Billy was having a wonderful dream, full of warmth and comfort. He tried to stay there, holding on desperately to the good feelings. It didn’t work, it never did, and he woke. He felt heat along the length of his body, and someone’s breath on his neck. Afraid to move, he opened his eyes, gazed at the strong, tan arm that curved over him, and relaxed. Marty. Reality was better than the dream.
He got out of bed carefully, wincing at the stiffness in his muscles. The bathroom light was still on, and he made his way to the door, using the dresser, and then the wall, to support himself. He held a minor debate in front of the toilet. Stand and wobble, or try to sit? Stand, he decided, holding onto the edge of the sink counter. Sitting meant getting back up.
He flushed the toilet, reversed his steps, and stood in the doorway. Marty was still asleep. He didn’t want to wake him, but he was hungry. Well, no one would mind if he got something to eat. He walked carefully to the kitchen.
Dr. Baxter was at the table, drinking coffee and yawning. He wore an old tee shirt, stretched out of shape, ripped in a couple of places, and faded to gray, and a pair of boxer briefs. His dark hair, shorter than Marty wore his, tumbled over his forehead, mussed from sleep. His chin and cheeks were dark and stubbly with a night’s growth of beard, and his brown eyes were only half open. Billy stared. He’s more than handsome, he’s gorgeous. Marty will look like that, when he gets older. Wow.
Dan looked up and smiled. “You’re up earlier than I thought you’d be. Did you manage to get some sleep?”
Billy nodded, a sudden constriction in his throat preventing speech. This man, knowing what it might cost him, had put himself between Billy and his stepfather. It was Marty at summer camp, on a grander, more wondrous scale.
“Is something wrong, kiddo? You’ve got a strange look on your face.” He glanced down at himself. “Uh, maybe I should put some clothes on, huh? Sorry, Marty and I are used to this.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ve seen more in the locker room at school. I was just thinking how much Marty looks like you.” He walked over to the cabinet, trying to remember why he’d come out here. His stomach rumbled. Oh yeah, food. He opened a cabinet door, and stared at the boxes of cereal.
“We have frozen pancakes if you’d rather.”
“Thanks, that sounds good.”
“Sit. Most mornings we’re a serve-yourself family, but today I’ll make breakfast. I microwave a mean pancake. I put a cushion on the chair for you.” Dan pulled pancakes from the freezer, dropped them on a plate, and popped them into the microwave. Syrup and margarine were already on the table, and he poured a large glass of milk while the microwave hummed.
Dan handed Billy the milk. “The meds on the table are for you. I’ve written down the dosage and timing. There aren’t many, but take them as directed, okay? Especially the anti-inflammatory.”
“Yes, sir.” Dan set the pancakes in front of him, and Billy added butter and syrup. “Thank you. For everything. You and Marty saved my life.”
“No, you did that on your own. We just happened to be there when you needed a
little extra help.” Dan returned to his seat, and lifted his coffee cup. “You really don’t have any idea how remarkable you are, do you?”
“Me? I’m just….”
“You’re just an eighteen-year old who’s lived in a earthbound version of hell his entire life. You’re sweet, smart, and caring. That’s a miracle. One that you made happen.” He took a drink of coffee. “I can’t think of a better person to share my son’s life. I’m sorry if I sounded disapproving or doubtful last night. Forgive me?”
Billy blushed. “You were just looking out for us. Can I … if I have questions, can I come to you? I haven’t had anyone to talk to about … well, about anything, really, since my mom died. Well, Marty, but … I couldn’t talk to him about him, you know?”
“I’d be honored.”
Marty came running down the hall, swerved wide around the corner to the kitchen, and skidded to a halt by the table.
“There you are! Why didn’t you wake me? Scared me half to death, you not there when I woke up.”
Billy stared at him. “I was hungry. You were sleeping and I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Bother me? It wouldn’t bother me.” He looked peeved and grumpy.
Dan spoke quietly. “Martin, let him eat.”
Marty muttered something unintelligible, opened the fridge, and filled a large glass with orange juice. He brought it to the table and sat down.
Billy finished eating, washed his dishes, and returned to the table. “You are so not a morning person, Marty.” Feeling daring and a little nervous, not sure how Dr. Baxter would react, he leaned over and kissed Marty. He felt his cheeks burn when Marty sat back and licked his lips.
“Mmm, sweet.” He grinned at Billy. “I like maple syrup.”
