Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:33:13 -0800 (PST)
From: ghostofoldtrafford@yahoo.com
Subject: Lean On Me 10

This story is a work of fiction. It contains description of sexual acts
between minors. If you find the events depicted within offensive, then, by
all means, stop reading. Places and people portrayed are entirely
fictional.

For criticism, advice and the occasional praise, feel free to contact me at
ghostofoldtrafford@yahoo.com

LEAN ON ME

Chapter X


The house was just as Evan remembered it, though he had only been there
just the one time, five years previous. Large. Ostantatious. Ominous
somehow, despite the perfect landscaping, including neatly trimmed hedges,
manicured trees and rows upon rows of flowers or the ivy spreading on the
walls of the manor. It was one of the oldest houses in town, unlike the
Samuels residence, in that relatively new housing development. No wonder
his father felt superior. He was raised to be that way. Never mind that
their whole family's status had been gained through illegal activties. True
enough, it wasn't until him that drugs became a large part of it, but Evan
knew all too well that the little restaurant wasn't where it all started.

He walked from the car towards the house, keeping his eyes fixed on the
door. That large, red double-door. Why red? It had puzzled him that first
time and then it was burned into his memory. It had stayed with Evan for
the past five years. When he went through that door that time, he had been
a broken man. He smiled. A broken boy. He'd lost everything and was on the
edge of the precipice. His father's connections in the system flagged him
and he had been saved. Or so he thought. But he knew now. He had walked in
broken, but once he left with Eric that day, he had started decomposing,
slowly, piece by piece. If only he knew then...He shook his head. He needed
his mind to be clear. He glanced back over his shoulder and Eric was there,
just three feet away, smirking malevolently.

He put on his trademark "Fuck you" grin, opened the door and walked in,
striding confidently towards his father's study. He knew the way. The house
hadn't changed one bit and he knew the way...

When he got to the sliding door which led to the study, a young man stepped
in his way, placing a hand on his chest. Evan knew the kid by sight. He
wasn't even 20. Christ, it looked like he still had peach fuzz. Alexi
didn't really have any facial hair either. Evan felt his heart swell at the
thought of his boyfriend.

 He had seen the kid in front of him three, maybe four times before,
talking to Eric. Probably relaying information from his father. Eric,
though a trusted advisor, a true right-hand man, was in what some might
have considered exile. Babysitting the fag bastard. Evan still laughed each
time when he remembered the look on the man's face when Myke Henson, the
man he worshipped, the man for whom he would die, slapped him in the face
by giving him the "honor" of becoming Evan's legal guardian and putting the
two together in a house on the other side of town, with as little direct
contact as possible. That also included phone calls, though some matters
could still be discussed that way. Just not the ones that mattered.

"Chris, right?" Evan asked.

"I...Err...Yeah. Christian, actually." The young man replied.

"Well, ain't that just fucking special." Evan remarked drily. "Say, Chris,
you think you can jerk off with your left hand?"

"What?"

"Well, if you don't take your right hand from my chest, I'll remove it
myself. Permanently." Evan made sure to look Christian straight in the eyes
as he said this. `Look and see if I'm bluffing.' He thought. He hated doing
it. He hated intimidating people. He hated threatening them. But he also
knew not to make a threat unless he was prepared to follow up on
it. Christian broke eye contact and moved aside. "Don't worry. I'm not
armed." Evan said as he slid the door open and walked in, Eric at his
heels. Not like a faithful puppy, but like a hyena anticipating a slaughter
and ready to nibble on the remains.

His father was seated behind his huge wooden desk. He was reading something
off a piece of paper he held in his hands. Evan knew not to interrupt him,
so he glanced around the room. The same floor-to-ceiling library, filled
with what must have been thousands of leather-bound books. Evan barely
contained his snort. His great-great-grandfather had been illiterate for
most of his life. But he started the collection once he became successful
enough. He had been determined to turn his family into something akin to
European aristocracy, even if it took stealing, bribing, kidnapping and
murder to do it. So, basically, EXACTLY like aristocracy. Evan knew that
his father had read most of the books there. `Great-great-granddad would be
soooo proud!'

The two men standing near the left-hand wall were new additions to the
room. They weren't statues, though one might not be able to tell that from
simply looking at them. Unmoving, expressionless. People Eric personally
had hired. Evan strained his memory in order to place the two
men. Normally, he didn't do too well with names, but he had made it a point
to learn as much as possible about the men he, Eric and his father dealt
with.

