March Stephenson

March Stephenson

Chapter 83

Maxieplus.

They worked away in the garage, and I trolled the internet. I still had to find something to do with that water tower, March was right it was too far away to be turned into a playground.

Nudge was telling me that his electrician had taken Bobby on and he had already started working for him.

"He's a quiet kid Nicky but good at his job."

"Maybe that has a lot to do with his home life Nudge."

"Maybe. It is strange when I think about it, he's never been one of those kids that got involved."

"Maybe it has a lot to do with Jan's idea." I can out Bobby to Nudge he's one of the best guys I know around here, and Joel, and the rest of March's gang.

"Jan? What idea?"

"Her idea about when the kids are ready to talk about their sexuality, they can feel comfortable doing it."

"You mean?"

"Yes, but keep that to yourself. March told him to speak to me but he hasn't as yet. His mum makes him feel inferior, so he's still living the lie."

"How can we help?"

"Be yourselves around him make him feel like one of the guys, make him feel safe."

"Coming up."

He moved back to his weights and I wanted to touch every crevice on his body.

I had to call into May's new shop to see Rose, she has started work today. Tink was sleeping away in the back room, there was no way she would get a babysitter in. Lily is back in school so it's time she got back to work.

She greeted me with that new shop assistant smile and asked me what I wanted.

"No Rose. It's can I help you sir?"

"Cut the crap Stephenson what do you want?"

"I want to talk to you."

"Well times money sir, what about?"

"Bobby."

"Bobby, what's that woman done to him now?"

I told her what I knew and she was appalled. She did know a few things Rachael had told her, but she didn't know Bobby was struggling with personal conflicts.

"Right leave it to Aunty Rosie, I feel a show coming on."

"And?"

"You're invited, Sunday afternoon my place and bring Michael."

"Why Michael?"

"Because he has to learn to be tolerant also, my drag queens are coming to see Tink and me and they might put on a little show."

"Will they do that?"

"For me yes, any old excuse for them to dress up. Lily will love it."

"I hope you're right. I don't want to push him further down the ladder."

"If it doesn't work then I will invite him to come and live with me and Tink."

"Is that the best for him?"

"It will be when I get through with him, and it would be nice to have some eye candy around the house." She laughed.

"Mike did mention he had jobs for him to do, maybe it would be good for them to start talking again."

"Ice cream Nicky?"

"Vanilla thanks Rose,"

"Umm."

"What do you mean umm?"

"I thought you would have been a hot chocolate type." Here she goes again, sex talk.

"Just vanilla today thank you miss."

I grabbed my double-cone ice cream, she had put chocolate and vanilla on it.

"That will be seven dollars please sir."

"Put it on my tab."

She laughed as I walked out licking the chocolate side.

"Why didn't you get me one?" He whined. I was holding it for Mason to have a taste.

"I thought you were dieting."

"No, when did I start that?"

"A week ago." He looked at me and then grunted.

"Mike, dad, want an ice cream?"

"Thank's March double Chocolate please," Mike said.

"Me too son." Dad smiled.

"Get Mason a kiddy cone too thank you."

"I can't carry them all."

"She does have carry trays March. Just put it on my tab."

He moaned again and Mike laughed.

I enjoyed my treat, it wasn't a hot day, but it was so tasty.

About a half hour later I had a surprise visitor. Bobby called by the gym he wanted to join up.

"Well here's a card Bobby. Free subscription for family members."

"Thank you so much Uncle Nicky, how is March?"

"He's good but missing you guys very much."

"I will call in to see him one day, and bring the kids."

"How's your mum?"

"The same. I saw her talking to the local pastor the other day, I hope she hasn't made plans for me again." That stressed look was back.

"Sit here, what do you mean plans again?" He pulled up a chair and fell silent for a while.

"March said I could talk freely to you, is that okay?"

"Of course it is, feel free to talk to me anytime you feel like it."

"Well after I told mum I was, you know, gay. She sent me to the local pastor to talk to him. He was furious and was going to educate her, but I stopped him. He said there wasn't anything wrong with me, and I should celebrate who I am."

"He was dead right Bobby, you should embrace who you are. Your mum doesn't know any better she only knows March. She doesn't know about the other gays in this town and their wonderful friends."

