Upon entering Simon's room I saw the sweetest sight. Even was asleep in a chair holding his friend's hand with his head on my son's leg. Walking over to the seated teen I tapped him on his shoulder. Thankfully, he didn't jump. Instead, the sweetie turned to see who awakened him. And, if looks could kill!
"How is he doing?"
"Why are you here?!"
The boy glared at me.
"We need to talk. But, first, please read this."
Reaching over I took Simon's laptop, scrolled back to the conversation my son had with Bruce and me then handed it to the him.
"No Dad! Let Dylian go have his day at school! He needs it! He is a nine year old and shouldn't have to deal with this crap! I want him happy and laughing. No matter what happens to me that is my wish! He must have the carefree life he has never known!"
"Bruce, would you do me a favor? Please relay a message to Dylian!"
"Ask him to use our experiences to support another child! Remind him that there might be other kids in his school that are going through what we experienced. Now we know there are good people out there that WILL help if we let them! Maybe he can assist another guy like Dad has done for the two of us!"
"Even: You must realize I will do everything I can for my eldest. But, I also have Dylian. Your boyfriend asked that I care for and treat his brother as a normal child. Since I was unable to help Simon while he had surgery, I chose to be there for my youngest!."
"But, Si had a hole drilled into his head, and you went out of the hospital: deserting him! HOW COULD YOU!"
"I was present when he entered surgery. I knew that your mom, whom I trust totally, watched over him during the procedure. She told me he won't wake up for another eight hours because of the meds. I realized one of the most important persons in his life stayed with him every minute! Even, I never worried about my son being alone, because you were here for him."
I made sure my voice showed pure love while trying to get through to Simon's buddy.
"I am sorry, Sir. I shouldn't have gotten mad at you, but I was so scared for my boyfriend."
My nephew started crying.
"Oh, Sweetie, if I had to sit here just waiting, I would have gone totally nuts. That's one of the reason why I went to see Dylian. Simon understood that you were here throughout his operation and would be with him when he wakes up. Let me remind you just how important you are to him!"
"I guess! But, I don't understand: How could he want a used-up whore! Why would YOU let him be around such a lowlife?!"
"EVEN! Don't you ever say that again! You are not, nor were you ever, a whore! They abused you! You didn't have a choose! It was forced upon you: If you hadn't complied you would have been hurt or, even, killed! Protecting the other boys in that house makes you a brave person! I know that you don't believe me, but, please, consider this: Why is Simon happy with you, love you and want you? "
"Yeah! You big dummy! My brother is not an lowlife! He is a hero! And, I will beat you up if you keep saying that about him!" Donnie stated walking in, and, then, he hit Even on the shoulder.
"Oh, I am so sorry! I am not used to having so many people care about me, and how I feel!"
He burst into tears.
Donnie and I wrapped our arms around him, so he knew we still loved him.
Coming into the room Debbie saw what had occurred: You could see the concern in her face.
"Hello, Darling, how did you get here?"
"Oh, hi, Mommy! Helen brought me! I told her that Uncle Drew was at the hospital with Even. She said that she was going to try to find you, so you would know. I guess she didn't see you! Well, you might want to go look for her. I bet she is still searching for you! Do you think I can stay here with my bro? Is Dad joining us?"
Damn, that kid sure could talk!
"Take a breath boy! Yes, your father will be here in awhile. I haven't seen Helen, but I will have her paged. Even, are you all right?"
"Yeah, I guess!" He sniffed.
"Mom, he was being stupid! He called himself a used-up whore! Uncle Drew and I were telling him that he was not a prostitute but a hero: for the way he helped the other boys, kept them from getting hurt, and made sure they were fed! But, I am not certain he believes us. Maybe, you should talk to him, because I don't want my big brother to feel badly about himself!"
"Oh, I will! But, you do know that he is still in the room, right? He hears everything you are saying. You shouldn't talk about anyone in their presence like that!... Drew: Simon should be awakening, soon. Please, remind him not to talk. Also, make sure that he does not touch the bandages covering his head: particularly those over his eyes. I have instructed that someone always be with him for the next week. We will work out a schedule as to whom. Even, would you please come with me!"
She held out her hand for her eldest.
Taking the boy down to the nurse's station, she entered the adjoining lounge. Debbie pointed to a chair for the teen to sit in.
"Would you like a soda?"
Her child nodded his head yes.
