Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:32:53 -0400
From: ronyx@woh.rr.com
Subject: Seth on the Road to Chaos   Chapter 18

The following is a work of fiction. Any similarities to anyone are purely
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Seth on the Road to Chaos    Chapter 18



I grew embarrassed as Mrs. Reinhart stared at us. I felt like a book she
was reading. Uncle Steve rose from his chair and announced that he was
going into the family room to watch television. He probably thought that
we might talk without so many people in the room. In a way, I hoped that
Aunt Marie would leave too. I wasn't sure I wanted her to hear the
details of what had happened.

Mrs. Reinhart cleared her throat and looked over at Aunt Marie. "Is it
true," she asked, "What Marie informed me?"

I glanced over at Blake and Craig. "What did she tell you?"

"Okay," she sighed, "This isn't going to be easy, but if I am to help
you, I must know everything that happened." She stared at us intently,
and then she asked, "The first thing I must know is are all of you
gay?" She looked over at my aunt. "Marie said that whatever happened
involves your sexuality."

I glanced over at Blake and Craig for their reaction. Blake sat erect and
said, "I am."

I looked at Aunt Marie and she nodded slightly. "I am, too," I said as
my face reddened.

"Craig?" asked Mrs. Reinhart. I looked over, and he had his head down.
Blake took his hand and squeezed it. Mrs. Reinhart noticed, but she
didn't say anything.

Finally, Craig raised his head and stated, "I guess I am, too."

"You guess?" she asked. "Don't you know?"

Blake whispered to Craig, "Tell her. She's here to help us."

"I'm gay," he muttered softly.

"Good," she smiled. She looked over at my aunt and then said, "Marie
informed me a little about what happened, but I would like for you to
tell me. All she said was that you were at a party, and something
happened that involved Seth, Craig and your sister." She gave me a
puzzled look. "The police were called, and people were arrested. Beyond
that, I don't know much more. I would like to know why Marie thinks that
I should be involved."

Aunt Marie looked at me and asked, "Would you like me to leave?"

I shook my head. "No," I replied as my face reddened. "You'll
probably find out anyway." She smiled and nodded.

"Okay," said Mrs. Reinhart. "Start from the beginning. What happened
last night?"

I looked over at Craig, and he nodded his head. She glanced down when
Blake gripped both our hands and held them. Emotionally, I explained what
happened. I was embarrassed and humiliated when I explained about the
events leading up to the chaos. I quickly looked at Aunt Marie to see her
reaction when I explained how Blake playfully began sucking me in the
bathroom, and then Craig barged in and forced him to leave. Craig broke
down and started crying when I told her how he had gotten on his knees
and was sucking me when Stacy rushed into the room. I told her I didn't
know what had happened after that because Craig and I rushed from the
house.

When I finished, Mrs. Reinhart just sat and stared at us. I grew
increasingly uncomfortable as she studied us. Finally, she asked, "Where
did you and Craig go after you left the house?"

"We went to an old warehouse that Blake goes to when he gets upset." I
glanced over at Blake as tears welled up in his eyes.

"I see," she said. "And what did you do there?"

I looked at Craig, but he still had his head down. "We talked about what
we should do next," I replied.

"And what did you want do?"

Craig raised his head and stated angrily, "We wanted to die!" He
started crying. Blake put his arm around him and pulled him into his
chest while they both wept.

"Blake," she said softly. He raised his head and looked over at her.
"Is that what you want to do too when you go there?"

"Sometimes," he cried. "Everybody hates me. Sometimes I just wish I
was dead."

Mrs. Reinhart rose and asked Marie if she could make coffee. My aunt got
up from her chair and they went into the kitchen. Before leaving, she
turned and said, "Let's take a break. I'll have Marie bring you boys
some sodas and something to snack on. Pull yourselves together."

"I wish I was dead," cried Craig. "Do you know how horrible this
sounds when we try to explain it? There is no way we're going to get out
of this mess."

I cried, "We have to find a way. Let's give Mrs. Reinhart a chance to
help."

"What can she do?" asked Blake sarcastically. "Is she going to come
back in here and wave a magic wand and make the last few weeks go away?"

We turned our heads toward the door when Mrs. Reinhart laughed. She was
carrying a tray with three sodas and bags of potato chips and Doritos.
"No, I don't have a magic wand," she smiled. "But I do have
connections. I have friends who may be able to help you."

I asked, "Who?"

"While you were telling me what happened," she explained, "I was
messaging a couple of people."

"Who?"

She sat down in her chair. "One of my husband's best friends is a
police officer. I asked him to come by."