"There's more living here?"

"Yes, Tom her boss is my best friend. He's in a relationship with Hank out at the Wagner property. Their son Jimmy is in the city and living with his boyfriend, Rose has many gay friends that call in when they are passing through, and the big restaurant out the road run by March's cousins has a drag show once a month. We have a big community here Bobby, you are not alone."

"I feel like I'm alone all the time."

"Rose's dear son was gay, and your cottage was owned by gay men who lived there for years, she named Tink after one of them."

"I didn't know all that Nicky, mum just said I was confused and to get over it."

"What did the pastor do?"

"He told mum I was a perfect human being and she should be more understanding. Nicky, can I tell you something personal?"

"Of course you can."

"He was good looking and he said he was gay. I had my first experience with him and I loved it."

"Good, I am more than pleased. I'm happy that happened for you. Your first experience is always the one you look back on. I am glad he was young and understanding."

"He was, there were no big sparks just a head job but I enjoyed it." I nearly fell on my knees he was so gorgeous and I wanted to be that pastor.

"So she's now talking to the pastor here?"

"I saw her talking to him the other day, I can't go through that again. Nicky it wasn't always dad's fault there were fights at home, mum started a lot of them too. It drove me crazy and when she upended us to move, she never even asked us, we just had to leave everything and go with her."

"And Bobby?'

"He was so kind to me at school. I never said anything about what was going on, but he was a friend."

"And why isn't he a friend now?"

"He wouldn't understand. I thought it best not to get involved with him again or anyone else I went to school with."

"I don't know about that Bobby, he sees what March and I get up to every day. I honestly think if he had an issue he wouldn't be working so well with us. Give him another chance Bobby, if anything. I know he would be a good friend for life."

"Has he said something?"

"Yes and no, he said much the same as you said about school. But he's worried you are ignoring him, and questioning that connection you had at school. Also, there's something else you should know. Your workmates, they are worried about you being so quiet, is there a problem?"

"They talk about gays a bit, and I don't want to be involved. Mainly they talk about you and March it's always funny but I don't know enough to fit in."

"Nudge get here." I sang out.

"No Uncle Nicky please don't tell him."

"I'm not going to tell him. I'm going to show you something."

"What's up Nicky, hello Bobby day off?"

"Yes. Mr Nudge."

"Good, because I have a lot of work coming in so rest up. Now Mr Stephenson what can I do for you?" I looked Bobby in the eyes and tapped my cheek. Nudge kissed me and I thanked him.

"Nicky?" March yelled out.

"Oh March. You caught me at it again."

"Why is Nudge kissing you?"

"Because he loves me."

"Hello Bobby, do you mind if I borrow my husband for ten minutes?"

He didn't say anything he was too busy laughing, and what a gorgeous laugh he had too, I nearly invited him out to our shed.

"Can't do March me and my new friend Bobby here are going for lunch, coming? Thanks Nudge?" I yelled out.

"All my pleasure Stephenson."

I could see he was writing something on his phone, and I could expect a visit from Jan at any moment.

"Is Nudge?"

"No Bobby, I did that so you would know that your workmates are all accepting, and you needn't be afraid of them. Nudge is a wonderful guy, if there's any trouble, it won't be you. It will be his workers that will be educated."

We all walked across the road Mike as well, because I insisted he have lunch.

"So you let Nudge kiss you for nothing?"

"No March, I let Nudge kiss me because I like it when he does that."

"Nicky?" The boys screamed laughing.

"They crack me up all the time Bobby," Mike nudged him.

"They are kinda funny and March has always been a bit slow." They started again.

"Okay enough, what do you boys want for lunch?"

"I don't know, what does she have?"

"Go and look, it changes each day and put it on my tab. Mike go with him and March and I will have a pie each."

"What was that all about?" March whispered.

"I wanted Bobby to know that he can feel safe around this town. so instead of telling him I showed him."

"Oh I see, so he talked to you about it?"

"Yes March, keep up."

"What's your plan?"

"I haven't got one, but his mum has to be educated, she can't go on making him feel bad. You know she sent him to talk to the local pastor in the other town and he saw her talking to our local one. He's scared she might try it again."

"I had better go and talk to her then, set her straight."

