Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 04:42:09 -0500
From: snwdemon@toast.net
Subject: Playing the game -- Chapter 11 -- Secrets

	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 was correct that there would be more than
two chapters to finish this story and there will be.  This is the latest
chapter, but not the final one.  I do not know how many more I will need in
order to complete the story, but I can say that the end is close.  I
appreciate everyone's comments about this story, and my other stories too.
I decided to end this one because I want to devote most of my writing time
to Who will catch my fall, and to Saving Alex.  I hate to leave a story
incomplete, and Chapter 3 is being proofed for Saving Alex, while the next
chapter of Who will catch my fall is already done and will be posted along
with this chapter.  As for my family and I, we are all doing well.  Simon
has gone through his last chemo regiment beautifully with minimal weight
loss, and minimal side effects.  My son Patrick just completed his
sophomore year in college with a 3.89 GPA.  While Eric entered, and won a
regional art competition sponsored by the Art Institute of Washington DC.
He received a $1,000 scholarship that he can use for any accredited
university or college in the US.  I, myself, am doing better health wise,
and I have resumed most of my normal activities including counseling kids
again.  I must admit that I am not looking forward to the cold winter that
is coming, but my family wishes to remain here instead of relocating to a
warmer climate.

      During the writing of this chapter, I was hit by a brain-bomb as my
son Simon describes it.  He is referring about the times when I get a
sudden inspiration for a storyline because I can't write or type fast
enough to keep up with the details going through my head.  It doesn't
matter what time of the day or night it is, but when this inspiration hits,
I usually end up at my computer for hours, and sometimes days.  I got this
inspiration for Saving Alex, Who will catch my fall, and Rodie's Story, but
it was the new storyline that he likes the most.  I am not planning on
starting this story any time soon though because I want to finish my
current stories first.  However, I have made a few inquiries to some of my
literary friends, and a few have expressed interest in some of my new
storylines.  So don't be surprised it you see one of my storylines that is
being written by someone else.  I just do not have the time to do the
stories myself.  I have dozens of outlines for stories that I have never
developed.  Therefore, I am extending an invitation to my fans, and budding
writers out there.  If you would like to try you hand at story writing,
then email me and I will toss some outlines at you to see if you would like
to develop it into a story.  The only thing I ask for is a byline that
reads, "storyline by Damion."  Well that's it for now my friends, and I
hope you enjoy this chapter.  Thanks again, and God bless, Damion.


Playing the game: Rodie's story cont.
As always, thanks to Miguel Sanchez, and BenBear for proofing this chapter.


Chapter 11:  Secrets -- August 2001 (3PM)


	The party was over now, and most of the kids had already said their
personal goodbyes to Rodie, and left the commons to attend to their
treatments or studies.  Only Rodie, his family, Derrick, Stevie, and Canyon
remained with Mike and Nell.  Canyon was with Eddie and Marco, while
Derrick and Mark stood together, Rodie was between John and Cathy, and
Stevie was in Nell's arms next to Dr. Mike.  Jim had taken Brutis out for a
walk while the others comforted Rodie as he said his tearful goodbyes to
all of his friends.  Now that they were alone, he was able to calm down and
compose himself.  However, it was becoming quite clear to all of them that
he was over stressing himself, and getting tired too.

	Now look Rodie, don't make me get after you for not listening to
me," Nell said to him.  "You are pushing things again, and I want you to
rest for a little while."

	"I am Miss Nell.  I didn't realize how tired I am until just now is
all."  Rodie said apologetically to her as she put Stevie down, and he went
over and sat next to him.  He looked at Rodie with a worried expression on
his face because he could feel how weak and tired Rodie felt as well as his
pain.

	"You ok Rodie?"  He asked him.

	"Yeah Munchkin, I'm just really tired right now is all.  I will be
ok after I rest for a little bit."  He told him with a weary smile.

	"Look honey, we don't have to leave right now.  Why don't you go
back to your room and lay down for a little while.  We will finish getting
you checked out of here, and come and get you when we are ready to leave."
Cathy told him, and Rodie reluctantly agreed with her.  He was about to
stand up on his overworked legs when Mike brought over a regular wheelchair
for him, and asked Stevie to take Rodie to their room.  Stevie agreed, and
he carefully pushed the wheelchair out of the commons towards his room as
Rodie relaxed in it.  Once he got to the room, he helped Rodie get into the
bed before returning the wheelchair.  Mike called him over, and told him to
go stay with Rodie until it was time for him to leave, and Stevie hurried
back to the room.  Once he got there, he got into bed with Rodie and
snuggled up to him, and they both drifted off to sleep.




