Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 12:14:31 -0500
From: Miguel Sanchez <miguel_sanchez55@hotmail.com>
Subject: Fallen through the Cracks Ch. 2

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and that of love. Any resemblance to
actual places, events, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
This story may contain erotic and/or sexually explicit behavior between
consenting boys. If it is illegal for you to, or you find this sort of work
offensive, don't download or read it!

The people in this story do not use protection because diseases don't exist
here. However, in our world they do so please use caution and protection.

This story is protected by copyright. It may not be downloaded or copied for
other than your private enjoyment and may not be changed in any way without
the expressed written consent of the author. This story may not be put on
any pay to view site.

I reply to all emails, except flames. You may write me at
miguel_sanchez55@hotmail.com

I hope you enjoy this story.
Miguel Sanchez

Fallen Through the Cracks – Ch. 2

I drove back home and noticed it was well past one in the morning. I was so
mad I almost forgot to stop at the gate to enter my code. I had a friend I
met when I first got down here and he became a Juvenile Court Judge. While
going up in the elevator I decided to call Hector and see if I could sit and
talk with him about all this. As soon as I got inside I went straight for my
bedroom. I stripped, did my bathroom ritual then set the alarm for 6 AM.

No sooner had my head hit the pillow, than alarm was buzzing loudly in my
ear telling me it was time to get up. I threw the covers off and went and
emptied my bladder then went out the kitchen to put the coffee on.

I went back to the bathroom and quickly shaved and tossed on a pair of
boxers. I had known Hector for almost 10 years and I was lucky enough to
have his home telephone number. I knew what time he left for work so at 7:15
I called him. He answered the phone and I said, "Morning Hector, Peter
Matthews calling."

"Peter my old friend," he said. "How are you?"

"Not bad Hector," I said. "I have a problem and I need to talk with you
about it. Would you happen to have any time free this morning?"

I heard some paper rustling then he said, "I can see you at 10. I only have
one hearing and it's to sign off on an adoption."

"Sounds good Hector," I said. "I'll see you then."

I felt good that I was going to have a chance to talk with Hector about it.
I knew he wouldn't get involved but I was fairly certain he could tell me
who to talk with. I finished my second cup of coffee then went and got
dressed. I managed to relax as the time seemed to drag by until it was time
for me to leave.

It took almost 30 minutes to get to the courthouse but I did manage to find
a parking place pretty easy. I went into the courthouse then asked a guard
for directions to Judge Martinez's courtroom. He told me where it was and
when I went in, the room was empty. I saw a Sheriff's Deputy standing in the
room so I said, "Can you tell me where I can find Judge Martinez?"

"Is he expecting you?" he asked, heading for a door.

"Yes he is," I said. "My name is Peter Matthews."

The deputy stuck his head inside the door then he said, "Right this way
Sir."

I entered Hector's chambers and he said, "Peter how are you? It's been too
long my friend."

I walked over and shook his hand then said, "I'm fine my friend. Still
working at DiMaggio Children's Hospital."

He came out from around his desk and we sat on the sofa as he said, "Now
what can I do for you Peter?"

"Well Hector," I said. "Yesterday I was at the beach and there was this 6
year old boy and he was there for like 4 hours alone. I found out from him
where he lived, took him home and no one was there. I took him to my place,
got him fed and bedded down for the night and then called social services. A
social worker came out and was about to start filling out papers until I
told her his name. She said she knew the situation and that the boy was a
habitual runaway. He was found a good 10 miles from his house and I think
that is a far stretch for a 6 year old. Well, she took the child with her
and went home. I followed her so I know that is what she did. She also said
she would notify the police."

"How does the mother know where to get him if the police don't know where he
is?" He asked.

I looked at him and said, "The only thing I can think of is she knows where
he is and goes and gets him."

He got up and went back to his desk. He looked up and asked, "What's this
woman's name?"

"Emma Watson," I said.

He picked up the phone and then the Deputy from outside came in. he looked
at him and said, "I would like two deputies to go over to DCFS and
personally bring this Emma Watson person to me."

I looked at Hector and said, "What worries me is what happens to the boy
during the day? I would also love to know what she's doing that makes her
leave him alone."

