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CHAPTER 30
The World Comes Crashing Down
Things have been going great for me. When I got home from my adventures in the court system, I got to spend the rest of the week with my friends. We hung out mostly at the rec center where we swam a lot, and the great room was always busy with movies and games of all kinds. Thanksgiving was also held there, and it was like one big party, I have never experienced anything like it.
We were back in school for a few weeks now. We did our final rehearsals for the musical, then it was opening night. We were all so scared that we were sure at least one or more of us would puke as soon as we stepped foot on the stage. You will be glad to hear that was not the case. The play went off with only a few mistakes and the parents that made it that day were praising the good work, and how believable it was. There would be a total of three shows to help fit into everyone's schedule. For those families like mine who could not be there videos were posted to the schools website and links were sent to everyone on the schools mailing list.
Then we were off for winter break. They called it that because many religious holidays are celebrated during the same times. The best part was that I was alone at home with Ma and Pa. To say that Pa's cock and me got to spend a lot of time together would be an understatement. Tony's parents came back to the states over the holidays, so he went home. He even took Hudson with him. I saw a lot of Timmy, Owen, and Theo, we hung out almost every day.
Christmas was hard for me, even though there was so much love surrounding me, I was missing my own family something awful. It may sound stupid with me not being religious, but I miss sharing this time with my mom, dad, and brother. What's worse was that I didn't hear from them till almost new year's. They watched the play before they called and told me to tell Owen how proud they were of him as well.
Speaking of new year's, that was a party. On New Year's Eve all the kids gathered at the rec center for a slumber party. We had lots of junk food, drinks, party favors, and so much more. Most of us stayed up till the ball dropped, but those who didn't woke up when we started blowing horns and popping balloons. It was so much fun.
School started again and we fell into our routine. I loved my classes, and even made the Headmasters list with straight A's. I was doing so well that I even moved up a grade in math and history.
I had appointments every night, and once even had one with me and Owen, it was epic. We were waiting for Tyler to give us our assignments after our cunt cleanings and laughing about something that Edger, one of Theo's friends said at lunch. Tyler walked in with the clipboard that had our appointments on it, "Timmy, you are in room eight with Mr. Hayes."
Timmy stood up, "Cool, Mr. Hays has yummy cum." He said with a smile on his face and then ran out the door.
Owen and I giggled about his excitement as we watched him leave. "That leaves you two. You guys are going to be with Mr. Ruth in room twenty-four."
We were both a little shocked by this, "You mean we are both going to have sex with him?" Owen asked.
"At the same time?" I asked.
"Yep." Tyler said with a smile and a laugh at our surprise. "Just listen to what he wants and have fun."
We looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders and headed downstairs. Owen knocked on the door of room twenty-four and waited till we heard, "Come in boys."
We opened the door to find a mountain of a man laying on the bed waiting for us. He was laying down, so best guess was that he was at least six foot five inches tall and had to weigh over three hundred pounds. He was fat, but he was so tall that it was not like hanging fat. He did have boobies though, and I realized that if I didn't watch it I would have boobies as big as his. I already had little ones and I didn't want big ones like that.
He introduced himself to us and told us a little about himself. He was a stockbroker with his own company and was rich, but like most Crossman he gave back to the school and the community a lot of what he made. "Well, if I didn't pick the two sexiest boys in the school. Brian, why don't you start licking my balls, and Owen, you jump up here and let me get a taste of that cunt of yours."
I watched Owen climb up on the bed, turn and face me, and then sit down on Mr. Ruth's face. I crawled between his legs and pushed his hard cock and balls off to the side while I inhaled his scent. Once I was done with this I started licking his balls. I looked up to see Owen with his dick hard as I have ever seen it. He was moaning like crazy with his eyes closed as Mr. Ruth assaulted his cunt. I just hope I get the chance to switch places with Owen. For now, I am happy where I am.
I really wanted to suck his cock, but he told me to lick is balls, and I didn't have permission to suck his cock yet. After some time he told us to switch and I got to sit on his face while Owen sucked his cock. It was the best feeling short of getting mounted that I have ever felt. He used his thumbs to stretch my cunt open so that he could shove his tongue deep inside. That did it and I accidently kicked Owen in the head as my first orgasm of the night took me.
I rolled off of him as I came down off of a very intense orgasm. Mr. Ruth had Owen stop sucking him so that he would not cum too soon. I crawled to Owen and started kissing his face, "I am so sorry for kicking you, please forgive me."
Owen giggled, "It is ok, I know you didn't mean to."
Mr. Ruth smiled and said, "You two are amazing. The love you have for each other is why I asked for you two together. I was at the play and could see the way you guys just feed off of each other, I just had to have you at the same time. Now, who wants to get mounted?"
