Ring in Mine #3: Nephi & Jerome: Chapter 42
I hope you are still reading my story and haven't given up on me. I am catching up on proofreading.
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Thanks Zach for your editing skills. Here is Chapter 42
----------- Chapter 42
Living at Samaria and being an expectant father positively affected Phil. He was learning to look at the needs of others, especially Ester. Who would have thought two gay men would be good role models for a heterosexual relationship? It wasn't always smooth sailing for Phil and Ester, but they used the love between Nephi and Jerome as a guide to help them work things out.
There wouldn't be many warm sunny days left, so Phil ate his lunch outside. He thought it odd that someone was going through the dumpster behind the kitchen.
"Hey did you lose something?" Phil called out.
The young man turned. His eyes shifted in all directions. Where could he run? He wanted no one to know the real reason he was dumpster diving. "I found it. My watch fell off in the garbage." He felt confident with his contrived story. It may have worked if he had been wearing a watch. Oliver climbed out of the trash.
"Aren't you Oliver? We have History together last period." Phil had recognized his classmate but something was different. Oliver had always dressed nice, not top of the line stuff but sharp looking. Today it looked like he had slept in his clothes. Maybe it was just the dumpster, but he smelled like he had slept in them too. Thinking back, he realized Oliver had worn the same thing all week. An explanation grew in the back of his head.
"I'm glad you found it." Phil commented.
"Found what? Oh, my watch." Oliver fumbled.
Oliver looked to be about the same size as Phil. "Hate to say this man, but you smell like you've been in the dumpster. I work landscaping. I always have a clean set of clothes in the car."
Phil wasn't one to take no for an answer. Fifteen minutes later Oliver found himself in the boy's locker room. Showered and dressed from boxers outward, Oliver felt clean for the first time in two weeks. The clothes fit, even the pair of canvas boat shoes. Phil tied Oliver's clothes in garbage bag and dumped them in his trunk. "We have History together. You can stop by after school and get your clothes."
They sat on the bottom seat of the bleachers. "I don't know why Sariah packs me tuna sandwiches. I hate tuna. Here why don't you eat it. I'll eat the peanut butter sandwich."
Oliver wasn't so proud he would turn down tuna salad. Phil made him slow down by making him answer questions. Phil was glad he had grabbed two apples from the tree by the parking pad at home. They shared the big cookie Rebecca had put in the bag. Phil wasn't sure why, but he was sure that Oliver was living on the street. Isn't that what Samaria was all about? He had English and History class to figure out a way to get Oliver to come home with him.
During History Oliver was back to being himself. Phil knew a shower and clean clothes can do that for you. Oliver knew all the answers, but only raised his hand if others didn't have their hands up. Phil pondered the question of what to do about Oliver. When the teacher asked him a question. Phil didn't know the answer; He hadn't heard the question. He hated looking stupid, but that missed question gave him the answer to his dilemma.
As the pair walked to Phil's car, Phil put his plan in action. "Oliver, I'm struggling with my Civil War essay. I was wondering if you would come over and help me with it. All I have to reward you with is a plate of Rebecca's cookies and supper."
Oliver wondered if he could squirrel away some extra food for the next couple of days. If Phil had his way, Oliver wouldn't be on the street after today.
As they neared the front gate of the compound Oliver spotted the News truck. A reporter stood by the gate talking to the camera. Whatever it was, Phil wanted nothing to do with the media. He didn't want to remind his father he even existed.
They drove past the media circus at the front gate. Using the key to one of the back gates, Oliver unlocked the gate between two fields and locked it after Phil pulled through.
"You live here?" Oliver asked. The only buildings he could see was a large metal shed in the distance.
"Yeah, I live on a farm, sort of." Phil answered.
As they circled around the shed the compound came into view. "This place is huge. You must be rich."
"Nephi owns the farm. If he is rich, he doesn't show it. He owns a landscaping business and buys his clothes at Goodwill." Phil parked the car. "Some great guys live here. It's better than where my wife and I lived before."
