It Is What It Is

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Email feedback can be sent to trager2275@gmail.com. © 2015 by Eric Trager.

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CHAPTER NINE

"OK, Dick." Coach Anderson said to Principal Roberts. "We got a situation on our hands here. That's why I came to see you. Now, I know I'm past my sell-by date but you're the guy in charge of this school and you have to deal with all the rules and laws and all that crap that wasn't around back in the day."

"Irv, whatever it is lay it on me. If this is serious, then I need to know if I need to go higher up the food chain. Say, did you see that news story about the kid that was found in the park last night?"

"Yeah. Jesus Christ, who'd do shit like that to a 16-year-old kid? They said he was only on his way over to a friend's house. I wonder if it was one of our students, but the Police didn't release his name. Anyway, here's what I got..." Coach Johnson proceeded to recount to Principal Roberts the entire conversation he'd had with Sean Wyman, Jim Nolan, and Joe Regent's appearance at the meeting with the DVD.

"Holy Shit! Our football team's now without a Quarterback and one of our best running backs, too? The rest of them, if this is true, broke rules in the Student Handbook for sure – even if they didn't do it on school grounds, or on school time. We can't be responsible for that, but knowing about it I don't see how we can let it pass, either, or we'll lose control of the school."

"Dick, what's this `we' stuff... You're the one that gets paid to run this school. Not me."

"I know that, Irv. OK let's dissect this: whether or not these guys broke any WIAA rules, I don't know. That's not my thing, and we all know how capricious the WIAA can be... The video thing bothers me if it gets into the hands of the right Lawyer, or gets put online although I don't see the school at fault for that. Look, I want you to outline this in writing and get it back to me today – just bullet points are best. I think I'll need to take it to the Superintendent."

"I thought so, and just to be fair I'm lettin' ya know right now I have an appointment with my Attorney today. It's so I have legal advice about what I'm required to do and that I meet those requirements. Like I said, I don't run this joint. And I'm not gonna put my ass on the line over this, either. I reported the situation immediately and that oughta be good enough. If anything else comes to me it will come to you and you have my word on that, but for now it's outta my hands."

"What about the players that were at that meeting?"

"Here's my gut: I can't have players, I don't give a fuck how good they are, taking over the authority of the team. The coach runs the team, not the players. And when we get right down to it they're kids. Can't have a bunch of kids going around doing this kind of shit on their own in the name of the school. If I had to decide right now, my decision would be that none of `em that were at that meeting would play, and whoever made the video and passed it around, they're gone for sure. Braden for sure because it happened at his house and I think he planned it. Maybe I'd forgive Regent because he apologized. And he had the balls to come to my office to do it. He apologized to Wyman's face like a man and he gave Wyman what he said was the only copy of the video. But only maybe I'd forgive Regent, I dunno. I'm gonna retire in two years, Dick, and I'll be Goddamned if I can't retire with a clean record and a clean conscious about coaching young men at a formative time of their lives."

"I figured that's whatcha'd say, Irv. And I can't come to a different conclusion. We've had our differences a time or two over the years Lord knows, but at the end of the day we're both professionals. I'll let you know what the Superintendent says."

"Can't ask for more. Have a good day, Dick."

"You too, Irv."

"And Dick, I already started documenting this. The only person I'm showing my file to is gonna be my lawyer. I'm not taking the chance that the School System thinks they're gonna use me as a scapegoat if the shit hits the fan. It's not gonna happen. And you can tell those fuckin' stuffed-shirt tools down at the Administration Building I said that word-for-word. If those assholes want anything they go through my lawyer. Period."

"Irv, you said a mouthful... I'll probably be doing the same. See me anytime on this matter."

"You got it." Coach Johnson left Principal Roberts' office, pulled his cell phone out of the breast pocket of his shirt, and switched the record button off. "Nobody thinks some old fart like me knows how to use a smartphone. Guess what, they're wrong," Coach Johnson chortled to himself. When it came to things like this the old coach had been around long enough to know not to trust anyone a hundred percent, least of all administrators.