"Is Coke okay? Well son, I must know if what Donnie said upset you."
"No, Ma'am, he was right! I really do feel like a used-up whore: The only thing I ever did was pleasuring those old men. I hate feeling this way, but I don't know how to change!"
Simon's boyfriend broke down crying.
"Oh, Sweetie! Your brother and Uncle Drew were right, you are not a call boy, nor were you ever. Son, you are a victim of severe child abuse. Dr. Maxwell will help you deal with those feelings. But, we do not see you as a prostitute. You are our beloved son, brother, nephew, and friend. Coming to terms with what happened takes a great amount of support from us and effort on your part, however it was never your fault. I am aware it will be awhile before you see yourself in a positive light. But, until then, please make me a promise, can you do that?"
"Yeah, I guess!" Even sniffed.
"I want your agreement never again to refer to yourself as a slut!"
"Okay, I will try!"
Hugging her new child tightly his mother held him for awhile. Once he regained control of his emotions she asked:
"Sweetie, do you have anything you would like to say?"
"No, Ma'am."
"Darling, please call me Debbie if you don't feel comfortable saying "Mom": However, I wish you would not use the term "Ma'am"!"
"You really wouldn't mind if I said "Mother"?!"
"Oh goodness, no! You are my son now! Nothing would make me happier than you thinking of me as your mommy, because that is what I am! All I want is for you to enjoy your life. I will do everything to ensure that happens. If you need something then you must tell me! But, remember this, you are stuck with me as your parent! What you call me doesn't matter one bit!"
Debbie held the sobbing boy close to her chest rocking him back and forth until he stopped crying altogether. Realizing that her son had fallen asleep she rolled the chair over to the adjoining couch, laid her eldest down and covered him with a blanket.
Upon leaving the area, the doctor left instructions to wake up her teen before her nephew returned to consciousness: She knew how important it was for her child to be there.
Then, Dr Edwards headed back into Simon's room.
"MOM!, what did you do with Even?!"
"Relax, you little devil! Your brother fell asleep in the lounge. I told the attendant to rouse him in a few hours. Drew: We need to figure out who is going to stay with your son! Do you wish to hire a team of private nurses or should the family handle it?"
"I think we can look after him during the day and employ a caretaker to be here at night. I figure among Carol, Even, and me, we could cover the time my child is awake. The remaining hours are what I am worried about. I am afraid to have someone we don't know watch my eldest while he sleeps."
"Ummm... Pardon me, Sir." Agent Franklin said sticking his head into the room.
"Since we are assigned to be here, as it is, why not let us have the honor of keeping an eye on your boy after dark: One of my men can sit by him, or I would be delighted to switch my schedule!" the man suggested with pride.
"Honestly, that would be awesome! Thank you, Sir! That relieves me of a great burden! I know that you guys hate being out there. I hope that this will allow you to feel more useful. Again, I am most grateful for your offer! And, anyone you trust would be more than acceptable to me."
Getting up I shook his hand.
"I will need to call Carol to see if she would be able to stay with him during the day. Maybe she can even use the time to start Even's evaluation!"
"Kill two birds with one stone: Good thinking Drew! From what Miles and I have found out, our child hasn't been to school for at least six years! I talked to Mark and Brian: They said that Tyler and Andy are in the same situation. Let's have Nancy and Carol start working with all three boys while Simon is recovering! Although, by the end of next week he should be released."
"Oh, how I hope so! I want both of them home embarking on our new life! I will make some calls, too. See if you can get a space near by to use as a class room! I am sure that the hospital will cooperate. Tell them, if necessary, I will rent it!"
I laughed.
Things calmed down for awhile. I was reading some reports when there was a quiet knock at the door, and Sherry poked her head in.
"Mind if we come in for awhile, Sir?"
"Sure!... Please do! Where is Gagy?" I asked not seeing him in her arms.
"I am right her, silly!" Came his sweet giggle.
The blond tyke came flying into the room using his new power chair. He did a little spin and, then, pulled up right next to my chair. I was amazed at how well the child controlled his mechanism in that short amount of time.
"Guess what!" he exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes,... Buddy?"
"Some guys in white gave me this really great chair and said I could keep it! They told us it wouldn't cost Sissy anything! Next, we entered this room with all these different things that I had to go around without hitting them. I got a gold star for doing great! Then, I went into a different place, and somebody put jelly all over my legs! Afterwards a woman took a cast of them: She said that they were going to make me new ones! Isn't that the greatest!"