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"Under the circumstances yes I do. Or you can do it."

"Not me March I will lose my cool."

The boys came out and they were actually laughing. They had a small bowl of chips and gravy for Mason and Mike started feeding them to him.

"You will make a great father someday Mike."

"It's part of my plan, but not for ages yet."

It was about then that Bobby went quiet, and no matter how much March and I horsed around, would bring him out of his funk. They ate but didn't talk after that, then Mike said he had to get back to work.

"March go with him."

"Why?"

"Because I said so." I winked.

"I should be going too. I have to get my stuff ready for work tomorrow."

"How long have you been in love with Mike?"

He went white, and I thought he was going to throw up. The tears threatened moments later. I moved around by his side and placed my arm over his shoulders.

"It's okay. I was the only one that noticed, but I am right. You are in love with him." His head nodded yes.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No point now, he wants kids."

"Maybe he was talking about adoption Bobby,"

"You and I both know that isn't true. It killed me to leave town. And now I'm back I wish I was somewhere, anywhere else but here."

"It's tough kid, but it will get better I promise you."

"I got to go, thank you for the lunch, and the talk."

I hugged him, I guess I expected too much and of course Mike's not gay.

Poor kid we will have to find him a boyfriend and soon. You would think with his amazing looks guys would be hitting on him all the time.

I watched him walk up the street, he looked hunched over and I did feel terrible for him.

At home time Mike came into the gym to do a workout he asked me what was wrong with Bobby. I said he wasn't feeling well. I knew how he was feeling because I had been there, a long time ago.

We drove home and it started raining, March said it would settle in for the night. I looked out the backyard and it looked all so bleak. Depressing weather brings out depressing feelings. The oven timer went off and I closed the curtains and went to serve up dinner.

"Should I talk to her or not Nicky?"

"How about we leave it for now, let's just concentrate on Bobby's welfare. He will be coming into the gym now, maybe he will want to talk more. Let's wait and see."

"Okay. I will bow to your wisdom." He kissed me and then he started on his lamb shanks.

Bobby did come into the gym, he was there just about every day, but apart from a short hello he never stopped to talk again. He would come in after work then go home. Rose told me he had taken to walking along the river to the bridge, almost like he was avoiding the town folk.

I talked to Nudge and he said there was no change at work, he still didn't join in. He had spoken to the head electrician and he understood that the kid was almost terrified. He also said that news had got around that Rachel had found a new boyfriend. One of her cleaning buddies, and still nothing was posted on the local page. One depressing day I decided I had enough of this, so I told March I would be over the road and not to disturb me.

"What's up?"

"I want to talk to Mike."

"What about?"

"Boy things." I winked.

He didn't know what I was talking about but he nodded anyway.

"Mike, with me." I smiled, he came over.

"What's up?"

"You and I are about to have a little talk, in my office."

"Okay boss, I will be across the road if you need me."

We walked across the road and I ordered some cake and coffee from mum.

"Now again, what's up?"

"What I am about to tell you is in the strictest of confidence, so this goes no further."

"Okay."

"The problem with Bobby is, he is gay." His face looked shocked and he stared at me for some time.

"His mum is riding his ass to go fix himself. She doesn't believe he is, and wants him to change."

Nothing, coming from Mike absolutely nothing.

"He doesn't want any friends because he's terrified of being found out and shunned."

"I am worried sick about him because I know he is depressed, and suicide is rife in the gay community, especially with teenagers." He did do something this time he shook his head from side to side.

"I didn't know. I never guessed."

"You wouldn't, but he is, and he needs friends, can you help me help him?"

"Of course I will, you know me. I would never make him feel different. I'm not that kind of person Nicky believe me."

"I know you're not, but he thinks you are."

"What can I do?"

"Be his friend again."

"That's a big ask, seeing he doesn't like me."

"He does, he just maybe likes you a little more than he should." I didn't use the love word I thought that would be too much for Mike.

The March Stephenson blank face appeared and Mike had a light bulb moment.

"Then I have to be careful. I still need those power points, maybe I should ask him to do them."

"Good thinking, and maybe get your mum to invite him for dinner while he's there. It's a start."

"I will think about it Nicky, how much time do we have?"