	"He must really be tired," Nell said more to her self than the
others as she watched Stevie and Rodie leave.

	"Well, he looks tired.  Do you think that we are rushing things by
bringing him home right now?  Cathy asked her with a worried expression.

	"No, you are not rushing things.  Rodie is right when he says that
he has peaked here.  We can't do any more for him here, and it is time for
him to go home.  He misses all of you so much, and that is all he has
talked about for the last few months.  He works so hard and pushes him self
to his limit, so I know he is tired when he doesn't argue with me."  Nell
told them all.

	"It's just that I haven't seen him in almost a year, and he is like
a different person now."  Cathy told her, and Nell could hear the sadness
and loss in her voice.

	"I know dear, and Mike told me why you did what you had to.  I
don't know if I would have been able to make the same choice if it was me."
Nell told her quietly, letting Cathy know that she knew about her
sacrifice.

	"I think you would do the same thing Nell.  What mother would not
do it if it would save their child.  I was prepared for him to be lost to
me forever...if that was what it would cost.  However, he came back to me,
but I cannot take away his freedom now because that is what saved him.  I
am happy with whatever he chooses to share with me, and I won't stop him if
he chooses to leave either.  I made a choice to let him go, and that choice
was made right after he tried to take his life.  I am just sorry that I
could not help him through this troubled time, and I've lost that time
forever."  Cathy told her, and Nell understood.  At first, she did not
understand how Cathy could just walk away from Rodie until Mike explained
to her the reasons.  Once she knew all of the facts, she could see how
Cathy had made the ultimate sacrifice for Rodie, and how it had saved him.
If she had not walked away, and severed their bond, then Rodie would have
never have found the will and strength to survive his depression.  Nell
also understood how much it hurt Cathy to watch from a distance as Rodie
struggled to find the strength within him self to overcome his troubles.

	"It was the right choice Cathy.  Yes, it changed him, and he is no
longer that timid, passive little boy that you brought to the beach.
However, he is healing, and he is almost a complete person now.  He still
has a few things to do before he is finished, but he knows that he needs
you in order to complete his recovery.  I think you will love the young man
that he has become, but there is a bit of that young boy in him still."
She said, and Cathy agreed with her.

	"Thanks Nell, for being here for him since I could not be.  That
fact alone gave me some comfort when I thought about him.  I knew that he
was not completely alone, and had someone here for him when he needed a
mother's comfort."  Cathy told her sincerely.

	"My pleasure, but you may want to hold your thanks until after
you've spent a rainy afternoon with him and Stevie first."  Nell said with
a laugh, and Cathy understood her meaning.  She knew how creative Rodie
could be for creating mischief.  They continued to chat together while John
and Mike joined them.  The topic immediately became centered on Nell's
pending marriage to Mike.  Jim returned with Brutis, and he joined Marco,
Eddie, Derrick, and Mark while Canyon and Eric played with Brutis.



(4:15 PM)

	Rodie woke with a pounding headache, and even though his eyes were
closed, he could see blinding flashes of light that sent pain stabbing into
his brain.  However, it was the overpowering metallic taste in his mouth
that he recognized.

	"Stevie...Stevie...wake up please!"  Rodie broadcast silently to
him as he pressed the heels of his palms over his eyes.

	"I don'ts wanna get ups yet."  Stevie mumbled as he sat up and
rubbed his eyes.  It took him a few moments to focus and look around.  As
soon as he saw Rodie, he knew what was wrong.  "Rodie...is it the bad
thing?  Should I gets Miss Nell?"  He asked urgently, now he was wide awake
with fear.  He saw Rodie nod slightly as he grimaced in pain while his
hands trembled.  Stevie scrambled out of the bed and ran out into the hall.
He stopped for a moment trying to think where she might be when he spotted
the colored call buttons on the wall.  They were for the doctors, nurses,
and therapists use, but he remembered what Rodie had told him months ago
after his last bad seizure.  He hesitated for just a moment before running
full speed towards the wall where the buttons were mounted about five feet
off the ground out of his reach.  At the last moment, he leaped and kicked
off the wall, propelling him up even higher before slapping the orange
button with his damaged hand, then landing and sitting down hard onto the
floor.  He rubbed his butt as he stood listening to the alarm.