Both Owen and I said, "ME" at the same time. Owen was the lucky winner, dang it. I was not left out though. I got to lube up Owen's cunt and then Mr. Ruth's cock. I watched as Mr. Ruth's cock opened up Owens cunt. I had never been this close to a mounting before. Owen yelped when Mr. Ruth entered him. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, how could a cunt open that wide without tearing? I have had some big cocks in me before, and felt the pain, but how is this even possible?
With everything else that happened leading up to this point, Mr. Ruth didn't last long. Owen just started his orgasm, and I guess that was as much as Mr. Ruth could take, because he started his at the same time.
Owen and I left the room and must have high fived at least three times before we got to the showers. Before you ask, yes, Mr. Ruth got five stars from both of us on the service computers.
I was still feeling good and thinking about last night when I heard a knock at the door to my history class. Brad entered and said something to Mr. Michaels. He turned to look at me, "Brian, can you please gather your belongings. The Headmaster has asked that you come see him."
The other boys said things like. "Oooh you're in trouble now Brian." Or "What did you do?" I got my stuff and followed Brad into the hall.
He put his hand on my shoulder and guided me to the Headmaster's office. I was of course panicking, "Did I do something wrong Brad?"
"Do you think you did something wrong?"
"Not that I know of."
"Then you probably didn't. You will have to talk to the Headmaster about that."
We walked into the office and Brad knocked on the Headmasters door. We heard, "Come."
Brad opened the door and pushed me inside. First thing I saw was Timmy, Owen, Owen's dad, Tyler, Ma, Pa, Dr. Butler, Dr. Jacobs, and the Headmaster. The second thing I saw was that Owen, Timmy, and Ma all looked like they had been crying. I was super confused, did Owen, Timmy, and me do something wrong?
The Headmaster came and guided me to the chairs in front of his desk, then he turned them facing each other like he did the first day I came here. It sure does seem like a lifetime ago now. He sat me in one chair, and he sat in the other. He pulled us close, so our knees were touching. "Brian, I received some very bad news this morning. I am not even sure how to tell you this."
I started to cry, "Did I do something wrong Sir? I know I didn't mean to."
"I wish it was something you did wrong, that would be easier than this." He took a deep breath, "I received a call this morning from Mr. Bush, he is Tony's dad. You know that he is the U.S. Ambassador to Syria?"
"Yes Sir, Tony told me. Wait, did something happen to Tony, is he ok?"
"Yes Brian, he is fine." I could see tears starting to form in the Headmaster's eyes. I found it strange that a man like this would cry. "Brian, Mr. Bush called me to tell me that there was a raid on the village your family was in by Syrian rebels. I am sorry to be the one to tell you, but no one survived. The bodies of your family have been recovered and are being flown back to the States. They should be here by the end of the week."
I was not understanding what he was saying at first, then everything went black.
When I woke up, all I could think was that I was in a nightmare hell, but it seemed so real. That is when I made the mistake of opening my eyes to see everyone staring at me with tears in their eyes. I jumped up, pushing everyone out of my way and just looked around the room. I knew then I was not in a nightmare hell, just in hell. "No...no...no...no this can't be true, I just talked to them last week. You have to be wrong; my family can't be gone." Tears were falling hard from my eyes now. I was having a hard time breathing and I felt like I was going to be sick.
Ma tried to grab me in a hug, but I pushed her away. "No, you don't understand... I am all alone now, what am I going to do I have no family left. I was so stupid to come to this school, I should have been with them."
I could see the sadness in everyone's face. Ma just looked at me, "No Brian, then you would have been murdered like they were."
"I know, but then I would still be with them. They must have been so scared. Oh god, Donny, what will I do without him, he was my best friend. He was the only one that looked past the weird and loved me just for me. I just want to be with them." I fell to the floor crying and pulled myself into a ball.
Timmy and Tyler were holding each other and crying, Owen was crying hard into his dads shoulder, and Ma was holding on to Pa and crying on his shoulder.
I looked at the Headmaster, "What will happen to me, I have no one now, I am all alone."
The Headmaster lifted me up and sat me back down in the chair I started out in, "Brian, I know this is a lot for you to take in, but you are not alone. There is no one that will ever be able to take the place of your mom, dad, and brother, but you are not alone. We are all here for you, we have been your family while yours were away, and we will go on being your family for as long as you will have us."
All I could see was red, "You are not my family, I am only in this school so that you can have sex with me. You don't love me or really want me. No one but my family ever wanted me before I got here and the only thing that changed was the sex. If it weren't for that, you would have never even let me in this school."
He looked shocked, "Is that what you think happened here?" He stood up and went to his filing cabinet and pulled a file from the top drawer. "Just so you know Brian, the only reason you are a Crossman, it because you wanted to be. As for sex being the only reason you got into this school, you are wrong. You were always going to come to this school."
