Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 13:37:10 -0500
From: Miguel Sanchez <miguel_sanchez55@hotmail.com>
Subject: Fallen Through The Cracks Ch. 1

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and that of love. Any resemblance to
actual places, events, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
This story may contain erotic and/or sexually explicit behavior between
consenting boys. If it is illegal for you to, or you find this sort of work
offensive, don't download or read it!

The people in this story do not use protection because diseases don't exist
here. However, in our world they do so please use caution and protection.

This story is protected by copyright. It may not be downloaded or copied for
other than your private enjoyment and may not be changed in any way without
the expressed written consent of the author. This story may not be put on
any pay to view site.

I reply to all emails, except flames. You may write me at
miguel_sanchez55@hotmail.com

I hope you enjoy this story.
Miguel Sanchez

Fallen Through the Cracks -- Ch. 1

I had just come off a long 12 hour shift at work and was now starting 9 very
well needed days off. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is William Peter
Matthews. I go by Peter because I didn't see myself as a William and Bill
didn't sit right with me. I hated Billy because that seemed too childish for
me so I settled for Peter.

The 12 hour shift I was referring to was at Joe DiMaggio Children's
Hospital. I'm a Physicians Assistant there spending my time working between
6 different units. I live in a very nice condo that most people would say is
lavish for just one person but I do love the finer things in life and I can
very easily afford it.

Another thing I should let you in on is that I work because I want to, not
because I have to. I probably have more money than I could spend in two life
times, let alone this one so I tend to spoil myself rotten. My parents died
when I was 16 leaving their estate to me.

I don't think that was by choice because I wasn't the "good little boy" they
hoped I would be. When I was 14 I realized that girls for me was as socially
unacceptable as herpes so they were on my permanently given up for life
list. When my Dad found my photos on my computer he was totally pissed and
my mother said it was just a phase I was going through. Little did they
know?

Anyway, when they died I was sent to live with my grandmother and since I
was the only boy in the family, I was her darling. About a week after the
funeral a lawyer came to see us and that's when I was told about my
inheritance. It seems my father didn't have the where for all to make a will
thinking there would be time for that. I'm sure if he had, I would have not
seen a penny of what I have today.

Just before I graduated from high school, my grandmother took quite ill and
they had all kinds of people looking after her and that's when I decided
what I wanted to do with my life. My grades were well above average and I
was accepted to the PA (Physicians Assistant) program at my university. When
I graduated, I needed a major change of scenery to that's why I'm here in
sunny Ft. Lauderdale.

Anyway, I had just taken a shower and was deciding what I wanted to do for
dinner. It was a nice summer evening for being the middle of June so I
decided to nuke a frozen entrée and have it out on the balcony. I sat and
relaxed while I ate trying to decide what I wanted to do with myself for the
next 9 days.

I decided to totally relax and just work on my tan, if you can make one even
better, and work on my ocean swimming. I turned in early after checking my
email and doing a little reading.

I awoke at 9 and had some coffee and read the paper to check out the
forecast. After another cup of coffee and a bagel I went to my room and set
out some clothes. I took a quick shower and dried off then tossed on my
trunks. I tossed a pair of shorts on over them then got my beach bag for the
rest of the things I normally carry. I grabbed my keys then it was down to
the garage. I unlocked my beemer and after starting it up, I dropped the top
then headed out for the beach.

Traffic along A1A wasn't all that bad for late morning in June. The tourists
were already out and about and the locals were at work. I found a place to
park then fed the meter so I wouldn't get a ticket. I headed down onto the
beach and for early in the season, the sand was quite warm. I decided I
needed an umbrella if I was going to spend most if the day there so it was
back up the sand. I paid $10.00 for all day then headed back through the
sand to the spot I found.

I stuffed the end of the umbrella into the sand and opened it giving me a
wide area in which to rest but with a little shifting, I could also get the
sun I wanted. I got the sunscreen out and covered what I could of my body
before settling down to work on a darker tan.

It's a good thing I had a good layer already there because I flat out fell
asleep. The next thing I remember was hearing loads of kids out in the water
and sand flying as they ran past. I sat up and looked at my chest and it was
covered in sweat. I put my shades in my bag then kicked off my sandals and
headed for the water. I sprinted towards the water and leaped into an
oncoming wave.