Coach left the building and made his way downtown to the office of Attorney Garrett Crossman.

"Coach!" Attorney Crossman called out when the secretary ushered him into the inner office. "What can I do for you?" Irv Anderson had been Crossman's coach 25 years earlier, and the middle-aged Attorney never forgot the life lessons the crusty older man had taught him.

"Well, Gare, I got a problem potato here. I know you're gonna bill me for this meeting and that's fine. I don't give a shit. I need your advice..." Coach spent the next 10 minutes recounting recent events. "OK, Gare, so what do I do here?"

"Well, Coach, so far you did everything I'da toldja to do. Recording the conversation with Roberts was fucking brilliant! I'll look into the Teacher's Handbook, the Student Handbook and the WIAA rules for you. I wish I had a copy of that DVD video. That'd let me know what we're looking at here. But all we have on that little team meeting now there is hearsay. I'd like to talk to that Regent kid if it were possible. Anyway, right now there's nothing you can, or should do on offense – nobody's injured you at this point. I'm not surprised you saw fit to set up a defense. You always said, well you quoted Vince Lombardi anyway, that the best offense is a good defense. For now, I'll start a file. Save that conversation you had with the Principal on a thumb drive, or whatever and get it to me. I'm gonna need you to sign this paper. It's an authorization for me to act as your Attorney in this matter."

Coach signed the paper and handed it back to Attorney Crossman. "Thanks, Gare. Have a good one, now! By the way, that video was turned over to Sean Wyman. Joe Regent, one of the kids who was at that meeting brought it in and handed it to him. Said it was the only copy."

"Interesting. I know that Wyman kid's dad. I'll get it from him if I think I need it. Thanks, Coach, and you have a good one, too!"

Across town, Joe Wyman had just arrived at the Kenosha Country Club. Joe asked for a table that would be as private as possible, informing the Hostess that he was expecting a guest in a few minutes. The waiter came to the table and asked Joe if he cared for a drink. Joe ordered a bottle of San Pellegrino water with a twist as he felt it was a little too early in the day for alcohol and he wanted to be absolutely clear- headed. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Kathy walk in. The Hostess brought her over and seated her.

"Thanks for coming, Kathy. They serve a pretty decent lunch here. I'm not sure what the specials are today, though. The BLT's good and so is the Cobb Salad. Anyway, I know you're probably busy and probably want to get over to the hospital so is it OK if I just get right to the point?"

"I wouldn't expect anything less, Joe. Val always said you'd never use three words if one would do."

"Right, well, here it is in a nutshell: I've been offered the job to run the GM plant in Janesville. Sean and I have been over it. Sean agreed to make the move but he put a condition on it that Andy come with us and live with us in Janesville."

"What?"

"Let me get to that part. It appears, Kathy, that your son and my son are more than just friends. Look, I only heard all this for the first time last night. That's why Andy was on his way over. The three of us were gonna have a little sit-down. Anyway, yeah, Sean and Andy are lovers. Sean told me so himself. The guys on the football team got wind of it when someone, we don't know who, took a video of them kissing in your garage, and they basically told Sean they didn't want him on the team any more. Now, before you get mad at me, Kathy, I wasn't going behind your back. I only wanted to get the lay of the land from Sean and Andy together is all. That didn't happen because Andy never showed up, but I saw Sean in action last night. He didn't cry, that's not his way, but I can tell you that boy takes after Val, and that brave front he put on was pure Val. He even takes a deep breath and squares up his shoulders the same way she did. So, I asked you to meet me here in order to make you aware of what's going on and to find out what your thoughts are."

"Yeah, Sean does take after Val, doesn't he... So, anything else? As if this weren't enough... Besides, I already had an inkling that Sean and Andy were getting, um, close... Mothers, even one as seemingly detached as me, always know these things, Joe. I could see it in their eyes, how they look at each other. Sean calls Andy `Brown Eyes" you know..." Kathy's eyes twinkled a little bit.