"Not a lot, if you have anything up your sleeve do it now. He will be in at four thirty, please Mike. I am counting on you to at least get him talking again."

"I will try." March did come over and by this time we had finished our talk. I didn't want to shift the responsibility over to Mike but I thought March going to talk to Rachael was a bad idea.

He went back to work and I told March what I had said.

"Do you really think he would attempt suicide?"

"Yes, from what Rose tells me he's been hiding from everyone, alienating himself, the first sign that there's trouble in the air."

"Shit Nicky, we have got to get him away from her."

"He's an adult he can move away at any time. I think he stays because of the kids."

"Probably, he has always looked after them."

"It's not a healthy environment March, but do we want to break up a family?"

"Nicky it's her that has to change."

I waited in the gym and when Bobby walked in I smiled at him, he did smile back this time and he looked a lot calmer. He then went to change and started his routine. Ten minutes later Mike strolled by, he looked good without his overalls on. I watched him drop his sweats and top and start on the walking machine, all this time Bobby was watching him. After he finished his warm up he went over to talk to him. There was no shouting or ignoring each other, they were having a conversation. Mike passed him a card and smiled, then I heard him thank Bobby. He then went on with his sets, after looking at me and winking. My mood lifted and I went to tell March I was going home.

"Hang on Nicky I won't be long."

"Okay. I will play some games then." I laughed.

I went back to my desk and opened my laptop. I watched Bobby walk out to the changing room. He was only gone for a moment, and when he walked out he was still in his gym gear and holding an old supermarket bag in his right hand with something in it. He walked past Mike and the guys not saying a word and as he went by me his eyes were glazed over like he wasn't seeing anything. I watched him go across the road, then walk down to the dig.

"March!" I yelled into the garage.

"I will be a minute."

"Now! help me!" I started shaking and I was all of a sudden freezing.

"What's wrong Nicky." Mike was behind me with Joel and a few of the other guys.

"I think something's wrong with Bobby, help me find him." March ran in and I told him to come with us.

"He walks home by the river, we go there first." Tears were running down my face, my body shook I couldn't stop it, I was so petrified.

We all ran over the road and down through to the dig. I stopped to look around, but nothing.

"Keep looking."

I ran towards the river bank and up a bit, the guys caught up. I was frozen to the spot looking at a fallen dead tree trunk, hanging from one of the branches was Bobbys limp body, his hand still had a hold of the plastic bag. I screamed and screamed so loud my head was pounding. I was too late, I left it too late.

March grabbed me and I heard the guys on their phones. Mike was kneeling by his body crying.

"I should have told you. I should have told you." I tried to calm down, then I almost fell on Bobby. My hand shook as I felt for a pulse but couldn't find one. My fingers were frozen and I couldn't move them properly

"Joel put your finger here and feel for a pulse, has anyone called an ambulance?"

"It's on its way." I heard. Then I shivered so much I almost blacked out.

"March help me." I had been reliving my night in the snow, and my nightmares were back. I couldn't think straight or make any sense of what was happening. So I closed my eyes and willed the snow to consume me.

I woke with a start, there was a bright light it was March, he had come to rescue me. I woke up then rubbed my face and said.

"What took you so long?"

"Nicky are you all right but you passed out."

"I fainted?"

"Yes you are in at May's place take your time, do you feel okay?"

"I think so." I lifted myself and looked around the room.

"I had a nightmare."

"He's going to be all right we got to him in time." I heard mum say.

It was like a rush of flood water, it all came back. I jumped off the couch and looked around.

"Is he dead?"

"No he's on his way to the hospital, his neck wasn't broken but he's in a bad way, mentally," Mum said.

"We have to go and be with him."

"Mike's gone with him, and we were just waiting for you to finish your dreams," March said.

"My nightmares, I was lost in the snow again."

"Then we will drop you at home."

"No I have to go and at least see him."

"Okay but if you have any concerns we will come home."

"Mason?"

"He will be well looked after Nicky, go and give me a ring if you get any news," Mum said.

"May. Can you ring Brenda and tell her, she will monitor the local page. I want her to delete any comments or better still, suspend the page."

I walked across the road and grabbed my phone and laptop, then March drove us to the hospital.