Hector had some coffee brought in while we waited for the Deputies to
return. We were in the middle of the second cup when there was a knock on
the door. A second later it opened and in walked Emma Watson escorted by two
Deputies. She looked at me and said, "What's the meaning of this?"

Hector looked at her and said, "I'll be the one asking questions here. First
off, I want to know right now where the little boy is."

"He's back home safe with his mother," she said.

I wrote down Zane's address and handed it to Hector and he said, "I want him
and his mother brought here immediately."

The men left as he asked, "Why wasn't that child placed into foster care?"

"With all due respect Your Honor," she started. "We do know what we're
doing."

I looked at the woman and said, "Oh, and what was it you were doing by
bringing the child to your trailer last night."

"Uh, well," she stammered. "It was late and Zane needed to sleep."

"Why then was he removed from the bed he was in?" Hector asked.

"So his mother could get him," she said.

I was really seething now. I looked at her and said, "So you mean to tell us
that you let a woman drop her son off god knows where and when you're called
onto it, you just take him home with you and give him back so it can happen
again, again and again? Lady, have you lost your mind?"

"Your Honor, that child runs away," she said.

"Well we will soon find out," Hector said. "When they get here we will have
a talk with him."

Just then there was a knock on the door then in walked two Deputies with a
woman and holding a crying Zane. He saw me and said, "Peter, Peter."

The Deputy set him down and he ran over to me and hopped up in my lap. "Are
you alright Zane," I asked.

"Un huh," he said. "Why did you make me go with her last night?"

"I'm sorry son," I said. "I thought I was doing what was best for you. How
did you get to the beach yesterday?"

He was looking around the room and I could tell he was scared. I looked at
Hector and asked, "Can the Deputies stay with these two outside for a few
minutes?"

They took the women outside and I asked, "Now, how did you get to the beach
son. Please tell me the truth, Peter won't be mad. I promise."

"Mommy dropped me off there and said she will be back soon," Zane said
softly.

"Does Mommy do this very much?" I asked.

"Un huh," he said. "Now that it's hot, she will probably do it more."

Hector looked at Zane and said, "If I bring your Mommy and that other lady
in, will you say what you just did again?"

Zane buried his face in my chest when Hector asked the question. "It's
alright son," I said. "They won't hurt or yell at you. I won't let them."

The women were brought back into the room and Hector asked Zane, "Now Zane,
how did you get to the beach?"

"Mommy dropped me off and said to play until she got back," he said looking
at his mother.

I looked at the woman and she was looking very rough. I looked at Zane and
said, "I want you to help that Deputy there. OK?"

He hopped off my lap and the Deputy took him into the courtroom while we
talked with our guests. Hector looked at Zane's mother and asked, "Lady what
the hell ever possessed you to do that?"

She just sat there and said nothing. I looked at the social worker and said,
"If you know what's going on, it would be in your best interest to speak
up."

"Look," she started. "All I know is that she went out and the kid was
supposed to wait outside."

"Outside where?" Hector asked.

"I don't know," she replied.

"I've heard just about enough," Hector said. "Ms. Masters, I'm issuing a
bench warrant charging you with child endangerment, child neglect and child
abandonment. Ms. Watson I'm issuing a bench warrant charging you with three
counts of aiding and abetting Ms. Masters' crimes."

Zane's mother was just sitting emotionless during the whole thing. I looked
at her and said, "Lady, what's wrong with you? Are you ill?"

She looked up at me and said, "Yeah, I don't feel good. I guess this thing
in getting worse."

"What thing," I asked.

"I doubt you understand," she said.

"I'm on the Medical Staff at Joe DiMaggio Children's," I said. "I'll
understand more that you realize. Is this what I think it is?"

She nodded her head and said, "Yeah, I'm positive."

"How long?" I asked.

"Oh about 6½ years," she said. "I didn't know until after Zane was born."

"Oh my god," Ms. Watson said. "You mean that kid has AIDS and you never told
me? Shit, now I'm gonna get it."

"Will you shut up," I scowled "Unless you had sex with him, you won't get
it."

"Yeah," she said. "But I held him and kissed him."

I was really getting pissed at this broad. I've heard some dumb things about
how you get HIV but hugging someone is one of the stupidest. "You don't get
it that way either."

"Oh and how do you know?" She asked.

"I'm a Physicians Assistant at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital," I said.
"I'm trained to know."