"Why?"

"Well, it appears that you may be runaways. He'll know if there is a
report filed. If there is, he can report that you are safe. The other
person I contacted is the director of a gay center in town. He'll be
better at handling these things than I can. Both should be here
shortly."

Craig asked, "Will we be arrested." Mrs. Reinhart said that she doubted
that we would be. We really hadn't done anything that would warrant an
arrest.

Aunt Marie entered with two cups of coffee. Craig, Blake and I nibbled on
the snacks. Mrs. Reinhart sat back and looked over at Blake. "Blake,"
she said. "I'm concerned about your statement about everyone hating
you, and you wish you were dead. Why did you say that?"

I reached over and gripped his hand when he started to tremble. Soon,
tears filled his eyes. He cried as he told of his tragic life. Tears
filled Craig's eyes as Blake told how his parents had abandoned him when
they found out he was gay. Even though he had told me about his life
earlier, I was surprised by the way he was treated, particularly his
mother. She was devoutly religious, and when he told her he was gay when
he was twelve, she refused to accept it. For a year, she sent him to a
pastor who did conversion therapy. He finally gave up and told his
parents Blake was a hopeless case. A few times, Blake was overcome with
grief, and fell against Craig as he held him tightly.

"I wanted to die," he cried. "I just couldn't find a way to do it."
After a few minutes he continued his sad story. He told Mrs. Reinhart how
his parents had sent him to stay with Amber's family. He said it was his
last chance to prove that he wasn't a hopeless case.

"Last night, my uncle told me I had to leave when they picked us up at
the party," he sobbed. "They're going to put me in a school for bad
boys." Blake was crying uncontrollably. "If they do, I'm going to kill
myself." I looked over and my aunt and Mrs. Reinhart were crying.

Aunt Marie held out her arms toward Blake. "Come here, Baby," she said
softly. I put my hand on Blake's back and gently pushed him up. He
hesitated before he walked over to my aunt. She reached out, and he fell
to the ground and buried his head in her lap. We were all crying as she
gently rubbed her hand over his back and through his hair.

"It's okay," she said soothingly. "You're going to be okay."

"No, I won't," he cried. "I get somewhere, and I find new friends,
and now I have to leave." He looked at me and Craig and sobbed. Aunt
Marie rose, took his hand and led him from the room.

I looked at Craig and his face was stained with tears. "I had no idea,"
he remarked sadly. "I feel like shit for the way I treated him."

"It's not your fault," I replied. "No one knew what he was going
through."

Just then, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," said Mrs. Reinhart as she
jumped from her chair and headed into the living room. I could hear her
talking to someone, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. A
minute later, she entered with a tall man who looked to be about fifty.
He was wearing a sweatsuit. It appeared he may have just returned from
running.

Mrs. Reinhart approached and introduced him. Craig and I stood and faced
him. "This is Walter Ellis." He smiled as he shook our hands. "This is
Seth and his friend, Craig. The other boy left the room for a minute. He
should be returning shortly."

As if on cue, Aunt Marie entered holding Blake's hand. He seemed much
calmer than he was when he left. I don't know what my aunt said to him,
but he even had a slight smile on his face. He sat beside me and gripped
my hand.

She introduced the man to my aunt. "This is Walter Ellis. He's a dear
friend of mine. He's the director of the gay center downtown. If anyone
knows what to do, Walter will." Uncle Steve entered with two dining room
chairs. He offered one to Mr. Ellis, and he sat in the other.

Mr. Ellis looked at Mrs. Reinhart and asked, "Now, please tell me why
I'm here." He looked at Blake, Craig and me on the couch. "I assume it
has something to do with these young men."

Mrs. Reinhart began to tell our story, but the doorbell rang. Uncle Steve
got up and answered the door. A minute later, he came into the room with
another chair. A police officer followed behind him. He quickly glanced
at the three of us, then he introduced himself to the adults. "I'm
Sergeant Daniel Williamson," he said as he shook their hands. He looked
down at us and asked, "I'm assuming these are the boys."

"Yes, Daniel," replied Mrs. Reinhart. She pointed at us as she called
out our names. "This is Seth, Craig and Blake."

Sergeant Williamson stared down at us. He was a large man, but he had a
pleasant face. I looked at the handcuffs attached to his gun belt, and I
wondered if he was going to arrest us. "I don't have to tell you boys
how much of a problem you have created." I began to tremble. Blake
reached down and gripped my hand. "However, you're safe, and that is
all that matters right now."