      "Emergency...code orange, ward 1A, room 1...Emergency...code orange,
ward 1A, room 1..."  the recorded voice kept repeating throughout the
entire building.




	"That's Rodie's room."  Mike said as he sprang out of his seat, and
ran towards Rodie's room while the others followed.  Mike burst through the
doors of the ward and almost tackled Stevie who was standing in the middle
of the hallway beginning to cry.

	"What's wrong Stevie...where is Rodie?"  Mike asked him in a gentle
but urgent tone of voice.

	"Rodie's sick....he's got thats shaking thing again and it's bad."
Stevie wailed as Mike hugged him.

	"It is ok son; now stay here for me please."  Mike said as he stood
up and rushed into Rodie's room just as the others came through the doors.
Another doctor and two nurses rushed into Rodie's room along with Nell,
while Cathy picked up Stevie and moved out of the way.  After a long ten
minutes passed, Nell, Mike, and the others came out of the room.

	"It's alright now.  Rodie just had a petit mal seizure.  We gave
him a good dose of anti-seizure medication and a tranquilizer.  He is a bit
out of it but he is alert right now.  However, he won't be able to leave
until day after tomorrow because we want to monitor him to see if he has
any more seizures.  He doesn't have the seizures often, but if he over
stresses himself, then he is more susceptible to them."  Mike told them,
and it was clear to them that he knew about this because he did not seem
worried.

	"When did this start happening Mike?"  Jim asked him.

	"It started the night his father tried to kill him, although I
think he may have had them before that.  Remember the seizure he had the
day before his father attacked him; so I think he has had them before that
but nobody saw them.  However, even if he had a seizure disorder before
that night, Rodie's brain injury has made them more pronounced.  I didn't
say anything because he asked me not to since it seemed that we could
control them with medication.  The problem is that if Rodie becomes
exhausted, and over-stressed, then he is much more likely to have a
seizure.  The good news is that he has not had a Grand Mal seizure yet, and
they do not appear to be worsening.  This one was caused by emotional
stress, and because he over did things today.  He still isn't that strong
yet."  Mike told them as the other nurses left and Nell joined them out in
the hall.

	"Jim, would you go help Rodie change because he won't be leaving."
Nell said to him and Jim excused himself and went into Rodie's room.  Nell
then took Stevie from Cathy, and kissed him on the cheek.  "I'm proud of
you Stevie, but how did you know what the buttons meant?"

	"Cause Rodie tolds me after the last time he hads the shaking
thing.  He says that if he hads anovers one when no grown ups around,
that's I was to push the orange button.  I don't like when hes has them
though cause I'm afeared sumpin bads going to's happens to him."  Stevie
said through his sniffles.  Nell gently wiped his tears away, and hugged
him tightly.

	"Well, something bad could happen to him if nobody is around to
help him, but you were here to make sure that he got help.  You did very,
very well, because you remembered about the button, and that told us that
he needed us.  Now, why don't you, Eric, and Canyon go and take care of
Brutis for a little while.  Maybe, Mrs. Collins can find him something to
eat and give him some water."  She said, making everything all better for
him.  He beamed proudly when she told him how good he had done, and he gave
her a big hug before taking the lease and leading Brutis back towards the
commons with Canyon and Eric.

	"Come on, let's all go to the day room, and wait for Jim to
finish."  Eddie told them, and they all followed Mike to the day room that
was used for the children's tutoring.  After a few moments, Jim came out
and asked if one of them could go get Rodie's suitcase from the Gator.
Mark and Derek volunteered, and left the room.

	"How is he Jim?"  Eddie asked him as he sat down.

	"He is a bit dizzy, and has a very bad headache too.  He's got a
sleep mask over his eyes to block the light, and I gave him a cold compress
for his forehead.  Once Mark gets back with his clothes, I'll find his
pajamas and help him change.  Mike, how long has this been happening?"  Jim
said to them, and Cathy relaxed a bit when he said this.