I was still a bag of emotions ranging from mind-numbing sadness to pure white-hot anger and everything in between, but now I was also confused. "Do you remember the meeting we had in your principal's office with your family, Mr. Walters, and me?" I nodded my head, "Everything that was said in that office was true. That meeting was already in the works before you even thought of coming here." He pulled a packet of papers out of the file, "This stack of papers I have here are all part of an email Mr. Walters sent me well before you showed up here."
He showed me the stack and then started reading the top letter.
Joe,
I was right, this kid Brian Burke is amazing. I am enclosing all the
tests that I, as well as his other teachers have given him this last week. You will
see how he has manipulated his grades to only get a "C" on every paper. Every
one of these tests were from grades at least two classes higher then he should
even know how to do.
Look at his math papers Joe, this kid is outstanding. He is the kind of
Regular our school is always looking for. I had his brother a few years ago, he
is not the wiz that Brian is, but he is also a wonderful boy. I have met his
parents a few times and can see why they are such great kids. Brian is getting
nothing out of his time here and needs to be in a more challenging situation. The
issue Joe is that his family could never afford FSB without the scholarship we
talked about. Without FSB he will never be able to achieve his true potential.
He is shy, and the bullies here have made him afraid of his own shadow,
so I think he would be best in Baxter House. It is smaller and he may adapt
better there.
"There is more, and if at some point in the future you would like to read it, I will be happy to show it to you." He flipped the page again and showed me a picture that Mr. Walters must have taken of me at some point,
"I am sure that you don't remember the day that you came here on your own, but I will never forget it. When Timmy came into my office and told me about you, I could not believe that some little boy would be stupid enough to take a train an hour and a half from home on his own. I sure never expected to see the boy in this picture waiting there for me. What I am saying to you Brian, is that you were always going to come here, but you were never supposed to be a Crossman."
Pa spoke up, "Brian, you are here because of your incredible mind not your body. I never thought of you sexually at your old school, ever. I just knew that you would never be happy there, and I just wanted you to see that you could be smart and happy. When the Headmaster called me and told me about your visit, your physical, and your testing I almost fell over in shock. I just knew that this school was going to be good for you, and I could only imagine how much easier it would be for you as a Crossman. I am not talking about the sex, I am talking about the family, the brotherhood you share with those two." Pointing at Owen and Timmy.
The Headmaster said, "Brian, you will be at this school until you graduate, that is guaranteed, but if you want to changed houses, I will make that happen."
I was on information overload. I really believed that I was only in this school because I wanted sex, now I find out that was not true. I woke up this morning with a real family and now I don't have one. My breathing got harder, my head felt like it was about to explode, and then for the second time, everything went black.
I woke up on the couch, this time in Ma's arms. I just laid there listening to Ma cry and the others talking. I was tired, I mean I just didn't have any energy left. My heart was telling me that I was alone now, but my mind knew that I was surrounded by people who loved me and cared deeply about me.
As soon as Ma realized I was up, she pushed me far enough away from her so that she could look me in the face. "I know this is a stupid question, but are you ok? Is there anything you need?"
"My head hurts really bad, and I am really thirsty."
Dr. Jacobs left the room and Timmy came to me with a bottle of water. He looked awful, his eyes were all swollen and red. I looked over at Owen and Tyler, they didn't look any better. Dr Jacobs came back in, "Brian, this is half a Hydrocodone pill. This should get rid of the headache and help you calm down a little."
I took the pill and swallowed it with almost half a bottle of water. I put my head back on Ma's shoulder and closed my eyes. I am not sure how long I was like that when I was woken up by a big crash and screaming.
"NO, YOU HAVE TO COME HOME NOW. I DON'T CARE ABOUT HIS JOB, I WANT YOU TO COME HOME NOW, PLEASE."
The Headmaster jumped up and ran out the door leaving it open. "Tony, what's wrong."
I watched as Tony ran up to the Headmaster, "Please Sir, make them come home, please. I can't lose them, please." Tony dropped to his knees and with his hands together as he begged the Headmaster, "Please Sir I am begging you to make them come home."
The Headmaster reached down and pulled Tony off his knees, "Tony, I want to help but I am not sure what is happening."
Brad spoke up, "Sir, his parents called to talk to him and let him know that they were ok before he found out about Brian's family. They thought it would be easier for them to break the news to him first."
Tony was begging again, "Please Sir make them come home."
I got off Ma's lap and started to walk out the door. Dr. Butler made a move to stop me, but Pa stopped him, and I walked over to Tony.
He had this look of panic on his face when he saw me. He jumped up and ran to me grabbing me in a hug, "I am so sorry Brian." He said with tears pouring from his eyes, "I just found out. It's just not fair." He and I held each other and just cried. I heard the Headmaster and Dr. Butler talking to Tony's parents.
Tony let go of me and ran back into the room screaming, "YOU HAVE TO COME HOME NOW. I MEAN IT. I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR JOB, AREN'T I MORE IMPORTANT."
