
His father is an old school preacher, and has half beaten the kid to
death over it, on multiple occasions. After Child Protective Services
and the State Detective conclude their interview with the child,
there’s no doubt in my mind that they will recommend removal of
the boy from the home. I would have no problem signing that
order.”
Sam paused, now that they had reached the mostly
empty cafeteria. He didn’t feel like telling this to his friend
while they stood in front of the help; so he indicated he wanted to
sit again, and led Steve over to an empty table.
“Joey
will be safe from physical harm, but without a plea agreement between
the State and the Father, he will have to testify in open court
against his Father, and perhaps his Mother, as well. I would really
love to see this child go to a good home where he will receive the
support he needs, for two reasons.”
Sam paused knowing
he had to convince Steve. He preferred to make sure Joey would be
living somewhere safe, and it would make his own son happy. There was
a lot riding on this request so he wanted to approach this
correctly.
“First, Joey deserves it. I know you and your
family well, Steve. I know of no other person in this community that
would take this boy in and treat him like he was your own. You’ve
done it with mine. I know both you and Alice love Andy as much as you
love Roger. We all have treated the boys with the same love and
affection.” Sam searched his friends eyes as he continued,
hoping to find the answer he wanted in them. “If you can’t,
or won’t, for whatever reason, take him for the long term, then
at least please, consider it for a short term, as a favor to
me.”
Judge Collins added, trying to sweeten the
proposition, “I will agree to help pay for half of all expenses
above what the parents may be ordered to pay. Will you think it over,
talk to Alice, talk to the boy and then decide?”
“Sam,
you mentioned two reasons. What’s the second one?” Steve
asked.
“Steve, you’re my best friend.” Judge
Collins started, then looked around to make sure no one was close
enough to overhear their conversation, “What I’m about to
say must stay between us.”
After waiting for Steve to
nod his head in agreement, Judge Collins continued, only loud enough
for his friend to hear. “I’ve been struggling with
something lately, but I think I’ve come to realize that if I’m
correct, it doesn’t really change how I feel away. I think I’ve
been picking up some signs, signals, or whatever you like to call it…
that…” Judge Collins lowered his voice to barely above a
whisper and continued, “Steve, Michael Andrew may be
gay.”
There was a momentary silence, where Sam tried to
gauge his friend’s reaction.
“Sam, why do you
think that?” Steve paused, shook his head, and then rushed on
saying, “No. Wait. Do you think it makes any difference to me
if Andy is gay or not? I know you remember Tommy Greene from college.
He was smart, funny, and a friend to all of us. Before I met him, I
probably was a little homophobic, but getting to really know someone
that’s gay, changed my way of thinking. All too often we make
assumptions without knowing the facts. The only thing different
between Tommy and us was who he went to bed with. If, and that is a
big if, Andy is gay, he was born gay, and there’s nothing you,
or anyone else can do about it. He’ll have a harder time with
society in general, but he is a smart kid and he’s a lot
stronger than he appears.”
Steve paused, seeing tears
flowing down the Sam’s cheeks.
“Is that your
second reason, and does that answer your unasked question?”
Steve finished.
“Steve, it does partially on the first
and yes on the second part.” Sam answered using a handkerchief
to wipe his face. Clearing his throat, Sam explained. “The
second reason is I believe there is a bond or a relationship
beginning between Andy and Joey. I’ve noticed the looks and
innocent touching between them. The same type of looks Ellen gave me
back in college, and I’m sure, the same looks I gave her.”
Sam sighed remembering his late wife. This is one of those times he
wished he still had her advice and support to help in guiding their
son. Just one of many times he missed her dearly.
“My
reason for asking you to do this is because it could complicate
matters if I took Joey into my home and a relationship does develop
between Joey and Andy. Also, I know you would give Joey the type of
home I would give him.” Sam pushed his final plea forward,
hoping to sway his old friend. “Besides, between you, Alice,
and me, we could keep an eye on both of them and guide them down a
safer path than one without parental guidance and sex
education.”
