Hairy Ever After

This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's Living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely Coincidental.

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Mark Stevens

Dear Readers,

Cole is such a flirt, a tease, and yet, he seems to be really kind hearted. Because his character is always entertaining to be around, I wanted to get to know him a little better. As a result, the next few chapters will tell us what Cole's life was like before moving into the Community. I hope you enjoy the interlude. As always, I love hearing back from you guys.

Chapter One Hundred Twenty

Darkness surrounded Cole, covering him like a thick, heavy blanket. He tried to walk through the darkness, but his feet wouldn't move. Suddenly from very far away he heard voices. They seemed to get a little closer, and some of the darkness began to fade away.

"Can you tell me your name?"

My name? Who was wanting to know my name? He tried to tell them.

"Can you hear me?"

Cole felt something against his arm. He tried to speak, but only a mess of jumbled words came out of his mouth. In his mind, he could hear himself saying, "Yes, I can hear you. My name's Cole."

Cole was unaware of the team working on him.

A policeman had been making his rounds down the alley way when he discovered Cole lying on the ground and called 911. One of the emergency responders asked the officer, "Do you have any idea what happened?"

The officer shook his head and explained how he had discovered the boy.

"Looks like he's been attacked by someone," another responder remarked.

They placed Cole on a gurney and soon had him inside the emergency vehicle. After working with him for several minutes, someone called out, "Let's get moving!"

When the vehicle took off, Cole felt the motion, but he didn't know what was causing it. He tried to speak, but the heavy blanket of darkness had returned and remained during the ten minute trip to the hospital. His condition stayed the same as he lay in one of the emergency rooms with a team of people working with him.

When his eyes suddenly opened, he didn't know where he was. His vision was blurred as he tried to take in the surroundings around him. "Where am I?" He was surprised how difficult it was for him to speak.

"Welcome back," a man dressed in a blue scrub suit greeted with a smile.

Cole looked around the room. Seeing two other people, standing around him, dressed in blue as well, he asked, "Am I in the hospital?"

An older man stepped up to him and introduced himself. "I'm Doctor Bailey, and yes, you are in the hospital emergency room."

Like a river running out of control, Cole's memories came flooding back to him. The pain wracking his body helped him to remember, and he suddenly turned his head away.

"Julie, would you step out and give us a moment?"

The young man who had greeted Cole first followed the girl toward the curtain, and the doctor said, "No, Randy, I'd like for you to stay."

Randy stood beside the doctor and waited for instruction.

Doctor Bailey smiled and asked, "Do you remember what happened to you, son?"

Cole closed his eyes for a moment, willing the evening's memories to go away, but no matter how hard he tried, they refused to leave. He had been raped and his painful body was a constant reminder of the fact. He remained silent, not answering the doctor's question.

"How about we start with introductions," the doctor asked. "I've already told you that my name's Doctor Bailey. This is Randy," he said turning to the young man standing beside him. "He's a nurse."

When Cole remained silent, the doctor said, "We would like to know your name, too."

A full moment passed before Cole told the doctor his name. When he did, the doctor said, "Hello, Cole. Do you have a last name?"

Cole shook his head. "Just Cole," he said and turned his head away.

Doctor Bailey wondered if his patient would talk with the nurse. After all, Randy was closer to the boy's age. "l think I'll step out and give you two a moment." He smiled at Randy and walked out of the room.

Randy called Cole by name and said, "Please look at me."

Cole sighed and turned his head back around, and the slight movement caused his body more pain. It reregistered on his face.

"Is the pain med we gave not helping you?"

Cole shook his head. "I hurt all over."

"Be right back."

Randy left the room and walked up to Doctor Bailey. "His pain med is not helping. Is there something else we can give him?"

The doctor looked at Cole's paperwork and said, "Yeah, he can have something. Hang on a sec."

Randy returned to Cole's room carrying a small cup containing two pills in one hand and a paper cup filled with water in the other. "These should help," he said handing Cole the medicine and water.