"So do you know every way you can get it?" She bitched.

"As a matter of fact I do," I said. "Unless you shared at needle shooting IV
drugs, had penetrative sex where you exchanged bodily fluids or came in
direct contact with Zane's blood and you had an open wound, you wouldn't
catch it."

"Well, I don't believe you," she said.

"Good," Hector said. "You don't have to. Deputy, escort Ms. Watson to a
holding cell. I'll call your office and let them know you won't be back for
a while and why."

The Deputy let the bitch out of the room when I asked, "Now what are we
going to do with Zane?"

Hector looked at me and said, "Well, you wanted to foster him, didn't you?"

I smiled at the thought of Zane running around the condo being a happy
little boy. "Yeah Hector, I do."

"Do you have a problem with that?" he asked Zane's mother.

She shook her head no then said, "No, I don't have a problem with it. He
seems to have taken a shine to you."

I went to the door and there was Zane walking with the Deputy as he checked
the courtroom. He stopped and turned around as I watched him then run over
with a huge grin on his face. He jumped into my arms and said, "I was
helping him Peter."

"I saw you were Deputy Zane," I said rubbing his belly. "How would you like
to go home with me and live there?"

"Really," he asked as his eyes got wide. "But what about Mommy?"

I thought quickly and said, "Well son, Mommy is sick. She's been sick for a
while now but now it's time to help her. She will be going away for a little
while but you should be able to see her soon, if you want."

"Did she get sick from the men?" he asked softly.

Out of the mouths of babes come innocence and truth. She never realized that
when he was younger her actions were seen and even understood in ways we
couldn't even imagine. "I'm not totally sure son," I said. "But she might
have."

"Are you gonna be my Daddy now?" he asked.

That hit home hard. I'd never thought of being a parent because of my work
and my lifestyle. Holding this little bundle of joy in my arms made me think
about it. I kissed his forehead and said, "For a while I will be son," I
said.

"He smiled and said, "I like that."

We walked back into Hector's chambers and he said, "How's he doing?"

"We're doing fine," I said.

"I've written the order placing Zane into your temporary custody," he said.
"I can easily amend it to permanent custody if need be."

I looked over at Zane's Mother and she couldn't even look at her child. I
looked back to Hector and said, "I think she needs to be in the jail ward at
Broward General for testing and possible treatment."

"What about Zane?" he asked. "Will you need the county's approval for him?"

"I will need them to show he's in my care," I said. "That way they will have
a record of it."

"I'll take care of it," Hector said. "I'll also take care of having Ms.
Masters admitted to BGH."

I looked at Zane and said, "Are you ready to go home son,"

Before he would answer he wanted down so I set him on his feet and he went
over to Hector and whispered, "Do you think it would be OK if I called him
Daddy?'

I saw the two of them whisper back and forth then Zane came back over and
said, "Let's go home Daddy."

Zane's Mother looked over and smiled weakly as I said, "I'll take good care
of him."

I opened the door and left the courthouse with something more special than
life itself. On the way home, I got us some lunch then took Zane shopping
for a new wardrobe. On the way, he looked at me and said, "Daddy can I get
some new kind of bathing suit?"

The one I saw him wearing had definitely seen better days and was too small
for him so I said, "Sure kiddo, you can get new ones. What would you like
for lunch?"

He thought for a few minutes then said, "I love fried chicken. Is there a
place where we can get any?"

I headed for Broward Mall. They have a huge food court plus that was where I
wanted to get Zane his new clothes. We found a place that had Zane's fried
chicken so after three pieces and some fries, my boy was full.

Next stop was A&F and a chance for me to really spoil him. Because of our
climate, he would be wearing shorts most of the time. I found him several
different styles to try on but the ones that made him look totally adorable
were a pair of tan shorts and a white polo shirt with a light blue ring
around the color and sleeves. The ring matched his eyes and the sorts
accented his hair. One sales person thought it would be cute to put him in a
sailor's suit but after seeing blood in my eyes, decided against it.

I got him three pairs of jeans and two pairs of casual slacks to go with his
other things. The next stop was the shoe department. He got two pairs of
Nike's and a pair of dress shoes for special occasions. I loaded all the
packages into the BMW and we headed back to the condo.

