Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 22:55:02 -0400
From: snwdemon@yahoo.com
Subject: Playing the Game -- Rodie's story -- Chapter 10

Chapter 10:  Playing the game {M/t, M/b, no sex}

	WARNING: This story contains descriptions of sexual acts involving
MINOR boys.  I wish to explain that this story is not true!  Further, it is
not intended to promote illegal acts against minors, but to demonstrate
that young boys can love each other even when adults believe that they are
too young.  The sexual acts described in the story are the result of my
imagination.  I have not performed these acts, and I do not encourage
others to perform them with minors.  If the subject of boy/boy or
homosexual love between minors offends you, or this material is illegal to
possess in your place of residence, or if you are under the legal age to
possess such material, do not read further!

	By downloading this story: You implicitly declare and affirm under
penalties of perjury that you are not a minor or in the company of a minor
and are entitled to have access to material intended for mature,
responsible members of society capable of making decisions about the
content of documents they wish to read ."  The story is copyrighted under
my pseudonym, Snwdemon.  A copy has been placed in these archives for your
enjoyment.  The story cannot be used to derive monetary gain.  However, if
you want to place a copy of this story in your free access archives please
email me for my permission.  The story cannot be placed in archives that
require payment for access, or printed and distributed in any form that
requires payment either directly or indirectly.  Any similarity to
individuals, living, or dead, is partially accidental.  Reference is also
made in context to locations, businesses, characters, and people to define
the story line.  No other implication about the true sexuality or actions
of the people, or places mentioned is intended.

Author's note: Hello all, well I hate to say it, but this is almost the
final chapter of playing the game.  There may or may not be two more
chapters, but I have to wait and see how long the final part of the story
will be.  Knowing me, there could easily be more than two chapters, but I
won't know until I finish writing it.  Now, while this story ends, it is
not the end of Rodie's story though.  Once I finish this story, the future
chapters will now focus on the other characters in Rodie's life, and on
occasion, back to Rodie himself.  The next parts of the story will be first
about Stevie, then Canyon, and finally Derrick and Mark.  After that, I may
return to Rodie himself, but I have not looked that far ahead just yet in
Rodie's stories.  I am also going to request that all of Rodie's story be
placed in a single directory titled Rodie's Story.  This will also include
the first story Rodie's Love, this story, and all future stories involving
Rodie and his family.  Finally, I introduced a new character named Canyon
Caruthers at the end of this story.  This character was originally
portrayed in a separate storyline that I was never happy with.  Then the
idea stuck me to include him into Rodie's story as Eddie's and Marco's
foster/adopted son.  Therefore, the story about Rodie and his family is far
from over, but its focus will change slightly as Rodie won't be the main
character of attention for now.  It is because of the overwhelming response
that I've gotten asking me to expand the story to focus on some of the
other characters, or even to do separate stories about them.  Instead, I've
just decided to expand the story in general, and devote the future chapters
to them while still keeping Rodie in the storyline.  Some of the future
chapters will be more sexually graphic while others won't be.  While some
may or may not agree with this, I don't think that it will take away from
the story as a whole, and I have to remember that Rodie's love was posted
as an erotic story to begin with.  I just want to thank everyone who has
responded to my stories about Rodie and his family.  What began as an
attempt to write a more compelling, and detailed erotic story, has now
grown into a never ending storyline.  Also, how this story over all has
developed, with a bit of editing to tone down some of the more graphic
erotic parts, I cannot rule out the possibility that this will become my
first novel.  So thanks again to all of my fans, and God Bless you all.
Damion.


Playing the game: Rodie's story cont.


Chapter 10: Playing the game


	"Mom, John, I would like you to meet my little brother Stevie
Jacobs.  If it wasn't for him believing in me, and his help to never let me
quit, then I probably wouldn't be standing here, or walking right now.  He
talents are a lot like yours mom, only he can feel things much more deeply
though."  Rodie said to them while gently ushering Stevie forward while at
the same time keeping his arm protectively around Stevie's small shoulders.
Stevie blushed shyly as he huddled close to Rodie before cautiously shaking
John's hand.

	"Um, hi.  I'ms Stevie."  He said shyly after holding John's hand
for a few seconds and looking at him.  Sensing nothing but warmth,
gratitude, and genuine caring coming from John; Stevie blushed prettily the
same way Rodie always does before letting go of John's hand.  John knelt
down so he could speak to Stevie on his level instead of towering over him.

	"It is nice to meet you Stevie.  My sons told me so much about you,
and how you helped Rodie so much in his recovery.  You are always welcome
at our house once you move to the new facility.  It is an honor and a
pleasure to meet you at last.  You know Mark and Eric already, and I can
truthfully say that we are all very grateful to you for helping Rodie get
better."  He said to him, and Stevie could not sense any hint of deception
from John.  However, he could sense the love all of them had for Rodie and
now for him because of Rodie.  It was at this moment that Stevie realized
what he had to do to help Rodie heal the remaining rift and to make his
family whole once more.  His eyes quickly watered while he put on his
saddest expression before letting go of Rodie's hand and rushing into
John's waiting embrace.  He buried his face into John's shoulder and mewed
softly for a few moments while John gently stroked his back comforting him.
After a few minutes of this, Stevie's soft mews had stopped, John asked him
if he was ok now while he brushed away Stevie's tears, and Stevie nodded in
response.  However, just before he lifted his head up off John's shoulder,
he whispered softly into John's ear.