"Kathy, here's my main point, and please hear me out: I don't have any proof who did this to Andy. I don't even think the Police do at this point. But, just by the looks of it, it points to the football team, or some part of it. It's the simplest explanation. I know that the Police have begun their investigation, but I'll tell you the same thing I told Sean, and that's that neither one of those boys are safe in this town. That could just as easily have been Sean in that park last night. I lost Val, and you lost Leonard. We can't take a chance on losing our sons, and right now all they've got is each other. I am asking you to let Andy make the move with us. I have more than enough money to take care of two boys, and any medical attention Andy might need outside of what insurance covers. I would not expect a cent from you. I'm buying a big house that will easily hold all of us. If you agree to this I'll have my Attorney draw up a document that would basically amount to Andy living at my house the same way that some kids go to boarding school, charges me with his support and safety, and makes me his legal guardian when he is in my custody. Of course you would forfeit no parental rights. I'm not asking you to let me steal your son. I am asking you to let me keep him safe."

"Joe, this is a lot to digest. I get what you're saying, and you're as level headed as always. I need a little time to think it over. Tell you what; I'll have an answer for you this evening. I won't drag this out. I'm going to talk to Andy, and I'm going to talk to Sean. Fair enough?"

"Fair enough."

With that, Joe and Kathy enjoyed the rest of their lunch, and bade each other good- bye. Just in case she didn't have it, Joe gave Kathy his cell phone number so that they could speak privately that evening if they needed to. Kathy left in the direction of the hospital, and Joe in the direction of Attorney Crossman's office.

Kathy had a lot to think about and she needed to begin to get some answers from her son. How she hoped he would be awake enough to have even a short conversation. Kathy had promised Joe an answer that night, and she intended to keep her promise. An advantage, perhaps, to Kathy's hands-off style of parenting is that she hadn't really been involved in Andy's life to the degree that making a decision of this gravity would take her a long time, but deep down she loved her son and she was giving thought to Joe's point about his safety. It's the rest of it she wasn't clear about. "Oh, well..." Kathy thought, "let's go in and see if we can find out..."

At the desk, Kathy was told that Andy was in room 562. Taking the elevator to the fifth floor, she exited and made her way down the hall eventually finding the room. The door was open and she thought she'd look in before entering. She wanted, if possible, to see what Andy looked like when he thought no one was watching. She was hoping for some improvement from the night before, and perhaps that he'd have the energy for the conversation they needed to have.

Andy was in the room, and there with him was Sean. Both boys were sound asleep. It astonished her a bit that Sean had crawled into the bed with Andy. These were two pretty good-sized young men, especially Sean, and it was a wonder that they'd both fit in a hospital bed together. Looking at them she could see as plain as the nose on her face that they loved each other and needed each other. Sean lay on his side facing Andy. Andy was on his back because his leg was still in traction.

She hated to do it, but she had to wake them. She'd promised Joe an answer that evening, and she intended to keep her promise. "Sean...Sean...it's Kathy Barry. Wake up, Sean... I have to talk to both of you."

"Ahhhhh, oh, mmmmm... Oh, wow! Mrs. Barry! I was just, um, well, Andy said, um, well I was trying to make him feel better. It's been rough physically and mentally on him, you know..."

"Sean, it's OK, hun, you don't have to bullshit me... I've known you since you were six, or seven years old. I'm not blind, for Christ's sake. I know what the deal is here, OK? Now in a minute why don't you see if you can wake up Brown Eyes over there but let's you and me talk outside for a minute first."

"OK."

Out in the hall, Kathy started in, "Look Sean, I had lunch with your dad just now and we talked about a few things. I know all about the move to Janesville and how you'd like Andy to move with you. Is that right? Just give me a yes, or a no."

"Yes."

"OK, so, what if you moved without Andy? Oh, by the way, I also know the football team story, too, so give it to me straight, Sean."