I could not hear what they were saying, so I walked into the room just as the monitor went blank. Tony backed up against the wall and slid down so that his knees pulled to his chest and his head buried in his hands. I walked in, sat down beside him, leaned against him and we just cried. I am not sure how long we sat there, I know that everyone left the room and waited outside.
Tony and I were both startled when we heard the door coming into the office slam open, "Where is he, Tony, where are you?"
Tony jumped up and ran into the arms of a big Mexican guy. I guess he looked about seventeen, not real attractive, and very heavy set. If I were to guess, I would say football player. "Jesus, they won't come home, I begged them to come home and they won't do it. They love that job more than me. I don't understand, what did I do to make them hate me?"
"Listen to me, I am not totally sure what is happening here, but I know for a fact that they don't hate you."
The Headmaster said, "Jesus, come into my office for a second."
He put Tony in a chair and went into the Headmasters office. I sat in the chair next to Tony, "They don't hate you Tony. I think that our families just think that what they are doing it the right thing to do. I know mine didn't hate me, but they are gone now, and I don't know what I am supposed to do."
Jesus came out of the Headmasters office and guided Tony out and back to their house. Pa sat in the chair that Tony just left, "Brian, you tell me what you want to do now. Tyler can take you back to Crossman House or you can come home with us for a few days."
I wanted to be alone, and I figured that if I stayed here everyone would want to talk to me. I looked at Pa, "Can I just go home with you?"
"You bet you can, are you ready to go now?"
I nodded my head and Ma, Pa, and me left. I fell asleep on the drive to the house. Pa woke me up and as we got to the door going into the house, me and Ma stopped and started to strip. Pa said, "Brian, you don't have to if you don't want to."
"No, I want to."
I grabbed my clothes and headed to my room where I did something I have not done since I started at FSB, I closed the bedroom door. I climbed into the top bunk, crawled under the covers, and fell back to sleep.
I am not sure how long I was asleep when I heard a commotion from the living room, then my door flew open and in ran a naked Timmy, Owen, and Theo. Theo was the first one to me, he wrapped me in a hug and was crying into my chest, "Brian, I am so sorry. They were so nice to me when I met them."
Theo was sleeping over when my family called me last time. I guess I mean for the last time. I introduced Theo to them, and he told Donny what a great big brother I am. He got Donny when he said, "He must have had a really good teacher to be such a great big brother." I thought I was all cried out but remembering the last time I would ever get to talk to my best friend, opened the flood gates and I was at it again.
I was surrounded with friends/brothers with Owen in front wrapping me and Theo in his hug, and Timmy behind me. We were all crying. I guess it makes sense, since they all had the chance to meet and talk with my family. I guess I dozed off again because I woke us still wrapped up by three boys.
I had to pee, so after unwrapping myself without waking the others, I made my way to the bathroom. The clock on the wall said that it was already three in the afternoon. Once I finished peeing I walked to the kitchen. Ma and Pa were sitting in the living room watching TV. When Ma saw me she came over to me, "Are you hungry sweetheart?"
"No, just really thirsty."
She grabbed a cup and poured some apple juice for me. I drank it down and she filled it again. "Thank you." I said as I got up to go back to my room.
"Brian, you have not eaten since breakfast, how about if I make you something."
"No thank you, I am not hungry."
I headed back to my room and saw my three closest friends asleep in my bed. I woke up again to the sound of Theo screaming, "Brian, where are you?"
Next I heard Ma say, "What's going on here?"
A crying Theo responded, "I can't find Brian, I have looked everywhere."
Everyone left the room for a bit looking around. I heard someone come back into the bedroom and lean against the closet door. Then I heard Timmy's voice, "Brian, I know you are in there. I won't open the door or let anyone else in. I know that you are hurting real bad right now and need time alone. I want you to know that I love you and I am here for you when you are ready."
Everyone came back in the room, and I guess Theo saw Timmy leaning against the closet door, "Is Brian in there? Move Timmy, he needs me."
"No Theo he doesn't. He loves us all very much, but he needs some time to himself, that is why he came here instead of staying in the Crossman House. I am mad at myself for not seeing it sooner."
Pa said, "I don't understand, why is he in the closet. He could have just told us he wanted to be alone."
"He didn't want to hurt our feelings. He told me once how whenever things got to be too much for him, he would go into his closet at his old house and burry himself under blankets. He said that he would hide there till he could clear his mind. Donny was the only one who knew where he was and never told. Brian told me that he and Donny got into a fight once and when Donny went to apologize for what he said, no one could find Brian. Donny was so panicked that he forgot about the closet for a while as they searched."
"But why hide in the closet?" Asked a still crying Theo.
"I am not really sure; I think it is just the way Brian's brain works. I think the three of us need to go home now. Brian will come out when he is ready."
Ma said loud enough to make sure that I heard, "Brian, if you are ok, knock on the door once so that we know. Otherwise I will pull you out of there."