"WOW! You had a busy day. Why don't you go with my nephew Donnie to get a soda!"
Turning to Debbie' youngest, I declared:
"Sweetie, will you please take Gagy down to the lounge to buy him a drink?"
"Okay!" both boys answered together while laughing.
It was great seeing the two lively tykes giggling together.
"How are you holding up, Sherry?"
"Truthfully, it's all a little overwhelming! All the doctors treated us like we were royalty! They made my darling feel special and, that, means everything to me! I can't get over all that you had them do for us: After thinking I had been fired earlier, I was worried that I wouldn't have enough cash to buy necessities before I got another job! And, then, to find out not only do you still want me as your personal assistant, but you have given me a raise, taken care of my little brother's medical problems, and provided us with a new home! All in one day: That's hard to swallow! However, I am not complaining mind you!"
"No, I do understand. I was more than glad to do it! Did the little angel get a non-powered chair as well?"
"Yes! They said that they would deliver it to the loading zone. Although, I don't know how I am going to get it home."
"I took care of that! I ordered a new van with a power lift as your company car. We will pick it up tomorrow. Until, then, let's put the apparatus in the bed of my truck. I asked one of the security men to unload it when we reach your house. In addition, some adjustments to your new home need to be made so that its wheelchair accessible. The owners have agreed to permit making the structural changes immediately. Therefore, I started that process. Carol will be here later, so you will get to meet her. She is the current owner. By the way we are starting an informal school. I would like to include Gagy, as well. He may be the youngest student, but all the others are behind: Each the youngster has been kept out of a learning environment for one reason or another. What do you think?"
"I hadn't even considered getting my little one tutoring, but you are right! Who will be teaching?"
"That would be Me! Actually, Nancy Miller, as well as myself! My name is Carol Koch." the woman said coming into the room.
"Hi, I am Sherry Hensley! I have just been hired as Mr. Thomas' Personal Assistant. I have a six year old brother who never had formal instructions: And, it was he whom we were talking about!"
"That's not a problem: I have taught children of all ages up to and, including, adults!" the teacher said with pride.
"DADDY!" Dylian yelled running into the room as he jumped right into my lap!
"Son! You need to be a little quiet, your brother is still sleeping." explaining, as I hugged him tightly to my chest.
I just couldn't get him close enough to my heart.
"Sorry, Pops: I missed you too much! How is Si doing?"
"He is still sleeping so we don't know anything, yet!"
"Hi, you must be Sherry! I am Dylian, Dad's son."
Turning to Gagy's sister, my youngest held out his hand.
"Hello, Sweetie, it's nice to meet you."
She was interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the "gang".
Going directly to Simon's side Even checked to see how he was doing.
As the teen gently picked up his boy's hand my eldest started to stir. Jumping up I hit the call button to alert Dr Edwards.
"Easy Son! Your doing great. Aunt Debbie will be here in a minute!"
I could tell he was in pain.
"We are all here for you, Babe! Just hang on: Mom's on her way!" Even told his boyfriend.
My eldest began crying, as he gripped my hand with such force I wondered if he wouldn't break it!
When Debbie arrived she became visibly worried. Checking his bandage she turned to me, saying:
"Drew, he shouldn't be in pain! I am going to get Dr. Powers in here, fast! Keep him as calm as you can!"
Then, she ran out of the room.
I was surprised when Sherry spoke up in a take-charge voice, saying:
"All right: Everyone but Drew and Even follow me right now! Let's go, PRONTO!"
And, they, all, quickly tagged after her.
It wasn't long before both physicians appeared. The surgeon immediately decided he needed to examine the incision. Removing the bandages he saw the problem instantly.
"Dr. Edwards we need to get this wound cleaned right away!"
Thank you for all the feedback. I can't get over how many people like my narrative. I hadn't planned on it going this far. But you all keep encouraging me to continue writing this story! And my Editor won't let me stop! Hehe So I am going to try to keep it going as long as there is a demand for it. So let me know if there is demand for it. I also want to thank my Editor! You are a Great friend and a Damn good editor! I am sorry for being such a pain in the ass! Thanks for your support!
Please remember that kids are our future. It's time to protect them.
No Child Should Have To Sleep On The Street Tonight!
Hugs
Darrin