	"Yous know sumpin, Rodie really loves you, and wants yous to be his
daddy toos.  He's just a-feared that afters all the stuff that happeneds
that you wills says no."  Stevie said softly to him.  John raised his head
and looked into Stevie's eyes, and knew that he was speaking the truth.

	"Now I know why everyone has told me that you are so special,
because you really care about him, and he cares about you too."  John
whispered while still embracing him and Stevie just nodded in response.
"Thank you again young man, and we can talk later about this ok?"

	"Oks, I guess," Stevie said as John released him where he quickly
sought out the familiar comfort and security of his place next to Rodie.
However, Cathy managed to stop him before he could hide behind Rodie.  She
gently turned him until he was facing her, and held his small, damaged
hands in hers while they looked at each other.  Stevie could feel the
sadness in her caused by the rift between Rodie and her, and yet he could
also feel her overwhelming love, caring, and trust that she had for Rodie.
These traits in a parent are what Stevie has been looking for all of his
short life, and now he could see the mother that he has always wished for
in Cathy.  The only drawback was that she belonged to Rodie, and he felt a
pang of sadness for only a moment.  However, he quickly banished that
feeling because he was so happy because Rodie did have her, and he hoped
that maybe one day he could find someone like Cathy to be his mother.  With
this understanding though, it also brought back all of his pain that he had
endured, and his eyes filled once again as his bottom lip began to quiver.
Cathy pulled him close into her warm, and healing embrace making him feel
safe and happy.  Stevie relaxed, and opened his senses to her, but looked
back at Rodie suddenly before returning his gaze to Cathy.  Leaning close
to her, he whispered to her hoping Rodie wouldn't overhear.

	"He doesn't knows what you do's fors him.  He still thinks it was
alls his fault."  Stevie whispered quietly, and Cathy just looked at him.

	"No he doesn't, and maybe one day I will tell him, but not today
ok."  She said to him, and then Stevie looked quickly at Rodie again with
an alarmed expression.

	"Rodie!  Yous knows that yous can't stand up to's long without
the's braces.  Someones help me before he falls."  Stevie exclaimed as he
rushed over to Rodie and wrapped his small arms around Rodie's waist.
Rodie's legs were trembling, and everyone could see the strain on his face
as he struggled to remain standing.  Mark, Eric, and Jim sprang into action
as Cathy and John both caught Rodie as he began to topple forward.
Everyone quickly steadied him, and then helped him sit in his wheelchair
before Mark and Eric undid the Velcro on his pant legs and helped him put
on his leg braces.  Once this was done, Rodie made them all quit fussing
over him and asked Stevie to bring him his crutches.  Then he had Stevie
steady him once again as he stood up, and Stevie continued to stand as
close as possible to him as he took a few steps.  After a few moments,
Rodie leaned over and reassured Stevie that he was ok before kissing him on
the top of his head before facing the others.

	"Sorry you guys.  I said I could walk out of the doors, but that is
about all I can do right now.  You too Munchkin, I didn't mean to scare you
either.  I love you Munchkin, now help me with my hair please?"  Rodie told
them all, and then with a little bit of effort, Rodie knelt on one knee and
had Stevie pull out his newly lengthened hair from his shirt where he had
hidden it again after showing it to Jim.

	"Hey you fixed your hair!"  Eric exclaimed after Stevie had
extracted it and Rodie shook his head causing it to spread out around his
shoulders almost like a cape.

	"Yeah, I did.  I hope you like it.  Now come help me up before I
get stuck down here forever."  Rodie said with a laugh before Eric and
Stevie helped him stand up again.  "Come on Mom, and I will show you around
and introduce you to everybody."

	Everyone followed Rodie as he easily loped into the common area and
over to Nell, now that he was wearing his braces and had his crutches.  He
easily moved over and hugged her before she went hugged Cathy and then
John.

	"How are you two doing?  I haven't seen you since you were married,
and I can see that marriage agreed with both of you."  Nell said to them
both warmly.

	"We are happy Nell, but now we will be even happier once we have
Rodie home again."  Cathy told her as John nodded in agreement.

	"Well, I know that it has been hard for both of you and for him
too, but I think everything is working out as it should.  He has changed,
and grown so much since he came here.  I know things won't be the same now,
but I am very proud of him, and I think you will be too."  Nell told them
as she looked at Rodie who blushed prettily.

	"I haven't grown at all Miss. Nell, I'm still only 4'7", and the
docs said that I probably won't get much taller."  Rodie said
embarrassingly as he looked at his feet.

	"I know that dear, what I meant was that you've grown emotionally,
and the doctors said that you will grow taller once you start HRT."  Nell
told him, but Rodie responded without looking up from his feet.