"Mrs. Barry, if Andy were here without me he'd be beaten again. Probably worse and maybe even killed unless they catch whoever did this to him. I'd rate his safety at no better than ten percent, probably not even. The Police are too busy with Kenosha being the transshipment point for the heroin trade between Chicago and Milwaukee to make finding whoever attacked Andy their top priority. And while we're being honest here, you might wanna know that for the past two years just about Andy's been selling weed out of your house. That's how come all those kids would come by every night, stay for five or ten minutes and leave. Well, it turns out my dad got Andy off the hook for that and he won't be doing that any more. Just thought you'd wanna know. The bottom line is that if Andy stays here without me, he'll have the football team after him and probably his former customers as well. That would not be optimal to say the least of it."

"Fine. Now here's either the easiest, or the hardest question I've got for you: what are your intentions toward my son... And again, no bullshit."

"OK, here's my answer. No bullshit. Andy and I are in love. It took years for me to figure that out. I love him with all my heart. He was there for me when my mom died just like I was there for him when his dad died. We have that bond between us. I want him to come with me because without him I'll be nothing, and without me Andy might end up dead, or crippled. Me and Andy, we're two sides of the same coin. All I can tell you is that I love him. I will protect him and that I swear to you. I might look strong right now, but inside my heart is breaking for him. On the inside I'm crying, but I can't show it because Andy needs me to be strong for him. If I could change places with Andy right now, I would. In a heartbeat. Mrs. Barry, I love your son and we need to be at each other's side. Now, I'll wake Andy up and I'll leave you two in private. He can tell you how he feels..."

"Sean, I believe you, but I need to hear it from my son, too. If Andy says the same thing that you say, then I have one more stop to make before I make up my mind about this."

"Very well, Mrs. Barry. Let's go back in."

"And, hey And," Sean whispered, gently rustling Andy's shoulder.

"Uhhhhhhhhh, mmmmmmm, lemme sleep..."

"And, your mom's here and she needs to talk to you for a minute. I'm gonna run down and get a soda. I'll be back in five, or ten minutes."

"OK."

"OK, your mom's here now."

"Andy, I don't know how much you can talk. I want you to know that I got a call from the Police Detective this morning. He says they're working on your case. They don't have any leads right now. Do you know who did this to you?"

"I didn't see anyone, mom and I didn't hear anything. I was riding my bike. The next thing I knew I got knocked off my bike, there was a huge bag over my head and I was being beaten silly. Then they threw me into the trunk of a car. I think it was a trunk, anyway. Then they took me somewhere and beat me even more. I must have passed out because the next thing I saw was Sean's dad and the ambulance. It hurts, mom. My whole body hurts!"

Kathy looked at her son with tears in her eyes. No matter how much she might have ignored him, Andy was her son. Deep down, Kathy did love him, and her heart was breaking just like Sean's. "Andy, hun, listen, I know all about the whole Joe and Sean Janesville thing. I'm told you want to move with them. Is that true?"

"Mom, I don't want to cut you short, but it's hard for me to concentrate for longer than about five minutes right now. I just want you to know that I love Sean. He's my boyfriend, mom. He's my sun and my moon and my stars. Yes, I'd like to go with them. I won't be a stranger, mom, but I'm almost a man now, and sometimes these things happen faster to some people than to others, especially a kid like me who basically had to grow up on his own anyway. I'll probably end up dead if I stayed here and even if Sean didn't move he can't protect me 24/7 in this town. I know this isn't what you want to hear mom, but it is what it is."

"Andy, at some point every parent has to cut the apron strings. I told Sean, and I'll tell you, I have one more stop to make before I make up my mind. I told Joe I'd make a decision tonight. I'll call you first, hun." Kathy rose from her chair, stepped toward Andy, kissed him on the forehead and said, "I might not have always been the best mom, but I do love you, son. I'll call you later."

"OK, mom, and I love you, too..."

Kathy looked down the hall to see if Sean was around, but she did not see him. She decided not to wait as she was satisfied that both boys had been honest with her, even if she wasn't a hundred percent happy with what she had been told. She admitted to herself that she had been a poor mother, and if this is what Andy wanted to do then who was she to stand in his way?