I knocked on the door and Timmy said, "Owen, can you walk Theo home since it is on your way?"
"Of course I can. Let's go little buddy."
"No, let me go Brian needs me." Theo cried.
I heard Owen say in a serious tone, "What did we talk about? What kind of friend does Brian need right now?"
Still crying, "A friend that will let him be alone for a while."
"That's my brother."
I heard a light knock on the door and Theo say, "I love you Brian, and when you need a hug, you just come fined me and I will give you a big one."
I wanted to say I love you too, but I could not get the words out. I got the same from Timmy and Owen, then I heard them leave. I must have fallen back to sleep again, because I was woken up by a knock on the closet door. It was Ma talking in a low voice, "Brian honey, we are going to bed now. I have put a sandwich in the refrigerator for you, along with a glass of apple juice. You need to drink, or you will get dehydrated. We know that this has been the worst day of your life, and I wish we could take that pain away from you. We love you very much, and we will always be here for you."
I heard her leave the room and close the door behind her. I cried for a long time before I fell back to sleep. I woke up again to a lot of pain in my bladder. I crawled out of the closet to find my room dark except for the nightlight I have under the desk. I left my room and headed to the bathroom. I must have peed a gallon of water, at least that is how if felt. I went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. I saw the sandwich Ma made me and the glass of juice. I drank down the juice and even poured myself a second glass. I knew I should eat, but I still wasn't hungry. I went back into the bathroom and brushed my teeth.
I was headed back to my room but ended up in Ma and Pa's room. I touched Ma's shoulder, "Hey Ma?"
She startled awake, "Brian, are you ok?"
My eyes started watering again, "Can I sleep with you guys?"
"Of course Brian." She said as she pulled back the covers so I could crawl in. "Come on baby."
As soon as I was in, she and Pa snuggled in close and kissed me. They told me how much they loved me and how I would always be welcomed in this house. I needed to be alone for a while, but now I needed this, from these two people. I realized that these two were the closest thing I have to parents now.
I woke up the next morning snuggled in with Pa. Ma was already out of bed and cooking breakfast. The smell reminded me that I had not eaten in twenty-four hours and I am super hungry. Pa must have thought that I was still asleep because he quietly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I heard him pee and then start the shower.
I got out of bed and peed, then knocked on the shower door. Pa looked down at me as he opened the door, "You ok buddy?"
"I guess, but I was wondering if I could take a shower with you."
"Absolutely, step on in." I walked past him and handed him the cunt cleaning hose as I turned around and bent over. "Brian, we don't need to do this buddy."
"I know, but I need it, please."
I know that it may sound strange, but I felt a lot better afterwards, even though nothing really came out. Once I was cleaned out Pa sat on the bench and pulled me into his lap and just held me.
"Pa, I miss them so much. I missed them before, but I always thought it was just for a short time, now they are gone forever."
"I know buddy. I was in college when my parents were killed in a car accident. I know how much it hurts."
"When will it stop?"
"It won't. It will always hurt, especially because of the way they died. What is important now, is remembering all of the good times, and how much they loved you."
"But don't I have to go to a foster home or something now? A kid at my old school lost his parents and he went into foster care and disappeared. I don't want to leave you."
I started panicking again and Pa said, "Just breathe buddy, you aren't going anywhere. The state has no claim on you. Your parents made sure that you would be protected, so you are in the custody of the school. Your parents made sure that if anything were to happen to them, that your future would be protected."
I was getting mad again, "Wait a minute, you mean that they knew they could be killed there?"
"Slow down Brian. Your parents were going to be nine thousand miles away from you. Of course they knew that they could be killed. I doubt that they thought of being killed like they were, but they were flying, driving, or any number of things. At the time they signed the papers, the only thing that they were thinking about was you."
He pulled me to his chest again and I cried some more. We heard a tapping on the shower door and looked up to see Ma there. She was fully dressed, "Guys breakfast is on the table, I will be home after my last class. I have to pick up the boys and take them back to school. We turned off the shower and she handed us towels as we stepped out. We both kissed her goodbye and she left.
I looked up at Pa and asked, "Don't you have to go to work?"
"I took the rest of the week off. You are stuck with me." We had breakfast and didn't say much.
"Why don't we just relax today. It's a little chilly outside, so why don't we get dressed and take a walk,"
"Ok."
I went into my room and got some clothes out of the closet and my socks out of my dresser. I sat on the bed and started to put on my socks when I saw the picture of me and Donny playing in the sprinklers sitting on my nightstand. I just lost it, "I am sorry Donny for not being with you. I bet you were so scared, I am sorry. I miss you so much, it hurts so bad."
I guess Pa heard me, because before I knew it I was wrapped in his arms and crying on his shoulder. "Hey buddy, I am not sure why you are apologizing to Donny. I am willing to bet that while this horrible thing was happening to him and your parents, he was thanking god that you were here and safe. I only met him on the video calls, but from what Tyler told me yesterday in the Headmasters office, Donny loved you very much."