Cole swallowed the pills and handed the cup back. "Thanks," he said.

Randy sat down on a stool and rolled over next to Cole's bed. "I realize that you know you've been raped. I'm not going to make you say it."

Cole tried to sit up and pull his legs to him. When he did, a wave of pain rolled through his body, and for a moment he thought he might pass out. He took a deep breath and straightened his body out.

"Do you know who did this, Cole?"

"No," Cole said shaking his head. "Well, not really. He told me to call him Bill, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't his real name."

"Did you meet up with this guy?"

Cole's face turned red. He didn't answer the nurse's question.

Randy leaned forward and said, "Whether the meeting was agreed on by the both of you or not, the guy had no right to treat you this way.

"We didn't. I didn't."

"Didn't what?" Randy asked when Cole didn't continue.

"I was at the mall, and when I left, I decided to walk down town. He appeared out of nowhere and began walking beside me."

"I see. Did he say anything that made you suspicious?"

"Not really," Cole answered. "He asked why I was out walking on such a cold night. I told him I just wanted to walk."

Randy's eyes were full of kindness when he asked, "Walking wasn't all that was on his mind, was it?"

"No."

"Cole, you've had an awful experience, and we need to let someone know you're here. Who can we call? What about your parents?"

"My mom's dead."

"What about your father?"

"No!" The word came out of Cole in a growl. "Do not call that son of a bitch!"

Randy could see that the conversation was upsetting his patient. He waited a moment or two and then asked, "How old are you, Cole?"

"Seventeen."

Randy thought about the words he wanted to say. Finally, "Okay, Cole, I'm going to be honest with you. A policeman is outside waiting to talk with you. He's going to need some answers. If you don't give them, DHS will be brought into this. I'm pretty sure you don't want that to happen, right?"

"Are you talking about Social Services? Why would they get involved?"

"Cole, a crime has been committed. The police will want to know what happened. Your silence would give them no other choice but to get hold of Family Services."

"A crime?" The medicine was beginning to kick in, and Cole couldn't think clearly. "A crime?" he repeated.

"They will want to try and find the person that did this to you."

"My dad found out I was gay and kicked me out of the house." The pain medicine kicked all the way in, and those were the last words Cole would say for the rest of the night..

Randy uttered, "Fuck," and stood to his feet and left the room.

He waited for Doctor Bailey to come back to the counter, and when he did, Randy said, "We need to talk."

"Okay." The doctor waited for Randy to go on.

"Away from here." He led the doctor back into Cole's room. "He's out for the count."

He told the doctor what he had learned, including the fact that Cole still refused to give his last name.

"God, do you think it was his father who raped him?"

Randy shook head. "I don't think so. He described his attacker. Would the man rape his son before kicking him out of the house?"

"I've known cases where that was exactly what happened."

"Still, I don't think so. In the meantime, what do we tell that police officer?"

"Bring him in here," the doctor said.

When Randy brought the officer in, the doctor introduced himself. "Chris Bailey," he said extending his hand.

"Officer Casey," the officer said returning the handshake. "What can you tell me?"

"Not much yet," the doctor answered.

Chris Bailey explained the nature and seriousness of Cole's condition, ending with telling the officer about Cole's father kicking him out of the house after finding out his son was gay.

Casey shook his head and said, "I can't tell you how many times I've heard this same story. What's your plan?"

"We'll keep him here, of course. He's in no condition to go anywhere. The attack left him with not only physical, but mental damage as well."

"How old is he?"

"Seventeen," Randy answered.

Officer Casey shook his head. "Fellows, I have no choice but to call Family Services. He's underage."

Doctor Bailey smiled at the policeman. "I understand. Can you give me a little time? He was beginning to confide in us when the pain meds kicked in. You have my word, just as soon as I know something, I'll call you."

Officer Casey watched Cole as he lay there sleeping for a moment. Then, "I'll give you until noon tomorrow. After that, it will be out of my hands. Of all our hands," the man added.

