Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 15:55:19 -0800 (PST)
From: Dewey <dewey2k@yahoo.com>
Subject: For the Love of Pete Chapter Six

This story is a work of erotic fiction involving teenage boys partially
based on real people and events.  Names have been changed to protect the
guilty as well as the innocent.  All the usual rules apply.  If you
shouldn't be reading this now, then don't continue on.

Copyright Notice - This story is copyright by the author and the author
retains all rights.  You may distribute copy, or print this story however
you like, PROVIDED this copyright notice remains intact and you do not
change the story in any way.  Also you may not charge any fee to anyone to
distribute or access this story.

A note to readers: Thank you for all the comments you have sent me.  I read
them all and appreciate that you have stuck with me so far.  I truly hope
that this story has touched some of your lives as some of the stories I
have read touched mine.

I want to acknowledge the following people for their encouragement, and the
help they gave me when I was in need: The Eggman, Gary, Bubba, David in HK
and last but not least, the rest of you on the Glass Onion Message Board.
You all have enriched my life and opened my eyes in your own way.  I've
said it in private, but I want to make it public now.  You have my ever-
lasting gratitude and respect.

For the Love of Pete
Chapter Six

Dad released me from his embrace, holding me at arms distance, again
staring into my eyes.  Giving my shoulders a final, almost painful squeeze,
he turned around and walked to my mom, gathering her into his arms and
kissing her.

My eyes sought out Pete and his mom on the living room floor.  They were
holding hands, watching Mom and Dad with a sad expression on their faces.
I am sure that they were trying to come to grips with the loss of the man
in their lives, father and husband, or maybe trying to understand why they
had stayed there as long as they had.

I wandered over and knelt in front of them.  Sudden tears sprang into my
eyes and ran down my cheeks.  They looked to me, a mixture of curiosity and
worry on their faces.

"I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry."  I couldn't say anymore past the lump in my
throat.  There was so much I wanted to tell them, but I couldn't find the
words.  They were alone now.  I felt guilty that my dad had accepted me,
and Joe had rejected Pete.  I felt guilty that Brenda had been hit and I
had escaped.  I felt devastated for them, transferring their suffering into
mine. I started crying again, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Come here, babe." Brenda pulled me to her, and Pete leaned in close.  "You
have nothing to be sorry for.  You did just the right things, and protected
my son, just like you said you would.  Because of you, I could protect
myself and do what needed to be done.  This is the best thing.  Really it
is.  You are not to blame.  This would have happened whether or not we even
knew you."

Pete was rubbing the back of my neck, trying to relax me.  Brenda was
running her fingers through my hair.  Gradually I did relax, my crying and
sobs turning to weeping and an occasional deep breath.

These people meant so much to me now.  Had it only been three days?  My
life had been turned upside down in a virtual instant.  But now I had found
my soulmate, and my parents were no longer indifferent to me, even loved
me.  So maybe I was upside down before and everything had righted itself?

Danny cleared his throat.  "I think I'll leave you guys now.  I do have
reports to write, and it looks like I'm not needed for now."

"Thanks, Danny."  All of us said it at the same time.  Pete and I giggled.

Danny smiled.  "Any time, folks.  Call me if you need anything or if I can
help in any way.  I'll let you know when Joe will be released tomorrow
morning so you can be clear of the house.  And remember, Brenda, you have
an appointment with Judge Saunders first thing in the morning for the
restraining orders.  Better have Pete and Brian come along, also.  I'll
meet you there at 7:30."  Brenda nodded.  "G'night."  With that, he walked
out the door and drove off.

A silence fell over the room.  I got up to get the coke I had forgotten on
the side table, and sat on the couch.  So what if I was young.  The floor
was hard.  Pete followed my lead, but paused to help his mom up.  She sat
in the recliner.  Mom and Dad sat on the loveseat opposite of Pete and I.
The silence continued, making everyone uncomfortable.

Mom finally patted her lap, stood up and said, "I'd better get the guest
bedroom ready for you, Brenda."

"Let me help you."  She stood and followed my mom down the hallway and back
to the guest room.

