Date: Mon, 7 May 2012 09:57:00 -0600 From: Michael king Subject: Lives Changed 2-B Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. The people do not exist except in my mind. This work is copy written and I ask that you do not copy, post or electronically download without my express permission. If you are too young to be in here or it is illegal in your state then please leave as I do not wish anything to happen to you. Lives changed. Chapter2-B "Oh I think you did, you see the students are holding a strike, not attending classes, though they still show up at school." "Tell them I don't want them to fail because of me, ask them to go back to class." "I can ask, but their leader Patrick, well I don't think will accept it." "PATRICK, you tell him I said he had to go," After learning that, Malcolm told Mr. Stillman everything, including how he felt the teacher was out to get him. The next Monday was the start of his trial and he was feeling a bit lost, his dad was in everyday to see him and Malcolm had given him the finished story he was working on. "Promise me dad you will get it sent off." "I will son, I have to go to the office, so I will send it from there, that way your mother won't know." "Thanks. Will you be there Monday?" "You bet, I told you I will stick with you through this." "Love you dad." "I love you too, now don't worry to much." "I'm trying not to, but sometimes it is hard." "I know. "I bet papa thinks I am better off here?" " No Malcolm, your papa thinks you did the right thing standing up to those boys, he is proud of you." "Thanks dad, now it's time I guess to face the judge and everyone else." "You'll do just fine." Monday morning Malcolm was taken along with eight other boys over to the court house. Malcolm was nervous to say the least, but he held his head up. Walking into the court room he saw all the students there along with his dad and papa. Not seeing his mother, hurt a bit, but he just smiled and walked to the chair beside his lawyer. Malcolm sat there listening to the crown and his lawyer speaking then it was the principle, and his English teacher then it was the end of the day. Back in his cell Malcolm wrote down everything he could remember, and made some notes on what wasn't said. He knew that the guards would try and read everything, just like they tried before, so he made it simple for them. Tuesday morning the crown called more witnesses including the three bullies. All through it he just sat and listened. There were times when he wanted to stand up and say something, but those were the time his lawyer just leaned over and told him to relax, don't let them get to you. With the last witness done for the crown it was lunch time and back in his cell all Malcolm did was sit and meditate, clearing his mind of anger. Others could see him doing this and thought he was nuts, but they said nothing as some had seen him doing his work outs and it got around not to mess with him. That afternoon after his lawyer had spoken he called his first witness and that was Patrick, Malcolm felt his heart racing a bit when he heard the name, but soon relaxed as he listened to what was asked. For three days it was student after student, and then Thursday afternoon it was Miss Maggie from Mike's place. Now Malcolm knew he was going to be found not guilty. Friday was the last day, Malcolm was so scared he had trouble eating let alone relaxing. The judge was speaking and then he was talking to Malcolm and he was answering, he talked for ten minutes before sitting down again. Then he was free he was found not guilty. That night when Malcolm got home the first thing he did was go and have a long hot shower staying in there for a good hour before his mother came and told him to get out. Dressing in clothes he knew would fit him he went and sat at the dinner table. Papa was there smiling. " Malcolm in all my years I have never seen a person with so many friends, nor have I seen so many stand up to defend the actions like they did for you. I am very proud of you and of your friends. Change may come now, but it will be long and slow." "I know papa, and I am glad my friends were there, oh you and dad of course." "Malcolm, adults make mistakes and I made a big one by turning my back on your uncle, I regret that, he was different just like you are, I will not make the same mistake again. No matter who you are or who you become, I will always love and be there for you." "Thanks papa, I love you too." Dinner time came and Malcolm could feel that his mother wasn't happy. "Mom what's bugging you?" "Nothing, now shut up and eat." "Elizabeth, that was uncalled for. He just asked a easy question." His dad yelled." "Excuse me, I can see I am not wanted here, I'll just go to my room." Malcolm spoke up. When everyone thought Malcolm couldn't hear them they started again. "I don't need a criminal sitting at my table, in fact I won't have it, from now on he eats in his bedroom, he comes home and that is where he will stay." Elizabeth spoke. "No he won't