"Deal," the doctor agreed.

"I'll leave you to it then. Good luck. And please, help the kid if you can."

"Thank you, Officer Casey. I'll be in touch by noon or before tomorrow."

After the officer left, the doctor suggested they have another look at Cole's injuries and raised the sheet.

Randy had already helped to treat Cole's wound before, but the second time left him just as shocked. Whoever did this was a goddamned bastard.

As the doctor added more medicine to Cole's swollen ass, he asked, "Randy, do you know why I asked you to have a talk with this boy?"

Randy nodded. "Because you know I'm gay?"

"That's right. I had a feeling that might play out in part of Cole's situation, and I knew if he would open up to anyone, it might be you."

"I tried."

"And it was working. I feel sure we'd know Cole's story by now if the pain meds hadn't kicked in. Can I ask a favor of you?"

"Of course."

I'm going to admit Cole into the hospital. Would you possibly agree to remain in the room with him? You heard Casey. If we don't know the facts by noon tomorrow, he's going into Family Services. I know that neither one of us want that to happen if we can prevent."

"I'm off at midnight," Randy informed the doctor. "Yes, I can do it."

Doctor Bailey looked at the clock on the wall. It was elven-thirty. "Thanks, Randy. I really appreciate what you're doing. I should have Cole checked in by midnight. Will you make sure a room's ready for him while I handle the paperwork?"

"Of course. Will he be admitted as John Doe?"

"That's right. Now, go check about that room. I've got some forms to fill out."

Cole woke up screaming. He had slept all the time he was being transferred to a hospital room, and now, raising up in bed, he didn't know where he was.

There was a recliner in one corner of the room, and he saw the nurse napping in it. The man was on his feet at once and hurried over to the bed. "It's okay, Cole. You're safe here. No one's going to hurt you. You were just having a bad dream. Try and go back to sleep. I'll be here if you need me."

It took him a few minutes, but Cole finally went to sleep. The next time he opened his eyes, the sun was shining through the hospital window.

"Good morning," Randy greeted from his chair. He got to his feet and walked over to Cole's bed. "Feel better? You should. You've slept for several hours."

"I need to pee."

"Let me help you. Doctor Bailey doesn't want you walking alone yet."

"Do you have to?"

Randy grinned. "It's either me or the catheter. "

Cole started to throw the bed covers back and stopped. "I'm naked."

Randy walked over and opened a door to a small closet on one side of the room. He returned with a hospital gown. "Here, this will cover most of you." The nurse laughed. "You do realize I've seen naked bodies before, right? Sit up. I'll help you slide into this."

Cole raised up, and the covers slide down to his legs. He blushed and pulled the sheet back up.

Randy laughed. "Take this," he said handing the gown to Cole. "I'll close my eyes if that makes you feel better."

Once the gown was in place, Randy helped Cole walk into the bathroom. He held the strings tightly together to keep as much of Cole's body hidden as possible. "If its pee you need to do, I want you to turn around and sit down."

When Cole protested, the nurse said with a laugh,, "Doctor's orders.".

When Cole was back in bed, Randy took the boy's vital signs and was glad to see everything returning to normal. "Are you hungry, Cole?"

Cole suddenly felt famished. He hadn't eaten a thing since lunch the day before. "I could eat."

Randy ordered a breakfast tray, and when it arrived, he sat it on Cole's bedside table. He lifted the lid and said, "Enjoy."

Cole studied the plate of food. A scrambled egg, two slices of bacon and toast made up the meal. The cafeteria had also supplied a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice. Cole offered Randy the coffee."I don't like coffee," he said when the nurse hesitated.

While Cole was eating, Randy stepped out into the hallway and called Doctor Bailey. "Cole's awake and eating breakfast," he said when the man answered.

"Great. How does he seem to be doing? Making any progress?"

"I believe so. When he's finished with his breakfast, I'm going to try and have another talk with him."

