Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:26:56 -0700 (PDT) From: adm2780 Subject: Brads Idol Chapter Sixty-Seven All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for personal enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, except for reviews, without the written permission of the author. As in real life, the sexual themes unfold gradually and are kept to a realistic level. Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the author at adm2780@yahoo.com This story contains descriptions of consensual sexual contact between males, adult and minor. As such it is homoerotic, designed for the entertainment of mature adults. If you are not of legal age to read such material, or if the subject matter would create irresolvable personal moral dilemmas, please exit now. NOTE: Special thanks to Matthew for his time and efforts proof reading and editing the chapters. Matthew's assistance contributes substantially to a more enjoyable story. If you like feel good stories, allow me to recommend "Never Take Love For Granted". Matthew wrote it and if I have any criticism, it's that he doesn't write fast enough or post as often as I would like. Chapter Sixty-Seven: Brads Idol They let me go home late Tuesday morning. I woke early that morning to find Uncle Ray on one side of my bed and my dad on the other. The doctor kept me in the hospital overnight for observation in case I had a concussion. I remembered hurting; I remembered getting a bath from Stephan; I remembered the doctor sticking the needle in my butt. I didn't remember hearing anyone say anything about cracked ribs plus a bone in my arm was cracked, or a bruised kidney. Uncle Ray was the first to hear me moving. He quickly stood by the bed and took my hand. When he asked me how I felt I told him in plain language and also let him know how hungry I was. He said that was a good sign that I'd most likely live. He called the nurse to get me something to eat. After eating hospital oatmeal, I understood why so many people die in hospitals. Gross is the only way to describe it. When the doctor said I could go home, guess who rolled me out in the wheel chair? Stephan really knew how to work his butt. By the time we got home I couldn't believe how tired I felt. We stopped for some barbeque and some real food. At home, I had to walk inside, but I got Uncle Ray's special chair. He even propped my feet up on the ottoman for me. It didn't take long for me to slip off for a nap. Dad and Uncle Ray were in the kitchen talking when I woke up. They didn't talk very loud so I couldn't hear everything that was going on. While they talked, I started thinking about Donny, Jake, and going back to school. I knew that, before lunch time, probably every kid in school would know what happened. I could only wonder what their reactions were. My train of thought was broken when I heard Uncle Ray say something about DCF and Bannerman. I didn't know what he meant by DCF, but I did know that Bannerman was a school for trouble-makers. Rumor at school was that if you got in big trouble twice, you went to Bannerman. Fighting was considered big trouble. So, who was going to Bannerman? Trying to get out of the chair to head for the bathroom, I discovered that getting up wasn't quite what I expected. Until this happened, I never thought anything of just standing up. Now, I hurt enough that I had to figure out a way to stand without torturing myself. Eventually, I figured out how to roll on my right side and slide off the chair so I was squatting and then stand straight up. It wasn't painless, but it was less painful. When I stood, I turned to see both Dad and Uncle Ray standing there watching me. Both of them had a habit of wanting me to figure things out for myself, or at least trying, before they helped. This really would have been a good time to just help. When I returned to the family room, they were sitting on the sofa. I headed for the big chair again. One thing I figured out was that sitting in a normal position with your legs stretched out wasn't good. I needed some way to lift myself without putting pressure on my left side. When I sat down this time, I folded my right leg under me. That way, when I wanted to stand I just used my leg to push myself up. Dad and Uncle Ray watched me; they both sat there with a little grin; I didn't even try to figure that one out. "What were ya'll sayin' 'bout Bannerman?" I asked after getting settled. "Do I hafta go there?" They both gave me a puzzled look. "You only heard part of our conversation in the kitchen. No, you won't be going to Bannerman. Why would you think you'd go there?" Uncle Ray asked me. "The kids say that's where they send trouble-makers and fightin's considered big trouble." "It's big trouble if you start the fight. Last week you were defending yourself. You were suspended because you fought at