he is part of this family, he will eat at this table just like he has for the past fourteen years, he will be able to run around this house free, this isn't a jail and if you keep that attitude I am afraid you will loose out." Dad spoke a slow anger building in him. "No Richard he won't this is my house and what I say goes. He will do as I tell him or he can leave." "Elizabeth, one thing you better know right now this house isn't yours, it isn't mine or Grandfathers either, it is Malcolm's, left to him by his uncle Michael. I am just the trusty of it till he turns eighteen same with all the money that you so love. Just think for a minute what Malcolm could do to us if he decided to fire me. Where would we live?" "That isn't true Richard, why would that queer pervert leave everything to Malcolm." "Because, Malcolm was the only person that really cared, the only one in this family that never turned his back on him. You think about that." Malcolm had heard enough, so with his parents still in the kitchen, he quietly stole into his fathers den and found his uncles will, quickly reading it he gasped. Then folding it back up he stuck it under his shirt and went upstairs to his room, where he scanned and photocopied it. Malcolm was mad at his parents, more so his mother. She had always treated him like he was nothing, but lately it had gotten worse. The next morning he had slipped it back into the office and gone into the kitchen when his mother came in. "Go to your room I will bring you your breakfast." His mother snapped. " No mother, in fact I will be eating here always. Morning dad, you have a good night?" Malcolm calmly replied. "Morning Malcolm and yes I did. Now what's for breakfast?" His dad asked as he walked into the kitchen. "Looks like burnt toast and greasy eggs." Malcolm laughed. His dad noticed the smoke coming from the toaster. "Are you trying to burn the house down dear?" He asked his wife. "Its okay dad I'll just head over to Mike's place and have breakfast, besides I have to say thanks to some one." Malcolm spoke up as he head back towards his bedroom. "Okay. Why don't I join you?" his dad asked. "Kewl, I'll go get my shoes and jacket, oh I gotta call to make also." "Okay how does fifteen minutes sound?" "Yeah, be right back." Up in his room he picked up his phone and called Patrick's place. "Good morning Mrs. Jacobs is Patrick there?" Malcolm asked when the phone was answered. "Yes, may I tell him who is calling?" Asked Mrs. Jacobs "Yes its Malcolm." Malcolm replied. "Just a moment and young man it is good to hear your voice again." "Thanks ma'am" "Hey dude, glad your out I bet?" Patrick laughed as he took the phone. "Yeah, listen my dad and I are going to Mike's want to join us?" Malcolm answered. "Sure meet you there in forty five minutes." "Okay and Patrick thanks to sticking with me." "No prob dude you would have done it for me." "Yeah I guess I would have. See you soon." Malcolm, his dad and Patrick soon join each other at Mike's. Malcolm had his table still and Maggie was there to greet him with a big hug. "Welcome home Malcolm. Come on your table is ready." Maggie smiled as she led the group to Malcolm's table. "You have your own table here son." His dad asked. "Yup ever since I first came here I always sat in the same spot, soon Maggie made sure that it was always there for me, even Mike says it's mine." Malcolm giggled. "Well looks like a lot of people have you wrong son, you are out of this world." "No dad, I just make friends easy." Looking out the window Malcolm was just about to say something when a small shadow caught his eye. Staring harder he saw that it was a small kid rummaging through the garbage. "Maggie, can you get another chair please?" "Sure Malcolm, but why?" "You'll see." Getting up he rushed out the door and across the street. Slowing down Malcolm entered the alley where he had seen the small shadow. Carefully Malcolm walked over to one of the dumpsters and there he saw a young boy trying to climb up. In a quiet voice Malcolm called out. "Hey dude, are you hungry?" Startled the boy leaned closer to the dumpster, his eyes darting around looking for a way to run. "Who are you and whatcha doing here?" The boy asked. "Well me, my dad and a friend are over at Mike's there having breakfast and I kinda saw you sneak in here. So I thought that maybe I could come and help you, maybe buy you something to eat." "Why?" "Cause I think it is the right thing to do, maybe you can tell me why you were trying to get into the dumpster." "You ain't gonna hurt me are you?" "Nope, beside you could probably kick my butt." Malcolm laughed. "Now what do you say to some hot waffles or pancakes?" "Sound yummy, but.." "But what?" Malcolm asked. "Umm nothing, I guess I can go with you. "Great come on I bet every one is wondering what I am doing." Just after Malcolm took off, his dad looked at Patrick and frowning and staring out the window watching his son. "Patrick what is he up to?" Richard asked. "I don't know, he must have