“Sam, Alice and I aren’t foster
parents. However, I know that can be fast tracked. But, before I can
agree to anything permanent, like you said, I need to talk to Alice
and Roger; and then I need to speak with Joey. After that, we can sit
down and iron out a plan.” Steve paused and smiled at his old
friend, “But for now, Joey can come home with me today on a
temporary basis.”
*
* * * * * * * * *
I
leaned back against the door waiting on Joey to get dressed in the
hospital gown, wondering if it’s like one of those you see on
TV with no back in it. I started humming a song that had been running
around in my head the last couple of days from Snow Patrol, Chasing
Cars. I started remembering the words.
If
I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me
And just
forget the world?
The
words just kept spinning around in my head just like they were
written for me.
I
don’t quite know
How to say
How I feel
The
words had me so mesmerized I hadn’t realized I was humming
louder.
I
need your grace
To remind me
To find my own
Those
lyrics were exactly how I felt. In fact, I had been so busy running
through them in my head I hadn’t heard Joey unlock the door;
so, when he opened it, I fell backwards and right on my ass again.
Shocked, I looked up and saw Joey looking down at me; he was laughing
so hard tears were starting to stream down his face. Well, I had said
I’d bust my ass a million times to see him smile, so that made
it twice.
“Hey! This is so not funny” I said, with
as straight of a face as I could muster, barely able to hold in an
embarrassed, but happy, laugh of my own.
“Sorry, come
on.” He said, with an apologetic look, and then motioned with a
wave of his hand for me to follow, as he turned and walked back into
the room. Damn, he looked so adorable.
Getting up to follow, I
couldn’t help but noticed it was one of those gowns that opened
in the back. But my excitement over my discovery was tempered when I
saw the back of his thighs. They were also scarred and bruised like
much of his back and tummy. I had to swallow back the bile rising in
my throat. The scars on his body would be enough to make anyone sick.
This has been a roller coaster ride of a day so far, that’s for
sure.
Joey was sitting back on the edge of the examination bed
by the time I closed the door behind me. His feet were dangling and
swinging a little, drawing my attention to them. Since I was so
active with sports, both organized and not, I tried to take good care
of mine, and kept them looking as good as I could; but I had never
thought much about other people’s feet before. So it sort of
surprised me to find his little size eights or nines looked perfectly
proportioned. Even the curve of the arch was perfect, sexy even.
As
my eyes scanned up his tanned legs, which only had a light blond
dusting of hair to the edge of the gown, I started to get hard.
Embarrassed for thinking like that at a time like this, I quickly
looked up to his smiling face.
“Like what you see?”
He asked with amusement in his voice.
“Eh, maybe,”
I replied going red faced at getting caught checking him out, and
added, “I’m really sorry Joey. I don’t know where
my head is today. Are you doing okay?”
“I am a
little scared not knowing what’s going to happen to me.”
Joey said, and then looked down at his feet. He lowered his voice,
before he continued, “But, as long as you’re with me, I
know I can get through it.”
Joey looked up shyly, trying
to gauge my reaction. Once our eyes locked, I smiled, letting him
have my million watt smile hoping it would let him know just how I
felt. Seeing he still looked nervous, I reached out took his hand in
mine, and gently squeezed it.
“I’ll always be
here for you, Joey” I said, looking deeply into his eyes, and
softly started to sing Chasing Cars. He had a look of wonder on his
face as I finished; I leaned in and kissed him.
Today was
beginning to feel like one Déjà vu. While we kissed, I
heard a noise behind me. I jumped again to put some space between
Joey and I, tripped over that same damn stool, and ended up on my ass
again! I looked up at Joey, and he tried unsuccessfully to suppress a
laugh. I looked back towards where the noise had come from, and there
stood the nurse, again; not even trying to suppress a laugh. I think
she could be heard all the way on the other side of the hospital.
Joey joined in the laughing and I couldn’t keep from it either.
All three of us laughed so hard that Deputy Bob stuck his head in to
see what all the noise was about.
“Is everything okay in
here?” Deputy Bob asked.
“Oh, I think everything
is going to be just fine, now.” The nurse said, and then turned
and closed the door on him.