"Ah, Hick and Redneck." Evan addressed the two men. They stared at him
coldly.

"Hicks and Radnick!" one of them said. The one on the right. Evan had no
idea which one was which. Really, the men could be brothers. The same
height, around 6 feet, the same large, muscular frame, the same squared jaw
and clean-shaven face, the same buzz-cut. `Hot dang, if they're not
walking, breathing, Marines commercials'. Evan remembered their names, but
he loved getting a rise out of them.

They really were Marines. Well, had been. Evan finally recalled everything
he knew about them. His father was nothing if not ambitious, even though
that same quality had brought about the death of his other son, Hosea. It
depends on how one applies that ambition, Evan supposed. Myke Henson
applied it by trying to supply the brave men and women in the Armed Forces
with much needed stress relief. People like Hicks and Radnick were his
dealers on the inside. He had people on Naval and Army bases in at least
five states. Heck, a lot of young men enlisted especially to fill the role
required. True undercover agents. `Yup, nothing if not ambitious. And
fucking daring.'

Of course, it didn't always work. Take one Petty Officer Hicks and one
Sergeant Radnick for example. They'd been caught in possession. They
couldn't pin them with intent to sell, because they didn't have enough on
them. His father wasn't stupid. He only made sure they had enough to give
potential customers a taste or two. Sample the merchandise. Then, if they
were truly interested, they'd arrange a sizeable transaction. Sometimes,
dozens of enlisted men and even officers pooled money together, in order to
cover the minimum cost and then meet off-base, in a controlled
location. Still, both of them had done a year each in the Fort Knox
Correctional Facility and, of course, had been dishonorably
discharged. That didn't stop them from playing the Marines now,
though. Maybe that's why Eric liked them so much. They enjoyed taking
orders and they seemed quite loyal to him.

"Please leave me alone with my son." Myke Henson said, looking up from the
paper.

"But..."Eric started to protest. Myke simply raised an eyebrow and Eric
bowed his head, turning purple, either with rage or humiliation. Probably
both. He gestured at the two ex-Marines to follow him and they did.

"Yes, boys. Heel. Good boys!" Evan made sure he put in a last remark, that
same "Fuck you" smile on his face, reserved all for Eric.

"Sit down, Evan." Myke said once the door was closed, gesturing towards one
of the straight-back chairs in front of the desk. Evan complied. Myke
placed his elbows on the desk, leaned forward and steepled his fingers. He
looked Evan up and down. Evan had no more real fear of this man. He had
moved past it, but he still squirmed a bit on the inside once his father
started that "I shall now appraise you and find you lacking" gaze.

"You wanted to see me?" Evan broke the silence. He wanted the evaluation to
stop.

"Well, you're here, aren't you?"

"Indeed. May I ask what the reason for this...summons is?"

"Don't be obstreperous. I just thought we should have a talk. Lay our cards
on the table."

"Like you did with Hosea?"

His father leaned back in his chair, looking away from Evan. "That was
different. He wasn't just defying me, he was plotting against me. You're
not."

"Plotting? But I'm defying you, is that it?"

"Well, aren't you?"

"How so?"

"The Samuels kid and his new foster brother..."

"Oh, so it WAS you..."

"Me what?"

"You sent those guys after them."

"No, I didn't. Neither did Eric. It was...a business partner. The same one
Hosea had, as a matter of fact."

"Oh, so you're actually going through with his plan?"

"No. Not exactly. I told you that from the start. Which is why I left you
in peace when you told me you'd do it your way. I'm all for hostile
negotiations, but I don't want a blood bath. I'd rather have a peaceful
takeover and the Samuels retiring than getting into a street war that will
cost us even if we win. Hell, even with all the political connections in
the world, I won't be able to prevent the shitstorm that will fall on us if
things get too out of hand. Samuels may be a small-timer by comparison, but
he'll go down fighting, especially if his sole desire is vengeance. Killing
his son and this Alexi kid would be moronic. That's one thing Hosea didn't
understand."

"But then..."

"I told you, it's not me. This partner wants it done that way. I can't tell
you why for now. Just know I disagree with him, which is why I'm glad you
did what you did."

"So how come you think I'm defying you?"