seen something." "Well I'll be, that boy never stops amazing me." Maggie cried as she saw Malcolm coming back with a small boy. "Where did he find him?" Patrick asked. Walking back in Malcolm took the little boy to the washroom. "Well turkey, lets get your hands and face washed, then get you something to eat, how does that sound?" "Uh huh." Smiling Malcolm washed the boys face and hands quickly drying then he took a comb and ran it through his little friend's hair. "There you look better already." Malcolm said "Thanks mister." The boy said with a small smile on his face. "Come on lets eat I'm hungry, and my name is Malcolm." "Me too, I'm Zeke. Walking back out with Zeke beside him, Malcolm led the way back to his table. "Here turkey, have a seat." "Okay." "Dad, Patrick this is Zeke. And Zeke this is my dad and my best friend Patrick." Malcolm said as he sat beside Zeke. "Hi." Patrick said with a grin on his face. "Maggie can we have some juice and waffles for this turkey?" Malcolm asked. "Sure thing, and turkey how many do you want?" Maggie asked as she set a glass of milk down in front of Zeke. "Two please." Zeke whispered. "Okay two coming up, and what about you two boys, your usual's?" Maggie asked looking at Patrick. "Yes ma'am." Malcolm laughed. "And you sir?" "Oh just coffee and toast please." Richard spoke. "Right away. Malcolm knew his dad was dying to ask a lot of questions, so was Patrick, but he just shook my head and they sat back. For Zeke those two waffles turned to four before he said he was full. Patrick could see something was wrong with Zeke, the way he was scrunched up into the corner of the seat, bothered Patrick and so he excused himself, and asking Zeke if he needed to use the washroom waited for him to stand. With them gone Malcolm looked at his dad and shyly smiled. "What is it dad?" Malcolm asked. " It's you son, your amazing, here we come to have breakfast with your friend and out of nowhere you bring in another that looks like he climbed from a dirt pile. And you don't even let it bother you." Malcolm's dad spoke with sadness. "Does it bother you?" "Not really, I mean you did the right thing, but it bothers me that some one his age doesn't have a good home. Some place to wash and be warm." "Well dad, that is up to him, but I know that if he says yes, mom is going to freak big time." "What do you mean?" "I mean that I am going to ask him if he wants to go home with us, that is after we do some shopping for him." "Malcolm, do you know what your saying?" "Yes, sure I just spent three weeks in juvenile hall for doing something right, what is going to happen now, and I going to jail for trying to help some kid that lives on the street. If that is the case then I would rather be dead." "I'm not saying your wrong son; I am just wondering if you have thought this through, I mean you just met the boy." "Dad his name is Zeke, not boy, and yes I have thought this through and I know I am right and so do you." "Yes I know your right. I just had to ask." "I know, now are you going to help or stand back and do nothing?" "I don't know what I can do to help." "First help me get him some clothes, then maybe a doctor's visit to make sure he is healthy, after that we can take it one day at a time. Maybe social services can help find his parents." "Okay on Monday I will call Mr. Stillman and get him working on it, but we will need his last name and date of birth." "Okay, over the rest of the weekend I can try to get it, but that is only if he says yes to coming home with us." "True son, true. And you really are one in a million." "Yup, now here they come." Instead of climbing back into his own seat Zeke slip in beside Malcolm and curled up to his arm. "You okay turkey?" Malcolm asked. "Yup, my belly is full." Zeke said a brighter smile on his face than Malcolm had seen earlier. "So your a stuffed turkey now are you?" Patrick asked with a laugh. "Uh huh, and thanks sir for the meal." Zeke said. " Don't thank me young man, thank my son there." Malcolm's dad said "Thank you Malcolm, it was yummy." "Well your welcome. Now can how would you like to come home and live with me and my dad?" "Uh huh and well I would like to, but..." "But what turkey?" Malcolm asked, "Nothing I guess it would be best if I didn't come live with you right now." "Okay, I won't push, but can I ask why?" "I can't tell you." "Okay, but how about this, why don't you and I meet here every morning and you can have breakfast with me." "I don't know, maybe I can do that." "Okay, you think about that, but your going to have to excuse me and let me use the washroom." "Okay, you will be back right?" "Yes give me a couple minutes." "Okies." Having gone to the bathroom, Malcolm was heading back to the others when he stopped at the kitchen. Seeing Maggie he waved her over. "Can you do up a couple sandwiches for Zeke. I think he is going to need them. Also if he comes back in maybe you could feed him and then I will pay the bill tomorrow." "Malcolm Daniels I am going to send you