	"I told you already that I don't want it, and I'm not going to do
it."  He said in his soft voice, but unable to look at her because he knew
she was disappointed with him about this.

	"I know you did, and I'm not going to argue with you about it
either.  It is your decision to make, and all I can do is advise you and
accept your decision.  Now, why don't you show them around while I finish
up here."  Nell said to him before giving him a reassuring hug to let him
know that everything was ok between them.  Rodie finally relaxed his
shoulders when she did this, and was about to ask his Mom and John if they
wanted to see his/Stevie's room when Eddie interrupted.

	"Jesus, I totally forgot the surprise!  I'll be right back."  Eddie
said with a fluster before hurrying out of the common area.  Rodie asked
Stevie to go put the scooter away for him before he sat down next to Jim,
and he watched Stevie scamper off to retrieve the wheelchair before he
leaned close to Jim and spoke.

	"I hope Eddie isn't going to spoil the surprise for Stevie," he
said softly.

	"No, I don't think so.  You know that you can find out easily
though."  Jim told him while watching him for his reaction.  The others
took seats around them and listened.

	"I know I can, but I've spent the last year learning not to do that
with my talents unless it's absolutely necessary."  Rodie said seriously to
Jim, and then he looked around at all of them.

      "It's really hard not to do that with all of you because I love all
of you so much.  I just never realized how important it is to respect a
person's privacy until I came here.  Just because I am able to hear what
someone thinks does not give me permission to do so unless they allow me,
and that goes especially for all of you.  That was the hardest thing to
learn because I trust all of you so much.  Now I see how I was causing a
lot of the problems with everyone because I was so open with my talents.  I
understand now why my best friend Andy turned against me at our old house
Mom.  I wasn't a very good friend to him, and I hope to say I'm sorry to
him one day for doing that to him."  Rodie told them as he remembered how
he had exposed Andy's most private secret just to prove to him that he
could read his thoughts.  When he told Andy every detail of how he would
wait until everyone in his family was gone and he was alone, then he would
put on and wear his sister's panties and dresses, Andy was crushed by this.
His most private and embarrassing secret was now known by Rodie and he knew
now that nothing could be secret with Rodie's abilities.  From that day on,
Andy refused to have anything to do with Rodie, and now Rodie could see how
horrible his behavior was to his best friend.  He hoped that one day soon
he could go see Andy, and apologize and prayed that he would forgive him.
Even with everyone he loved and trusted so much, he could now see how he
had abused his talents by not allowing them to have secrets with him.  He
was also coming to understand a little of why his father had hurt his so
much because of this very reason.  He now understood that everyone had
secrets, and he could not use his talents to discover those secrets.  He
even had a secret, and even Jim did not know about it.

      "I know what you mean Rodie, and I tried to explain it to you before,
but it wasn't the right time yet for you to understand.  This is what makes
every person different from everyone else, and for you to expose their
secrets forces them to behave differently.  Some would admit their secrets
and avoid you like Andy did, or some would react like me and not be
bothered so much by it; while others would react with revulsion and hatred
like your father did.  It still does not excuse him from the things he did
to hurt you, or forgive him for his crimes that he committed, but it shows
you that it was your talents that exposed the monster inside him.  It
wasn't your fault because even before you exposed his secrets, he was
already letting his twisted desires control him.  You just have to respect
others privacy from now on is all, and I am sorry that it cost you so much
to learn this."  Jim told him as he put his arm around him and hugged him.

      "I know Jim, and I do that now.  I was too young and immature to
understand that, but I've grown up a lot and understand now.  I cannot
change what my father was, but now that I understand things more I will be
able to forgive him one day for what he did to me.  Even though he hurt me,
I can now see how hard he tried to control himself so that he wouldn't hurt
me, and how he left us so that he couldn't hurt me again after he realized
he could not stop himself.  The doctor explained to me that daddy was very
sick in his mind, and that the sickness is what caused him to hurt me and
those other boys.  I also know that my daddy did love me...even after his
sickness changed him.  One day I will be able to forgive him completely,
but not right now though."  Rodie said as he leaned his head against Jim,
and Jim just kissed him on the top of his head.

      "So does this mean that you won't ever use your telepathy again?"
Eric asked him.