"Ah...see...That's where our original plan comes in. Remember? When I
placed you in that school and asked you to get close to Hunter Samuels, I
told you that one day you'd be asked to take him." Evan nodded. "You never
got close to Hunter. Your...charms failed you. I honestly thought that was
one good use for your...homosexuality. Regardless, a new opportunity
arouse. The new boy."

"Alexi..." Evan said softly.

"I've been informed about him. I saw how much he resembles the dead
son. Probably why they took him in. Having him would at least open up a
dialogue. We could go from there. Negotiate."

"Negotiate what?"

"I told you. Samuels' retirement. I simply want him to go away. Leave his
life of crime behind him. It doesn't suit him anyway. Killing his sons
would only drive him mad. Cause him to throw everything he has at
us. Holding his sons as leverage opens a whole new world of
possibilities. I'm a man of peace, Evan. I resort to violence when there's
need. You know that better than anyone. But f things can be handled in a
different manner, then it's my duty to at least try it. So, you were told
to take this Alexi kid and you didn't." Evan remained silent. "Furthermore,
you had both he AND Hunter in your grasp just last night. You didn't need
to kill them, but simply take them to Eric."

"And that would be a death sentence. He'd never let them live, even if
Samuels complied. I told you. I'm done killing for you. Even indirectly. I
don't care what happens. I'm too disgusted at myself to be afraid of what
the repercussion might be. I have too much blood on my hands to wash it out
in all the years I have left. But I can at least stop adding new stains."

Myke Henson looked at his son. Truly looked at him. It wasn't that
penetrating stare he used so often to intimidate people, or his judging
gaze. He looked into Evan's eyes and peeked inside his soul. Past the
hollowness. "There's more, isn't it?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You love him..."

"Who?" Evan asked, his heart pumping faster and faster.

"This Alexi boy. It's not just your conscience rearing its ugly head. And
it's certainly not Hunter, since you failed to get close to him. But this
boy...You're doing it for him. Defying me. Defying your family."

Evan's heart rate was through the roof. He remembered all too well what
happened when Hosea went against his family. But he couldn't help it. The
words just came spilling out. "Yes. I love him. And for whatever reason, I
think he loves me too." Evan hung his head in defeat. "Get it over with,
then. Because I swear to God..." he returned his eyes to his father and
this time fire burned in them. "...I won't let you or anyone else hurt a
single hair on that boy's head. I'll fight you tooth and nail, I'll die
with my hands around your throat. I'd lay my life down to make sure he's
never hurt again." The fire burned brighter and brighter. "So, either take
that gun you have in your lap and shoot me before I get to my feet and jump
over the desk and rip your head off, or let me go, knowing I'll keep my
promise to protect Alexi no matter what."

Myke grabbed the gun with lightning speed and aimed it at Evan, who had
enough time to get to his feet.

"From this range, I can't miss even as small a target as your brain, boy."
Henson said. Neither of them moved. "Christ, I still can't believe I have a
fag for a son. But you showed me your potential. You showed me what you're
really made of. I can respect that. Though, how the family business is
actually supposed to stay in the family for the next generation with you
chasing cock instead of pussy, I don't know. I suppose I'm still young
enough to do it myself." Myke sighed and lowered the gun. "You can have
your cripple. No one will touch him. Except you, I suppose...But Hunter's
fair game. I still want this takeover to happen. And my partner still
thinks killing them is the way to go. I suppose, in a way, me getting there
first would be a good thing, so you really should be cheering me on,
son. Anyway...you get what you want. Alexi and peace...for the time
being. I won't call on you anymore. But it's a part of you now, son. I see
it in you just as much as in Eric. You like killing, even if you try to
deny it. Heh...You can't help it that you're gay. It's who you are. And you
can't help it that you're a killer. That's just as much a part of you. It
was there before Hosea. I just brought it to the surface. You always had it
in you. So...Go. Have your fun with that boy. I'll be waiting for your
return..."

Evan turned and walked out of the room, not daring to speak. He had done
it. He had confronted his father. He could have Alexi. Keep him safe. `But
what about Hunter? Alexi cares about him, I could see that last night. Can
I just leave him behind?' The answer came all too easily. `Yes, you
can. You're not a goddamn hero. You're not a nice guy. You're not doing it
for selfless reasons. If you hadn't fallen so hard for this kid, you'd have
no problem doing what dad said.'