Exiting the hospital, Kathy found her way to the parking ramp and her car. She drove out, and in about five minutes pulled over at the curb in front of a tiny storefront in the oldest part of town. The gaudy sign read, "Madame Zastrow, Psychic." Entering the tiny establishment which was decorated like a Gypsy tent and smelled of incense and the Old World a stooped, arthritic old lady leaning on a cane called out in a thick, eastern European accent, "Katty, iss goot to see yoo after all dese yearss. I haff yoo right here in my book for today, da. Ten minutes eff- vailable for yoo iss vat I haff. Now, sit down ofer dere! I remember last time yoo vuss here vuss venn your husbent died. Leonart, dat vuss hiss name."

Kathy did as instructed and took a seat where Madame had pointed in one of two threadbare maroon velour chairs that faced each other.

"Yes, that was a long time ago, Madame, and you were right," Kathy sighed, "I met a kind man and got married again. I came today because I need to know about..."

"I vill be right back, Katty."

Madame shuffled out of the room, and after two, or three minutes returned placing a tea set on the small, round table between the chairs.

"Katty, I know vy yoo come today to me. Haff cup uff tea ant I vill tell you vut it iss I see."

"Thank you, Madame."

"Katty, you haff boy, diss boy he iss almost man now. He iss goot boy. I see he iss hurt. Very bad, da? Yoo vant yoor boy he vill be safe. I see nutting but trouble for diss boy iff he stay in diss town. Now I see anudder boy. Diss boy iss like handsome Prince in hiss life. Dat iss strange. Yoor boy iss poofta, nyet?"

"If you are asking me if he's gay, yes, he is."

"Vee olt folks, vee say poofta. Vateffer. It iss vut it iss. He still iss goot boy. Diss Prince, Katty, he vill keep yoor boy safe, but not in diss place. No, not in diss place. Uff diss I know. Diss Prince he vill take yoor boy maybe one, maybe two hour from diss place, but he keep yoor boy safe. Diss Prince, Katty, he iss goot boy, too. Yoo can trust to him. He luff yoor boy and yoor boy luff him. Dey luff in dere hearts, Katty. Iff your boy don't go vit Prince, I see bad trouble for yoor boy in one month, maybe two month. Diss trouble very, very bad. Maybe he die. Dat iss all vut I see."

"I have no idea how you would know any of that, Madame. Thank you."

"I haff diss gift all my life, Katty. I am olt now, and not much long for diss vorld. Ven I die gift die vit me. Datt Gott hass told me. Gott told to me many yearss ago dat I come to diss town and one day I safe life uff somebody. Maybe I safe life uff yoor boy. He iss goot boy. Yoo must do right ting, Katty."

Kathy paid the gnarled old lady and made a note that it was three-for-three, well four-for-four if she counted Joe. She needed to go home and gather her thoughts. On the drive home it seemed a common theme that no one thought Andy would be safe if he stayed in Kenosha. Kathy had to admit that they all had a point. She needed to let her husband know.

Kathy's husband, George Barry, owned three jewelry stores and had done quite well for himself. George wasn't any more involved in Andy's life than Kathy was, mainly because he'd seen other second marriages fall apart when the new spouse tried to father or mother kids that weren't theirs. George was a decent man who had seen to it that Andy was fed, clothed and housed on an equal footing with his own two sons. George liked Andy, and thought he was a good boy other than his pot dealing. At any rate, George got a snicker a time or two when he reflected that between Andy and Leonard, Andy was the better businessman of the two. George had been able to keep the Kenosha Police off Andy's back as long as Andy stayed small time due to the fact that George's dad had been a Captain in the Department. It also let the Police keep better tabs on Joe Burkheimer in case Burkheimer, with his Chicago and Milwaukee connections, started dealing harder stuff than marijuana.

George loved Kathy, but he would just as easily admit as Kathy would that their marriage was primarily one of convenience. Joe was a whizz at marketing and making money, but not at making it grow for the future. It was Kathy's investment smarts, she was the Senior Personal Banker at a privately held bank, that would pay for their retirement. When Leonard died, bad business decisions done without Kathy's knowledge meant the loss of the Churchill's home and all of their assets as claim after claim was filed against his estate. Kathy's banker's salary alone was not enough to pay the debts, or save the house, and her credit was ruined in the process. She found herself living in an apartment, which to her was embarrassing. While no snob, she had traditional Midwestern standards of how people should live and to her a banker with a child was not supposed to live in an apartment. A year later she and George married. George was as grateful to Kathy for her investment skills and good business sense as Kathy was grateful to George for putting a proper roof over her head and Andy's.