	"Well, like I before, I think that he was having some seizures
before Paul tried to kill him, but his brain injury made them much worse.
Dr. Hamil, the neurologist here, he believes that Rodie suffered some brain
damage due to the lack of oxygen, bruising to his brain, and brain swelling
afterwards.  It is like his heart I'm afraid.  There was some damage, and
we can now see all of the impairments that he has because of Paul's
assault.  You can see his impairment with his diminished motor skills in
his legs, his voice, his heart, and the increase in his seizures."  Mike
told them.

	"How many has he had since he has been here?"  Eddie asked.

	"He has had four of them that we are aware of since he came here to
this facility.  However, I myself, as well as other staff members have
noticed on several occasions where Rodie has seemed to zone out for a short
period.  Dr. Hamil thinks these incidents are also seizures, but very mild
ones.  He seems to respond to medication, and has not had a seizure for the
last two months until now.  I think Rodie chose not to tell you all because
he did not want you to worry about him.  He is very responsible, and very
meticulous about taking his medication on time even if he feels like he
doesn't need it right then."  Mike explained to them, and then Mark and
Derrick returned with Rodie's small suitcase and handed it to Jim.  Jim
opened it up, and sorted through the contents until he found Rodie's `Taz'
pajamas.

	"I will call you after he's changed so you can see him.  He was
beginning to get drowsy when I came out here, so I think he will be asleep
soon."  Jim told them, and he took the pajamas and went back into Rodie's
room.  He came in, and sat down next to Rodie before speaking in a soft
whisper.  "How are you feeling my love?"

	"Its better Jim, the headache is going away now, and the metal
taste in my mouth is gone too."  Rodie said in his soft voice.

	"Why didn't you tell me about this Rodie?  I knew you were keeping
some things from me, but why this?"  Jim asked him with concern.

	"I'm sorry Jim, but I knew that all of you would worry, and become
paranoid about every little thing about me.  I was going to tell you, but
the doc put me on medication and the blank outs and seizures stopped.  I
didn't think I needed to tell you when they stopped, and I don't know why
it happened today though."  Rodie said softly before removing the cold
compress, and taking off the sleep mask covering his eyes.  He winced a
little when he did that, but was ok after a few moments.  "Dr. Hamil told
me that I couldn't leave today because he wants to make sure I don't have
any more.  I'm sorry for messing everything up again."

	"It's alright my love; we will just find a hotel until you are able
to go.  Come on, let's get you changed," Jim said to him, and Rodie nodded
before allowing Jim to undress him.  Once he was changed, he asked Jim if
he could go see the others, so Jim carried him out to the day room.

	"Hey, Bright Eyes, you feeling any better?  Mike asked him when Jim
carried him in and sat him down next to Cathy.

	"Yeah, thanks Dr. Mike.  I'm sorry for messing up everything again,
but I guess I pushed myself too hard today.  Dr. Mike, I was wondering if
they could stay here instead of trying to find a hotel since I can't go
home until Dr. Hamil says so."  Rodie asked him in his soft voice while his
eyes still looked glazed from the effects of the medication.  "Where's
Munchkin too?  I want to thank him, and let him see that I'm ok now.  He
really gets worried about me when this happens."

	"He is with Eric, Canyon, and Brutis.  I sent them to the kitchen
to see if Mrs. Collins could rustle up some dinner for the beast.  I can
send someone to go get him if you want.  As for them staying, I think it is
a great idea."  Mike told him as he did a quick checkup on Rodie by looking
into his eyes, checking his heart rate and blood pressure.  "As for you
young man, I want you to take it easy for the rest of the day, and I want
you in bed early.  You really exhausted yourself today, and I think that is
why you had the seizure."

	"I promise Dr. Mike, it even scared me when I woke up and could
feel it coming.  I woke up Stevie, but you know how he sleeps like a rock,"
he said with a light laugh while Mike agreed with him.

	"Doesn't the medicine mess up your talents Rodie?"  Mark asked him
with a concerned expression.

	"Only my telepathy Mark; I can't seem to focus enough to use it,
but I can still feel what others are feeling around me.  That was how I was
able to fool my dad that night because I was reading his feelings.  See, my
telepathy is more precise because you can't imagine how many thoughts a
person has at any moment.  It could be just one, or hundreds, so I have to
pick out the right ones with my talent.  It's sort of like the radio,
because I have to scan through all the channels until I find the right one.
With my empathy though, I don't have to do that.  Because everyone around
me is like an antenna broadcasting out their feelings, but I'm the radio
now.  I can feel what the others feel when I'm near them, and I can kind of
tune everyone out too so I'm not affected by them."  Rodie told them as he
scooted over and snuggled against Cathy.  At the same time he was talking
to them, he sensed Stevie close by.  Canyon, Eric, Brutis, and Stevie
arrived in the dayroom after a few moments later.  Stevie went over to
Rodie immediately while Eric held onto Brutis.