What his father said. It nagged at him. Was he truly a killer at heart?
Would he get bored with Alexi and return to what he knew best? Would he
hurt the boy he now loved? Emotionally, if not physically? No, his father
couldn't be right. He'd prove it to him. He HAD TO. Just like everything
else his father thought him incapable of doing, he'd prove it to him
again. Show him he could change...




Monday morning, Alexi stood in front of the school. Despite his talk with
Hunter, he was scared. Again, he couldn't believe how the idea of some
humiliation at school could be so frightening to him when he lived in a
family of drug dealers and assassins were after him. It was ridiculous. It
was hilarious. It was...high-school.

"Band-Aid, remember?" Hunter said, placing his hand on Alexi's shoulder.

"Yeah, I guess. I just wish Evan were here with us." Alexi said sadly. He
hadn't spoken with Evan since Saturday night, when he had dropped him
off. He desperately needed the comfort his very presence provided. But he
wasn't there. "But you're not chopped liver now, are you?" he said to
Hunter, forcing a smile on his face.

"Quite right." And they walked into the school. The corridor was bustling
with activity, yet the world seemed to stop when the two boys walked
in. Alexi could feel everyone's eyes on him. `Stop it, you paranoid
moron. It's probably just like 80-90% of them that are staring at you!'

He heard the snickers and the occasional insult being hurled at him as he
walked towards his locker, leaning more on Hunter than on his cane. He
needed the emotional support, not relief for his leg. Slowly, they made
their way to the locker.

"Oh, look. Decorations!" Hunter exclaimed as he looked at the word "fag"
spray-painted on the locker. He turned towards the amused crowd and
addressed them loudly. "That really is some fine handwriting, you know. And
it's pink. I mean, how cute is that? Thanks, guys. I always thought you
knew how to make someone feel welcome." He gave them a huge smile, then
turned and hung his arm across Alexi's shoulders. Alexi still felt hurt,
but at least he wasn't alone anymore. He had Hunter by his side.

"HEY, YOU!" came a loud voice from across the hall. Neither Alexi nor
Hunter could see who it was through the sea of people, but the voice
sounded familiar. Alexi felt his heart rate go up as Evan pushed his way
through the students. When he reached the two boys, he looked down into
Alexi's face, where every last bit of apprehension had been replaced by
excitement at the sight of his boyfriend. "Sorry I'm late. Hunter..." he
shook the blond boy's hand, without really looking at him. "Loverboy..." he
addressed Alexi, leaning in close to him.

"Evan..." Alexi started, but his words were lost as Evan pulled him in and
kissed him deeply, passionately, possessively, right there, in front of
everyone. When they broke the lip lock, his first instinct was to pull Evan
back in. Then, taking in the silence that had settled around him, he
thought running away as fast as one good leg would allow was the smart
choice. Evan smiled warmly at him, winked and then turned to the crow.

"Yes, we're fucking gay. It's not really a novelty. You already knew about
me. Didn't you, Matt?" Evan asked, noticing the jock standing behind a
group of girls. The look Evan gave Matt was enough to make the football
player shrink into his jacket. "Now, get on with your lives, please. Anyone
who has a problem with the situation...Please, see me after school." Evan
said, an evil glint in his eye.

Then, cheery once again, he took Alexi's hand and walked him to class,
Hunter right behind him. Evan was whistling happily as they walked, Hunter
and Alexi still too shell-shocked to speak. "See you at lunch?" Evan asked,
when Alexi and Hunter were at the door of the History class they shared.

"Ummm...sure..." Alexi managed to squeak out an answer.

"Can't wait." Evan replied, before giving Alexi one more kiss, winking at
Hunter and walking away towards his own class. Hunter could swear Evan was
almost skipping down the hall. SKIPPING, for fuck's sake!

"What the hell was that?" Hunter asked when he regained some of his
composure.

"A Band-Aid, I guess." Alexi answered and both boys started laughing.




It was Friday. Alexi had made it through the whole week at school with
nothing more than a few snickers and the occasional stare here and
there. And the teachers were great. Most acted like nothing had happened,
even though the whole incident had been the subject of discussion among the
staff. Alexi knew that from the Principal, who assured him that the school
had a zero tolerance policy in relation to discrimination of any kind. Some
of the teachers were even openly supportive. Alexi had never thought
something like that was possible. Maybe Sam had it right all along.