      "Oh no, I can't change the fact that I have this talent Eric, but now
I understand how I was using it was wrong.  I will always be able to hear
someone's thoughts and read their memories just like I can feel what they
feel.  However, now I know that I shouldn't read their thoughts because by
doing that without their permission can hurt them just as much as if I hit
them or did something else to hurt them.  Um...I don't know if I can
explain it right, but here goes.  A person does not remember everything
they see, hear, or do.  They just remember the important stuff, like things
that affect them and allows them to change and grow as a person.  The every
day things like taking out the trash or going to the store is put in their
temporary memory and eventually forgotten, but the important things are
stored away in long term memory in the brain in kind of like a room.  As a
person fills up the room, they keep adding more rooms until it is more like
a building with many rooms.  The doctor called this place in the brain a
person's memory palace, and everyone has one that they build in their mind.
They put certain memories in different rooms, and this allows them to
recall and relive those memories whenever they want or need to.  What I can
do is that I can also go into this palace and experience these memories
too, but by doing that without their permission forces them to behave
differently towards me because they cannot trust me.  Now that I understand
this, I won't do it unless I have to.  See, up until I came here, I relied
mostly on my telepathy to protect myself from being hurt or embarrassed.
However, the people here have taught me how to use my empathy with others
like Mom and Marco do instead of my telepathy.  It is much easier for me to
do that now, and it allows me to be myself without constantly worrying that
someone will find out about my talents.  It is only my ability to read a
person's memories that scares people, but now I know how to control myself
so that won't happen anymore.  If you really want to see what an Empath can
do, then just watch Stevie because he is the strongest Empath here.  He has
the same abilities that I have, but he has not yet discovered his
telepathic abilities yet.  Mom knows when I discovered my telepathic
abilities though."  Rodie explained to all of them.

      "I understand Rodie, and I could tell that he is your equal as an
Empath, but why not tell him about his telepathy; or better yet, teach him
how to use it."  Cathy told him.

      "Because it wouldn't work Mom, and I know because I tried already.
Stevie has the potential, but he has to learn how to make it work for him
to use it.  It won't be the same way that I make my talents work, just like
Mark and Eric have the same potential, but they cannot become telepaths
unless they find a way to make it work for them.  Everyone has the
potential, but everyone has to learn how to unlock that potential before
they can use it.  Since everybody thinks differently, then what works for
me will not work for them because of that.  Most people never try or
succeed in unlocking their potential, while some like Eric and Mark only
unlock certain abilities, or like me, unlock all of them.  See, I did it
again because I wasn't thinking.  I'm sorry Mark and Eric, I didn't mean to
tell your secret."  Rodie said to them while his face burned with shame for
what he had done.

      "It's ok Rodie, they already know so it isn't like it's a big secret
with us.  We just don't like others to find out the same as you don't like
others to find out about you."  Eric told him and Mark agreed.  Just then,
a happy woof broke the mood, and Rodie spun around in his seat and looked
towards the main entrance with a happy surprised expression on his face.
Eddie was being dragged across the lobby by Brutis who was sliding as he
struggled to reach Rodie.

      "Brutis!"  Rodie exclaimed happily, as he slid out of his seat and
tossed away his crutches before sinking down onto his knees.  Eddie let go
of the leash and Brutis bulled his way forward, but managed to skid to a
stop before he plowed into Rodie at full speed.  They all watched as Rodie
threw his arms around Brutis who was busy licking his face while he jumped
and jittered around with glee while Rodie cried softly from his happiness.

      "I knew it the first time I saw them together that they were meant
for each other."  Marco said to them as Eddie joined them.

      "It is said that a dog will pick its master, and you can see without
a doubt that Brutis has chosen Rodie."  Jim said and the others agreed.
After a few minutes of being slobbered on, Rodie managed to get Brutis to
calm down, and he gave him a final kiss on his snoot before starting to
struggle to get up.  Eric and Mark rushed over to help him when Stevie
returned and saw Brutis.  Rodie stopped them and had Eric bring him a
chair, and then motioned towards Stevie to come to him.  Stevie hurried
over to him, but veered around Mark and Eric and came up behind Rodie as he
gave a wary look towards Brutis.

      "It's ok Stevie.  I want you to meet my best friend Brutis.  He is a
Shar-Pei, or wrinkly dog.  You can pet him, and he won't bite, but he may
slobber all over you though."  Rodie said to the young tow headed boy.
Stevie cautiously knelt next to Rodie before slowly easing his small
damaged hand out and allowing Brutis to sniff it before petting him.  After
Stevie petted Brutis a few times, Brutis started licking Stevie's hand.

      "Hey, his tongue is purple...and it tickles when he licks me."
Stevie said with boyish glee as whatever fears he had fell away as he
hugged and petted Brutis with Rodie and their laughter began to fill the
room.  Soon, after a few minutes other children had joined Rodie, Mark,
Eric, and Stevie as they played with Brutis.  Of course, with him being the
center of attention in the growing crowd of kids, Brutis hammed it up, and
even raced around the table a few times before plunging back into the
center of kids.  Nell smiled warmly as the room filled with the laughter of
the kids.  She and the others moved away to the side as the other patients
came in and joined Rodie, Stevie, and Brutis.

      "Heartwarming to watch, isn't it?"  Jim asked her.

      "Yes it is, but enough of that.  Let the children play, and all of
you can help me finish getting things ready, and Mike will be joining us in
a few moments."  She said as she took charge and started giving out
assignments.




1:30 PM (right after lunch)


	Nell finally got the kids to settle down now that lunch was over.
Unlike other long term care rehabilitation hospitals for children, this one
was different in the fact that all of the kids here were outcasts.  This
fact alone made every one of them hyper-sensitive about the other kids
feelings, and allowed them all to bond in friendship with each other.
Therefore, when it came time for one of them to leave, it was always an
emotional event for all of them.  It was both happy and sad for them all
because one of them was going home.  They were happy because their friend
was well enough to leave, and sad because these kids had so few friends in
their lives that losing one always hurt.  However, today was even more
troubling for them because the most talented among them was leaving.