Dan shook his head. “I’m too old for this.” He looked at the clock on the microwave. “We have to leave in ninety minutes. Better hustle into the shower.” He headed for his bedroom and then stopped. “Damn.” He turned around and looked at Billy. “We didn’t bring any of your clothes. Where the hell is my brain?”
Marty waved it off. “We were in a hurry. Don’t sweat it, I have a box of stuff that’s too small for me. We’ll find something.”
“I’m sorry, Billy. I should have bought you some things last night.”
“It’s okay, Dr. Baxter. I don’t mind wearing Marty’s old clothes. They’re newer than my things, anyway.”
“We’ll get you some new clothes this week, okay?”
Marty rolled his eyes. “Jeez, Dad, chill. You were concentrating on other things. We all were. It’ll be okay. We can stop at a store on our way back, pick up a few things. Like a couple of toothbrushes.” He looked at Billy, his face solemn. “I love you and all, but sharing my toothbrush is just … eww.” He shuddered, and then winked.
Dan laughed and walked to his room.
Marty looked at Billy, his eyes serious. “I’m sorry I ragged on you. You don’t need that shit from me.”
“I don’t mind. It shows me you care.”
Marty leaned over and cupped the back of Billy’s head. “There are better ways to do that.” His lips fastened on Billy’s, soft and gentle. At last, he pulled away. “You can have the shower while I stuff food in me. Then we’ll find some clothes for you.”
**********
They arrived at the courthouse thirty minutes early, located Judge Maylor’s chambers and waited for Rob. Marty perched on the edge of a bench, one sneakered foot tapping a nervous tattoo on the marble floor. Billy sat quietly, his hands folded in his lap. Dan leaned against a nearby wall, watching them. Both boys wore faded but neat jeans. Billy’s were rolled up a couple of times at the bottom. Marty had on a dark red pullover, while Billy’s was green. They seemed, on the surface, polar opposites. Marty was tall, dark and outgoing, while Billy was small, blond and almost painfully shy. Although they were the same age, Marty still had an aura of youthful innocence about him. Billy looked impossibly young, but in his eyes was the sad wisdom of one pushed out of childhood too soon. Yet, these two had been best friends from the moment they’d met, seven years ago, and now they were so much more. He sighed, hoping the years ahead would be kind to them.
The elevator door opened, and Rob stepped out. Today he looked every bit the skilled attorney, professional in a three-piece charcoal suit, pale gray shirt, navy tie and Bally loafers. God, he’s such a hunk.
Rob set his briefcase down next to Dan. “Hi guys. Everyone ready?”
Dan and Marty murmured yes. Billy’s knuckles turned white, and he jerked his head in a nod. Rob dropped onto the bench next to Billy. “This is easy stuff, as I told you last night. We’ll go in, sit down, and the judge will ask you a few questions. Answer him honestly, and we’ll be done in no time.”
Billy unclenched his hands. “He’ll know. Once he sees those pictures, he’ll know everything.”
“He won’t see all the pictures, Billy. Just enough to support our case. The rest will only be used if your step-father gets a bad case of the stupids.”
Billy looked up, his eyes narrowed. “I heard you talking to Dr. Baxter at the clinic. You wanted to call the cops.”
“Part of me still does, because I think he should go to prison. However, you’ve been through enough. If we had no other choice, if turning him in was the only way to get you away from him, that’s what we’d do. I think you’re strong enough to handle a trial and all it would entail, but it would be stressful. I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
A little of the tension in the Billy’s shoulders eased. “Thank you.”
Rob nodded, stood and walked back to Dan. “Once the petition is granted, I’ll have the judge sign a TRO. We’ll need a list of Billy’s belongings, anything he wants from the house. At four o’clock, you and I, accompanied by a rather large friend of mine, will go to Webber’s and collect Billy’s things. The boys will stay at your place, watched over by another friend.”
“Rob, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”
The attorney grinned. “Pay your bill promptly, and have me over for dinner some time. Those two make me sorry I never had children.”
“Stay for dinner tonight. Grilled steak, potatoes and salad. Maybe it’ll be a celebration.” Dan wasn’t sure why he issued the invitation. Something to do with Rob’s scent, maybe, or the growing firmness in Dan’s dick. Shit, I’m perpetually horny around him. Gotta learn to control this.
Rob’s gray eyes widened, but he answered quickly enough. “I’d be delighted, and it will be.”
The proceeding was, to Dan’s relief, very informal. Judge Maylor, dressed in a suit rather than a robe, motioned them to comfortable chairs and sat at his desk. He reviewed the file, peered over his glasses at Billy once or twice, and then closed the file and leaned back in his chair, twirling his glasses in one hand.