He put thoughts of school away. It was a holiday weekend. Labor Day and the
opportunity to spend time with Evan. While they spent as much time together
as possible during the week at school, Evan never seemed to want to come by
Alexi's house. He didn't really know why, but he suspected Dana had been a
bit harsh with him the previous Saturday night. After all, he was the
oldest. He was supposed to have been responsible and brought them home,
thus avoiding what happened. But it did happen and Evan had saved them. He
was a hero, for fuck's sake. Dana shouldn't make him feel unwelcome! Alexi
had suggested going to Evan's place, but he quickly shot down the idea. "I
have an asshole roommate. He's really homophobic. He doesn't know about me
and I'd like to keep it that way." Was Evan's reply. Alexi found that odd,
considering the way Evan basically challenged the whole school by being so
open about their relationship, but he put the thought out of his head. All
that mattered was that the weekend was there and he had something special
planned.




"YOU WANT TO DO WHAT?!" Dana asked, incredulity clearly etched on her face.

"I want to go home." Alexi replied. "Just this weekend. I...I want to see
the old place one last time."

"But why?" Dana asked.

"I didn't really have a chance to...you know, say good-bye. Closure, you
know? It was my home for 15 years. I...I want to see it properly one last
time, not have my last memory of the place be...What happened that day..."
he trailed off. "Besides, I'd like to get some of my stuff as well. It's
still there, isn't it? I mean, the bank didn't foreclose or anything?"

"Err, no, not exactly...We...we kinda bought the house." Dana said.

"You did what, now?"

"We bought it. We...wanted to level it."

"What? Why?"

"Because we were afraid that you'd want to do this. Just, not this
soon. Alexi, we just want what's best for you and we think that going back
there would only hurt you. Open up old wounds."

"No. I need this." Alexi said somberly. "It could open up old wounds,
yes. But I also think it's the only way to heal some of them."

Dana sighed and turned her head towards Sam, who was sitting next to her on
the couch, but he might as well have been on another planet, staring off
into space, as he was. He still hadn't gotten over the events of the
morning where he made his true self known to Hunter and Alexi. And yet
another attack on his sons only the past weekend did nothing to alleviate
the sorrow, regret and anger he felt. "What do you think?" Dana asked him.

"About what?"

"About what Alexi just said."

"Huh? Oh, right...going back to the city for a visit. Whatever you think is
right, dear." He said, then he got up and left the room, the same dazed
look in his eyes.

Dana shook her head as she watched her husband walk away. She could see the
man breaking apart, piece by piece, and she couldn't do anything to stop
it. It was almost as bad as when Bran died. She turned her attention back
to Alexi.

"Fine, but Vince is going with you."

"No, he's not." Alexi replied.

"Excuse me? You'll do as you're told, young man."

"I already told you that I owe you and your family everything, Dana. But
this isn't something you can force on me. I need to do this alone. Just me
and Evan."

"Evan?" Dana spat out the name.

"Yes. I don't exactly understand why you're being so hostile towards
him. He saved me. And Hunter. And he's a wonderful guy and I...I love
him. I need him there by my side. Him and only him. Besides, he's more than
capable of protecting me, if necessary."

"Alexi..."

"Dana, I'll forever be grateful to you and I already think of you as my
mother, but this isn't open for discussion...Please respect my choice right
now and trust me."




"I still can't believe she let you go." Evan said. It was Saturday morning
and he had just picked up Alexi and his small overnight bag from his house
and they were now on their way out of town in Evan's truck. "I thought
she'd never let you anywhere near me again."

"I'd never let anyone get in our way. Not even her." Alexi said seriously
and Evan felt his smile spread wide. He truly felt the love emanate from
Alexi. Love for him. "Though I feel a bit sorry about leaving Hunter
alone. He's still grounded, you know. Poor guy. He looked like a sad puppy
when I told him I wouldn't be around for the weekend."

"Well, anyone would feel that way. I mean, being denied the opportunity to
spend a weekend with you...I certainly know my heart would break into a
million pieces."

"Oh, for the love of...Can you be more corny?" Alexi asked, giggling.

"Yeah, I can." Evan replied, taking his right hand off the wheel and taking
Alexi's left hand, their fingers interlocking.




"Evan, can you stop here a bit?" Alexi asked as he looked around the
neighborhood. They had entered the city 20 minutes earlier and, after
navigating traffic and using some side streets as shortcuts, Alexi
recognized the old red-brick building.