      In Rodie, they had found a true and loyal friend, who had suffered
tribulations that they could hardly imagine, nor did they know if they
could survive as he had done.  However, it was his caring and compassion
for their pain that made him so special to all of them because he knew
about pain and how to conquer it.  More importantly though, was that he was
glad to share with each of them his knowledge and personal pain with them
so that they could overcome their own pain whether emotional or physical.
Therefore, they were all happy that Rodie was well enough to go home, but
each one of them also was saddened by this fact because it felt like they
were losing one of their most loved family members too.  Now the time had
come to say goodbye, and Nell knew that many of the kids would be seeking
her out for comfort once he left, especially Stevie.

      "Now that all of you are stuffed and happy, I think someone would
like to say something to all of you.  Rodie, when ever you are ready."
Nell said into the microphone before handing it to Rodie.  He paused for a
long moment as he scanned the faces of all of the kids he now counted as
his friends.

      "Um...I'm not much for talking like this, but there are still a few
things I have to do here before I can leave.  I think you all know by now
that if you cry, then so will I because I feel the same as you do.
Everyone here has let me help them so that they could get better, but at
the same time, all of you have helped me feel better about myself so I
could get better too.  All I can say is thank you to all of you for helping
me get to this point because a year ago I really didn't think I would make
it to 12 let alone to today...so thanks guys."  Rodie said in his soft
voice, and only choking up a bit at the end.  The other kids all clapped
and cheered for him, and Cathy and Jim could see more than a few already
crying.  Rodie could sense their sadness, and was sad himself because he
was leaving them already so it wasn't surprising for them to see him wiping
his eyes.  It took a few moments, but the other kids settled down once
again which allowed Rodie to collect himself and continue.

      "Now, I'm not rich or famous, at least not yet, but there are a few
gifts I need to give out to some special people.  First off, I have a
special gift for Miss Fletcher," Rodie said before pausing while nurse
Fletcher made her way over to him.  Once she stood beside him, he
continued.

      "We all know that you will be replacing Miss Nell when she leaves in
two months.  You already have a unique ability to see into a person's past
when you touch something of theirs, but to really understand and help kids
like us, you need to be able to feel our pain like Miss Nell can.  You have
already touched on the edges of this ability, but never fully explored it
though.  So that is my gift to you so that you can be just as special to
all of the new kids who will come here in the future just as she is to all
of us."  Rodie said to her before kissing her on the cheek and giving her
this ability by showing her how to unlock her potential."  Nurse Fletcher
was a little stunned after she stepped back and she felt the emotions of
the other kids fully for the first time.  After a few moments though, she
looked back at Rodie who just nodded his head at her before she hugged him
and thanked him.  Rodie now knew that his friends would be well taken care
of by her now that she could truly understand how they felt.  This was
Nell's most important asset because she knew how each of them felt, and
understood when they were hurting, but most importantly, how they were
hurting.  This allowed her to get them the right kind of help to make the
pain go away.  Now Rodie had just passed that ability on to Nurse Fletcher,
and he already knew that Nell would teach her how to use that ability
before she left.  It was also Rodie who got the other kids to follow his
example of showing respect by addressing the staff as Mr., Mrs., or Miss.
This showed respect to the staff because they were adults, but it also made
the relationships between the staff and the kids less formal and more
personable.  The staff stopped acting like uncaring robots doing a job of
caring for kids, and started behaving more like parents and they began
forming a more personal connection with the kids.

      "Next, this gift isn't really from me, but from my family to the
entire staff and management here at Oaklawn.  I already gave them the means
and property for the new facility in Nags Head that will be opening in two
months.  I know that I'm not the first suicidal patient you have saved
here, nor will I be the last either.  However, as a token of appreciation
for helping rescue me from my suicidal depression, and for helping so many
more kids like me, my family has organized a trust fund that will provide
Oaklawn a grant of $250,000 a year so that you can continue helping other
kids in need."  He said with a smile while he let his gratitude show in his
face as the Doctor Blair came over and thanked him first, and then Cathy,
John, Jim, and the others while the kids clapped again.  Once they settled
down again Rodie wiped his eyes again before speaking again.

      "Now, these are not gifts I'm going to give out now, but they are
very important to me and many of you too.  Therefore, would you please join
me here when I call your name.  While I am talking to them, Miss Ritchie
made us a giant cake, so why don't you all go get some and I will be with
all of you guys in a few minutes.  Now then, Jim can you come here, and
also Miss Nell, Stevie Jacobs, Dr. Mike, Eddie and Marco, Derrick Moyer,
Mark Young, Eric Young, and Canyon Caruthers.  Mom, can you and John also
come here too please?"  Rodie asked before waiting for them all to join him
in front.  As everyone gathered around the cake, the ones Rodie had asked
came up front and joined him.  When they joined him, he asked each of them
to stand in a certain spot around him sort of in a loose semicircle.  Once
all of them had joined him and were standing in their spot he assigned
them, he had to stop and ask Jim to get him a stool because his legs were
hurting and about to give out again.  Once he was seated, he had Jim get
him some water while Nell brought him his medication, and he took it and
before he continued after turning off the microphone.  He could see that a
few of them were surprised to be there with him, but the most surprised
person was Mark.