"George?" Kathy called as she entered their home.

"Hey, Kathy. Boy, what a day, I tell ya. These stores are gonna be the death of me yet!"

"Yeah, I had a day, too. Sit down once, George, I have something I need to let you know."

"Is something wrong?"

"Yes, there is. And here ya go..." Kathy proceeded to tell George the whole story. "...and there you have it, George. I'd never in a million years think something like this would happen. A person couldn't make up a story like this if they tried. But, I have to make sure as much as I can that Andy will be safe, and I have to admit this isn't the best place for his safety. So, he will be leaving us in the next two weeks, or so. Probably as soon as he gets out of the hospital." Kathy's cheeks were stained with tears, and she reached for a Kleenex.

"Kathy, you know, maybe I can say this because I'm at a little bit of a distance here, but I think you're making the right decision. Look, in ten or twenty years you'll know it was the right decision. A parent's biggest job is the safety of their children. No, a pretty choice it isn't, but from what you've just told me it looks like the only choice there is. Now, how about I fix you a drink? Again, you're making the right decision. Don't second guess yourself here."

"Yeah, you're right, George. I'm gonna go see Andy now. We'll have a cocktail when I get back."

"I'll come with you, Kathy. I always liked Andy, you know. He's a good kid."

At the hospital, Kathy and George made their way to Andy's room. George knocked on the door jam. "Hey, Killer! Jeez, Andy, I didn't know you were here until about an hour ago. Looks like you really took it on the chin, there. You let me know if there's anything you need, OK?"

"Thanks, George," Andy said.

"Andy," Kathy cut in, "I've made my decision. So far only George knows how I came down, and that's why we're here. So, here's my decision: Andy, I'm going to miss you. You're my son. But I have to think about your safety before anything else. If it really is your decision to move to Janesville with Joe and Sean, then you have my permission to do so. I trust Sean, and I know he loves you. I also trust Joe. He's ex- military and I know he's got connections to keep you safe. Will Sean be coming by tonight?"

"Yeah, he's coming by after he finishes up his lawn work. I sure hope no one tries to pull the same shit on Sean they pulled on me! Sean might have a better chance to defend himself than I did, but still..."

"Andy, knowing Joe Wyman he's probably already looked into hiring security. I wouldn't put it past him to let word get out around town he'd done it just as a warning. The man's a Marine, he's got money, and he doesn't play. Besides, you'll probably be leaving town the minute you get out of here. Anyway, I'm going to call Joe now, and you can call Sean, or wait till he comes by tonight. I think if I were you I'd wait until he gets here. This is a face-to-face moment between you two."

"Yeah, you're right, mom. I'll wait till he gets here. Hey, I feel a little better than I did when you were here this afternoon! I guess tomorrow they're going to have me up and walking with crutches a little bit! They said my leg will be fine to walk with crutches. It'll probably suck, though and I bet it'll hurt like hell, but lying in this bed all day fucking sucks more! Oops, sorry mom..."

George guffawed, "If I were you, I'd drop the f-bomb, too! Andy, I'm gonna miss ya, and don't be a stranger. I want you to know you're always welcome in our home. And so is Sean."

"Thanks, George, and I'll miss you guys, too, but I gotta do what I gotta do."

"I respect you for that, Andy. I really do."

Kathy excused herself to call Joe. "Joe, Kathy... Fine thanks... I'm at the hospital... Better... He says he might walk with crutches tomorrow... I know... Look, I promised you a decision tonight, Joe, and that's why I called. Andy can go to Janesville... Yeah, I agree... If there's paperwork to sign, have your Attorney give me a call... What made me decide? A little old lady... No, Sean doesn't know yet... Andy's gonna tell him when he gets to the hospital tonight... Let me know when I need to have Andy's things ready for the movers... Thanks, Joe... You, too, bye."