"Good. I'll be at the hospital by nine-thirty. I hope you can get through to him. Otherwise, it will soon be out of our hands."

Randy told him he'd do his best and returned to Cole's room. When he saw Cole's empty plate, he said, "I'm glad to see you ate your breakfast."

"It actually wasn't too bad," Cole admitted. "Considering it was hospital food," he added.

"Great. May I?" Randy pointed to the foot of Cole's bed.

Cole moved his feet to one side. "Of course."

Randy took a deep breath and said, "Look, Cole, I know that you wish this had never happened, but no matter how hard you try, it's not going away. I'm going to put everything out there for you. We have until noon to find out what happened to you. If you won't tell us, the police are going to inform Family Services. I don't want that to happen, and I'm sure you don't either.

"Do you remember what you told me last night just before you drifted off to sleep?"

Cole tried to remember, but his thoughts were kind of foggy. "I'm not sure."

"Are you telling me the truth?"

Cole could hear the kindness in the nurse's words, and the question didn't upset or make him mad. "I really can't."

Randy took another breath and said, "Just before you went to sleep, you told me your father kicked you out of the house after he found out you're gay."

"Oh." Cole suddenly remembered everything.

"Cole, I have to ask, was it your father that raped you?"

Cole's face went from red to a look of surprise. "My dad? Fuck, no, it wasn't him."

Realizing what he had just said, Cole apologized for his language.

Randy smiled. "No worries. I drop the F bomb quite frequently." Randy paused a moment before saying, "Tell me about your father."

"Not much to tell. At best he's a son of a bitch. At worst, well, his worst found me out on the street with no place to go."

"How did he find out you're gay?"

"He caught me on the computer. He smashed my laptop, threw a couple punches my way and told me to get the fuck out of his house."

"You're going to have to give out his name."

"I can't do that," Cole protested.

"Sorry, guy, but you will. If you don't you'll go to Family Services, and trust me, they will easily find it out. Tell us everything. I know Doctor Bailey, and if you're honest with him, he will see that you get the protection you need."

Cole took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He knew Randy was right, but in spite of what the nurse told him, Cole was afraid. He could still see the hatred in his dad's eyes when he knocked him to the floor. The look of anger was multiplied when Gordon had kicked his son out of the house. He finally made up his mind and began telling his story. An hour had passed when Cole finished talking.

Randy wiped a tear from his eye. "No parent should treat their child the way your father treated you. That alone is wrong, and now this attack has happened."

Randy thought about his family. He was eighteen when he'd come out to his parents, and both his mom and dad had been very supportive. They still were, and Randy was grateful. They didn't treat him any differently than before he had made his announcement.

"There's something else, but I'm ashamed to talk about it."

"Cole, you can tell me anything," Randy said when Cole became quiet.

"It's my body. In gym class other students tease and call me names."

"I don't understand," Randy said. "I've seen every inch of you. There's nothing to be ashamed about."

Cole's face turned red as he pulled the neck collar of the gown down. Little brown hairs greeted his finger, and he stopped moving.

"What am I supposed to be looking at? Your neck?" Randy was confused.

"I'm a freak. You're looking at a goddamned freak!"

"Because you have hair growing on your chest?"

"And everywhere else. You should hear the names I'm called."

"I think a hairy guy is hot," Randy told him.

Surprised, Cole turned and faced the nurse. "Are you gay?"

"I am." Randy spoke the words quietly.

"Your parents know?"

"They do," Randy answered.

"Did they kick you out?"

"No, they didn't. I told them when I was eighteen. I had their full support then, and I do now."

"Lucky you." Cole didn't try to hide the bitterness in his voice.

The door opened and Doctor Bailey walked into the room. "Good morning," he greeted.

"Good morning, Doctor," Randy said and smiled..

Doctor Bailey walked over extended a handshake to his patient. "How are you doing this morning?"

Cole reluctantly shook the doctor's hand."

When Cole didn't speak, the doctor turned to Randy and asked, "Is everything alright here?"