My voice squeaked as I asked, "Are we in trouble?"

He smiled and replied, "Not with me. However, you might be when you get
home. I've talked to your parents to let them know you're safe."

I giggled when Craig muttered softly, "Fuck."

Sergeant Williamson laughed and said, "Maybe it won't be as bad as you
think. They all seemed very happy that you are okay."

"Yeah, right," sadly muttered Craig.

Sergeant Williamson pulled a little notebook from his pocket. He looked
down and asked, "Which of you boys is Seth?"

"I am," I replied nervously.

"Well," he said, "you might want to avoid your sister for a while. She
put up quite a fight with my officers last night."

Blake giggled when I muttered softly, "Fuck."

Officer Williamson closed his book and said, "I'm through here. I
wanted to make sure that these boys are safe so I can close this case."
He looked over at Mrs. Reinhart. "Carol, I'm assuming you'll see that
these boys return safely to their homes."

"Of course, Daniel," she replied as she took his arm and led him from
the room. After seeing him out, she returned to the family room. "Now,
where were we?" she asked.

For the next thirty minutes, we had to relive the trauma of the past few
weeks as we retold our story to Mr. Ellis. However, this time we were
able to do it without breaking down emotionally. Occasionally, we cried,
but we didn't lose control like we had earlier.

When we finished, he studied us a moment, and then he asked, "How do you
boys want to handle this?"

"Handle what?" asked Craig.

He sighed and replied, "You do know that you have to return home." He
looked over at Mrs. Reinhart. "Do you prefer to go home alone and
confront your parents, or would you like me and Carol to go with you? We
can also do it in my office downtown if you wish."

Craig looked at me and asked, "What do you want to do?"

I smiled and replied, "Run away."

"Me, too," said Craig.

"That won't solve your problems," remarked Mr. Ellis. "Someday
you'll have to face them."

Craig replied sadly, "I know." He thought for a minute, and then he
said, "Can you go with me, Mr. Ellis? I don't know what to say."

Mr. Ellis replied with a smile, "Of course, Craig." He looked at me and
asked, "What about you, Seth?" I told him I would also like him to go
with me while I met my mother. I wished that Sergeant Williamson had
stayed. I would probably need him to protect me when Stacy sees me.

"What about me?" asked Blake. "Where am I going tonight?"

Aunt Marie rose and asked to speak with Mr. Ellis in the kitchen.  He
nodded his head and followed my aunt from the room. Mrs. Reinhart and
Uncle Steve got up and left also.

Craig looked worriedly over at me. "What do you think, Guys? Can we
trust them?"

"We don't have any other options," I replied.

Tears welled up in Blake's eyes. "I don't know what is going to happen
to me." He started to cry. "I may never see you guys again after
today." Craig pulled him into a tight embrace as he wept.

Mr. Ellis entered the room alone. He pulled up a chair and faced Blake.
"I have something I want to discuss with you." He looked at Craig and
me. "Do you want them to leave?"

"No," insisted Blake as he reached out and gripped our hands. "They
are my friends. The can stay."

"Very well," he replied, and he continued, "I've spoken to Marie and
Steve." He looked at me and smiled. "First, I'm going to talk to your
aunt. If she insists that you leave, then Marie and Steve have agreed to
open their home to you."

"You mean I can stay here?" cried Blake. "Really?"

"Really," replied Aunt Marie and Uncle Steve as they entered the room.
Aunt Marie stretched out her arms and Blake rose and rushed over to her.
She held him tightly as he cried.

She looked down at me. "Your cousin, Charles, is away at college. Blake
can have his room." It was now my turn to cry. I rose and hugged her and
Uncle Steve.

Mr. Ellis smiled and said, "I'll stop by tomorrow after talking to
Blake's aunt and parents. If they agree, I'll have them sign papers
allowing you to take guardianship over Blake. I don't see any problems
going forward if they consent." He smiled at Blake and asked, "How does
that sound?" Blake responded by tightly hugging my aunt as tears fell
down her cheeks.

Mr. Ellis sighed and asked as he looked at Craig and me. "Who wants to
go first?"

Craig looked pleadingly at me. "Can I go first? I might as well get this
over with."

"Yeah, sure," I replied.

Mr. Ellis put his hand on Craig's back. "Sometimes these things aren't
as bad as they seem."

As they headed for the door, Craig replied sadly, "You don't know my
parents." Before leaving, he turned and gave me and Blake a tight
embrace. We were all tearful when he pulled away. I wasn't sure if it
would be the last time I see him.