school; that's breaking the rules. You could have walked off or settled it off school grounds; that's the school's position." "Uncle Ray, you know I can't do that. You want me marked for the rest of my life? There's no way I could just walk off," I protested. "Easy, kiddo. I didn't say you should have walked off. I said the school's position is that you could have and you could have settled it somewhere other than at school. Remember, one of their responsibilities is to keep peace and order. It was Jake that started the trouble; if anyone goes to Bannerman, it'll be him. Right now, the police are contacting DCF to check some things out. Do you remember what Jake said to you before he attacked you?" "Yeah, he called me a nut kicker 'cause of what I done to him last week." I looked up and saw Uncle Ray smiling and Dad laughing; I laughed some too, but it hurt to laugh. "Then he said somethin' about makin' me pay for what his dad did to him for lettin' a little kid like me take him down." "Did he say anything about what his dad did to him?" I just shook my head. "Well, that agrees with what Donny heard." "They had Donny down too. Is he hurt bad?" "No, not really; just some bruises. He's feeling kind of bad for not being able to help you." "Help me? He couldn't. Two guys were holding him and I saw him get hit in the stomach. Next time I saw him, he was on the ground next to me." My dad walked over next to the chair and squatted so he was sitting on his heels; that got us at eye level. He told me the police were called and they would want to talk to me. He explained to me they thought that Jake had been punished by his father for what happened last week, but punished for the wrong thing. Rumor was that Jake's dad was a heavy drinker and could be mean. When he got mad with Jake he used a strop on him. That's when I learned from Uncle Ray and Dad what DCF meant and what they might do. Suddenly, for some reason, I felt bad for Jake. Dad also let me know he had to head back to Ft. Pierce. When he said something about leaving, I knew then that I didn't want him to leave. It had been what seemed like forever since we'd seen each other and forever and more since we'd had any fun together. A tear formed in my eye, but I didn't cry; Dad didn't approve of boys crying. I heard most of what he said but it didn't all register. I just thought about how nice it'd be if he just stayed a couple of days with me. Why couldn't he stay and help take care of me? I was his son. I told him I loved him. He didn't even give me a hug; he just mussed my hair a little. No hug; no kiss; no 'I love you'. I just watched him walk out the door. "Hey, kiddo." Uncle Ray knew I was unhappy, and he knew why. "I know, you're feelings are hurt. Try to remember the conversation we had about this not too long ago, and there's something I want you to promise me." I just looked up at him, waiting. "One day, if you're lucky, you will have a son that's just as great as you are now. Remember how you feel now and why, and promise that you'll always take the time to show him the love that you want." The tears were flowing down my cheek and I looked up at him. When he bent over for me, I reached up^Å. "OW! Ooohhh, God! . .That hurt!" I reached up to put my arms around his neck and it felt like I just got kicked again. "Put your arm down and try to relax. I forgot to tell you, Alberto said until your side heals a little it will hurt if you try to raise your arm above your shoulders. Sorry, kiddo; I should've told you before now." "Gee, thanks." I tried to smile and be sarcastic, but it hurt too much. "You know what? This whole things gonna be a bitch." "You're probably right. Listen, I need to go to the office for a few minutes. Think you'll be okay alone for a little bit?" I gave him my 'you are kidding' look. "Another thing, you know everyone at school will know by now what happened. It wouldn't surprise me if you didn't have a friend or two coming by to see how you are, especially since you weren't in school today. Any idea where I'm headed with this?" "You're tellin' me I shouldn't get comfortable, right?" He just nodded knowing comfortable really meant naked. "Can I at least take this shirt off, it's pullin' on me and it's hot with this bandage thing they got on me. Do I hafta wear this all the time?" "No, we'll take it off later. I want you to keep it on while you're up, though. When you go to bed tonight I'll make the bed so you aren't lying completely flat. We'll see if we can make a support for your side. Keep the television remote near you and I'll put the portable phone on the table. Also, I want you to take these pills before I leave." "What are they? I had ta take a bunch a pills before we left the hospital." "They're for two things, mainly. One is to prevent any infection until those bones heal and the other is pain. It's the pain pill that's