“A good brief, Rob. Young man, do you prefer William or Bill?” The judge’s voice was deep and warm, and under his silver hair, his gray eyes were kind.
“Billy, sir.”
“You understand what’s going on here, Billy?”
“Yes, sir. I’m asking you to let me live with Dr. Baxter, and for him to be my guardian.”
“Precisely. May I ask why? You’re eighteen, and certainly old enough to be on your own and live wherever you wish.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for that, yet. I don’t have any income or savings, and working full-time would interfere with my last year of high school.” He paused. “Dr. Baxter said that I can live with him, and I’d like that, but to protect him from my step-father, I think it would be better if he were my legal guardian.”
“Yes, that would be best for him, from a legal standpoint. All right, I understand why you wish to do this, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask a few questions. Have you any living blood relatives who might object to this?”
“No, sir. My mom’s parents died when she was little. Her grandparents raised her, but they died when I was a baby.”
“Rob, you searched for any living relatives?”
“I did, Your Honor. Billy’s mother was born here, which made the search easier
than it might have been. I found no one. I couldn’t find much information on Billy’s father, but Mrs. Webber didn’t correspond with anyone that could be found to be a blood-relation.”
Maylor turned back to Billy. “Did your mother ever mention your father’s family?”
“No, sir.”
“Very well. I admire your courage and strength, young man. I believe you’ve been subjected to you stepfather’s brutality for years, but you don’t appear to have allowed it to make you bitter or angry. Removing you from Mr. Webber’s home quickly and quietly is the best solution.” He folded his hands together and rested them on the desk. “However, I’m quite familiar with the behavior patterns of abusive parents, and if your stepfather crosses my radar again, if he lays a finger on you or tries to interfere in your new life, I’ll go to the D.A. myself and have him file charges. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.” Billy looked up, startled. “You said my new life. Does that mean what I think it does?”
Maylor smiled. “Yes, son, that’s what it means. The petition for guardianship is approved. Rob, I presume you have … ah, thank you.” He took the paper the attorney held out. “Billy, this is a Temporary Restraining Order. There are a lot of legal terms and technicalities in it, but in short, it orders Webber to stay away from you. If you see him, anywhere, anytime, he’s too close. You call the police, right then, and he goes to jail. Do not hesitate to make that call. Most of the police officers in this town are good people, who will go out of their way to help you. Rob, given the circumstances of this case, the hearing will be in closed court. It will probably be at least two weeks before the hearing. I’ll keep you informed.”
He signed the order, removed his glasses, and looked at Billy. “You’ve had a
hard life until now. But you have friends who love you, and you’re free of your
stepfather. Dr. Baxter, take good care of him. Billy, if you find that you have trouble dealing with what happened, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Talk to Dr. Baxter, or a counselor. There’s no shame in admitting you can’t go it alone.” He held the door for them, and they walked into the hall. “Rob, a moment, please.”
Dan watched Billy while they waited for the attorney to rejoin them. He looked dazed, and Dan could understand that. With a pen stroke, his life had undergone a radical change. But he was still tense, and Dan understood that as well. What did the judge have to say to Rob that he wanted kept from them?
The door opened, and Rob emerged. Billy stared at him. “That’s it? It’s really true? I don’t have to go back?”
Rob grinned at the three of them. “You’re free, Billy. Go home with the doc and learn to enjoy life. Be happy kid, you deserve it.”
The boys headed for the car, Dan and Rob following. They dropped back to give themselves privacy, but never let the teenagers out of their sight.
“What did the judge want, Rob? Is there any problem?”
“He told me he suspected there was more than a beating involved, but that his suspicions would remain his own. He’s a good man, Doc, so he won’t pursue this unless something else happens. I think that’s why he told Billy not to hesitate to ask for help.”
“I’ll be certain to let him know counseling is available if he wants it, but I’m not sure he’ll need it.” Dan shook his head. “I don’t understand how he could live eighteen years with that man and still be such a great kid.”
**********
On the way home, Billy and Marty sat in the back seat of the car, and Marty outlined Billy’s recovery regimen. Dan listened as his son spoke, smiling at the no-nonsense tone in Marty’s voice.
“Some swimming every day. That will stretch your muscles, but stretch them easy. A half hour of sun, because the heat will feel good. No more than that until you build up some tolerance, or you’ll burn. Good food, to put a little weight on you. I have some cream that will help with the bruises. My karate instructor told me about it, and it works. A light massage to keep the muscles loose and relaxed. A lot of sleep. A week or two of that, and you’ll be in great shape.”