You talk about being embarrassed;
you would find a picture of my red face next to the word embarrassed
in the dictionary. Twice now she had caught me kissing Joey, another
boy. Once, I could probably explain, but not twice. I was worried
what she was going to do or say.
The nurse wandered over and
helped me off the floor and onto the seat. Then she stood smiled down
at me and gently shook her head.
“Boy, you need to calm
down and stop falling over everything before you seriously hurt
yourself.” Her voice was soft, and she was still trying to keep
from laughing as she continued talking to us. “I have the
sweetest nephew you’ll ever meet that lives down in Lexington.
He’s the most well mannered, honest, and helpful boy I
know.”
She paused long enough to get Joey to sit on the
bed properly and then set to work taking his blood pressure while she
chatted with us.
“But he had the hardest time in school.
The other boys were always picking on him.” She paused, and
removed the cuff from Joey’s arm. She wrote something on his
chart before she turned and faced us again. She looked sad as she
continued. “He had told a few close friends that he was gay.
One of them didn’t take it well, and he outed him to the whole
school. Then a few days later, three boys cornered him in the shower
room at school and raped him.”
The nurse paused, reached
in her pocket, and pulled out a tissue. She wiped away the tears
before she told us the rest of her tale.
I just sat there on
the stool totally spellbound by what she was telling us.
“That
boy was never the same after that, until one day, a couple of months
later, his momma came home from work early, and found him fixing to
hang himself in his bedroom. Praise God he sent her home early,
because she was able to stop him, and get him the help he needed.
Now, he’s right as rain, and the happy child he once was.”
She finished with a smile. “Now, you boys need to be more
careful, but you’ll have no problems from old Nancy
here.”
“Thank you, Miss Nancy.” I told her
as I got up and hugged her.
“It’s time to get some
x-rays young man.” As she said this, an orderly came in pushing
a wheelchair. “Now you be a good boy, let this orderly wheel
you down to x-ray, and let us get some pictures of your insides,
okay?”
“Yes, Miss Nancy.” Joey nodded, got
up, and sat in the wheelchair, as I stood beside the nurse and
watched him being wheeled out of the room.
I was already
missing him as the door closed. The nurse must have sensed it and
wrapped an arm around my shoulders, giving me a squeeze. As soon as
she was sure she had my attention she said, “Everything is
going to work out. I know, for a fact, a lot of people are fighting
for him as we speak. So, just hang in there, okay?”
I
looked up at her and nodded, not trusting my voice. She gave me one
last squeeze and set to straightening out the bed. I stood there
looking at her as she quickly finished. Before she left, she looked
at me and grinned.
“I suggest you put that stool
underneath the desk, before you kill yourself falling over the
thing.” Nurse Nancy then rubbed the top of my head and left,
leaving me smiling again and alone to think about everything.
I
was starting to get hungry, and decided now was a good time to try
finding the vending machines. After asking someone at the nurse’s
station for directions, I headed off to find a snack and a drink,
hoping I wouldn’t get lost. I took a left, then a right,
another right, then a left again, and found myself at the front
entrance of the hospital. I overheard a woman asking the receptionist
where she could find Joey and figured it must have been Joey’s
mother.
Food forgotten, I retraced my steps, deciding to wait
for Joey in the room we had been in. On my way back, I met Joey being
wheeled back from x-ray by the orderly, with Deputy Bob. Not wanting
to hide anything from Joey, I decided to tell the deputy what I saw
and heard, as I walked beside Joey.
“Don’t worry
boys. I’ll take care of everything.” Deputy Bob said
reassuringly, before he turned and went back in the direction of the
main hospital entrance.
We weren’t back in the room long
before an Indian looking man entered. The man was in a white coat and
he was not a Native American type, but from the country of
India.
“I’m Doctor Karthik. I’ll be doing
the examination, uh…” he said with a thick accent, then
looked down at the file he carried in with him, “Joey.”
Then he looked over at me, and said, “Son, you need to leave so
we can get started.”
“Please, let him stay.”
Joey pleaded.
“Okay, okay, he stays.” The doctor
said reluctantly.
I looked at Joey and smiled, and then I took
a seat in a chair, over in the corner of the room, out of everyone’s
way. Nurse Nancy came in and assisted the doctor with examining Joey,
and cleaning his injuries.