making you feel a little woozy." "Any idea how long I gotta wear this thing on my arm? He didn't say it was broke." "We go to see the doctor again on Friday afternoon. Suppose we ask him then, okay?" **** Something was squeezing my shoulder and then I thought I heard my name. That's when I realized I'd dozed off again. When I managed to get my eyes open there stood Larry and Donny. "Hey, guys. Whatsup?" That's all I could manage until I woke up more. "I just came by to see how you were doin'. My dad told me they kept you at the hospital last night." Donny was letting me know he got to go home last night. "Yeah, but I don't remember most of it. I just remember wakin' up and seein' my dad and Uncle Ray there with me. Oh, I was hungry too. Do yourself a favor and don't ever eat the oatmeal at that place. Gross!" "They tell ya what all's messed up and when ya can go back ta school?" Larry was asking, and then kept talking before I could answer. "Brad, you oughtta hear all the stuff goin' on at school. Man, everybody says Jake's really gonna be in trouble this time. There's talk he might even get sent to juvie. Everybody's askin' 'bout you, too. They wanna know if you're gonna come back and kick his ass when you're all patched up." "Damn, they sure are blood thirsty, but who's blood? In case they don't know it, I'm the one got his ass kicked. What makes 'em think I want to go through this again?" "Well, we just figured that since you got him last time . . .you know . . ." Larry stumbled through trying to come up with some explanation. "Yeah, I know. Thanks. In case you forgot, the only reason I got him last time was because I cracked his nuts and that was an accident . . .or luck; however you wanna look at it." "Hey, can we be the first ta sign your arm cast?" Larry decided to change the subject in a hurry. He signed first, using a laundry pen Uncle Ray had, and then Donny. While Donny signed the doorbell rang; it was Todd and right behind him came Andy and Jerry. Before long everybody was getting drinks out of the fridge. Larry pulled some snacks out of the pantry and we were having a nice little party. The two main topics of conversation of course were what happened to Donny and me and what ought to happen to Jake and his friends. I did learn that the third guy that no one knew, the one that held me, someone at school said was Jake's older brother. That means there were two of them in that household. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. After a while, the door bell rang again. Donny answered, and it was Nancy. When she saw all the guys there she started to leave, but we managed to talk her into staying, at least for a couple of minutes. The only change in the conversation was to clean up the language some. Wednesday, Uncle Ray let me sleep. He woke me just long enough to let me know he'd be back for lunch. I woke before lunch and needed to get up. The way he had me laid out to sleep I had to look like a corpse outside the coffin. Pillows were stacked under my back and head so I just leaned back instead of lying down. Pillows tucked into my sides kept me from rolling over. The only really comfortable part was he took that big bandage from around my middle so I could breathe better. When I tried to get up I knew what that bandage supported. After making it up, I decided I really didn't want to suffer through all that again so I just stayed up. Remembering what Uncle Ray said about not knowing who might come over I decided to at least put on some pants. Every day I got up and dressed myself. Busted up ribs and a bad arm made dressing a challenge. After falling back on the bed three or four times, I gave up on the underwear. Socks weren't even a consideration and jeans were just as bad as the underwear. Finally, I pulled out a pair of my jogging shorts. Thanks to the special cut, they were big enough and flimsy enough for me to spread open on the floor, stand in the holes and pull them up with one hand; not the best, but I wasn't totally naked. Uncle Ray called just before lunch and asked what I wanted. A few minutes later he walked in with the requested burger, fries and milkshake. I also got the comment that if my appetite was any barometer, then I should be well soon. He was going to wrap me again but I begged off till after we ate. He told me I could probably go to school the next day since I wasn't taking pain killers, which no one asked me if I wanted. He talked with the principal and arranged it so I moved from class to class before everyone else so I didn't get bumped too much, and someone would carry my books. Okay, I could handle a little special treatment. Before long I did get wrapped like a mummy again; I didn't remember it being that tight. He made a comment about my shorts and no underwear. I asked him if he had any idea how hard it was to reach, one handed, between the