Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2018 06:44:35 +0200 (CEST) From: jacoblion@tutanota.com Subject: A Neglected Boy Chapter 13 Please support Nifty to keep these stories coming. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html This is my first story at Nifty. Thanks to Nifty staff for all your help. To my readers; Thank You, for your emails. **Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated at jacoblion@tutanota.com Please remember this is fiction and all the characters names are simply fabricated. **Note of interest** All locations are accurate including mileage, & descriptions of Yale, restaurants, and our meals. Comments are always welcome; please continue to enjoy A Neglected Boy Chapter 13 Kori and Jake, New Bedford to Ashfield Massachusetts, Home. jacoblion@tutanota.com . . . . At the end of Chapter 12 . . . . Kori I think for now we should just have our own time. I'll go get some tissues for you and I will go to the bathroom." Kori was not happy but that is how it ended for tonight. We had one last hug and a kiss and slept till morning. . . . . . Kori and I slept so sound like a rock. The alarm sounded and at 7 and we both were awake. Like other mornings we really wanted to stay in bed and just hug each other. Ok so we stayed and extra fifteen minutes and then we did start the day. I needed to pee and we needed to get our showers and that got us up and going. Kori asked . . . "Jake this is the last day we will be together all day. Will you take a shower with me, Please Jake just one more time?" As I thought about it . . . I did . . and . . I didn't want to. I knew I would just be postponing the inevitable. We had to leave, he had to go home. We really had to get on the road. I gave in. Kori was very happy. He ran in the bathroom turned on the heat lamp in the ceiling and turned the shower on. When I went in the bathroom Kori was in the shower already. I stepped in behind him and he passed the cloth over his shoulder asking me to wash his back. I lathered the cloth and washed his back then took the strawberry shampoo and poured a good amount on top of his head. Goodness the amount of suds and the wonderful smell of strawberries. He was all soap from his head to his little butt. I handed him back the cloth and told him to finish. When Kori had finished washing he told me to turn around and I did. Kori washed my neck and back and rinsed me. I turned to face Kori he had a stiffy but I didn't. I kissed the top of his head and he shut off the water. In the shower together the warm water flowing down our bodies it was heaven. What it was not was sexual and I was amazed at the good feeling. We dressed and packed the truck and took a final check of the room. The room was empty and I felt sad. Kori and I decided to get breakfast on the road as neither of us were feeling like anything at the moment. We unlocked the door and got in the truck. Kori was over on the passenger's side he buckled up and just looked out the window. Neither Kori nor I were in a very happy mood. I tried to make small talk and to make him smile but nothing seemed to be funny. Were on our last day together and Kori was not at all happy. We had been on the road about an hour when we passed though Providence, Rhode Island and I spotted a little restaurant. I pulled over and said lets get breakfast. Kori said . . . "I'm not hungry you can go eat." It was so hard for me to see Kori like this. I said . . . "Kori I know you don't want anything to eat and I know your upset but please just have some OJ and maybe toast." Reluctantly he agreed and we went in for breakfast. I had coffee and toast and Kori had OJ and toast and that was breakfast. It was very obvious that this would be a difficult day. We were back on the road and I had changed the route to a longer way home but still we would be home by three or four this afternoon. And there was nothing I could do about it. We were up by Putnam, Mass. on an older route when I saw Kori wipe the side of his face. Only a minute or two later he did it again and then I realized he was crying. I said . . . "Kori I know your upset and I know that after this week together this is so hard for you. The thing is Kori neither of has can change that fact that we have to go home." With that Kori began sob his crying was tearing my heart out. I had trouble keeping my attention on the road. He couldn't stop. I spotted a Wal-Mart and pulled in over by the empty lot where no one could see. I walked to his side and opened the truck door and Kori fell into my arms pleading not to leave him, not to take him home. It was the first thing he had said to me from the time we left. He had not even looked at me when we were driving. I got Kori calmed down and reminded him of his gifts. He had the scrimshaw necklace for his mom and the wood burning and his gift for Peter and how happy they would be. Oh and there was his new phone and the iPad and he could tell his friends all about the whaling museum and Plymouth. Thank goodness he was more relaxed and I even got a small smile. There was a