"Hey, Blondie! Yeah, I'm still stuck in this fucking bed. Hey, make sure ya come up after you're done with your lawns. I got something to tell ya..."

About an hour later, Sean walked into Andy's room. "Feeling better today are we?"

"Yeah, a little, and I think they'll try to have me walking tomorrow. I sure hope so... This bed shit is getting old. Besides, I kinda wanna fuck yer Quarterback ass, and I can't do it like this, Blondie!"

"And! Oh, well, what the fuck, you get out of that bed and you can do whatever the fuck ya want to my ass. So, what do you have to tell me?

"Well, it's about Janesville..." Andy said, staring at the floor and trying his best to put on a feigned dejected look.

"She said no, didn't she..." Sean looked down at Andy, face stricken. "FUCK!"

"Haha! Fooled ya! She said yes! SHE SAID YESSSSSSSS!" Andy laughed, and then dissolved into a coughing fit.

"Hey, dickwad, you gotta make it there first! Don't fucking croak on me before we get there! Fuckin' asshole! That's whatcha get for tellin' a fib, don'tcha know..."

"Sorry, Sean-o, I couldn't resist. I'm so happy, Sean-o. You and I together! Sean-o, give me your hand!"

"What?"

"Just gimme yer fuckin' hand and shut yer pie hole!"

Sean laughed and gave Andy his hand.

"Sean Branson Wyman, from this day forward I pledge to you my heart and my life, to be your loyal lover for always and forever."

"Andrew Leonard Churchill," Sean said choking up a little bit, "from this day forward I pledge to you my heart and my life, to be your loyal lover for always and forever."

Sean leaned down and the two boys sealed it with a kiss every bit as electrifying as the first kiss they shared in Andy's garage.

"Sean-o, the Police Detective talked to my mom today..."

"Yeah, so what happened?"

"OK, so she said they're working on the case. He didn't have any breakthrough yet. >From reading between the lines, I think they're tailing the guys on the football team. I bet they're looking at their cars because once they bagged me they threw me into a car trunk."

"Wow, that ain't much. I'd put my money on Braden except for one thing: it's just too obvious. I mean, Braden's a huge fucking asshole, for sure, but even I'm not sure he'd take that kind of a risk. He values his `social standing' at school too much. I mean, I could totally see Braden pushing you around at school and making your life shit, but almost killing you? I'm not so sure. Maybe I'm wrong, but..."

"The weird thing is how did whoever did it knew where to get me just at that time and place. That's just too weird."

"I know. It is... Anyway I told dad if we moved we should get that big Spanish house. Ya know, this is gonna be a huge change. We're gonna be Juniors in a strange school. I dunno if we wanna to hide who we are. I don't think we should like advertise it, or anything, but I absolutely don't think we should hide it. I mean, what would the point be? I'm gonna go out for the football team, I decided that already. I'm pumped! I mean, I'm really looking forward to this! Let's do our best to become part of our new school and stuff. I know we can do it!"

"I'm pumped, too, Blondie! I'm not a football player, but I'll do my best to fit into that clique. Who knows, it might be cool. Besides, I'll be glad to get out of the pot business. I made my money off it, but it was starting to control me. And if we wanna get stoned, I'm sure I can figure out who deals..."

"And, I just thought of something..."

"What?"

"Well, about who did this to ya. I think I'm right, it wasn't Braden. Like I said, Braden's a lot of things none too good, but I can't see him risking his precious `standing.' Like I said, I could see the guy giving someone a swirly, or maybe slamming them into a locker, or something, and mouthing off like a big shot, but that's about it. Plus, I don't think he's capable of that level of planning. He's too stupid. It just hit me, though, what about Berrifield?"

"Huh?"