"You're married. Doesn't your wife go to school?" Oliver was full of questions.
"She goes to school here. I'm not sure public school is ready for her condition." Phil made a round belly motion with his hands.
Oliver was all eyes as they entered the compound. It was as beautiful on the inside as the outside was plain. The pool looked inviting.
"Phil, you're just in time, we're on the news again." Ester called out. Oliver figured out this must be Phil's wife.
"Behind these gates lies the Samaria Foundation, named for the Good Samaritan in the bible. The CEO of the Foundation goes by Nephi. He legally dropped his last name when he parted ways with his family. His father and brothers were unavailable for comment."
The picture cut away to a shot from Kazoo Day. "Nephi's landscaping company Peter and Sons sponsors the Teen Suicide awareness event in January held on National Kazoo Day. You might remember their appearance in the Saint Patrick's parade."
A crime scene photo filled the screen behind the commentator. "The Samaria Foundation is a refuge for kids that have no place else to go. Since the day Nephi took a bullet meant for a boy who lives at the Samaria complex, he has rarely left the complex.
Someone at the school must have had a camera. Nephi lying next to the toppled wheelchair splashed onto the screen. "Today, Nephi answered a summons from the junior high. One of Samaria's kids had a run in with a teacher and a cheerleader."
The picture cut to the back of a group of students. "The cheerleaders pushed her down the stairs. They are always doing things like that. Eve was the first person to call them out. She said at least her bitch at home was loveable and house broken." One of the unidentified girls shared.
"Stephanie, she's the head cheerleader, slapped Eve and the girl's gym teacher got involved. She lets the cheerleaders get away with anything. Eve called Stephanie a self-centered princess and the teacher her evil queen." The comment raised a cheer among the students.
Stephanie got her chance on camera. "Eve is a klutz. All these wanna-bes will do anything for attention. We are the leaders of this school and the student body needs to look to us for leadership. We can't have the trash dirtying our reputation."
"I agree with Eve. She's not loveable nor house trained." Ester exclaimed.
"Principal Gallagher refused to talk on camera. He insisted had the parents come to the school. Most of those living at Samaria are there because they don't have parents, or their parents have disowned them. Principal Gallagher had an assistant principal drag Nephi and his chair from the office."
"I was right there," Another student explained. "The handicap ramp is four feet wide. The assistant principal missed the edge dumping a hero on the ground. I think he did it on purpose."
"Many of the student's recognized him from Kazoo Days and the news story about the shooting. We could not contact Nephi. The Foundation lawyers have provided us with a copy of the guardianship papers and a receipt signed by the school acknowledging they received those papers dated in August. The Foundation released a statement."
"We appreciate the lengths that our schools go to keep our children safe from outside adults. They often overlook the ongoing problem of bullying in our schools; even condone and contribute to the abusive behaviors of students toward each other, in the name of perceived status or position. We look forward to working with the schools our children attend."
"The school board has refused to speak because of the possibility of litigation." The reporter finished.
"Is that what this is, a place for kids whose parents don't want them.?" Oliver asked.
The phones rang twice. "It's time for chores. Oliver have you ever milked a goat?" Oliver shook his head. "Well you get to today."
"You milk goats!" Oliver looked shocked.
"This is a farm. Everyone pitches in. They don't pay us much but they provide everything we need and some of the things we want. Sariah uses the goat's milk for cheese. It's delicious and what we don't eat they sell to help fund the Foundation."
Milking goats wasn't all that bad. There was a controlled level of goofing off.
"Everyone showers before dinner." Phil opened the room next to his and Ester's. This is your room. There are towels in the closet. Put the clothes in the hamper. I will bring in clean clothes. You don't want to smell like goats at the table. This was his second shower of the day. He had never appreciated how good it was to feel clean.
Ester was dropping off a clean t-shirt, underwear, and jeans when Oliver stepped out of the bathroom drying his hair unaware of his visitor. Ester faced a dilemma, should she try to slip out, apologize, or treat him like family; family won out. "Well you have nothing to be ashamed of."