	"Come here Munchkin," Rodie said in his soft voice as he held his
arms open to Stevie.  Stevie immediately ran over into Rodie's arms, and
hugged him as Rodie pulled him into his lap.

	"I's glad you are oks Rodie...I gets so afeared when the bad thing
happens."  Stevie said tearfully as he buried his face into Rodie's chest.

	"I know Stevie, but I am glad you were with me when it happened.
Thanks, because you probably saved my life."  He told him caringly as he
kissed away Stevie's tears.  "I know that you were scared, but you still
sounded the emergency call to bring help.  You did real good, and I'm proud
of you Munchkin."  Rodie told him, and everyone could see how Stevie
relaxed, and how he beamed with pride because of Rodie's approval.  Cathy
couldn't help it, and brushed aside a few tears because Stevie reminded her
of the way Rodie used to behave when he was the same age.

	"Um...Dr. Mike?  Would it be alright if I took off my arms now?"
Canyon asked shyly breaking up the moment with Rodie and Stevie.

	"Have you done all of your exercises today?"  Mike asked him and
Canyon nodded yes in response.  "Alright, you can take them off until
tomorrow, but I want you to wear them at least 6 hours every day, and you
have to do all of your exercises too."  Mike told him as he stood up and
gave him a hug.  "Now do you want me to help you, or you can ask Miss Nell
to do it."  Mike said to him, and Canyon shook his head no while he
blushed.  He then looked over at Marco and Eddie with a pleading expression
before looking back at Mike.

	"How about if we help you because if you are going to come visit
us, then we have to learn how eventually."  Eddie suggested, and Canyon
quickly agreed, and then he surprised Marco and Eddie by moving over to
them for their help after kicking off his shoes.

	"Hey Munchkin, run over to Canyon's room and bring his shorts and
the lotion bag for him, ok?"  Rodie asked Stevie who nodded and scrambled
out of his lap.  Canyon looked over and smiled while nodding at him; and
Stevie darted out of the room.  After a few minutes, he returned carrying a
small gym bag and a pair of nylon blue shorts that looked similar to
Rodie's silk shorts.

	"Thanks Stevie.  Um, can I use your room to change in?"  Canyon
asked him, and Stevie frowned in confusion.

	"But my room is all the way over there's, why not use Rodie's
room?"  Stevie replied.

	"No Munchkin, it's your room now," Rodie reminded him and Stevie
smiled bashfully while he blushed.

	"I forgets Rodie, buts if it's my's room now, where wills you
stays?"  He asked seriously.

	"With you silly, the bed is big enough for both of us."  Rodie told
him before kissing him on the forehead and rubbing noses with him, and that
made everything ok.  Eddie and Marco followed Canyon out of the room to
help him change but pausing long enough to pick up his discarded shoes and
socks.  Once in the room, Eddie sat on the bed while Marco sat in the chair
while Canyon stood in front of Eddie.

	"So sunshine, what do I need to do?"  Eddie asked him.  However,
when he said this, Canyon gasped as he looked at Eddie, and then dissolved
into tears as his knees gave out.  Eddie quickly caught him, and pulled him
into his embrace as Canyon cried.  He looked over at Marco with a
questioning look, but Marco just shrugged as he moved the chair over next
to them.  Eddie quietly soothed Canyon for almost 15 minutes as the young
boy cried out his pain.

	"I'm sorry," Canyon finally said as he lifted his head off Eddie's
shoulder.  He tried to wipe his face with his shoulder, but his prosthetic
arms prevented him.  Marco quickly handed the box of tissues off of Rodie's
night table to Eddie, who took some and began drying Canyon's face.

	"It is all right Canyon.  I didn't mean to upset you, but would you
mind telling me what is wrong so I don't do it again?"  Eddie asked him in
his concerned voice.  Canyon sniffled, and Eddie took a couple of tissues,
held them to his nose, and told him to blow.  After that, Canyon blushed as
he looked at Eddie and Marco.