"Just stay with me here... Berrifield was in on the team meeting even though he didn't have a reason to be there. He was acting like the weirdest right before the video was on the DVD. He told me what chair to sit in right next to the TV, and to turn on the DVD and all. That's all stuff Braden doesn't have the IQ to plan out. Hell, Ber's always been kinda weird. Not good enough to actually be on the team, but always just kind of hanging around on the edges, you know? And he never liked me. I was just the kid that cut his grass, but then when Gimmel got hurt and I took over he was kinda hostile like it was my fault, or something. I'm not accusing, I'm just sayin'... And I think he's sneaky. I think the cops should at least look at him. I know it wasn't Regent that did it. I think Rege knows what a mistake the whole thing was. He actually apologized and he gave me the DVD right in Coach's office in front of Coach and Noles, so it wasn't Regent. The other guys, I mean, I think most of `em were there on a herd mentality, but I'm pretty sure Ber was in on it from the beginning. It's not proof, but I'd at least look at him..."

"Wow, I never thought about it that way. Hey, I have an idea, and this might sound like really ass-backwards, but you did say that you punched Braden in the nuts that night and he went down, right? Well, why don't you go over to his house when you think he's gonna be home on the pretense of apologizing to him and just kinda do some dirt digging if ya know what I mean..."

"That's a great idea! I think I will. Coach always said I was good at reading a defense!" Sean laughed. "I mean, what's Braden gonna do to me at this point? He'll probably be more afraid of me than I am of him and that's an advantage... Hey, can I come by tomorrow when they get you up to walk? I wanna be here, man... We pledged ourselves to each other tonight and I need to be here to see you take one of your biggest steps toward getting better. We're one now. We've been there for each other since whenever, and I wanna be here for ya for that. If ya fall, I wanna be the one to catch ya... "

"Wow, Bondie, I, um, well...I, ah, I mean ya know...I never knew love like this before. I know my mom loves me, but she's ignored me for so many years. She's not cut out to be a mom. It's not her fault, but she's just not. This is a dream, Sean-o, a fucking dream. I always loved you from afar, and now that you love me back, I am just so...Sean-o, I am so fucking blessed. I owe you more than you will ever know..."

"I owe you, too, Brown Eyes..."

"Sean-o, I guess I don't really wanna dwell on this police investigation too much. I mean, sure, I want whoever did it caught, but I gotta get my ass out of this hospital, and then we got a new life to start. What I mean is, I'd rather spend more time looking forward than backwards. What's done is done – it is what it is."

"You're right, Brown Eyes. I think, though, that I'll knock on Braden's door and see if there's any `there' there. If I think he knows anything, or was involved with it, I'll letcha know and you can decide what to do with it."

"That works for me, lover boy! Speaking of lover boy, I want out of this bed so bad! I wanna make love to you so much, Sean-o. It hurts – that's how much I want you..."

"I want you, too, Brown Eyes. I so want to feel you inside me. I want your seed deep inside me, and I want to plant my seed deep inside you, too... I want it with all my heart." With that, Sean bent down, kissed Andy again, and told him that he'd see him tomorrow and reminded him to text when he knew what time he was going to do the walking on crutches with the physical therapist.

Sean had a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach as he turned into Braden's street. He didn't care, though. He had more than enough testicular fortitude to knock on Braden's door and go through with it. Besides, Sean didn't give a fuck about what Braden thought. This would probably be the last time he'd ever see the guy anyway.

Sean parked, walked up to the Braden's front door and rang the bell. Soon footsteps were heard, then the creaking of the door's opening. Standing on the other side of the door was Mark Braden, momentarily speechless at the site of Sean Wyman on the front stoop.

"Mark." Sean said matter-of factly.

"Sean?" Braden replied. "Um, look, um, er...what do you want?" Braden didn't seem like he was being an asshole, but more surprised.

"Look, I'm gonna be leaving town soon, and for good. I came to apologize for punching you in the balls, and to say good-bye."

"Yeah, OK. All the best, Wymo. Hey, too bad about Churchill, innit..."

"I'm sorry, Mark. I didn't quite get that. Come again?"

"I said it's too about Churchill. What happened to him."

Sean couldn't believe what he just heard. He stared Braden dead in the eyes, "Um, Mark, exactly how would you know about what happened to Andy? The Police haven't released his name to the public...

END CHAPTER NINE