I had a few other things in mind to get Zane but I didn't know how to get
them home with my small car. We got everything unloaded and into Zane's new
room when he asked, "Can we go swimming?"

"I didn't get your suit," I said.

"The sales lady helped me," he said as he dug into a bag then disappeared
into the bathroom.

"Close your eyes Daddy," he said through the door.

I closed my eyes and patiently waited until he said to open them. I heard
him struggle and grunt then he said, "OK Daddy, open your eyes."

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He was wearing a bathing suit like
Olympians wore. It was navy blue and had a shinny finish and hugged his
body. He looked so cute I just picked him up and said, "That's you son."

I put him down the he wiggled his butt at me then said, "I know. I like the
way it shows my butt."

He squealed as I ran after him saying, "I'll get your butt."

I stopped at the balcony then looked down at the pool. I saw a number of
kids playing then I asked him, "OK son, where do you want to go swimming?
The beach or the pool?"

"You got a pool?" He said wide eyed as I led him out onto the balcony as he
looked out at the view. "Whoa Daddy, this is cool."

I saw him get close to the rails then I held onto him. I was going to have
to put cross rail up until he grows a little. "Let's go down to the pool and
see if you can make some new friends."

We went down to the elevator and Zane pushed the button marked pool. It
dawned on me that I had to get his recreation pass so he could use the pool
and other amenities. We walked into the office and I said, "I need to get a
resident pass for my son."

She looked over the counter at Zane and said, "Have you read your purchase
contract sir?" No children are allowed here."

I've lived in my condo for over 10 years and when I bought it; my lawyer
read the contract very carefully. I looked at her and said, "Lady, you're
full of crap."

She pulled out a purchase contract and showed me the clause. I took the
contract and looked it over and on the bottom it had the word revised on it.
"When was this revised?" I asked.

"Several years ago," she said.

I pulled out my resident pass and showed it to her and said, "Lady, I've
been here over 10 years. My condo is bought and paid for free and clear.
Now, you will issue that card. You do realize that that clause in
unenforceable, don't you?"

"It hasn't been challenged yet," she said.

"I wouldn't say that too loudly," I said. "You can't keep couples from
procreating."

She took Zane's photo and issued him his card then it was off to the pool. I
sat back and watched him swim and play plus make some new friends. I found
out that many of the children were living there and had been before the
clause was added.

Zane came up and said, "Daddy, I'm tired."

I said my good byes then took Zane back to the condo. He went into the
bathroom and removed his trunks then said, "Daddy, I need some help."

I went to the bathroom and he was standing there trying to dry his back. I
looked at him and said, "Son, you could have come into the living room."

"Mommy says I shouldn't go around naked," he said.

"Well, that was your Mommy," I said. "Here, it's ok if you come out naked
for some reason."

"Really? He asked.

I dried his back then kissed his nose. He smiled at me knowing that I meant
what I said.

Two days later, I decided to call Hector about Zane's mother. I wanted to
find out if she was in deed HIV+ because it would mean having to have Zane
tested. He told me he would make a phone call and see what he would find
out. The doctor said the results were in and he wasn't going to give him the
results. He issued a court order and I had to take it to the hospital. I
brought Zane with me as I knew we weren't going to be seeing his Mom.

Zane and I went to the doctor's office and showed his secretary the order.
She picked up the phone and the doctor came out. I had Zane wait for me
while I spoke with him. He looked at me and said, "This is against all I
stand for."

"What about that child out there?" I asked.

"If you suspect the mother is get him tested," he said as he handed me the
results.

"I do intend to," I said. "But I wanted this information too. Good day."

"If you were in medicine, you'd understand what I was talking about," he
said as I reached for the door handle.

I turned and reached into my wallet and pulled out my ID for Children's then
said, "I know exactly what you're talking about."

I took the paper and got Zane then headed home. I was three days into my
time off and I wasn't sure if I could ever return to work with Zane now in
my life. I love this little boy and he was now my number one priority.

The next day I decided to take Zane for a blood test then speak to
personnel. We left about 9 and drove to the hospital. I wanted to speak with
one of our Pediatric AIDS specialists when Zane looked at me and asked, "Am
I sick like Mommy?"

I looked into the big blue eyes of his and said, "I don't know yet son. We
hope to know soon."

His next question knocked the wind totally from my sails.