tight flaps on tighty-whities, to get the equipment out to perform the duties. He put his hands up and left me alone. Besides, we didn't expect any one, the shorts were just in case. He left me with an extra milkshake, just in case I might starve before someone got home. Ha . . .ha; but I didn't turn it down. A few minutes after Uncle Ray left, the door bell rang. I figured someone wanted to sell me something, so I ignored it. When it rang two more times, I made an effort to get up, but it was easier to scream out that it was unlocked. The door opened and I got a surprise; it was Nancy. I was half standing when I saw her and she got this big smile on her face. I realized I was almost naked and I didn't sit down, I plopped down. I paid the price for the jolt too. After I got a couple of good breaths I grabbed a couple of throw pillows and put them beside me, and kind of over me. Shit! She wasn't supposed to be here. Plus, she was wearing one of those loose tops so when she leaned over to give me a little hug, I could see right into her boobs; they were still nice. "Mom pulled me out of school for a dentist appointment. I thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing. Can I get you something?" She asked, really sounding concerned. "Uh-uh, just give me minute. It was dumb; I plopped down instead of sitting and paid the price for the jolt to my side." "Everyone at school's talking about what happened. You wouldn't believe all the stories about your injuries. There's everything from broken ribs to caved in lungs." She paused for a moment. It was nice to see someone act as though they were really concerned. "Well, I hate to disappoint everyone, but I don't even have any broken ribs; they're cracked. 'Course, they feel like they're broken. He managed to crack a bone in my arm at the same time." "Do you have to wear that big bandage all the time? I thought you said Mr. Ray was going to let you leave if off." She placed two fingers on the bandage and rubbed the material. The fingers ran off the bandage and managed to trail over my nipple; shivers ran through me at her touch. "This bandage is the worst part of the whole thing. It has to fit tight to hold everything where it's supposed ta be. Uncle Ray lets me take it off at night though, so I can sleep." I paused for minute; this whole scene kind of felt like it was getting lame. "You want some ice cream or somethin'? There's some rocky road in the freezer." "Yeah. Sounds good," she answered, sounding kind of upbeat. "You stay there and I'll fix it for us, okay?" "Okay. But, instead of stayin' here, while you do that I got some personal business I need ta tend to." I blushed a little and she got this goofy smile. When I tried to get up though, I had trouble. When I plopped back into the chair I didn't put my foot and leg under me. Now I got to go through the whole pain routine trying to get up. She saw me having trouble and put an arm around me to help. When she pulled it actually hurt even more. She couldn't apologize enough and still wanted to help. The next thing I felt was her hand on my butt. Her hand was under the rear flap of my shorts and on my naked butt!! "Ummm, nice shorts; like the cut. Nice butt, too." At that point I turned about ten shades of red. "Brad!!" she hollered out giggling. "You're blushing. I don't believe it. Remember, we went to Donny's grandparents' place together? I've already seen it all. Nice view, too." She teased, giggled and had fun. I blushed; of course, I liked it too. "You saw it all and thanks. I saw it all, too, but I didn't get to touch," I teased back. "You didn't ask." She responded, still smiling. This girl was a real tease. She was giving me an open invitation and I was rapidly developing a problem I wouldn't be able to hide. "S'cuse moi. I need to go down the hall. Weren't you going to get us something?" I headed straight for the bathroom. Standing there, I couldn't help but think of what Nancy had just said to me and started getting excited. This was the last thing I needed right now and I tried to will things to a normal, relaxed state. Still, she did almost practically tell me to help myself. Great, all I needed was to start feeling her up and have Larry or Donny walk in. If Larry walked in, he'd bust a seam wanting to tell Uncle Ray that Nancy and I were here alone, almost naked, feeling one another. Bad thought! Things started showing again. When I went back to the family room, I made sure that I put my foot and leg under me. As I was getting settled, Nancy came in with the ice cream. She made it a point to bend over a little more than necessary to show me the goods, and I don't mean the ice cream. She was having a great time teasing me. She sat on the ottoman and just looked at me with this silly smirk on her face. That smirk meant trouble and I knew it. "Brad, if you could feel, what did you want