for x rays I want to see if I am right, in the fact you have a heart of gold. But yes I will do up some sandwiches for him and don't worry he will be well fed any time he comes in." "Thanks." "Now get back out there before he thinks you ran off." "I'm gone." Back at the table Malcolm could see a bit of a smile in Zeke's eyes it just didn't reach his lips. "Scoot over turkey, or do I have to stand." "Umm Stand." Patrick laughed. "Just remember I still have your home work to do for a week dude." "Don't worry there won't be any for a while." "Why?" "Oh well none of the kids are in school, and yesterday after the judge found you not guilty we all met back at the school and when the principle told us to go back to class, when we asked if that meant you were allowed back in." "And?" Malcolm interrupted. "He said no, so I told him that we wouldn't be going back in then. Well he expelled me." "Damn Patrick, you know I don't want you all in trouble." "Thing is the whole school walked out also. They all seem to think that what I am doing is right and well they kinda made me the leader of this." "Well, you tell them all thanks, but you have to stop this and go back to classes." "It's no longer just about getting you back in school, we all talked about it yesterday after noon and well we want the principal and the English teacher to resign." "And you think they will?" "Yes but it would be good if you joined us, the school board would see we are serious then." "They see it now; if I was to join you they would just think I want revenge." "Patrick he's right, he has to stay out of this." Richard said "I don't understand, but there has to be a way he could help?" "There is buddy." Looking down he saw that Zeke had fallen asleep on his shoulder. "If you want the school board to change, to make those two to resign, you need exposure." " That cost money, something we don't have. I mean most of us don't," "What about the other schools? Has any one gone to them and talked to students there?" "No, we just figured to deal with our school." "My sensei always said; when dealing with bullies and wrongs, one must use the weapons that is at hand. In this case it is your voice; it is the newspapers and televisions. So on Monday, I would suggest you go to all the schools and talk to the kids. Maybe talk to some of the teachers also." "Malcolm, do you know how many schools there are in this district alone?" "Yeah, there are a lot. But if you and your group do that I can work in the back ground and get you coverage." "Okay, I will talk to the gang, maybe some of there brothers or sisters have been picked on or bullied, or they know some one who has." "See your already thinking, now lets get going before we become glued to these seat." " Looks like you already are dude." "Yeah, hate to wake him up." "I am awake." Zeke whispered. "Okay turkey then we have to get going, but like I said I will meet you here for breakfast again." Malcolm said. "Okies. How about tomorrow?" Zeke smiled. " I can do that." Malcolm laughed. "Good I'll see you then and thanks again Malcolm." "No problem turkey, oh Maggie has a bag for you." "Okay." Watching him walk away, Malcolm felt bad, he knew the kid lived on the streets, but there was nothing he could do to help if Zeke didn't want it. The more he thought about it though the more he came to realize Zeke wasn't alone, he was scared for some one else. "Dad I will be home later, I got to do something." "Your going to follow Zeke?" His dad asked. " Yes and no." "Okay, will you be home for dinner?" "Yeah, I'll look after the bill dad." "No this is mine today, I don't get much time with you and this was special today." "Thanks see you later then, you want to come Patrick." "Sure, but really; where are we going?" " To find Zeke and his family, I figure they can't be to far away." Both Malcolm and Patrick spent the rest of the day looking for Zeke, but never found him. By four Patrick had gone home and Malcolm was back in his bedroom far away from his mother. At dinner Richard smiled at his son. "Did you find him Malcolm?" "No, but I'm not giving up, I was thinking of maybe taking some of my old clothes for him tomorrow, you know the ones that don't fit me anymore." "What are you talking about?" His mother asked. "I was just thinking of helping a street kid, his clothes are ragged." "I won't even think of you doing that; how can you lower yourself like that." "Mother, I guess then you had better pack your bags and move out, because that is what is going to happen." "I will not be moving out of my home." "If I heard right the other night, it isn't yours, so you will move out, by tomorrow night." "I will do no such thing." "Elizabeth, I warned you the other night to cut him some slack, now he has told you to leave and he has the right to." Richard spoke anger and shock in his voice as he gazed at Malcolm. "Your sticking up for him?" "Of course." Lots more to come in all my stories. Please be patients Email me if you wish me to continue. Thewriter1@live.ca