“Bossy, aren’t you? Remember, I have to write out that list for Mr. Sheridan. It won’t take long. All I need are my books, ny wallet, and the picture of my mom that’s in my room.”
Marty frowned. “What about your computer?”
“That’s his, he just let me use it sometimes.”
“You mean you learned to be a computer wiz using those crappy school computers? Damn, I knew you were smart, but I didn’t know you were that smart. Why would you wanna hang with a dumb jock like me?”
“You’re not dumb, Marty. You’re better than me at computer stuff, and I snuck a look at your ACT/SAT scores. They’re almost as good as mine. You just don’t care. If you needed better grades, you’d get them. But you don’t, so you coast.”
“Got me pegged, huh?”
“Of course I do. While you work on getting me healthy, I think I’ll have you do
some reading. You’re wasting your brain, and it’s too good for that.”
“Bossy, aren’t you?”
The two dissolved in laughter, and Dan realized it was the first time he’d heard Billy laugh with such freedom. If that was the only thing that came from taking the teenager in, it was well worth it.
They stopped at a store on the way home. Billy didn’t have any swim trunks, and Marty’s would have been comical on his small frame. Dan had Billy pick out a pair of shorts, a shirt, and a pair of socks. When Billy reached for a package of his usual loose boxers, Dan pointed out boxer briefs. “They’ll feel better right now, trust me.” Billy found his size, and added them to the basket. Marty, his face far too innocent, dropped in two toothbrushes. Billy grinned at him.
At the house, Dan told Marty to take the bags to his room, and held Billy back for a moment. “I know you’re probably nervous about running around in swim trunks, but don’t be, okay? The neighbors couldn’t see a thing through the privacy fence, even if they were home.”
“I’ll be okay, Dr. Baxter. I’m glad about the fence, though.”
“Why don’t you call me Dan? Dr. Baxter’s too formal for us now, isn’t it?” Billy nodded, and Dan continued. “One last thing, and then you can go. I’ve always been physically demonstrative with Marty. We hug, and kiss, and touch. It would be natural to treat you the same way, but I’d understand if that bothered you. Promise me that if I do anything that makes you uncomfortable, you’ll tell me.”
“I promise, but I don’t think you could do anything that would bother me. I’ve always been a little bit jealous of the … the easy affection between you and Marty.” He raised his head, and met Dan’s eyes.
Dan saw the trust in that face, and vowed to always be worthy of it. He pulled Billy in for a quick hug. “You’re a great kid.” He ruffled his hair. “Go on, Marty’s probably wearing a hole in the carpet, waiting for you.”
After a lazy swim, a half hour in the sun, and an enormous lunch, Marty hustled Billy to the bedroom. “Shower off all the chlorine, and then I’ll work some of that cream into your bruises. I’ll bet you’re snoring before I’m done.” Their voices faded as they walked down the hall.
Half an hour later, Marty entered the room, and Dan absently patted the sofa cushion, his eyes on the medical journal he was reading. “Have a seat. Is Billy sleeping?” Marty sat down, unusually quiet, and Dan turned to look at him. Though he made no sound, tears dripped steadily from his eyes. “What’s wrong?” Marty shook his head, his throat working. Dan gathered him close, felt his son’s chest heave with quiet sobs, and felt his own gut wrench. “What happened? Are you all right?” He rocked Marty as he had when the boy had been a toddler, crooning to him, rubbing his shoulders and stroking his hair. “Tell me what’s wrong. I can’t help if you don’t talk to me.”
“This is the first time I saw everything, Dad.” He took a deep breath, sat up, and
wiped his eyes. “Seeing all those bruises, it just killed me.”
“You saw them last night, didn’t you?”
Marty shook his head. “Only the ones on his back and arms. Today, his swim trunks covered the worst of them. But just now … some of them are so bad, I hurt him. I hurt my Billy.” The anguish in his voice broke Dan’s heart. “Just smoothing the cream over them, even as soft as I could, he’d flinch and bite his lip.” He leaned forward, staring at his hands. “He’s got a bad one, just inside his hip, low on the groin. He said it’s from a pinch, when he wouldn’t … wouldn’t move the way Webber wanted him to. What makes someone so cruel?”
Dan gripped his son’s shoulder. “I’ve been so focused on Billy, I forgot that you were hurting, too. I’m sorry. Are you going to be able to handle this? I know how difficult it is to see someone you love in pain. I’ll do whatever I can to make it easier for you.”