"Where is Dawn?  I though she was having Darlene stay over."

"When Joe showed up, we sent them to Dawn's room, and then when Danny
showed up, I called and asked Darlene's folks if they could stay over there
because of all the excitement.  They picked them up a few minutes later.
That was about eight o'clock or so."

I laughed bitterly. "She must have been having a high old time"

Dad looked at me.  "Why?  Do you think she was happy that you could be dead
for all we knew?  That you could have been lost or run away?  Or hit by a
car? She loves you, even if she doesn't show it like you'd like her to.
She may not even realize it."

I digested this bit of knowledge and eventually discarded it.  She couldn't
love me. Not the way she treated me.  Could she?  I guess I didn't discard
the information completely after all.

"Dad, what are we going to tell Dawn about Pete and I?  I mean, she is
going to spread this around like there is no tomorrow."

"Hmmm.  Let me think on that for a bit.  She won't be home until Sunday
afternoon anyway.  I asked the Sparkman's to keep her there until things
settled down and they agreed.  We'll talk about it tomorrow.  You two boys
must be beat.  Why don't you head off for bed.  We'll get you up in the
morning in time to go to see Judge Saunders.  And boys?"  We looked up.  "I
don't quite know how to say this, but I guess straight out is best.  Try to
be discreet.  Please don't do anything that will make anyone uncomfortable.
I guess what I am trying to say is, oh, hell.  Do you guys understand?"  He
was obviously embarrassed to even discuss this with us.

"Yeah, I understand.  And don't worry.  We haven't even talked about it
yet."  Here I was telling my dad that my boyfriend and I weren't having
sex. Yet, anyway.

"I suppose I am going to have to put a lock on your door now, huh?  It
wouldn't do to have Dawn walking in on you."  He gave is a lopsided half
grin.

Pete grinned back.  "At least that would teach her to knock!"  Dad laughed
at that, got up and ruffled our hair.

"Good night boys.  Sleep well," he said as he headed for his bedroom
upstairs.

"Dad?"  He paused and looked back over his shoulder.  "Thanks.  I love you.
Thanks for understanding."

"Anything for you, Bri.  And you too, Pete.  I am here if you need me."

"Thanks, Mr. Kellam.  That means a lot to me."  Dad smiled and left.

"C'mon Pete.  We had a long day.  Let's hit the sack."  As if my statement
were a cue, Pete yawned so hard I heard his jaw pop.

Mom had laid out a sleeping bag on my bedroom floor just as she always had
when Pete stayed over.  We stripped down to our shorts, and I climbed into
my bed as Pete slipped into the sleeping bag.  I must have been more
exhausted than I thought, because I fell asleep instantly, without even
reading!

I awoke with a start, my heart pounding in my chest.  A nightmare.  Joe had
grabbed my collar just like he had last night, but this time I didn't
escape.  All I remember was him getting ready to hurt me, and hearing Pete
screaming at him to stop.

"No Dad!  Please, no!"  Pete was thrashing in the bag, his arms flailing.
He screamed "NO!" and sat bolt upright, breathing hard, looking around him
in a panic.  I was out of my bed and on the floor in a flash.  I put my
arms around him and gently rocked him.

"It was only a dream."  I repeated that as a mantra, somehow trying to
relieve his terror with my voice.  He was shaking like a leaf, staring with
wild eyes at the wall.  He calmed slowly as I whispered into his ear that
everything was fine and I was there for him.

"My Dad left me," Pete said simply.  "He hates me and doesn't want me
anymore.  Why would he do that to me?"  Tears were forming in his eyes and
there was a catch in his voice. "Why?  I can't help what I am!  Why would
he do that to me?"  The last came out as a scream, then he broke down and
began to cry again.  I held him tight to me and murmured to him that
everything was going to work out, that we were together.

The door opened and Brenda burst in.  She must have heard Pete.

"Let me have him, Brian."  I was loathe to release him, but I did.  The
results were instantaneous.

"NO! DON'T LEAVE ME!"  His sobs renewed with full intensity, his hands
clawed for my body.  Brenda stared at him, first in shock, then hurt and
sadness, then, at last, in acceptance.