hug but no kiss. We were back on the road and Kori did start talking. It was things like did you see that house, did you see that junk yard. All the time he was mostly looking out the window as if he were afraid to look at me. I spotted a McDonalds and pulled in. Thank you, thank you for those Yellow Arches. He had a fish sandwich, fries, soda (I let him have the soda) and an apple pie. I had a burger, fries and coffee. Kori seemed much better and was looking at me when he was talking. The subject of Peter came up and he was looking forward to seeing his friend. We were back on the road and I decided to plug in my MP3 player and have some music. I know it isn't what he likes but I needed to hear what he was saying so this is a little country, well country pop. The music started and it was good, not great but you know Ok. I didn't realize it but up came a Juice Newton song . . . The Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known . . . Not good and here is why... the words . . . "When I see you in the morning with the sleep still in your eyes, I remember all the laughter and the tears we shared last night. And as we lie here, just two shadows in the light before the dawn, the sweetest thing I've ever known is loving you." OMG ..... Kori looked at me and broke into tears. He was crying so hard and trying to catch his breath, He screamed "Pull over I'm going to be sick." I pulled to the side of the road and just in time his door opened he leaned out and threw up. I ran to the other side and helped him out of the truck and held his head as he vomited. I was crying and holding him and I didn't know how I could fix this. It took ten minutes to get Kori calmed down. I did something I should not have done but didn't know what else to do. I didn't want him to be sick again and I wanted the crying to stop as well. I put Kori on the front seat and let him lie down; He curled up next to me and fell asleep. What should have been a fairly short ride home has turned into and emotional roller-coaster that has deeply hurt the boy I love so very much. We had about another eighty miles to go and I was trying to figure out to fix the situation. With Kori in this state there was no way I could drive to his house and let his mother see him like he was. I needed a coffee and a few minutes to think. I stopped at the next 7-11 and got a coffee. When I returned Kori was still asleep and I was very thankful for that. I decided I would drive home and either call or go directly to Kori's house and speak with his mother, Myrna. Even with the stops we arrived at Kori's driveway on Raven Woods Rd. at 3:30. I decided to walk in and talk to Myrna and explain that Kori had been sick several times on the way home. My heart was pounding and I admit I was scared to speak with his mother face to face. I was at the door. I knocked, there was no answer and I knocked again and still no answer. It's Sunday and Myrna should be home. I walked all around the trailer home and there was no one around. I could see that it looked like the yard had been picked up. There were no broken toys and the wood pile was gone. I didn't know whether to be happy or concerned that something had happened to his mother. Kori was my biggest concern at the moment. I decided it was best to take Kori to my house and put him to bed. I went back to the truck and Kori was slightly awake and asked . . . "Jake are we home?" I told him I tried to talk to his mother but she was not home. I told him I was taking him to my house and we would figure things out later. It seemed to relax him and he just went right back to sleep. I drove all the way to the house and parked next to the barn. You can't see the side door of the house from the street. I unlocked the house and went back to the truck to get Kori. He was half asleep and I picked him up and his arms were around my neck as I carried him in the house. I shut the door with my foot and carried him to the guest bedroom. I put Kori on the bed took off his shoes and covered him with a light blanket. As I was walking out of the bedroom . . . "Kori said . . . I want to go to your bed." I told Kori for tonight it was better to stay in the guest bedroom and I was going to get a bucket with some water in it in case he was sick again. I didn't need him to puke in my bed. He laughed a little, very little and was ok with the decision. I went to see and feed Finley he was happy to see me. I had raised him from the time he was three months old. Horses do know who you are and at times can act just like a dog. After taking care of Finley I went back to check Kori. Kori was half asleep when I walked into the bedroom. I asked him if he was Ok and he said yes. I told him I was going to run to the store to get him some coke cola and I thought it would help him to feel better. Well kind of it was more a story so I could go to the general store where his mother worked. I wanted to see if she was there. I jumped in the truck and was at the store in 3 minutes. When I walked in Myrna was at the counter. I greeted her and told her that I had been