to feel?" She acted a little sheepish when she asked me that. I could not believe this girl. Didn't she know she was really pushing it? I decided two could play this game. "Your boobs. Are they as soft and creamy as they look?" There! Call me on it. "Don't know; never thought about it. You think they look nice?" She asked me. "Yeah, 'bout as nice as you seem ta think my butt looks. I'd rate 'em about a five. I'd have ta feel 'em to do better." A red flag went off in my mind. The devilish side of me took care of it real fast, though. The devil continued to dominate. "Make you a deal. You feel my butt and I get to feel your boobs; skin to skin." She thought about it for a minute and then stood up; I did the same, only slower. "You'll have to drop your shorts so I can feel the skin." She told me, sounding excited. "Uh-uh. These are my special cut shorts. There's no underwear in the back; I cut it out." She got the weirdest smile then. She was really having a good time! Nancy put her dish of ice cream down and walked up to me. We stood there, looking at one another in the eyes. Who would move first? I took her left hand in my right, and moved her hand around and under my shorts. The fingers tickled and sent shock waves of excitement through me; the palm of her hand was warm. She squeezed my butt cheek lightly. She pulled her hand away and unbuttoned the top two buttons of her top; then she released the snap on her bra and let it fall down. I looked at those perfectly molded and tanned globes; there was no tan line. What was it about them that excited me so? I didn't know what it was, but I did know what I wanted to do with them. I set my ice cream down and reached out, cupping a firm, silky globe in my palm. She stepped forward and wrapped both arms around my waist. Her hands now stretched across my cheeks; they felt like they were on fire. No words were exchanged between us. I reached down and kissed the top of her right breast, then I kissed the nipple. She pulled me closer; holding me tight, inhaling sharply through clenched teeth. I held the left breast and kissed it on top, then the nipple. Rather than let it go, I began to suckle at her nipple. This was different. The nipple itself was so soft and warm. She thrust out her chest to give me more. Instinctively, while I suckled the left breast, my hand traveled to the right breast and began to knead it. Her hands began to massage my butt. This was nice. It was soft and warm; relaxing, but exciting at the same time. I didn't feel the excitement I got with Uncle Ray, but I still liked it in a different way. Finally, we separated. "Nice boobs," I told her and smiled. "I'd rate 'em about an eight now. When you get older they should be a easy ten plus." "Nice butt," she told me, returning the smile. Then I felt her hand move around to my front and go down inside my shorts. She was holding my sac. "Nice marbles, too. Never held a boy's marbles before; feel warm and silky; I think I feel somethin' else down there getting firm too." Then she pulled her hand away while I blushed. "Better go." She gave me a quick peck on the cheek and called back, "Call me if you need anything. Okay?" "Yeah. Thanks." I stood there dumbfounded or like an idiot. She let me handle her boobs; she satisfied a dream. She had massaged my butt, fondled the twins and felt my pole growing. I just stood there about ready to drool, or fall from excitement, or shoot; whatever. I realized I was about as hard as I could get so I dropped my shorts to my ankles, sat down, and placed the cold ice cream bowls where they would do the most good. When we went to bed that night, Uncle Ray laid me out again. I felt like I belonged on The Munster's or something. I told him the worst part was having to wear that damn bandage; I felt like I was being squeezed to death. He told me I had a doctor's appointment Friday afternoon and we'd see about changing things a little. Then I told him I wanted to go to school the next day. "Brad, that may be a little early son. If someone bumps into you, it could really hurt." "That's not what's important, Uncle Ray. Jake will be back in school tomorrow. If I'm not there, that'll mean he's won. Don't you understand that part?" "I knew from the time I got home that something was on your mind. Want to talk about it?" "No, not right now, okay? Maybe later?" I didn't think it was smart to let him know I'd been thinking about Nancy, so I went in his direction. "It's just that, well, Uncle Ray, I can't let him think he got the best of me. What's goin' ta happen?" "We don't know yet." Uncle Ray moved over and wrapped an arm under my neck. I scooted as close to him as possible. "He could be in serious trouble with the law. He assaulted you with intent to do serious bodily harm. That's assault and battery. If he's done it before to someone else and been charged, then it's