We talked about it on the way, he was surprised when I told him gay kids are at high risk of suicide every day. I apologised because I should have seen the signs earlier. I started shivering again and he turned the heating up. When we got to the hospital he held me for some time, then we went to reception.

"He's on ward six you can go up March and Nicky. He is stable and a full recovery is expected, but you didn't hear that from me" The receptionist said.

"Thank you Marly," We then made our way to the ward, Mike was sitting outside a room in one of those little waiting rooms, he was in a terrible state. I sat next to him and put my arm around him.

"I know, I know it hurts so bad baby, he will be okay. I should have seen it earlier, he was so depressed. This wake-up call will never happen again, he cried out for help and now thank God he's getting it."

"You don't understand."

"I do, more than you give me credit for. Have the doctors said anything?"

"They won't talk to me. I'm not his family."

"March can you do something?"

"I will go check."

"He wasn't the only one that was scared. I should have told him."

"Maybe you should have and we all would have dealt with the fallout, if any."

"I suppose it's all over the page."

"No. I have Brenda suspending it." His tears arrived and all I could do was hold him.

Rose turned up with Tink in his carry crib, she had Lenny with her.

"Son, my God you look terrible." I let Mike go and Lenny took over.

"How is he?" Rose asked.

"March has gone to find out. But Marly at reception said he will be fine."

March came back with a lady I didn't know, but looked familiar, she held her hand out to me and I shook it.

"Doctor Hazel Morgan, Sam's wife. Good to finally meet you Nicky,"

I must have looked confused.

"Sam the local cop?" She smiled.

"Sorry Hazel, pleased to meet you at long last."

"Now has his mother arrived yet?"

"No sign of her."

"She's been informed, he's in a terrible state mentally, physically he's a very healthy young man. There is no damage as far as we can see, but the specialist may see something we didn't. I am confident he will recover quickly from the rope burn. But he is going to need a lot of counselling, and support from his friends."

"He has that, I should have seen the signs sooner." I dropped my head.

"It happens like that Nicky one minute the kids are as right as rain, the next, bam, total chaos. I have the feeling his mum has a lot to do with this. He said something about a pastor and the constant barrage of anti-gay speech."

"That's right, she sent him to talk to a local pastor, and he saw her talking to our town one a week or so ago, he was terrified of two things. Being outed, and his mum's constant comments. He was only hanging around because he has younger siblings."

"Good then I know what to expect. Does anyone know the significance of the plastic bag? He won't let it go so I deem it means something."

"I have no idea, he had it in the gym and it was the only thing he held when he walked out the door, but I found out he had the rope in it."

"Well, he will have to let it go at some stage."

"Where are the kids?" Rose asked.

"At our place. Ellen is looking after them." Lenny said.

"Okay his tests will be back, give me a half hour and then you can go see him." Hazel was a lovely lady, her smile was everything you would expect from a genuine doctor.

Mike got up and started pacing the room. I knew how he felt and he couldn't sit still, his nerves would be at breaking point.

"Mike sit down," Lenny said.

"Dad there's something I have to tell you."

"Son, leave it until we get back home."

"I'm not coming home. I am staying here with Bobby."

"Mike, do you think it's the right time?" I said gently.

"Yes, there was never a right time Nicky, I have been trying to tell dad for the past three years. I talked to gran about it and she said to put off. But I can't do that any longer. Dad I'm gay, and have always been in love with Bobby."

I watched Lenny, he stood up and was staring at his son, he was unreadable. Mike stood there waiting for the insults.

"Mike I watched my friend Rose fall into a deep depression when Daniel was killed. I watched her face go blank, and her walking around the town like a zombie for years. I watched March scream so loud his lungs gave up when Nicky was nearly frozen to death. I am glad I didn't have to watch a young man hang himself because that would be too close to home. I vowed after March and Rose's grief that would never happen to me. I would never go through it, or put your mother through it. Mike I love you, nothing you do saddens me, you lift my spirits when I am down, and you have always told me the truth. If you love Bobby you must tell him, and you don't need my permission to be gay. I know more about that than you think. Just don't be an easy gay like Stephenson here." That broke the moment and Mike nearly fell into his dad's arms and Rose was crying, so I sat and held her.