to her house with Kori but that Kori had been sick on the way home. I explained that he had vomited several times and I thought it was better that I take him to my house till she was at home. Surprise . . . Myrna was so thankful. I asked her to call me when she was home and I would bring Kori home then. Myrna said . . . "Oh Mr. Roberts I have the late shift and we don't close till eleven and I won't be home till almost twelve could you possibly keep Kori at your house for the night?" I told Myrna . . . "I can Myrna but I know he was anxious to see you and he has presents for you. He is sleeping now so maybe your right we can wait till tomorrow. It's a teacher work day and I am calling sick anyway." Myrna was grateful I went home and all was quiet. About seven o'clock I heard Kori go to the bathroom and he came into the living room and got in my lap. "Do I have to go home now?" he asked. I told Kori that his mom was working till eleven and that she would not be home till almost midnight. I also told him that his mom thought it would be best if he were to stay here for the night and I would take him home tomorrow around noon. I think he was instantly better. We went to the kitchen and I made him some soup and toast for dinner. I think it was best for something light. I was not going to take any chances of him being sick again. I caught Kori looking at me and I know what was coming. Before he could say anything I said . . . "Well Kori I think its best that you watch some TV then take a shower and hit the bed Kiddo I really think you are over tired and today was a little much for you." Kori ate the soup a slice of toast and the asked for one more toast with strawberry jam. After he had his dinner we went to the living room to watch TV. He was relaxed and crawled beside me and just watched cartoons. Then I said I thought it would be good to watch some National Geographic. I turned to a program on deep sea. We stayed on the couch till 9 pm and enjoyed talking about the sea creatures on the program. I think it was good as his mind was off tomorrow. The program was over and I told Kori it was time for him to shower and get ready for bed. Of course that was the open spot for Kori to say . . . "Jake can we shower together tonight?" Then I changed my thought and said . . . "Kori use the guest bathroom it has a tub. Fill the tub and you get in and I will wash your hair and back. I know that will make you feel much better and being able to just sit in the hot water will make you sleepy." That was easy and there was no argument. Kori filled the tub and got in and I poured lots of shampoo on his head. Oh the amount of suds was unbelievable and he was having such a good time. I rinsed his head and now the tub was all suds. I washed his back down to the tub and back up. I swear he was enjoying this as much as anything we had done. I handed Kori the cloth and told him he should finish. He handed the cloth back to me and started to stand up but I put my hand on his shoulder and told him to finish by himself. Oh the look I got! Then I said . . . "Kori you finish washing and I will dry you, Ok?" "Ok deal" he said. Kori finished washing as I sat there watching him, I wish I had rubber duck for him, he looked that cute. There is no doubt he is so adorable. Kori sat in the hot water for a few minutes more and just kept washing his face and arms, (he was just playing in the water) and then opened the drain. I rinsed him and wrapped the towel around him as he stood and stepped out of the bath. I began to dry him starting at his head and then his shoulders, arms, chest and back. Kori didn't move his hand was on my shoulder to help steady himself as I dried him. Tonight he looked so innocent, and so fragile. Wrapped in the towel I picked Kori up and took him to the guest bedroom and laid him in the bed. I pulled the covers up and sat next to him and told him he was loved more than he could ever know. I kissed him goodnight and started to leave. Kori grabbed my hand and said . . . "Jake I love you, can you tell me a bedtime story please" this was so different . . . an eleven year old boy that I just spent a week with, that I love so very much is looking me in the eye and asking me to tell him a bedtime story. I see the true love that he has for me is the same love that I have for him. Ok Kori, lets see what story can I think of . . . . Oh I know the . . . Three little pigs. He laughed. Kori was still holding my hand as I was sitting on the bed beside him . . . "Once upon a time there was an old mother pig who had three little pigs and not enough food to feed them. So when they were old enough, she sent them out into the world to seek their fortunes. The first little pig was very lazy." . . . . I felt Kori's hand slip from mine and he was fast asleep. I kissed him gently on the forehead turned out the lights and went to my bedroom. As I got into bed I was thinking of what to say to his mother, Myrna tomorrow. Chapter 14 Kori, Jake and Kori's Mother Please let me know if you are enjoying the story, A Neglected Boy jacoblion@tutanota.com