aggravated assault and battery. He's in some serious trouble right now. The last word I had was that most likely he would be transferred to Bannerman; I'm not sure that will do him any good. There's a pretty rough crowd down there, from what I here." I tried to turn on my side but had trouble. Uncle Ray reached over me and with his hand on my butt, managed to roll me over to face him. I wrapped my arm, cast and all, over his chest and put my left leg over his leg. He felt warm and comfortable. I held onto him and he held me close. I needed a distraction and started lightly humping his leg. :"Hey, kiddo, easy. You'll hurt yourself." "Please Uncle Ray, I need it, I really do." He gave me a questioning look. "I'll explain later, but right now^Å" He put a finger over my lips to hush me. Then, he rolled me onto my back. Leaning over me, there was a gentle kiss to my forehead and then each eye. A finger, touching me only slightly, traced the edge of my ear and neck. The finger then ran down my nose and only barely touching me, traced the outline of my lips. Those sensitive finger tips touched every part of my body that night. When he finished with the front, he rolled me part way onto a pillow; I lay about three-quarters of the way on my stomach. After he propped a pillow under the top leg, he began to torture me, his way. He kissed, nibbled and teased his way all around my butt. The rim job of all rim jobs had me squirming and whimpering. How long he worked to pleasure me, I don't know. How many fingers massaged my magic spot? I lost track of the number of times he pushed me over the top and brought me back for more. I know that before I fell asleep, I again became his whimpering puppy. It was nice to be his boy. **** I insisted on riding the bus with the other kids. Larry carried my books for me and all the kids had questions and wanted to look at my body wrap. By the time we got to school, half the kids on the bus had signed my cast. The teacher stopped me as I walked into home room to tell me that all my teachers would let me out five minutes early so I could get to my next class without someone bumping me. One of my classmates would be let out early also to carry my books. Homeroom and first period weren't too bad. I expected a lot of the kids to ask questions and say something. The class I focused on was second period, that's when I would probably see Jake and one of his friends. When I walked into the room, first period was just ending. The teacher motioned for me to sit in a chair near her desk. When the class was dismissed, I started to move to my regular seat when she told me to stay where I was. Just before class started she told me I was to go to Mr. Johnson's office, the principal. I could leave my books in the room by her desk. As I started to leave, Jake walked in. He looked and gave me a contemptuous sneer. I didn't have anything to say, or that I could say in front of the teacher, so I just stared at him. "Ooooooooooo," he taunted, "big, bad Brad." "Ooooooooooo," I retorted, "big, bad Jake has to have his friends help him." "That's enough, boys!" The teacher snapped. "Brad, on your way. Jake, take your seat; now!" When I reached Mr. Johnson's office, I walked in and saw Uncle Ray, Mr. Paul, and the two boys that held Donny. They looked at me, and then down at the floor without saying anything. There were four other people in the room, but I didn't know who they were except one who I thought might be Jake's dad. "Brad, come on in, son. Sit in the chair right in front of my desk." As I sat down, Donny walked in. "Good, now that Donny's here, let's get started, shall we?" Mr. Johnson sounded like this was an everyday thing for him; maybe it was. "Now, I want everyone to understand that since this alleged incident took place on school grounds, it is school business. Brad, I want you to tell me and these other people what happened last Monday afternoon." I looked over at Uncle Ray and he just gave me a reassuring nod. "Donny and me came to the school grounds to look for a game of pick-up ball. It was a typical ball game that lasted for a hour or so and then Jake came up with three other guys. Jake hit me and then one of his friends held me while Jake worked me over. Another guy held Donny while another guy worked him over. That was about it." I didn't understand why I had to tell the story again; I'd told it to about a dozen adults; at least I thought it was that many. "Brad, did Jake say anything to you when he approached you?" "Yes sir, he told me he was goin' ta make me pay for what his dad did ta him for lettin' a little kid like me take him." That's when I heard one of the other men start to say something and I knew it was Jake's dad. "Donny, do you have anything to add? Did Brad leave anything out?" the principal asked. "Not really, sir, 'cept Jake called Brad a few names," Donny blushed