      "Mark and Derrick, could you come here.  I know that you are
surprised that Derrick is here Mark, but I invited him.  You know that I
love you, and that we both had hoped that our love would one day bring us
together, and maybe it will.  I just know that I've grown up a lot over
this past year here, and one of the hardest things for me was to face the
fact that I love you, but want you as my brother only for now.  However, I
know that there is someone that you do love and he loves you, but your
promise to wait for me is the only thing keeping you apart.  Therefore, I
am now releasing you from that promise so that you can be with Derrick who
loves you as much as you love him.  You and Derrick are meant to be
together, and maybe one day we will be something more than brothers, but
right now it can't be because I do not love you except as my brother right
now."  Rodie told him quietly with tears in his eyes.  However, Mark was
saddened, but relieved too, and he admitted to Rodie that he already knew
this, but that he didn't have the heart to tell him.

      "I'm glad for both of you, but I still need Derrick for something
else ok?"  Rodie asked him and Derrick nodded before moving to the side
while holding Mark's hand while keeping his right hand in his pants pocket.
Rodie picked up and turned on the microphone again before asking Nell and
Dr. Mike to come join him.

      "I know that you guys have tried to keep it a secret from everyone
except my family, but you already know that is really hard to do around all
of us here.  Therefore, we all just wanted to thank both of you for
everything you have done to help me and the rest of us here, and we all
want to congratulate you on your engagement."  Rodie told them both while
the rest of the kids cheered, and applauded, while they all let Nell and
Mike feel their love, gratitude, and happiness that they had for both of
them.  Then Rodie silently told Jim to get ready before handing the
microphone over to Nell.

      "Thank you Bright Eyes and all the rest of you, and we love all of
you too.  We are both so happy that we were able to help all of you through
the troubling times that all of you have had.  In addition, it was because
of you that brought us together here because all of you here made us both
feel like you all were our own kids.  We also want to thank you Rodie,
because if it were not for you, then we would not be getting married and
adopting a very special little boy."  Nell told him knowing that he already
knew who she was talking about.  However, before she could continue, Stevie
let out a piercing wail of pain began running towards his room.  Jim
intercepted him and scooped him up in his arms.  Stevie tried to get free,
but Jim quickly subdued his struggles until he stopped and just wept into
his chest.  He carried Stevie back over to Rodie, and passed him into
Rodie's arms.  Stevie just buried his small face into Rodie's shoulder as
he continued to weep heartbreakingly.  Rodie also wept with him as he
soothed him with his mind and soft voice.

      "It is ok Stevie, I promised that I would take care of everything,
and I have; so calm down and listen to me."  Rodie told him softly as he
hugged him gently.

      "No's you didn't, yous just saying it so I won'ts cry.  Yous goings
far aways, and Miss. Nells is leaving and goings to adopts that boy I told
yous about."  Stevie said through his tears and hiccups.

      "No Stevie, that is not true.  Now you have to listen to me, and
remember our promise to each other.  You are my little brother, and always
will be no matter what happens, forever.  I have never lied to you, and I
never will, but I have to tell you something very important so you need to
stop crying...for me, please?"  Rodie told him as he lifted Stevie's head
until they were touching forehead to forehead while their tears mixed with
each other.  After a moment, Stevie agreed, and Rodie helped by kissing
away his tears while Stevie gently wiped away Rodie's tears.

      "Thank you Munchkin," Rodie told him.  Rodie was the only one allowed
to call him by his nickname without Stevie getting upset about it.  "Now,
you remember this morning when you told me what you overheard Miss Nell
saying on the phone the other day?"  He asked his young tow headed friend.

      "Yeah, ands yous made me promise nots to listen likes that again
too."  Stevie said with a few hiccups.

      "Well, she was talking to Dr. Mike because they had just found out
that the court has agreed to let them adopt this very special little boy.
However, they first need to make sure that he gets well because he is
disabled.  Do you understand so far?"  Rodie asked him and Stevie's eyes
watered once more, as his bottom lip began to quiver.

      `It means theys found anover boy to loves and will be going fars away
just like yous are ands I's will be's all alones again."  Stevie said sadly
as fresh tears began to trickle down his young face.

      "No, that is not true, now why don't you ask Miss Nell to tell you
the truth now."  Rodie told him gently before Dr. Mike and Nell knelt
beside them.

      "Is its true that's you loves anover boy and going fars away like
Rodie?  Please says it isn't trues.  I don'ts want yous to goes fars away."
Stevie said to Nell through his tears, and she could see his little heart
breaking as he waited for her to answer.