"Am I gonna die Daddy?" He asked looking at me.

I sat down and pulled him up onto my lap and said, "No son, at least not
right now. I mean we all die son."

I had my ID tag on and Zane looked at it then asked, "Are you a Doctor
Daddy?"

"No son, not a Doctor," I said. "I'm a Physicians Assistant. We're like
doctors and we work very close with them."

"What are they going to do?" He asked.

"That's one reason why were here son," I said. "We're going to talk with a
Doctor and then they will examine you and draw some blood to see what is
wrong with it."

"Will they have to use a needle?" He asked.

"A little one," I said.

I was about to say something else when a woman came out and said, "Mr.
Matthews, I'm Dr. Hodges. And who is this young man?"

I picked my boy up and said, "This is my son Zane."

"Hi Zane," she said as he buried his head against my chest.

I leaned down and whispered to him, "Be nice son. I'm going to be here with
you."

He turned around and gave her a weak smile and said, "Hi."

We went into an exam room and I set Zane on the table. I looked at him and
said, "You need to get undressed son."

I don't think he liked that too much but he kicked his shoes off and then
took his polo shirt off. He then took his shorts off as the Doctor said,
"That's fine Zane."

She helped him off the table and led him over to the scale. He stepped up on
it and she said, "42 pounds and 54" tall."

`A little under weight but not too bad,' I thought.

Dr. Hodges brought Zane back to the table and I lifted him up saying,
"You're doing fine son."

The Doctor checked he eyes, ears, nose and throat then listened to his heart
and lungs. She took her stethoscope and hung it around her neck then gently
lays Zane back on the table. She pushed gently on his tummy then slid her
hand under his briefs and felt his abdomen.

She made some notes on his chart then said, "Can you take his underpants
off? I need to see his genitals."

I slid them down and Zane immediately covered his crotch with his hands. "No
Daddy, don't let a girl see my peepee," he said crossing his legs as he
spoke.

Dr. Hodges whispered that she just needed to see that his development was
normal for his age. I looked at Zane and said, "Here then son, let me look
then, OK?"

Dr. Hodges stood behind me and I looked at Zane's little uncut penis and pea
sized balls. I slid his briefs back up and she winked at me telling me she'd
seen all she needed to. She looked at Zane then said, "Thank you Zane, you
were a very good patient. Now I need to get some blood from you."

Zane started to whimper when he heard that. "No Daddy please," he said. "I
hate needles."

"I know son," I said. "It's just a little stick."

"Nooo Daddy," he wailed.

We needed that blood but I didn't want to use a papoose on him and risk
scaring him any more. I said, "How about if you sit on Daddy's lap. I'll
hold you and you can squeeze my hand."

He nodded his head and Dr. Hodges prepared to get the blood drawn. She would
need to draw 3 tubes and I hoped I could keep him calm while it was
happening. I sat on the table and put Zane on my lap. Dr. Hodges put the
band around his arm and looked carefully for a good vein so she would only
have to stick him once. I could feel him shaking and when she wiped his arm
with the alcohol pad, he started crying softly again. When she removed the
cover on the pediatric butterfly the tears rolled and then Dr. Hodges said,
"Now please don't move Zane. I don't want to have to do this again."

She felt the vein then slid the needle in as Zane said, "Owwie Daddy,
owwwwwwwwwww."

I held him and he had a grip on three fingers in his little hand. Dr. Hodges
got the blood and when she slid the needle out he said, "Ow, ow, ow, ow it
stings."

She put a gauze pad over the hole and I held it in place while she marked
each tube. I turned Zane around so he was facing me and said, "You were a
very big boy son. I know that hurt a little and we're sorry but we needed
the blood."

Dr Hodges put a band aid on his arm then he wrapped his arms around my neck.
I looked into his eyes and I knew that no matter what, he was my boy and I
loved him. I kissed him on his pug nose and said, "I love you son."

He rested his head on my shoulder and said, I love you too Daddy."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the lab report on Zane's mother. She
looked at it and just shook her head. "Doesn't look good, does it?"

I just shook my head no. Zane was still resting his head on my shoulder so I
said, "Let me get him home Doc, and thanks. I will probably have to take a
leave of absence until he's in school then try to see if they can work
around my schedule with him. I might see if there is a private school near
here so I can continue to work."

To be continued