a little and his voice lowered, "that I can't repeat in here . . . sir." I saw Mr. Paul and Uncle Ray try to hide a laugh. "Brad, Donny, can you identify these two boys sitting over here? Are they the boys that attacked you, Donny?" Donny looked at the boys and then nodded to Mr. Johnson. One of the men opened a door and asked Uncle Ray, Mr. Paul, Donny and me to wait in there. I heard Mr. Johnson ask someone to bring Jake in. I sat next to Uncle Ray and held on to one of his arms. Mr. Paul and Uncle Ray explained to us that the other adults in with Mr. Johnson were from the Department of Children and Families and Juvenile Hall. I wasn't completely sure what that meant, but I knew it wasn't good; at least not for Jake. We found out that this wasn't the first time Jake had been reported for beating up on another kid. It more or less ran in the family because he had an older brother that served time in juvenile detention for the same thing and was on probation. The police thought he was the one that held me. The last time the brother got in trouble it was with Jake and he held the other kid the same way he did me; knee in the back, arms stretched behind me. The last couple of times a problem was reported, they got away with it because no one would say anything against them. This time, whoever those boys were that witnessed what Jake and his friends did, talked. Uncle Ray sat there and smiled. "You said somethin' to them, did'n ya?" "Not much," he said as he turned and put an arm around me. "Same thing I've always said to you about defining moments and making choices." I knew what he was saying to me. There would be times in our lives that we had to make a choice between doing what was right and what was easier. He told me to always think about how I would want someone else to act and whether down the road I'd look back and regret the choice. Sounded easy, but it wasn't. He told those other boys they could run from Jake or stop a bully in his tracks and it would be easier if they all stood together. We could hear people talking in Mr. Johnson's office, but we couldn't always understand what they said. It wasn't hard to hear Jake raise his voice and eventually I figured out the man I heard hollering was his dad when he said something like "look what you've gone and done, you dumb little shit!" He sounded mad, and I mean MAD! That was when Jake started crying. Soon I heard him crying and pleading. I didn't know what they were saying to him, but I did understand him when he said, "Please! Noooo . . .noooooo, please." A cold chill ran through me and I felt bad, like I was the cause of this. I looked over at Donny and could see he was feeling down, too. When the door opened, I looked into Mr. Johnson's office. They were just finishing. I didn't hear, or at least didn't let what I did hear register with me. I saw Jake's dad. He looked like he was completely defeated. Jake was leaving the room crying, reaching out, and pleading for 'daddy'. When I saw him and he looked at me it wasn't with anger or revenge in his eyes; his eyes pleaded for help. A tear ran down my cheek. I heard Mr. Johnson explain to Uncle Ray and Mr. Paul that Jake would be going to Bannerman and live in a juvenile home where he would get counseling to help him. The third boy we hadn't seen was Jake's brother; the police would take care of him. The other two boys would be suspended for ten days and their parents were paying the medical bills. It was up to Uncle Ray and Mr. Paul whether they wanted to file a civil action for damages. I heard the adults talking but I kept watching Jake as they took him away. I kind of understood his pain. Maybe his dad was abusive, but that didn't mean he didn't love him or that Jake didn't love his dad. His dad was all Jake had and now he was being taken away. My dad was a little abusive to me sometimes, especially with the belt. Uncle Ray said it was because he never had a dad to teach him how to be a father. My dad was lucky that someone cared enough to protect him. I was lucky that someone cared enough to protect me. We still had each other. Uncle Ray walked over and stood in front of me. He put his arms around my shoulders and I melted into him. We stood there while I cried, silently. Placing a hand on each side of my head he tilted it up toward him. "Hey, kiddo, this wasn't you're fault. I know it looks bad right now, but with a little luck and effort, Jake will get some help and so will his dad. If they really want it to work out, they'll be back together again before too long. Just remember, you had nothing to do with this outcome. Okay?" I put my head against him and held as tight as I could. After a couple of minutes I put my chin on his stomach, looked up at him and spoke quietly. "Can we go home?" End Ch Sixty-Seven To Be Continued: comments welcome; contact Dwight Wilson at adm2780@yahoo.com