Oliver had the towel around his waist in a heartbeat. "It's too late to hide it now. I've seen the whole package. Now wrap it up and come for dinner." Ester chuckled as she left Oliver to dress. A man in a wheelchair met him at the door.
"Hi Oliver, my name is Nephi. I wanted to welcome you to Samaria." Nephi handed him a laminated card with his name printed on it. "Would you slide that into the frame on the door?"
Nephi handed Oliver a key. "Lock your door if you want and let's go to dinner." Nephi let Oliver push his chair to the main house as Nephi outlined the rules of Samaria House. Oliver put the pieces together. This was the guy on the news. Nephi owned Samaria, and he had welcomed Oliver as if he belonged here without asking questions.
"Why?" Oliver asked. Nephi stopped, turned his chair and took Oliver's hands in his.
"You are on the street, yet you are still attending school. That shows strength of character. Phil brought you here under false pretenses. He knew something was wrong in your life. He tricked you into coming home with him because you were too proud or ashamed of your situation to ask for help." Nephi turned his chair. "We are offering you a place. You might need us a week or years. After dinner I'll tell you how my father disowned me. But now dinner is waiting."
Oliver thought it odd that the family, if you could call this collection of people a family, stood when Nephi rolled to his place at the head of the table. On the side of the table Clark had attached two wooden handles. Tonight would be the first time Nephi used them. Nephi took hold and pulled himself from the chair. His right leg was carrying all of his weight.
"Tonight, I've asked Micah to give the lesson." Nephi had helped Micah practice over the last two days. Nephi hoped to help his family members feel comfortable speaking to groups. What better way to start than talking to the family. Micah didn't get it quite right but no one would point it out.
"Jesus said little children should suffer. We are all God's children." Rafe snickered. From his abrupt reaction, it was obvious Zeke had done something under the table.
Micah continued oblivious to the drama being played out between his brothers. "He loves all of us. Go forth and do good."
"Thank you, Micah. I know Rafe is feeling like one of God's children. Everyone this is Oliver, make him feel welcome. You know the rules, no prying." Nephi bowed his head and blessed the food, thanking the Lord for bringing Oliver to the family.
The drama at Eve's school dominated the conversation. When things turned nasty Nephi put in his two cents worth. "There will be no retaliation. Principal Gallagher will not find all four tires flat tomorrow or ever at our hands. He has troubles of his own making."
Nephi turned to Eve. "Are you going to school tomorrow?" The phone had rung non-stop with Eve's friends showing their support.
"I'm the hero of the school. I have lots of friends watching my back. If I stay home the cheerleaders win." Eve glowed with a new confidence.
After dinner Phil announced the teens were heading for the pool. Oliver realized he didn't have a swim suit. Zeke suggested they skinny-dip. Before Oliver could comment, Rafe voted for skinny dipping also.
Sariah put an end to the skinny-dipping idea. "I have already put clean clothes in Oliver's dresser. He has a swimming suit in his underwear drawer."
The pool party was a family affair. The guys treated Oliver as if he had always been a member of the family. How could strangers treat him better than his family had? Being the new guy, the littles competed for his attention. They made him think of his little brother with sadness and regret.
Back in his room, he had time to explore. The walls were bare, but Rafe and Zeke had offered him some posters for his walls. The double bed dominated the back of the room. He sat on the couch facing the television. He had a table and chairs, a desk, and a dresser. It may have looked like a motel but it was more space than he had ever called his own.
Oliver had been eight when his parents set a crib up in the corner of Oliver's room and announced he was having a little brother. Oliver anticipated William's arrival. He had plans for being the best big brother ever.
Then William was born. William had to stay at the hospital for a month before they could bring him home. It was a lonely month for Oliver. Thirty days of staying at neighbors and babysitters. William was sick and his parents spent their free time at the hospital.
When William came home, Oliver's stuff found a new home in the basement. Eventually his parents moved Oliver to the basement into an unfinished cinder block corner by the washing machine. He appropriated an old rug from a neighbor's trash so his bare feet didn't land on the cold concrete floor in the morning.