I swam for about 20 minutes cooling off and just enjoying myself then
decided to get something to drink so I wouldn't dehydrate. There was a small
group of teens boogie boarding so I had to wait until one of them passed so
I could get back to my blanket. He passed then I get my towel and started
drying off when one of them said, "Nice body."

Now I wasn't one for spending time at the gym trying to look like Mr.
America but I ate right and watched my weight so at 35, I still didn't look
bad. I smiled and said "Thanks" as I headed off to get a drink.

I spent the rest of the afternoon working on my back then went in for
another dip to cool off. I returned to my blanket and noticed I had company
sitting just to my right. He was playing in the sand and I couldn't help but
admire the tan he already had. There were a number of adults out in the
water so I just figured he was with one of them. He looked over to me and I
smiled as I continued to let the sun dry my trunks so I could put my shorts
on before getting something to eat. He was a cute little guy and he couldn't
have been more than six or seven but he was happy playing in the sand by
himself.

When I was sufficiently dry, I stood up and brushed the sand off my body
then put my shorts on. I packed my things up and returned the umbrella to
the stand where I rented it then locked my things in the trunk of my car. I
found a nice restaurant with outdoor seating so I took a table for dinner. I
ordered a soda then saw the mystery boy move up and sit on a bench. I guess
his bare feet were getting warm in the sand and I still saw the adults in
the water so I figured he was alright.

The sun was starting to get lower in the sky and I was just finishing dinner
when I noticed the boy was still there but those adults weren't. `OK,' I
thought. `He wasn't their child.'

I looked at my watch and it was almost 8 and someone surely would be missing
him. I ordered another soda and decided to see who came for him. I sat and
watched as he played in the cooling sand without a care in the world but no
one came for him. I looked at my watch and it was almost 9:30 and I just
knew something was wrong. Yes, school was closed and kids were on the beach
but they were all with their parents. I paid my bill then decided to see if
the mystery boy had a name.

I walked over and sat on the bench where he was playing and just watched for
several minutes. I was busy watching him when he looked up and said, "Hi
mister."

When he said that his whole face just lit up. I smiled back and said, "Hi
yourself. What are you doing?"

He was digging in the sand and said, "Trying to dig to China."

I giggled at his concept and said, "You're gonna need a really deep hole. Do
you think you can do it?"

"I dunno," he said. "I can try."

I sat down beside him and said, "I've seen you here all day. May I ask your
name?"

He looked up at me and as if trying to ascertain if he should talk any more
to me he said, "Zane."

I stuck my hand out and said, "Hi Zane, I'm Peter. It's nice to meet you."

We talked back and forth for several minutes when I asked, "Where are your
Mommy and Daddy Zane?"

"I don't have a Daddy," he said kind of sad. "And Mommy said for me to stay
here until she gets back."

"Do you know when your Mommy will be back?" I asked.

"Un un," he said. "But she is usually back by now. The sun isn't down when
she comes back."

Now I was getting mad as hell. Here is a boy, no more than 7, out alone on
the beach off A1A at 9:30 at night and he'd been there for at least 4 hours
that I knew of. I took a chance and said, "Zane, what is your full name?"

"Wilton Zane Masters," he said wrinkling his nose. "I hate my first name."

I had to admit, I didn't care for it either. I'd take William over Wilton
any day. I ruffled his hair and said, "OK Zane, I like Zane better than
Wilton too. Do you know where you live?"

"Un huh," he said as he pointed up A1A.

"Do you know your address?" I asked.

He told me then I said, "You're smart Zane. How old are you?"

He walked over and said, "I'm a big boy. I'm 6 years old."

I smiled at the way he said it then replied, "You sure are a big boy."

He returned to playing in the sand and now it was dark out. I wasn't going
to leave him all alone out here. I knew it had to be after 10 so I said,
"Zane, have you ever been out here this late before?"

It looked like he was getting a little worried when I asked but all he did
was shake his head no. I then thought, `Well, I know your address, maybe I
could take him home and in the process chew Mom out for being so stupid.'

I went to speak when he got up and then sat on my lap and leaned against me.
"Would you like me to take you home Zane?"

He looked up at me with the saddest expression I've ever seen and said, "Un
huh. It's dark out here now and I'm getting scared."