I pulled back and looked into Pa's eyes and smiled, "You know that Donny said that he would beat up Tyler if anything happened to me?"
Pa laughed, "Yes, Tyler told us all yesterday. He also said that he had been failing in his duties."
"I don't understand, how?"
"He said that he has not tickled you in a while. He said he made a promise to Donny to make sure you got your tickles a lot."
I smiled as I remembered Tyler letting Timmy and Tristen tickle me and telling Donny about. I could still hear his voice and remember the conversation like it was yesterday. I recited the conversation to Pa,
"Oh wait before you go. I have to tell you that I am a little mad at you. Tyler is letting Timmy and Tristen tickle torture me because he said that you told him he had to. When I told him that you meant only him, he said that until you tell him otherwise he will have to honor his word to you. You just need to write me a letter telling him that you only meant him."
"Man, I would love to, but I am so far away and if Tyler thinks this is the best way to honor our agreement who am I to interfere."
"Donny, I thought you loved me." I pouted.
"I love you more than life itself, but this sounds like it's good for you." He giggled.
"Oh, when you get back, I am going to beat you up mister." I said laughing.
"Then you better make more friends because it is going to take a bunch of you. I love you Brian, enjoy yourself please."
"I will Donny, I love you so much and miss you every day."
Pa laughed, "I can't believe you remembered that word for word."
"I remember them all, it is like having them here with me. I didn't tell anyone this, but sometimes I cried myself to sleep missing them so much."
"I can imagine. I heard about your melt down after that first call. You know, what stuck out most to me about that part of the call?"
"That Donny was ok with me being tickle tortured to death?"
"No, the part where he said, `I love you more than life itself.' Now I am sure that even through everything he went through that last day, knowing that you were safe here with us brought him a lot of comfort."
I just put my head back on his shoulder and cried for a while. When I was finally cried out Pa said, "Come on, let's get dressed and get out of here."
Pa helped me get dressed. I guess I could have done it myself, but my whole body hurt, and my energy was at zero. We walked around for a little while and ended up at the rec center. "What would you think about going for a swim?
"We didn't bring our suits?"
"So what? You know the only reason we wore suits before was because of all the Regulars that were here. That is the only time suits are ever worn in the pool."
I was not sure that I wanted to go swimming, but Pa thought it was a good idea, so I agreed. We went inside and Pa turned on the lights. It was weird being here without the crowd of people. We went into the locker room and stripped. Pa grabbed some towels from the closet, and we headed into the pool area. The slides were off and no one else was there, so it was real quiet.
Pa got on the diving board and dove in. I was still not feeling it, so I just walked down the steps and into the water. I sat on the ledge and just soaked. It actually felt good. Pa came up beside me and we just sat in silence for a while.
I thought I heard a locker close, "I guess we are not going to be alone anymore."
Pa smiled, "I guess not."
My back was to the locker room, so I didn't know someone had come out till they dove into the water. When he came to the surface I realized it was Tyler. He swam up to me, "Hey little brother, how you doing?"
Tears filled my eyes again as I threw my arms around his neck. It wasn't till that very moment that I realized how much I needed him. He was the closest thing I have to a big brother now. I just hugged him tight and cried. I am so tired of crying, but I just can't stop.
After a bit, I pulled back and ask, "What are you doing here, aren't you supposed to be in class?"
"Yes, but Mr. Walters told the Headmaster that you might need me. I promised Donny that I would be there for you till he came back. I am so sorry for your loss buddy, but just because he is gone, does not change the promise I made to him."
"You don't have to honor that promise, I know that you didn't make it thinking he would never come home."
"Let me make myself perfectly clear little boy. I am a Crossman, and my word in my bond. What that means is, that you are stuck with me for the rest of your life. Now deal with it."
I looked him in his eyes and knew he meant what he said. I grabbed him around his neck and hugged him tight. "I love you Tyler, thank you for being here for me."
"No problem that's what brothers are for. Now, how about we swim some laps?"
I was not sure I had the energy, but I fought it and swam three laps before I just could not go any further. I swam over to Pa who was sitting there watching us swim. "Boy, you are really getting good at that. Do you feel any better now that you have burned off some energy?"
"Not really, I didn't really have any energy in the first place, so now I am just plain tired."
Tyler swam up to us, "Good job Brian. I know that you didn't feel like swimming laps, but you did it anyway. I can only imagine how hard this whole thing must be on you. I am fortunate enough not to have had to go through it, but the thought of losing my family just kills me. All I can tell you is that you are not alone. I know that it may feel that way, but everyone that was in that office yesterday is going through it with you. I am not sure you realized how important your family was to Owen. When he thought he had no one left and that he was alone, your family made him a member. You may not know this, but often after your parents finished a call with you, they placed another one to Owen."