"Sure. But why? There are no houses around here.

"No, you're right. We're still about twenty blocks away."

"Then why did you want me to stop?"

Alexi pointed at the building. "That's my church."

"What?"

"The church my parents and I went to. It's the only Russian-Orthodox one in
the city. My dad was really religious."

"Was he? Alexi...you don't have to, but I still wish you'd tell me more
about your parents. Give me the whole picture of what happened."

"I can't. Not yet." Evan knew better than to push further. After all, he
had enough skeletons in his own closet to constitute an Indian burial
ground. They'd both talk about their pasts when the time came.

"Evan, do you believe in God?" Alexi asked after a few moments of silence.

"Not really. Not anymore." Evan replied without giving the question much
thought.

"Why?"

"Because I don't think God would be as cruel as he appears to be, if he
really existed."

"You think so?"

"Yeah. Why, are you...you know, religious?"

"Not per se, no. I'm not really the church-going type, even though my dad
dragged me and my mother to this place as often as possible. I'm not really
a believer in the Church as an institution, that's all."

"But..."

"But I do believe in a God. A higher power. Something that somehow guides
us."

"So, you also believe in destiny?"

"Yeah, I suppose. It's complicated, so bare with me, okay? I see it as a
combination of factors. You know the whole free will thing, right?"

"Yeah."

"And that would appear to come into contradiction with destiny. The great
design and so on, right?"

"Makes sense."

"But why can't both co-exist?"

"How so?"

"I think every man has multiple destinies. Multiple paths. As children, we
start on the pre-established path. Then, as we mature, we're presented with
dilemmas. Choices. That's where the free will comes in. It's like a
crossroads. You're on your path, a problem occurs and you have to make a
decision. A choice. You can go left or right, or keep going straight
ahead. So, you have the choice, right?"

"Yes..." Evan said uncertainly.

"Right, but each of those roads are already paved. As in, the paths are
there already. Multiple fates, you know? Pre-established, but each of them
different, according to your choice. Kinda like a multiple answer question,
you know?"

"Yeah, I guess I understand."

"And I don't believe God is cruel. I think that at least one of those paths
leads to happiness. I have to believe that." Alexi said, looking at Evan,
tears brimming in his eyes. "I have to believe that something good is ahead
of me. Otherwise, I don't know if I can go on."

Evan pulled Alexi to him and kissed him softly, just enough to show him the
depth of his love for him. "I know something good is waiting for you,
Alexi. You deserve to be happy. I just hope I'll at least be part of that
something."

"God, I hope so too. I don't want you to leave me. Promise me you won't."

"I swear." Evan said, sealing his promise with a kiss. "So, you think
destiny brought us together?"

"Yeah, why not? Maybe you're like a guide or something. To take me down the
right path."

"Talk about corny." Evan said and he received a punch to the shoulder as
reward for his remark. "Wait...what about being gay? Is that a choice
thing?"

Alexi laughed bitterly. "Definitely not. Who would choose to be hated and
subjected to abuse?"

"S&M fans?" Evan asked laughing.

"Point taken." Alexi admitted, laughing himself. "But still..." he
continued solemnly "...I think that part's definitely destiny. Probably
from birth, even if most of us don't realize it until much later on. I
think the choice thing also plays a part. Like, say, choosing whether or
not to accept yourself or come out. Some people will, some won't, even
getting married and trying to lead a heterosexual life. I think what awaits
people at the end of the path they choose when making that decision is
different for everyone. Some might find happiness in that life. Some might
not. I guess we can never know, no matter what the dilemma is. Which is
what makes life interesting in the first place. At the end of the day, the
best any of us, gay, straight, old, young, male, female or in-between, can
do is hope. Hope for the best. Hope we make the wise decision and walk the
path in front of us, hope the destination is worth the journey."

The boys sat in silence for a few minutes, staring through the windshield
at the blue sky.

"Damn, that's some pretty deep shit." Evan finally said.

"Yeah. Hehe." Alexi giggled. "It's just something that's always gone
through my mind, I guess. I talked to one more person about it once..."

"Yeah?"

"Yes." Alexi straightened in his seat. "In fact, I think I need to talk to
him. I haven't since before...Come on." He said, getting out of the car.

"Wait. Where are we going?" Evan locked the car and hurried to Alexi's side
as he walked towards the church.

"I want you to meet someone..."