I leaned down and picked him up and he rested his head on my shoulder as we
headed to my car. I unlocked the door and set him in the passenger's seat
doing his seatbelt. I got in then did the same and soon we were off to
Zane's place.

Traffic was light so it didn't take more than 30 minutes or so to find the
apartment building behind Port Everglades. When we got out of the car I
asked, "Do you have a key Zane?"

He shook his head no so all I could do was hope someone was home. He led me
to his apartment and it didn't appear anyone was there. I knocked loudly so
that if someone was sleeping it would surely wake them. I banged for a good
five minutes then decided there just wasn't anyone home. I knelt down and
said, "Well kiddo, any ideas on what to do now?"

He just looked lost then sat down by the door and said. "I'll just stay here
and wait til Mommy gets home."

I looked at my watch and it was now almost 11 and there was no way I would
let him sit out here by himself at this hour. I picked him up and said,
"Zane, I can't let you sit out here alone."

I saw his eyes start to water as he said, "I'm scared Peter."

"I know you are little guy," I said as I tried to calm him. "Would you like
to come home with me until we can figure what to do?"

He was about to say something when he let out a big yawn. I giggled as he
said, "Un huh. I'd like that."

I got him back in the car and started driving home wondering what I was
going to do with a 6 year old boy. I didn't have a problem being around
kids. I did it every day and I really loved them. I'd seen things that would
make a lot of people heave their guts out and I had even done it a few times
too.

It's not like finding a puppy on the street. I couldn't put up a poster
saying lost child. I was about to enter the parking garage when it hit me. I
was still a foster parent. I went through the paperwork and checks and stuff
before I was hired at Children's but I never had a child placed with me.
When I was hired, I informed them that I would take older children but still
nothing materialized.

I stopped at the gate and entered my code. The gate lifted and we drove to
my parking space. When I opened his door, his head went into constant motion
as he looked all around. He took my hand as we walked towards the elevator.
When we entered, I pushed 3 and soon we were getting off on the third floor.
We walked down to my unit then I got my key and unlocked the door.

He eyes got big as he looked around the place all with the added ooos and
ahs thrown in for extra measure. "Are you hungry Zane," I asked knowing full
well he hadn't eaten dinner.

He nodded his head so off we went into the kitchen. I went into the fridge
and looked around and then decided on a frozen entrée. I found a Salisbury
steak one and popped that in. He started dancing then said, "Peter, I gotta
pee bad."

I took him down the hall to the bathroom then turned on the light for him.
He ran to the toilet and pulled his shorts and undies down in one pull and
let fly. He flushed the toilet then pulled his pants up and said, "Thanks. I
almost didn't make it."

I found a little step he could stand on then he washed his hands. I looked
at him and said, "Didn't it bother you that you were standing there with
your pants down in front of me."

"Un un," he said. "You have a peepee to."

I heard the bell on the microwave ding so we went back to the kitchen. I sat
his at the table and fixed his mashed potatoes for him. I poured him a glass
of milk then set his food down then sat while he ate. In less than ten
minutes, he ate a full size adult meal and finished his milk.

I put his tray in the trash and rinsed his milk glass out and put that in
the dishwasher then returned to my seat. He hopped out of his chair then
came over and raised his arms letting me know what he wanted. I picked him
up and he got comfy as I said, "Zane, I'm going to have to call come people
to help me to find your Mommy."

He nodded his head but never directly answered me. I rubbed his hair but
that netted no reply either. I finally looked down at him and he was fast
asleep on my lap. I stood up and carried him down to one of the guest rooms
and gently placed him in the bed. His little bare feet were filthy but I
didn't want to disturb him so I just eased his shorts off and covered him
up. I found a small night light and plugged it in and left the door open a
little so hopefully he would remember where he was.

I went back to the kitchen and put on the kettle for a cup of tea then
pulled out my foster parent license hoping to find a phone number. I looked
at the back and they had a 24 hour hotline for foster parents so I hoped
that that would do.

I dialed the number and I heard it ring then switch over. It rang another
few times then a middle aged woman answered. She said, "This is Ms. Watson.
May I have your name and the nature of the problem?"

I gave her my name then I said the problem wasn't with a foster child. "Are
you telling me you found a child?"