A man in a suit and tie came in and
introduced himself.
“I’m sorry to interrupt; I’m
Detective Jones with the Kentucky State Police. I need to take some
pictures for documentation.” Detective Jones explained. Joey
appeared nervous about it, but didn’t object. After taking a
bunch of pictures, the detective left.
After another 30
minutes, Joey was wrapped up from his arm pits to his waist, and both
thighs had bandages as well. The doctor told him he could get dressed
now, but to wait here, as some people needed to speak with him. Then
both the doctor and nurse left, leaving us alone.
Joey smiled
at me, and then asked me to leave again while he got dressed; but
said when I came back in, I could help him with getting his shirt on
if I wanted.
“Sure, I don’t mind being kicked out
again by a mummy.” I said with a grin, turned and walked out
the door. I felt something hit me in the back before the door closed.
I turned, looked down, and saw the tee shirt Roger had loaned Joey. I
bent over, picked it up, smiled at Joey, and told him, “I’ll
have it when you’re ready for it.” He stuck out his
tongue at me. I laughed and closed the door, giving him his
privacy.
*
* * * * * * * * *
Having
settled everything they could for the moment, Sam and Steve made
their way back to the emergency room. Miss Anderson and Mr. Bennett
sat, immersed in a conversation with each other, so the men handed
their coffee to them. Before anything more could happen, the doctor
and the state detective came down the hallway towards them.
“Judge
Collins, I’m Doctor Karthik,” he said while shaking hands
with everyone. “I’ve examined the patient, who is a
fifteen year old male with acute lacerations on his back and
posterior thighs. He also had extensive bruising over his chest and
abdomen. Some of these injuries appear days, even weeks, old. Chest
films also revealed a remote, hairline rib fracture on the left side,
but it is minor enough to not need wrapping. I cleaned his injuries
and applied bandages that should be changed twice a day.
“It
will be several weeks before he is healed physically, and some of the
scarring may require plastic surgery in the future, for cosmetic
reasons. There are also emotional behavioral signs of abuse, and
though he appears to be almost unnaturally calm at this time, I would
recommend he undergo counseling. Additionally, it is my opinion, that
he be immediately removed from the environment in which these
injuries occurred.”
“Thank you Doctor, we’ll
need a detailed written report as well, stating what you just told
us. Can Miss Anderson have that today?” Judge Collins
asked.
“In this case, I’ll make sure you have it
before you leave the hospital with the child.” Doctor Karthik
said, and then went on to explain why he was so eager to help, with
disgust dripping on every word, “I’ve never seen anything
like this in all my thirty-three years as a doctor. Whoever did this
to the boy should be punished. What was done to him shouldn’t
happen to anyone.” The doctor turned mumbling to himself, and
left to write the report, leaving the four to discuss what they had
been told.
Deputy Bob walked up to Judge Collins and whispered
something in his ear. The judge shook his head and his face turned
red. It wasn’t often Judge Collins let his anger show.
“Have
the other deputy take both of them down to the court house; have him
booked on what we discussed earlier. Then have her held as a material
witness, for now.”
Deputy Bob turned and left.
“The
pastor’s good wife showed up, and tried to take up where he
left off. Now we have them both in custody and won’t have to
look for them later. That should give us forty-eight hours to get our
ducks in a row.”
Judge Collins was grateful that things,
so far, had been going smoothly. He knew the detective had taken
steps to document things; from the way he stood in the back, looking
angry, after coming back with the doctor. That just meant that Miss
Anderson and Mr. Bennett needed to finish up so Joey might actually
be released into Steve’s care.
“Mr. Bennett, you
may go and confer with Joey; and when you are finished, please come
and let Miss Anderson and Detective Jones know that you and Joey are
ready for the interview.” Judge Collins said. “He’s
in room one twenty-four.”
“Thank you, your Honor.
This won’t take long. I should be back to alert Miss Anderson
and Detective Jones we’re ready in ten to fifteen minutes.”
Mr. Bennett said before leaving to find Joey.