	"My parents used to call me sunshine because of my hair."  Canyon
said softly while another tear slipped down his face.  "I miss them so
much."  Eddie hugged him a little more as he kissed his tears away.

	"We know you do Canyon, because they were your parents, and we know
because of Rodie.  The most important and most loved people a person has
are their parents.  Because no matter what that person ever does, whether
it is right or wrong, their parents will still love them and be there for
them.  That is why it is so hard when a person, especially a child like you
or Rodie, lose their parents.  It is just as hard when a parent betrays
their child like the way Rodie's father betrayed him.  You see how much it
hurt him, and how hard it has been for him to recover because of that
betrayal.  Well, you are no different because your situation hurts just as
much, and your problems are just as hard to overcome."  Eddie said
seriously so Canyon understood that they did know his hurt and loneliness,
and that they could, and would help him if he allowed them to.  He went to
wipe his eyes again with his arm, but stopped because of his prosthetics.

	"God, I hate these things.  Can you help me take them off please?"
He asked irritably as he nodded towards his arms.

	"Sure, but I'm the butterfingers in the family so let Marco help
you."  Eddie said as he helped Canyon down.  Canyon stood in front of
Marco, but hesitated for a moment.

	"It's really you, isn't it?"  He said with a bit of awe as he
looked into Marco's eyes.

	"I certainly hope so because if it isn't then we are all in
trouble."  Marco replied with a soft smile.  "Yes, I am Marco Mazzetti,
formally the world #3 ranked Olympic gymnast and #1 ranked American
gymnast.  I am now retired because of the second severe tear of my ACL
tendon in my knee.  I moved to Nags Head 8 years ago to recuperate, and I
met this flamboyant character over there and decided to stay.  I opened my
Gymnastics and dance school 6 years ago, and I hope that you will soon
become my newest pupil."  Marco told him.  "You are Canyon Caruthers who
was ranked #1 junior Olympic and American gymnastics prospect until the
fatal accident in Salt Lake in January 1999.  Your parents were both
killed, and you were partially ejected from the vehicle which severed your
right arm just below the elbow, and crushing your left arm.  The doctors
had to amputate your left arm above the elbow due to the extensive damage,
but reattached your right arm only to have to amputate it again when it
failed to survive.  Yes, I have followed your story closely, but we never
imagined that you would be here with Rodie until we arrived today.  You
will need to get rid of these ancient prosthetics because hooks went out
with Peter Pan though.  I think a Myo-Electric model like Derrick has will
serve you much better or maybe one of the new voice-commanded models."

	"What kind of model?  I still can't compete though because I don't
have arms anymore," he said sadly.

      "As for your arms, in my opinion, they should not stop you from
competing again at the world level in exhibitions and competitively in
Special Olympics."  Marco told him with a serious expression and for the
first time in many months, a small flicker of hope showed in Canyon's face.

      "You think so?  Really?"  He asked him wanting to believe while his
face let them know that he needed this dream more than anything else.

      "Yes I do, but it will not be easy, and will probably be one of the
hardest things you will ever do in order to come back and compete.
However, I believe you can do it, and I would be honored to help you
accomplish this."  Marco said while Canyon's tears began to flow again
before stepping into Marco's embrace.

      "He was right, you are the ones," Canyon said as he relaxed in
Marco's arms.  Marco could feel his pain and overwhelming sadness.
However, it was his severe depression that he recognized most because of
everything Rodie had been through.  He could also sense that Canyon was on
the same brink of suicide just as Rodie was before Mikki pulled him back,
and he knew that if they waited any longer, that Canyon would not leave
this place alive.

      "I have an idea, and I think Dr. Mike and the others will agree if
you agree to it.  How would you like to come home with us now and stay with
Rodie until the paperwork is completed allowing us to foster you.  Would
you like that?"  Marco asked him, and Canyon could only nod as he struggled
to control his emotions.  "Eddie, why don't you take care of sunshine while
I go make the necessary arraignments?"  Marco asked, and Eddie gently
lifted Canyon up into his arms just as the small boy lost his struggle to
hold back his tears.  Marco got up and left the room while Eddie began to
soothe Canyon, and went looking for Mike.  He found him in the dayroom with
the others.