I can't get anything by her. "Yes," I said. I found a child. He was left
alone on the beach along A1A from at least 4PM until after dark. He gave me
his address and I took him by his apartment and there was no one home."

"Alright Mr. Matthews," she said. "Why didn't you call the police?"

"I did what they would have done," I said. "They would have gone by the home
then called you people. Look lady, I am a licensed foster parent."

"I understand sir," she said. "I can't just say fine and let it go at that.
There are papers that need to be filled out. May I have your address
please?"

I gave it to her then she said, "I know where that is Mr. Matthews. I'll be
there in about 30 minutes."

I hung up the phone and fixed myself another cup of tea. While the water was
heating, I went down to check on Zane and he was still fast asleep. I heard
the kettle getting hot so I hurried to shut the stove off before the whistle
woke him.

I was lost in thought about Zane when there was a knock on the door. I
opened it and sure enough the lady was middle aged but dressed like the 50's
with her hair pulled back in a tight bun. "I'm Emma Watson and you must be
Mr. Matthews."

"Won't you come in?" I said opening the door further.

She came in and said, "And where is the child?"

"Please keep your voice down," I said. "He's in the guest room sound asleep.
After I fed him, he fell asleep on my lap."

"How old is the child?" She asked.

This was getting stale. "The child you refer to ma'am does have a name. He's
6 years old."

She took out a stack of papers then said, "I'm sorry, it's been a long day.
"What is the boy's name?"

"His name is Zane Masters," I said.

"You'll have to get him up," she said. "We know him at DCFS. He's a habitual
runaway."

Something wasn't right here. A six year old don't runaway all the time to
the point where he's known at social services. "Lady, you need to think
again," I said. "He was found a good 10 miles from his home. When we got
there, I banged on the door for a good five minutes. If his parents were so
concerned about him, why wasn't someone there?"

"They were probably out looking for him," she said.

"Well I just find that hard to believe," I said. "You didn't see him out
there lady. I was looking at one sacred little boy and I see scared kids all
the time. Instead of being out looking for him, they should have called the
police. They move for little children."

"We notify them when he's with us," she said.

"Lady that is the biggest line of bull I've ever heard," I said. "How about
I call them and then what's happened and ask if he's been reported as a
runaway?"

"That won't be necessary Mr. Matthews," she said. "I've dealt with Zane
before. He gets a place to sleep until his mother calls."

I was really steamed but I didn't want to risk upsetting him because our
talking was getting louder. I also had my license to think about so I
decided to let him go with her but not before saying, "Very well lady, I
will get him for you but heed these words well. You haven't heard the last
from me. I do know some very influential people in Broward County and you
just might have to answer to a few of them real soon. Now before he leaves
here, you will tell me where he will be staying tonight. You see, I have a
responsibility to children too. I'm on the Medical Staff of Joe DiMaggio
Children's Hospital and I am well versed in child welfare policy. I deal
with Broward County DCFS all the time."

She told me where he would be staying and as I walked down the hall to the
bedroom I ducked into my room and quickly wrote the address down. I was
familiar with the area but I didn't think their office was in that part of
town. I made sure I had my wallet and keys then I went and woke Zane up. He
was still out of it as I got his shorts back on. I had to carry him because
there was no way he would stay awake in the elevator.

I came out and said, "I'll carry him to your car. He's really exhausted."

We went down the elevator into the garage and I saw she was parked right
outside the gate. I got Zane in the back seat then buckled him in. Before I
closed the door, I kissed the top of his head and whispered, "Don't worry
buddy, I'm going to look out for you."

I closed the door then went over to my car. I just had to know where he was
going and that he was going to be alright. As soon as she pulled off, I was
out of there following her. I followed her to a small mobile home park off
Dixie Highway in Hollywood and parked in front of a very old trailer. She
got Zane out and carried him inside and a few minutes later, all the lights
went out. I was tired and I couldn't sit out there all night because I would
be sore and stiff come morning.

I drove back home and noticed it was well past one in the morning. I was so
mad I almost forgot to stop at the gate to enter my code. I had a friend I
met when I first got down here and he became a Juvenile Court Judge. While
going up in the elevator I decided to call Hector and see if I could sit and
talk with him about all this. As soon as I got inside I went straight for my
bedroom. I stripped, did my bathroom ritual then set the alarm for 6 AM.

To be continued