"I am sorry Rose I had to let him know how I felt, who he is, is nothing compared to what my friends had to endure. Mike I have known for a while, you do know gran and I talk?"

"Thank you gran," Mike made a prayer hand.

Hazel came back and told us everything was normal, she also said he wanted to talk to me first. I straightened myself up and took a tissue to wipe my eyes and told them I won't take too long.

I opened the room door and Bobby was sitting on the side of the bed his back was facing me and he was looking out the window.

"How are you feeling sunshine?"

"Down Nicky, stupid, lost, depressed all those things, but mostly stupid."

"Well. We are going to fix all that, I promise you."

"I'm unfixable, I will see the psych for as long as it takes. Then I will move to the city. I can't be responsible for what happens to the kids anymore. I hope they forgive me one day."

"They love you, and you're not moving anywhere. When you leave here you're coming to live with us."

"Then I will be in your way."

"And I fully expect you to be, along with being happy again."

"I was happy once." He rustled that bag.

"What does the bag mean Bobby, I am curious?" He dropped his head.

"It's my Power Rangers bag."

"Power Rangers? I used to have a set of them they are so cool."

"My birthday present from Mike one year, he had given me his set of Power Rangers, in this bag. It was the best present I had ever received, and they sat on my window sill for a few years. When we suddenly left town we had to leave almost everything. This is the bag they were in, it is the only thing that survived that perfect gift."

"So she made you leave everything?"

"Yes Nicky, all my childhood stuff disappeared overnight, the bag comforted me in some sort of twisted way. It reminded me that not everyone was abusive, there were some caring people around, and Mike was one of them. I suppose they are long gone and some other kid is loving them as much as I did."

"I have them." His head snapped up and he nearly fell off the bed, Mike had come in and listened to his story.

"Mike!"

"Bobby." He nodded.

"You look terrible."

"I am worried about you."

"I will be fine, don't worry about me. I apologise to you both for being so stupid."

"You should have talked to me, you scared us all witless."

"You were the last person I could talk to, you would never understand what was in my head."

"But I would have, and I do understand. And to answer your next question. I knew your mum was going to skip town, so after you left I went to your house. Your father was dead to the world drunk, and I raided your bedroom. I took everything I thought you would want to keep. I stored them at gran's place. Your power rangers were the first thing I picked up."

"You did all that for me?"

"Yes, I did all that for you. Because I loved you."

"I will be back soon, but take all the time you want." I kissed Bobby's head and left them to it. I walked out to the waiting room and told my friends they might be some time, then I winked.

"He told him?" Rose said.

"Yes he's telling him now, the bag held a set of power rangers Mike had given him one year. When they left town all his stuff was left behind."

"I didn't know that. I should have collected it," March said.

"Mike did." I grinned.

Another official lady arrived, she was from child services. She was introduced as Sheila Bradbury.

She sat next to Lenny and got him to sign something.

"Now you understand this is only temporary?"

"Yes Sheila we will look after them, they will be quite safe."

"March, Lenny thank you for making my job easier. Nicky I am pleased to meet you at long last. But I have your calendar on my office wall, and have seen March chasing you around town many times." She giggled.

"Let me guess, you went to school with these two?"

"Got that in one." She smiled. She left laughing and I found out that Lenny and March had been talking to her while I was in with Bobby. It was decided that the kids will be temporarily staying with Ellen and Lenny, and because Bobby is of age he can decide where he wants to go to live.

"Has Rachael turned up yet?" I asked.

"No Nicky, I don't think she will. She's probably trying to get her head around it."

"Or she didn't get the message."

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe she thinks it's all a joke and has decided not to come here."

March looked upset again, I sat with him.

"You didn't know March, you were more concerned about the kids than her."

"Yes, and once again you are right."

Before we left I popped my head into the room, the two boys were silhouetted by the window and there were arms around Bobby and a lot of deep kissing was happening.

When we left it was late and I wanted to cuddle Mason. Rose was fine and she took Lenny's arm as he walked her and Tink out to her car.

We hugged and kissed them and I thanked Lenny.

"Did I do the right thing?"

"Perfectly Lenny, you were right on point." He smiled.

"Guess we had better give Mike a bigger room." He winked.

Donations are gratefully accepted at Nifty