      "Mike, I know that I am not as talented as Master Rodie, but I know
what is needed for that young man.  He cannot stay here another day Mike,
or he will take his own life because he is exactly as Rodie was when he
came here.  However, Canyon will succeed where Rodie failed.  You need to
arrange it so he can leave with us when Rodie leaves, and I know it is
asking a lot of you but it is that important."  Marco told him, and his
tone of voice and expression was the most serious that all of them had ever
seen before with him.

      "He has slipped that far already?"  Mike asked, but it was to Rodie
who he looked at for the answer though.

      "Yes, he has Dr. Mike.  The only reason he hasn't tried yet is
because of me.  I convinced him to not hurt himself until he could meet
Eddie and Marco because I know that they were the only ones who could help
him.  He is worse than me though because he has no hope for anything right
now.  Even though I tried, it wasn't because I didn't have any hope because
I did...I just didn't want to believe it though at the time.  He doesn't
because everything he had that was important to him has been taken away, so
he has nothing now."  Rodie told him while stifling a yawn at the end.

      "Alright, I will make the arraignments, but I want him watched once
he gets home, and I want him to enter counseling also.  If he shows any
sign that he is getting more depressed, then I want him brought to the
hospital and placed on a suicide watch, understood?"  Mike said seriously
to them all, and Rodie nodded as he yawned again.

      "He won't hurt himself Dr. Mike.  Eddie and Marco will see to that."
Rodie said sleepily.

      "And how are we supposed to do that Master Rodie?"  Marco asked him.

      "Because all you need to do is love him, and I know that both of you
will do that," Rodie told him as his eyelids drooped.  "Not just any kind
of love though, but like the way mom loves me."

      "We will do that.  As for you though, I think you need to rest
yourself."  Marco told him and Rodie nodded slightly because he was already
half asleep as he snuggled against Cathy.  A few minutes later, Eddie came
out with Canyon who was still red eyed and clinging to him.  Canyon was now
dressed in his t-shirt, shorts, and barefoot without his prosthetic arms
too.  Mike looked at Canyon for a moment, and then leaned close to Marco
and whispered to him.

      "You two are miracle workers because this is the first time that he
has cried that anyone knows of since his parents were killed.  If you need
anything at all, or have any problems that you need help with, don't
hesitate to ask."  Mike said, and then he sat down and motioned for Canyon
to come to him.  After a moment of reassuring and coaxing from Eddie,
Canyon moved over into Mike's embrace.

      "So I hear that our two friends here would like to foster a child,
and I think we know who that will be.  If you want to go with them when
they take Rodie home and see if you would like them to become your foster
parents then you can."  Mike told him in a tone that conveyed all of his
concern and caring.  However, Canyon shook his head no in response.  "You
don't want them to be your foster parents?  Would you at least tell us
why?"

      "They can't be my foster parents...I just know it because I saw it.
The state won't allow it to go through because they are gay.  He has to
adopt me if I am to stay with them, and it will happen because of our
gymnastics."  He said softly as he looked at Marco.

      "You know, he is right about that Mike.  Because of our gymnastics
background, they will make exceptions for him and me because we both were
top ranked, world caliber competitors.  It is very hard to provide an
athlete of his caliber the things he needs in order to succeed not only in
competition, but in life and he will not ever get those things as long as
he is in the foster system.  However, I know what he needs, and we have the
resources to provide him with those things."  Marco said as he thought it
over, and seeing that Canyon was right.  Marco looked at Eddie, who had a
pleading expression on his face while nodding at him and Marco made his
decision.

      "Alright, the first thing we will do is to get you settled at home,
and then I will start the adoption process.  I will contact my friends at
the IOC so they can apply their influence, and call in some personal favors
too.  So you better get used to calling us Dad as of right now Sunshine."
Marco told him, and Canyon bolted out of Mike's grasp, and launched himself
into Marco's arms as the first strangled sobs escaped from his throat.
Then Eddie was there, and they just held and comforted their new son as he
wept, releasing his long pent up pain of his loss finally.  Mike and the
others could now see that Rodie had spoken the truth, and Mike and Nell
both shed their own tears as they watched Canyon cry for the first time
since his world fell apart.  Even Rodie had a little smile on his face as
he slept in Cathy's arms while Stevie cried in Nell's arms.  He cried
because he could feel Canyon's pain, but also because he could feel Eddie
and Marco's love healing his friend's painful wounds too.


End of Chapter 11


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