*
* * * * * * * * *
This
time, instead of opening the door on me, Joey yelled for me to come
back in. I grinned and went back into the room. Joey was sitting on
the edge of the bed again, dressed, but without the shirt I was
holding in my hand. He gingerly jumped off the bed and reached out
for the shirt. I just handed it to him and he pulled it over his
head. Then I helped him getting it over the bandages.
“Thank
you, Andy.” Even bandaged and bruised there was a genuine sense
of gratitude, as he smiled at me.
“You’re welcome,
Joey.” I said, returning his smile.
“When we get
out of here,” Joey began, softly looking me in the eyes, “we
need to sit down and talk.”
“We’ll have
plenty of time for that. For now, let’s just get everything
taken care of, so you won’t be in pain. I know you’re
hiding from them how much you’re hurt, and I want to make sure
you’re somewhere safe. I never want anything like this to
happen to you again.” I told him as Mr. Bennett opened the door
and walked in.
“Hello boys. I’m Carl Bennett.”
Mr. Bennett said to us both, shaking our hands, and then turned to
Joey. “I’ll be representing your interest for the
foreseeable future, if you allow me to.” Seeing that Joey
didn’t understand what he meant, he added. “What that
means is, I’ll be your attorney, if you let me.”
“Mr.
Bennett, I do appreciate your offer, but I don’t have any money
to pay you.” Joey was clearly embarrassed.
“Joey,
don’t you worry about money. Just from what I’ve already
heard today, even if there were no other source to pay for my
expenses, I wouldn’t charge you a dime. Just let me worry about
the money, okay?” Mr. Bennett smiled and tried to put Joey at
ease.
“Yes sir, thank you sir.” Joey’s voice
sounded stronger and upbeat.
“Now, let me explain what’s
going to happen. First, I’m going to leave briefly and return
with a nice lady from the Department of Community Based Services, our
child protective services, and State Police Detective Jones, so they
can interview you. Detective Jones is the man that took pictures
earlier during your examination. They’ll ask you to tell them
what all lead to us being here today. From that interview, they will
both be making separate recommendations to the court on what actions
the State of Kentucky feels is in your best interest and what
criminal laws may have been broken. I’ll be here with you,
making sure your rights and interests are protected.”
As
Joey took in what was being said and you could see he was becoming
nervous. Mr. Bennett patted his arm and smiled.
He turned
then, and smiled at me. “However, I’m afraid they won’t
allow you to be in here with us. Have you had lunch yet?” He
asked, cutting off any objections from Joey, by putting my needs
first.
“No sir, I haven’t yet.” I answered
truthfully. Just as if it had been asked, my stomach growled loud
enough for the three of us to hear, causing all three of us to
laugh.
“Why don’t you wait until I return with
Miss Anderson and Detective Jones, is that okay with you?”
I
nodded yes, as my stomach embarrassed me by growling in
hunger.
“I’ll be right back.”
I
studied Joey as he sat on the bed. I noticed his snow white bandages
kind of blended in against his pale skin.
“You want me
to stay with you?” I was concerned that he would be left alone,
with a bunch of strangers, having to tell some of the most painful
experiences of his life.
“Naw, I’ll be okay.
Besides, you need to eat.”
He seemed a lot stronger now
than when we were back in the school’s restroom. The shakes
were gone, the quiver in his voice was gone, and he sounded much more
confident.
“Okay, here’s what I’ll do then.
I’ll see if dad will take me to Mickey D’s and get us
both something to eat. And when everyone is done talking to you, I’ll
have your food ready for you. What would you like?” I stood,
nervously watching Joey, to see how he would respond.
“Naw,
I’m okay. I don’t have any money anyway.” He said,
looking down at his feet.
“It’s my treat, okay?
Call it a reward for giving me my first kiss.” I said with a
smile and a wink. The idea that I could do something, anything, for
Joey set my heart beating fast.
“It’s a deal.”
He said with a laugh.
When Mr. Bennett came in with Miss
Anderson and Detective Jones, I walked over to Joey; placed a hand on
his shoulder, looked into his eyes, and nodded. “I’ll be
back soon,” I told him, smiling.