I was shocked, "Really, why?"
"Because he needed them, and they knew it. His grade in English slipped and your parents had a talk with him and told him what they expected of him. It may sound silly, since they were not his parents, but the fact that they cared about him meant the world to him. His next grade was where it should have been because he wanted your family to be proud of him. Timmy who has a family, received an email telling him how proud they were of him for making the Headmaster's list. He was not sure how they knew, but that boy is proud of that email. Last but not least, Donny and I wrote many emails to each other. I considered him my friend and now he is gone, and I am having a hard time with it."
I gave Tyler a big hug and when I let go, we both had tears in our eyes. "I didn't know any of that. Why didn't any of you tell me?"
"I don't know about the other guys, I just found out yesterday about Timmy and Owen. As for me, I felt that you would worry about what Donny and I were talking about. We did talk about you, but we also talked about the people in the village where they were. They were so proud of what they were doing, and even prouder of you and the life you found here. Donny was so thankful that you didn't go with them because you would never have been happy there. He also said weird stuff."
"Like what?"
"It didn't make any sense to me, but it made him laugh. He told me in one of the emails he sent, that you would never have been happy there, because the cockroaches that he came across didn't speak English, and they were not very friendly. Again, it made no sense to me."
I started laughing for the first time since this happened. I told Pa and Tyler about the cockroach and how when I thought I was going to have to go with them, that I would just find a cockroach to be my friend, while they brought the word of god to the peasants. That got them both laughing.
Tyler got out of the pool and started drying off, "Where are you going?"
"Sorry little bro, but I have to get back to school. I have to be in my next class, and I have to be at lunch to make sure the other three of the amazing four are doing ok."
He gave both me and Pa a nice tongue kiss, "Tyler, tell the guys that I love them and that I will see them soon."
"You got it Brian." Then he was gone.
Pa and I moved to the hot tub and just hung out there. I am not sure how long, because I fell asleep. Pa woke me up, we went into the locker room, took showers, got dressed, and headed back to the house. Pa made us chicken sandwiches for lunch and then we snuggled up on the couch and watched a move.
Ma came home about three thirty carrying a box. I jumped up and went for a hug. I am not sure why, but I needed a hug from her something awful. "I missed you today Ma. What's in the box?"
"It's for you, Brad just told me to give it to you."
"What's in it?"
"How would I know it was not mine to open."
I put the box on the coffee table and opened it. Inside were cards, letters, and kids colorings. I pulled out a card and read it out loud,
"Brian, I am very sorry to hear about your family. I know it must be hard, and I cried when I heard about it. It was not just me, a lot of us were crying. I know you don't know me my name is Kevin and I live in Decker House. I lost my dad in a plane crash two years ago when I was eight. I can tell you it gets better, and it does. The thing is that something good will happen and I want to tell my dad about it, and that is when the sadness hits me again. Sometimes it is a smell, or a movie that I know he would have liked. It is hard sometimes, but if you ever need a friend, come find me and we can help each other through it. Your friend Kevin Harris."
I looked up at Ma with tears in my eyes, "But Ma, I don't know him. Why would he write this?"
She shrugged her shoulders, "Brian, what happened to you is every child's worst fear. The Headmaster had a teachers conference in the auditorium today. He let us know that a large number of students signed up to call their parents. He told us how to help the boys through this tragedy."
"But it happened to me, not them." I said angrier than I meant to.
Pa said, "Yes it did buddy, but kids take for granted that their parents will be there always. What happened to you was a wakeup call and scared the crap out of a lot of kids."
I looked at the box full of notes from kids telling me how bad they felt. I put the cover on the box and took it to my room where I put in under my bed. I came back out and ran into Ma's arms, "Please don't be mad at me, but I just can't read all those now."
"Baby boy, I am not mad. When you are ready you will read them, that is just not today."
Saturday came and it took everything I had to get ready for the funeral of my family. I haven't cried much in the last two days; maybe I was just cried out. However, today I have not been able to stop. Once we were all dressed we walked out into the garage and got into the car. Pa asked me to sit in the middle so that he could see me in the mirror.
It wasn't till I heard the garage door open that I even knew it was closed. I don't think I have ever seen it closed before. I jumped in my seat when both back doors opened. Owen was getting in on the left and Timmy was on the right moving the seat so he could get in back. As soon and he was in, my little brother Theo jumps in and wraps me in a hug. It was not until that moment that I realized how much I missed these guys. When Theo let go of me to sit down and put on his seatbelt, Timmy gave me a hug from the back, then Owen. As sad as I was, I felt so much better with my friends, no scratch that, my family around me.
We backed out of the garage all the way to the end of the driveway. What I saw then sent me into shock. There was a line of cars all the way down the road. "What are they doing?"
"This is your new family supporting you as you say goodbye to your mom, dad, and brother."