As William grew so did the doctor bills. Money was scarce but not as tight as Oliver's parent's time. A week before Oliver's twelfth birthday William had a turn for the worse. His parents dropped Oliver off at a neighbor's house. William and his parents returned home after two weeks at a hospital in Los Angeles.
A week later the neighbor knocked on Oliver's door. "I think you misplaced something." She turned leaving Oliver and his duffel bag on the front step. Oliver had outstayed his welcome at another home.
Disney paraphernalia filled William's room. Oliver held the dated picture of William and Mickey Mouse. "You went to Disneyland on my birthday? Did you bring me a present?"
"You are so selfish. William is sick and all you think about is yourself." His mother took the photo and set it on the dresser and sent Oliver to the basement.
Oliver felt guilty at William's funeral. He didn't cry; he wasn't sad. Maybe his parents would have time for him now. His mom went back to work to help pay bills. They had less time for Oliver than before. He learned to stay out of their way. A charitable organization paid William's medical bills, Oliver's mother focused her life around her work.
They took month long vacations in August. Their return date always overlapped the start of school so Oliver had to stay home and take care of himself. They left money for groceries. He helped neighbors with yard work until he was old enough for a summer job. It wasn't all bad. The bike he had salvaged from a neighbor's load to the dump let him get around town, especially to the library. He could watch TV when he wanted to and stay up late reading.
This year had been no different. Oliver's parents went on vacation for a month and hadn't returned. The previous week Oliver arrived home after school to see a sold sign on the house. His key wouldn't work. He saw only bare walls through the windows. He wasn't as sad to see his parents gone as the things he had worked so hard for.
Oliver had received more positive attention in one afternoon than he could remember. He feared if he told his new family his story they would reject him.
"What do you think of Oliver?" Nephi asked the sated lover lying next to him.
"He seems overwhelmed. We didn't ask if he wanted to live here. We handed him a key and said you live here now." Jerome answered.
"Adam drove past the house where Oliver lived. A new family has moved in. He called the realtor, and she didn't even know Oliver existed. The neighbors had a lot to say. The judge froze the bank account with the money from the sale of the house." Nephi explained.
"That will bring the parents out of the woodwork." Jerome cuddled next to his man. Nephi clapped twice, and the lights went out.
At 6:00 a.m. the phone rang twice. Oliver feared if he opened his eyes the dream would end. His feet didn't stick over the edge of the comfortable bed the room felt warm and his stomach wasn't growling with hunger. Oliver opened his eyes and the dream continued. He pulled on a pair of jeans. He was looking through the closet wondering which polo shirt to wear to school. They weren't brand names, but they looked nice.
"Oliver, Sbrigati!" Oliver pulled a white t-shirt over his head. He found Jerry standing at the door.
"Mi chiamo Jerry. Vieni con me! Polli e uova." Jerry pulled on Oliver's hand. Jerry's Italian wasn't great, but he tried. Oliver wonder what had happened. He didn't understand a word anyone was saying. Maybe this WAS a dream.
Jerry pointed at a chicken. "Polli." Jerry wouldn't move on until Oliver repeated the word. The process continued as Oliver learned words for eggs, basket and food as he helped collect eggs and fed the chickens.
They dropped the eggs off at the kitchen. The smells of breakfast filled Oliver's nostrils as his stomach growled. Jerry rattled off something that Oliver didn't understand. Jerry repeated his instruction. Oliver still didn't understand. Jerry looked around seeing no one he motioned Oliver down to his level.
"Get dressed and hurry back for breakfast." Jerry whispered. Grateful to hear English, Oliver felt reassured knowing he hadn't slipped into the twilight zone while he slept.
Oliver dressed in a pair of khakis and a polo he found in his closet. That hadn't been there before chores. He felt like he was at a restaurant for breakfast there was so much food. His new home was full of surprises. He liked the sound of that, `His new home.' He didn't know what would happen when he graduated in the spring, but until then he had a new family.