“Andy, your dad
said to tell you he is in the emergency room lobby, waiting for you
over in the right hand corner of the room.” Mr. Bennett stood,
holding open the door for me to exit.
“Thank you.”
I said, and turned towards Joey. “I’ll be waiting for you
with lunch.” I patted him on the shoulder, he nodded, and I
left in search for my Dad.
I found my dad sitting with
Roger’s dad in the little alcove in the emergency room lobby.
My stomach growled again as I explained to dad what I wanted to get
Joey and me for lunch.
“I figured you two would be
hungry by now.” Dad said. He looked at his watch, and then
turned to Roger’s dad. “Steve, let us grab you something
as well; and while we’re gone you can make a phone call or
two.”
“That sounds good to me. I’ll have a
cheese burger with everything, fries, and a diet Pepsi.”
Roger’s dad told us as we got up and left.
Dad seemed a
bit out of sorts as we headed out to the SUV. I wasn’t sure
what had him so upset.
“Son,” dad began, as he
started the SUV, his voice sounded strained. “We need to have a
talk. Actually, what I mean is, I need to let you know a few things.”
Dad seemed nervous as he sat looking over at me while we buckled our
seatbelts.
“Okay dad, what’s up?” I said in
trepidation, not knowing where this was going. Dad never acted scared
around me, which immediately made me wonder just what was going
on.
“Back when I was in college, I knew a guy named
Tommy. He was a good friend and I liked him a lot. In fact, he was
well liked in my circle of friends, including your mom and Roger’s
parents.” Dad drove and barely looked at me while he tried to
talk. His voice seemed rushed and it was so unlike him. “I’ve
always been open-minded about most things. As a young man, I figured
whatever floats your boat, so to speak. But, growing up here in Pine
Hills, I never knew anyone that was gay. At least, no one I knew
was
gay. Tommy was the first openly gay person I had ever met. Even
though I was open-minded, Tommy opened my eyes to all the hardships
gays have in our society.” He voice had taken on a sad tone as
he paused.
Okay, I was right in being nervous. This talk was
going where I was afraid it would, but was I hearing my Dad right? He
had a gay friend in college. I think I remember mom and dad talking
about a Tommy before, yet I can’t remember what was said, if it
was good or bad. I was feeling scared as I looked over at my Dad. He
had a tear in the corner of his right eye.
“Joey”
he continued, “has had a hard row to hoe in life, so far. And
I’m afraid being gay; he’ll always have haters and
impediments to overcome. However, with a solid educational
foundation, firm support system of family and friends, and a strong
heart, he’ll have as good of a life as anyone else. This
country’s attitude towards gays is changing for the better.
Maybe not in our lifetime, but in time, gays will be as accepted as
the designated hitter rule is today.”
I couldn’t
help but chuckle at his comparison of gays and baseball’s
designated hitter rule.
“There will always be some that
will be intolerant, as there are some that still don’t like the
designated hitter.” As we stopped at a traffic light, Dad
turned and smiled at me. “But, they will learn to live with it.
Until then, Joey will have us to help him when he needs it. What I’m
saying is, I don’t care that Joey is gay. It makes no
difference to me, if he is, or isn’t. If he was my son, I would
still love him as much either way.”
A few moments later
we pulled in and parked at McDonalds. Dad turned and looked me dead
in the eyes.
There was no way I could miss what he had said to
me. He just told me he loved me, if I was gay or not. With a shit
eating grin, I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and jumped into his
arms. I hugged him as tightly as I could, with tears flowing from my
eyes.
“I love you, son.” He said, choking back
his emotions.
“I love you too, Dad,” I sobbed,
“more than anything.”
“More than anything?”
Dad joked, as he wiped his eyes.
I leaned back to look at him,
wiped the tears from my face, and I said with a wink and a smile,
“Well, almost
more
than anything.”
He laughed, and leaned in and kissed my
forehead. That simple kiss filled me with love, as its warmth spread
from my head to my toes. I felt like the weight of the world had been
lifted from my shoulders. I knew things were going to be different,
but better, too. I no longer had to hide who I was from my Father. He
accepted who I am and not what I am. Now, I had to figure out what
was going to happen to Joey. The whole time we were in McDonalds, the
million different scenarios concerning Joey kept spinning around in
my head.