      "Yes it is true that we do love a very special little boy and moving
away, but we can't leave here just yet because he hurt his hands really bad
and has to learn how to do things differently first."  She told him with
all of her love and caring in her voice.  Even then, it still took a few
moments before Stevie realized the truth.

      "You means that he hurts his hands just likes me?"  He asked with a
hurt and confused expression on his face.

      "No Stevie, she is talking about you.  When you overheard her on the
phone the other day, that cute boy she was talking about is you."  Rodie
gently explained to him.

      "Buts that means theys want to adopts...me," his voice trailed off as
he realized what they were telling him and his eyes opened real wide as
they filled with hope.  He looked over at Dr. Mike first, and then looked
over at Nell.  "You means it Miss Nell?  That's you really wants to adopts
me?  Really?"

      "Yes we do Stevie, but only if you want us to be you mommy and daddy.
The courts told us last week that our application to adopt you was
approved, but we decided to wait until now to tell you because we knew how
upset you would be today with Rodie going home."  Nell and Mike explained
to him, and Stevie quickly threw his arms around them both, and cried and
spoke at the same time.

      "I loves you boths too, and want you to be my mommy and daddy
forevers," he said with a serious face as they dried his eyes.  Then he
looked at both of them, and his eyes narrowed before turning back to Rodie.
"You knews all alongs didn't yous?"  He asked accusingly while Rodie just
nodded to him.  For a moment, his small adorable face tightened with anger,
but then it quickly softened as he felt the love Rodie had for him.

      "I told you that when I leave, that you would get the one thing that
you have always wished for.  Now you have your own family again, but no
matter what, we will still always be brothers like we promised.  I think
that Miss Nell and Dr. Mike will be great parents to the most special
little brother I have.  However, there is another surprise still, but
Dr. Mike will tell you.  Ouch, my neck!"  Rodie exclaimed to him as Stevie
hugged him tightly.  Stevie quickly released him and apologized, and Rodie
just turned his head for a moment before kissing Stevie on the nose to let
him know everything was ok.  Then Stevie turned to Mike while he still sat
almost chest to chest in Rodie's lap.

      "I know how important Rodie is to you, and how much you two love each
other.  Therefore, instead of you staying at the new facility, we have
decided that you can do your therapy as an outpatient like Rodie.  It was
also decided that we would sell our house in Nags Head and move to Rodanthi
instead of living next to the new facility."  He told Stevie, but Stevie's
face turned sad when he said that they would not live in Nags Head.

      "But Rodie lives in Nags Head, Dr. Mike," he said sadly.  Rodie
gently turned him around until their eyes met.

      "No I don't Stevie, I used to live there.  The new facility is where
we used to live remember."  He said and Stevie nodded.

      "I now live with Jim, and my Mom, John, Mark and Eric live next door,
and our houses are right on the beach too."  Rodie explained as his gently
cleaned Stevie's face.

      "So's where do's you lives so's I could comes visit yous?"  Stevie
asked him.

      "We live in Rodanthi Stevie."  Rodie told him with a smile.

      "But's...he said we's gonna lives...," Stevie said and the truth
began to come to him as he stared at Rodie with a surprised expression on
his face, and Rodie just nodded.

      "Really?  For Keeps?"  Stevie asked him still unable to accept the
truth unless Rodie said it.

      "Really Munchkin, for keeps, and you will come stay with me until
Mike and Nell move into the new house which is right next to my house.  I
promised you that I would never leave you little brother, and I will never
break that promise.  You are the most wonderful thing that has ever
happened to me Munchkin, and I will love you forever."  Rodie told him
before Stevie wrapped his small arms around Rodie's shoulders in a crushing
hug, but also being careful not to hurt Rodie's neck this time while
kissing him on his cheek.  "Now Munchkin, I need you to go stay with
Miss. Nell while I finish up ok?"  He said and Stevie nodded before letting
Nell lift him up out of Rodie's arms.  Jim came over to see if Rodie was
ok, and all Rodie did was to hug him tightly before whispering his thanks
in Jim's ear.  Then Rodie motioned for another slender, young, blond haired
boy over to him.  The most striking things about this boy were his piercing
Ice Blue eyes, his thick, his shoulder length mane of blond hair, and the
fact that he was wearing prosthetics for his arms and hands.

      "Eddie, Marco, and Derrick, I want you to meet my friend.  I would
like you to meet the first patient of the new facility.  His name is Canyon
Caruthers, and he lost his arms in an accident a year ago."  Rodie said to
all of his family as they stepped close to him.  "Eric, he is the same age
as you and will be in your class at school.  I thought that you two could
be friends since he likes most of the same things as you."  Rodie told him,
Eric came over and introduced himself to Canyon, and he knew that Rodie was
right.  Canyon tried to extend his prosthetic arm, but couldn't move it
much before his face began to burn with embarrassment.  Rodie and Eric
quickly assured him that it was ok, and that made him feel a little better
although he was still self conscious about his arms.  Rodie motioned
Derrick to come over while Eric stepped back.