After they left, Mrs. Reinhart asked me if there was anything more that
she could do. I hugged her and thanked her for everything that she had
already done. She assured me that I could call and talk to her anytime I
wanted. She ruffled Blake's hair. He giggled and stepped back. "We'll
be seeing a lot of each other. I'm going to talk to Marie about setting
up counseling sessions. What do you think about that?" Blake didn't say
anything as he leaned in and hugged Mrs. Reinhart. She ruffled his hair
again before leaving. I could hear her and Aunt Marie talking in the
kitchen. I guess they were talking about what days would be best for her
to bring Blake to see her.

Blake and I sat on the couch. "Are you scared?" he asked worriedly.
"Are you going home with Mr. Ellis when he gets back from talking to
Craig's parents?"

I rose from the couch and headed into the kitchen. My aunt was scurrying
around the room preparing dinner. I looked at the clock. It was after
seven. I didn't realize so much time had passed. "Aunt Marie?" She
turned and smiled. "Can you call Mom and ask her if I can stay here
tonight?"

She looked worriedly at me. "Don't you think you should go home? Your
mother is worried about you."

"But I'm okay," I replied. "Besides, I'll be able to handle it
better tomorrow. I've been through so much today."

"I'll call and see what she says," she said. "But, if she wants you
to come home, you'll have to. Now, you boys go to Charles's bedroom and
wait for dinner." I grabbed Blake's hand and walked down the hall.

I was surprised to see Uncle Steve in the room. He was standing before a
shelf and staring at some cross-country medals Charles had won in high
school. He turned when we entered. He pointed at the bed and told us to
sit. He then got Charles' computer chair and sat in front of us.

"We need to talk," he began. He stared intently at Blake. "Marie and I
are taking a big risk by welcoming you into our home." I looked at Blake
and saw tears forming in his eyes. Uncle Steve looked at me and said,
"However, you are Seth's friend, and we trust his judgement." Tears
formed in my eyes.

"From what I heard, Blake, you have been through a lot," he continued.
"Marie and I don't want to add to your burdens." Blake began to cry.
Uncle Steve reached over and patted his knee. "We're going to provide
you with a safe place to stay until you graduate from high school. We
don't want to make a lot of demands on you. The only thing we ask is
that you attend school every day and maintain good grades. Can you do
that?"

Blake looked teary-eyed into Uncle Steve's face and said, "Yes, Sir."

Uncle Steve smiled and said, "You don't have to call me Sir." He
looked at me. "Just call my wife and I what Seth does. Please call us
Aunt Marie and Uncle Steve. Okay?"

Blake responded timidly, "Yes, Sir. Oops, I mean yes, Uncle Steve."

Uncle Steve patted him on his knee and said, "Very good. One other
thing."

"Yes, Uncle Steve?" replied Blake.

"I heard you say that you like to run away when you can't cope with
your problems."

"I'm sorry, Uncle Steve."

"No, it's okay," responded my uncle. "I do want you to make me one
promise."

"What?"

My uncle replied, "I want you to promise me that if you feel that you
can't deal with something, and you feel the urge to leave, that you will
come to me or Aunt Marie and tell us what is bothering you. Do you think
you can do that?"

I watched as Blake became emotional and began to cry. I felt that it was
the first time that any adult had shown him any compassion. Uncle Steve
rose from his chair and pulled Blake into a tight embrace. Blake buried
his head in Uncle Steve's chest and wept. I stood and put my arm around
Blake's waist.

"Can you promise me that, Blake?" Uncle Steve asked softly. Blake
nodded his head into his chest.

"Very good," he replied. He looked over at me. "The same goes for you,
too, Seth. You come to me if anything is bothering you. Promise?"

"Yes, Uncle Steve," I replied as I reached over and hugged him.

He pulled away and smiled at us. "I'm going downstairs now. I'll leave
you two alone for a while. Why don't you lie down and get some rest
before dinner."

"Yes, Uncle Steve," I replied with a smile.

He started to turn but stopped and looked at us. "One other thing,
Boys."

"What?" I asked.

He smiled slightly and replied, "I want you boys to be discreet around
your Aunt Marie. I've watched you, and you're very close. You care
about each other. Just don't do anything that will embarrass her."

"We won't," I promised.

"Good," he smiled. He headed for the door. Before leaving, he turned
and said, "And lock the door when I leave." He laughed and said, "I
had to put a latch on it so Marie wouldn't walk in on Charles and catch
him doing something she wouldn't want to see."

"Uncle Steve!" I squealed. He laughed and closed the door. I walked
over and locked it.

**********

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