The look on Cole's face made the nurse say, "I think we should step outside." He walked to the door with the doctor on his heels.

"Abernathy," Cole said as Randy opened the door.

Doctor Bailey turned around. "Excuse me?"

"My last name. Abernathy."

The doctor smiled. "Glad to meet you, Cole Abernathy. Give us a few minutes, will you? We'll be right back." He closed the door behind him.

Once outside the room, Randy explained to the doctor everything Cole had told him, ending with, "It's a hell of a situation. How can we send the guy back home?"

"We can't," the doctor said. "If we do and Family Services gets involved, I could lose my medical license."

"Since his father has kicked him out, aren't we obligated to notify them?"

"We are."

Doctor Bailey appeared lost in thought for a minute before saying, "I might have a solution. Let's go back in and talk with Cole for a few minutes."

When Cole saw the doctor and nurse return to his room, he suddenly felt afraid. He realized the doctor had control of his life. Bailey knew there were problems at home and would not send him back to live with his father.

Randy returned to the recliner, and Doctor Bailey sat down on the bed next to Cole's feet. The doctor's closeness made Cole even more fearful. His heart was racing so fast he could hear the beating in his ears. He quickly shoved his feet to the other side of the bed.

The doctor saw the fear in Cole's eyes, and he smiled. The words he spoke were kind. "Son, you don't need to be afraid. I'm going to make sure that no harm comes to you."

"You can't promise that. You're already said that I either have to return home or you have to turn me over to Family Services."

"What if there was another choice?"

"What other choice?" Cole felt some of his fear leaving.

The doctor slid off the bed. "I need to make a telephone call, but first, let's see how your wound's doing. How's the pain?"

"Better. I haven't had any medicine this morning."

"He's right," Randy assured the doctor. "I checked the area earlier and applied more ointment."

Doctor Bailey reached for the bottom of the sheet. "I'm sorry, son," he said when he saw the look on Cole's face. He pushed it up to the boy's stomach and smiled. "I'll make this quick."

Doctor Bailey examined Cole's ass carefully. The attack had been brutal, but he felt sure it would all heal in time. Before pulling the sheet back down, the doctor eyed Cole's body. He was pretty sure the boy was hairier than any other seventeen year old patient that had ever been under his care. The sheet stopped at Cole's belly button, and he could see thick brown hair growing from the edge of the sheet all the way down, even spreading along Cole's legs. "And he's just seventeen," he thought. He pulled the sheet back down until Cole's feet were covered. "It's still pretty raw down there, but I can see the beginning stage of healing, Cole. It's just going to take some time." He gave one of Cole's toes a playful squeeze.

"Randy, I want you to stay with Cole for now. I've cleared it with your supervisor. I'll be back later on," the doctor said and walk out of the room.

Doctor Bailey hurried down the hall, and when he reached his office, he walked inside and shut the door behind him. He sat down at his desk and pulled his cell phone out of his coat pocket. He punched a number in and listened to it ringing on the other end. "Hey, Tim," he greeted. "Do you have a moment?"

While in medical school, Chris Bailey had made friends with another student, Tim Wilson. Doctor Wilson had visited him a few weeks back and told him about a program he had helped put together with another doctor friend. Chris told Doctor Wilson about his patient, Cole Abernathy, and the situation the boy was in. "Given the difficulties the boy is having on the home front, I think the community your friend has established would be a good fit for Cole. What do you think, Tim?"

The two doctors talked for a long time, and by the time the conversation was over, Doctor Wilson had agreed to discuss Cole's case with Doctor Chad Thomas.

When the doctor walked back inside Cole's room, he found Officer Casey talking with the boy. He leaned against the wall and remained quiet while the officer asked Cole questions.

A few minutes later, Casey said, "I think we've got everything covered for now. I'm so sorry this happened to you, Cole." He handed the boy a card. "Call me if you think of anything else that might help me find this son of a bitch."

The officer turned to Doctor Bailey and asked, "What have you decided?"