We started driving and I turned around to see a long line of cars with their lights on following us. As we passed by the school there were even more cars in the parking lot that joined the line. "Are those Crossman too?"
"Some." Pa said, "But the rest are other students and parents joining us."
My head was spinning, and I felt sick. I leaned against Owen who wrapped and arm around me. Theo leaned into me, and Timmy reached up and put his hand on my shoulder. No one said anything and somewhere along the trip I fell asleep.
I woke up as we pulled into the church and stopped at the front door behind three big black cars. We walked up the steps that I had climbed so many times before. I never liked going in this building and today was no different. When we walked in people were coming up to me trying to talk to me. However, Owen, Timmy, Theo, Ma, and Pa were all running interference. That is when I saw them, three coffins lined up on the stage.
I walked up on stage and ran my hands over them. Inside each one was a member my family. All of a sudden, my legs gave out and I fell to the floor crying. People started heading for the stage, but the Minister asked everyone to please be seated. Pa came up, picked me up, and carried me to the first pew.
The Minister said, "Will everyone who can please be seated." Those who could did, and everyone else stood. "Thank you all for coming here today to celebrate the lives of Carl, Beth, and Donny Burke." He went on to talk and say prayers for a while, then asked if anyone would like to share. Many people went up and talked about my parents and how they impacted their lives. Then came the kids that were friends of Donny's, talked about his humor and love for god. They almost all mentioned his love for me. I just wanted to run away, or maybe crawl into the coffin with Donny and be with him forever.
I was not really listening anymore, that is until I heard Owen talking. "I am not really going to go into the details here, but I tried to kill myself about six months ago. I didn't have much of a mom, and my dad was away, so I felt alone and in pain as well as being bullied. I just wanted to die and one day when things became too much for me, I cut my wrists in the shower." The crowd all took a breath at the same time. "I met Brian because he, without knowing it, beat up the boy that was hurting me. We became friends and one day when I was sad about missing my family, Brian told me that I was now part of his. It was a nice gesture, but that is all I thought it was. One day Brian was called to the office for a video call with his family. He asked me to come with him. He told his family what he had said, and without a second thought they told me that I was now part of his family."
It looked like Owen was going to fall, and Amanda ran to him to hold him up. He was crying but was able to pull it together enough to finish, "I would have been happy if that were the end of it, but it wasn't. My grade in one of my classes dropped and Mr. Burke found out about it and called me to talk about it." He took a deep breath and continued, "He cared so much about me, that he wanted me to do better. He told me he was proud of me and that I could do anything I set my mind to. I got my grade back up and he sent an email to my dad telling him how proud he was of me. That was the last time I ever talked to him."
He took a couple of deep breaths and continued, "I know in my heart that they have been listening to what we have all said here tonight, but I have one more thing to say." He looked up into heaven I guess and said, "Donny, it was not very long that I had you as a big brother, but I loved you like you always were. What I really want to say is thank you for sharing you little brother and your best friend with me. He is now my best friend and brother, and I will love him twice as much so that he knows half of it is coming from you."
That was is, Owen fell to the floor crying. I was so focused on Owen, that I never saw Tyler make his way up on stage, pick up Owen and carry him back to his dad. A few more people talked, and then it was time to go to the cemetery. We all went outside and watched as my mom, dad, and brother were carried out and put in the big black cars. We followed right behind with a long line of cars following. Owen and Timmy rode over with their families, while Tyler and Theo rode with us. I was glad Tyler was with me, I cried into his side the whole way.
Once my family was laid to rest, we all got up and headed to our car. On the way Mrs. Hastings stopped us. She was like my mom's best friend. I didn't like her very much because she was a Sunday Christian. Every Sunday she prayed harder and sang louder than everyone else. The rest of the week she gossiped, smoked, and was just not really a nice person. "Brian, I just wanted to let you know that you will be coming to live with us."
I moved behind Pa. I was just too drained to deal with her right now. Pa asked, "Who are you?"
Looking all snotty like usual, "I am Maxine Hastings, who are you?"
"I am the guy with custody of Brian. Where do you get off pulling this here... now? What is wrong with you?"
"Well... I was Beth's best friend, and not that it is any of your business, but she told me that if anything happened that I should take care of Brian."
That is when I heard his voice. "Do you have any legal documents stating that?" Mr. Anderson asked?
"Who are you?"
"I am Brian's lawyer. Prior to leaving Brian with the school, the Burkes signed legal papers putting Brian in the schools custody. I would like to know if you have anything that says any different?"
She could not believe that she was being talked to like this. "Now wait a minute. They gave the school custody while they were away, Brian needs a family, not a building."
All of a sudden Pa started backing up as we were surrounded by my family. "Mam, as you can see, his family is standing between you and him. Now we are going to pass, and you are going to get out of his way and stay out of his way."
Everyone started pushing forward leaving her no choice but to move. I saw Mr. Anderson give her his business card as we all got into our cars and headed home.