      "Derrick, the accident wasn't that long ago, and Canyon is just
learning how to use his new prosthetic arms.  You might already know him
though because he was one of the top Junior's in gymnastics before the
accident.  Since he can't be a gymnast anymore, I thought that he could
join the dance school with you and Mark, and maybe you could help him learn
to use his arms too."  Rodie explained, and Derrick came over to Canyon,
and took his right hand out of his pants pocket revealing the same type of
prosthetic arm as Canyon's.  Canyon was shy and wary until he saw Derrick's
arm, and in that instant, a new friendship was forged between them.

      "You have one too?  And you can use it?"  Canyon asked him in his
high pitched music like voice.  Derrick just nodded, and demonstrated by
picking up the microphone, and turning it over before placing it back on
the table.  While they began to talk, Rodie got up and moved his chair over
to where Marco, Eddie, and his mom were before sitting again.

      "Eddie, Marco, and Mom.  I know that it's not nice to eavesdrop, but
both of you were my first friends, and are still my closest friends.  I
know that you may not remember, but when Mom got married, you mentioned to
Jim that you were thinking about fostering or adopting a child.  Canyon is
a really good kid with a lot of talent, and he needs someplace to go
instead of back into the foster care system.  Would you want to take care
of him so he can get better like I did?  He really needs some friends and
someone to love him just like me when I first came to the beach.  Mom, I
know that they will need some help because being a parent is really hard.
Could you help them so they can give Canyon the same chance to be happy
like me?  If for no other reason, could you do it for me please?"  Rodie
asked all three of them.

      "Of course we will, we were going to wait for the new facility to
open, and then see if there was a child who needed us."  Marco and Eddie
told him before hugging and kissing him.

      "You should already know that I will do whatever I can Rodie.  I just
want to make sure that this is the right thing to do."  Cathy told him in a
low voice and she leaned down to kiss him.

      "It is mom, I wouldn't even be suggesting it if it wasn't the right
thing to do for Canyon.  He needs us because he is just like I was.  He
lost his parents and his arms in the accident, and he can see things about
a person when he meets them, even things that haven't happened yet.  Only
his parents knew about his talents, but now they are gone and he is so
alone now...just like I was.  He is really torn up inside right now
too...just as I used to be, and Eddie and Marco are the only ones who can
save him just like Jim saved me.  So help me help him, ok Mom?"  Rodie
asked her telepathically and emphatically.  Cathy just looked over at
Canyon for a few moments; and she could feel his overwhelming sadness, and
how alone he felt...it was the same as Rodie felt when she brought him to
the beach.

      "You are right, he does need us; all of us, and not just Eddie and
Marco.  Just tell me now if this will cause a problem between Eddie and
Marco?"  She asked him seriously.

      "No, it won't Mom.  Eddie and Marco are going to be his parents, and
nothing more.  It won't be like Jim and me, I promise."  Rodie told her
truthfully.

      "Alright, I trust your judgment in this.  Have you told him yet?"
She asked him.

      "Well, sort of because when he met me he saw that I would help him
find a home.  He just doesn't know that he will be part of my family is
all.  I will have Eddie and Marco talk to him right now.  Thanks Mom," he
said before hugging her tightly.  When he let go of her, Rodie looked over
at Canyon, and then motioned for him to come over next to him.  Canyon
shyly obeyed as he timidly moved beside Rodie.

      "Canyon, these are my friends that I've been telling you about.
Marco was a member of the Olympic gymnastics team before he got injured.
He now runs a dance and gymnastics school.  Eddie is my first true friend,
and I think you will love them as much as I do.  They would like to talk to
you for a few moments ok?"  Rodie asked Canyon.  Canyon looked over at
Eddie, and an image of Eddie and him laughing together as Eddie hugged him,
just like his dad had always done, came to him suddenly.  He did not know
how he knew, but he just knew that Eddie was one of the people that he was
searching for, just as Jim was the one who Rodie was searching for.  After
a few moments, he just nodded as his eyes filled and a single tear streaked
down his face.  Eddie was quickly there to make sure that no more spilled.
Rodie stood and moved back before looking at everyone around him.  He was
lost in thought as he watched his growing family when he felt Jim's
presence next to him.

      "It's come full circle now, hasn't it?"  Rodie asked him softly as he
watched his family and friends.

      "It always does my love.  It is how the game is played, sometimes you
roll the dice and lose, and other times you win.  You have done some very
good things today, and you should be proud of yourself.  I know that I am
very proud of you."  Jim told him before kissing him on the temple.

      "You know what I really want right now Jim?"  Rodie asked him.

      "What's that my love?"  Jim answered.

      "I want to go home.  Just the two of us...well three if you count
Brutis, but go home and talk."  Rodie said wistfully as Jim lifted him up
into his arms.

      "We can do that Bright Eyes.  Is there anything specific you want to
talk about?"  Jim asked him with a serious expression.  Rodie got a
mischievous grin on his face.

      "Yeah, you still need to have that pointed conversation that you
promised me over a year ago."  Rodie said softly with a wide grin making
Jim laugh.


End of Chapter 10


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