The doctor asked Casey to step out into the hall. When the door closed behind them, Doctor Bailey explained about his telephone call to his friend and described the organization as he understood it at the moment.

"In the mean time?" Casey asked.

"In the mean time I'll keep Cole here where he's protected. Will you contact his father?"

"I certainly am."

"When you do, would you mind letting me know?" Bailey eyed the closed door. "I want to make sure I have someone here with Cole. I'm going to leave word up front that the man is not to see his son, but just in case he slips by, I want the boy protected."

The officer looked up at the big clock on the wall. "Cole told me his father's shop closes up at noon on Saturday's. I have Gordon Abernathy's address, and I plan to pay him a visit when I leave the hospital."

Chris Bailey gave the officer a handshake. "I appreciate that. I plan on leaving the nurse in the room for now."

"That's probably wise," Casey said returning the handshake. "I'll keep in touch."

Bailey gave the officer his cell number and watched the man walk away. When Casey stepped inside the elevator, the doctor reentered the hospital room.He smiled at Cole and said, "I may have come up with a solution to your problem, Cole. I made a telephone call to a doctor friend of mine, and he's promised to get back in touch with me."

"Is that police officer going out to my house?"

The doctor nodded. "He is, but I want to assure you of your safety. Randy will remain with you until we get everything worked out. I'm also going to make sure the front desk knows not to give out any information to your father. At this point, you're still registered as `John Doe', so that should help to insure your anonymity."

A shadow crossed Cole's face. "What will happened to my dad?"

Bailey shook his head. "I actually don't know, son. Officer Casey has promised to keep me in the loop with what's going on." The doctor turned to Randy and said, "Why don't you order lunch for the two of you? And while you're at it, go ahead and order supper for this evening and breakfast in the morning."

"How can I stay here?" Cole asked. "I don't have any way to pay for all this."

Chris Bailey smiled. "Don't worry about that, Cole. It's not your problem. We'll take good care of you."

After the doctor left, Randy handed a menu to Cole. "Look this over and decide what sounds good. I know what I want. I usually eat a grilled chicken salad. While you're deciding, you might as well order lunch and dinner for tomorrow, as well. If you happen to be dismissed, the food will just be canceled."

Cole looked the menu over and selected the items for his meals. When he was finished, he handed the phone to Randy, and the nurse ordered the same number of meals. The cafeteria had questions, and Randy told the person on the phone that the meals were requested by Doctor Bailey. "Check with him," he added and ended the call.

"Was there a problem?" Cole asked getting a worried look on his face.

Randy shook his head. "No problem. The cafeteria was asking why we were ordering in this manner, and I didn't want to confide anything about your situation to the lady. It's up to Doctor Bailey how much he tells them."

Cole had been sitting up while ordering his food. The pain was returning, and it registered on his face.

"Are you in pain?" Randy asked.

Cole nodded. "I am.".

"You need to tell me," Randy said punching the nurse's button. He requested something for Cole's pain.

"Can't you get it for me?"

"No, I'm not the med nurse that's assigned to you today. All I can do is go to the desk and complain if they are slow to bring it."

While he was waiting for the medicine, Cole asked, "Do you know what Doctor Bailey's plan is for me?"

"I really don't much. I do know that he called a friend of his, and together, they may come up with a place for you to go."

"Will I have to move away from here?"

Randy sat down at the foot of Cole's bed. "Would you want to live this close to your father?"

"No, but the thought of moving away from everything I know is scary."

"I'm sure it is." Randy smiled and added, "Let's just take things one day at a time, okay?"

Cole smiled just as the nurse entered the room. "Thanks, Randy. I really appreciate your company."

Randy grinned. "My pleasure. Now, smile and take your medicine like a good little boy."

Feeling safe for the first time in almost twenty-four hours, Cole swallowed the pills and lay back, waiting for his lunch to arrive. He couldn't help but wonder which way the path of his life was leading, but he trusted both Randy and the doctor with that path. .