After we got the food, and we were on the way back to
the hospital, I knew I needed answers. I had to find out what my Dad
was planning, and it sort of spilled out of me.
“Dad,
what’s going to happen to Joey? Will he have to go back and
live with his mom and dad?” I asked.
“No, he won’t
have to, unless he chooses to. I’m sure we can find living
accommodations that will meet everyone’s approval.” Dad
hinted with a smile.
“Daaaad,” I whined, “That’s
not telling me much. I’m worried for him.”
“That’s
all I can tell you for now, because it’s all I’m sure of
at the present. Give me some time, and I promise everything will work
out. Okay?”
“Okay, Dad.”
When we
got back, Uncle Steve met us just inside the emergency room lobby. He
looked at Dad, and nodded yes with a smile; and he offered to take
Joey’s food back to him, while we ate ours outside at the
picnic table by the ER entrance. Dad told him that was fine, but I
wasn’t too happy about it, because I wanted to be with Joey. I
knew I had no choice in the matter, so I sat feeling grumpy, and it
showed.
“Son, pouting isn’t very becoming of you.”
Dad said, as he spread his food out before him and began to eat.
“I
just wanted to spend more time with Joey.” I shot Dad a look
while I picked at my own food. “I could have taken his food to
him. I did buy it after all.”
“I believe, in the
end, you’ll be happy your Uncle Steve took the time to take
Joey his food, and spend a little time with him.”
“I’ve
been wondering Dad, why is Uncle Steve here anyway? I didn’t
know he worked for the State.”
“He doesn’t,
Andy. He’s here because I asked him to be here. He may play a
very important part in all of this. Just give it some time. It won’t
be much longer, I promise.”
Dad sat looking at me, his
eyes almost pleading with me to drop it, and have a little
patience.
We finished eating and walked back inside. We found
Miss Anderson and Detective Jones waiting for us. Dad pulled Miss
Anderson to the side to talk privately. As hard as I tried, I
couldn’t make out what they were saying. I guess I needed to
find some of that stuff they call patience that my dad wanted me to
have.
Then I saw Uncle Steve and Joey walking towards us. Joey
was beaming and was intently listening to whatever Uncle Steve was
saying. When he saw me, he grinned ear to ear, came over, and sat
down beside me, as Uncle Steve walked over to my dad and Miss
Anderson.
Joey looked at me still grinning, and said, “I
have some good news and some great news. Which would you like to hear
first?”
“Umm, I guess the good news first.”
I answered, not having a clue what was coming.
“Okay,
the good news is I don’t have to live with my dad anymore.”
He said, still grinning.
“That’s awesome Joey!”
I really was happy, beyond happy, thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed,
that he didn’t have to deal with his father anymore. Okay, if
that’s the good news what could be the great news? I figured
I’d bite, “Well, what’s the great news?”
“We’re going to be real honest to God neighbors.
I’m going to be living with Roger and his family!”
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* *
OK,
so that's it for Chapter 4 Thank you for reading and I hope you
enjoyed it, I would love to hear your feedback and comments. You can
email me at: billybratii@gmail.com
Depending
on my editors and beta readers, I'll probably publish a chapter every
week or two, at least for the foreseeable future,.
I like to
thank Robert, Bradley, James, Bryan, Brad, Kenneth, Peter, Steve,
Paul, John, Mark, Ian, Chris, and James for their kind e-mails with
words of encouragement and advice. It really helps to know that
someone is reading and liking your work. I hope my writing will bring
entertainment, but also cause you to pause and reflect.
There's
a number of organizations out there that offers help in a multitude
of ways. They include, but not limited to -The
Trevor Project
,
PFLAG,
Teen
Line,
and The
Mail Crew.
Also did you know that the most common type of cancer affecting men
between the ages of 15 and 35 is testicular cancer? Here's a link for
more information on the subject. The
Testicular Cancer Primer
Never
feel like there's no help, whatever the problem may be.
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Thank you.
Billy Martin