"You know where I am if you need me, Brian."  With a heavy sigh, she stood
and went back to bed, closing my door softly behind her.

Pete and I sat up the entire night.  We had only had about an hour of sleep
before we woke.  We talked about his dad and what had happened, about his
mom and how she was handling this, about my parents and their reaction.  We
spoke of times gone by and times to come.  We laughed, we cried, we held
each other tightly as we tried to come to grips with the events of the last
twenty-four hours.

"Bri?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you still here with me?"

"What do you mean?"  I spoke sharply.

"All I do is cause everyone trouble.  My dad wants to kill me.  I screw up
and do everything wrong.  What can I possibly offer you besides pain?"

I let go of him and knelt so we were nose to nose.  I put my hands on his
shoulders and glared into his eyes.

"Let's get one thing straight right now, once and for all, Peter Daniel
Jameson.  If I had not wanted to be with you, do you really think I would
have stayed when you told me, or at your house last night knowing I may get
killed beside you?  You told me you were gay.  I realized I was in love
with you.  Your mom decided to tell your dad, and I have a hard time not
hating her for that, but she did.  And you paid the price for that.  She
did too, I suppose."  I was rambling and needed to get back on track.

"Pete, I love you.  Do you understand that?  I won't leave you.  You could
tell me you hate me, and I won't stop loving you.  You can tell me you
don't want to see me ever again, and I'd leave.  But I'll still love you,
and be there for you if I'm needed.  The only way you can get rid of me is
for me to die.  You mean that much to me.  So what if you have a fucking
bastard for a father, or you do things differently, or screw up every now
and then. No one is perfect, and besides, we're kids. We're supposed to
make mistakes.  That's how we learn to be adults.

"But even though I am a kid, I know that I love you more than myself.  I
was ready to die for you last night.  I think you're worth my life.  You
have taught me so much in the last few days even, that I am not the same
wimp you knew on Monday.  You have so much to give, and I want to give you
just as much in return.  Do you understand?" He gazed at me, and I saw
something lift from his eyes. Despair?  Again, tears were welling up in his
eyes.  "What I don't understand, is why you love me.  You do, don't you?
You said you did, right?  I didn't dream it?"  He sniffled and nodded.
"Okay then, I'll ask you the same question.  Why do you want to be with
me."  I sat back on my haunches, waiting for him to respond.

He didn't answer at first, and dropped his gaze.  He was silent so long
that I started to get nervous and fidget.

"When I first met you, I thought you were a weakling.  I watched Brent and
the pack pick on you and I even thought it was funny at first."  I stared
at him in shock, not believing what he was saying.  He saw it in my eyes.

"That was at first. But after a while, I saw them for what they were, and
began to see that they were not the cool guys I first thought.  They picked
on you because it made them feel like they were the big men on campus or
some such bullshit.  I think they are jealous of you Brian.  They hate you
because you are smart and they are stupid.

"Anyway, then I started watching you and how you dealt with them, always
taking it but never striking back.  Sure they hurt you, but you didn't run
to the teachers or cry, you just stared them in the face, daring them to do
more."  Usually, I was quaking in my boots, and what use would the teachers
be?  They would just tell Brent to knock it off and then it would be twice
as bad.  "You stick it out, Bri.  You have a strength that admire, strength
I wish I had.  If I had it, I could stand up to my dad, and tell him off.
If I had your strength, I wouldn't be afraid to go to school because
someone might find out about me. Us."  He reached back and scratched his
head in thought.

"And mostly, I love you because it feels right that I do.  You look great,
you have a great sense of humor, you're smart like me and not ashamed of
it.  You are confident in yourself like no one else I know.  And it all
comes together in one sexy package!"  He was actually grinning at me now,
smiling at my embarrassed blush.  I didn't know what to say.  Confident?
Definitely not.

"I love you, Brian.  You are my friend, I can talk to you, and I want to be
with you forever."  With that, he slapped me with a serious lip lock that
took my breath away.

When it finally ended, we lay there on the floor gently drifting into
sleep, my head on his chest.  The last sounds in my ears were Pete's deep
breathing, and his strong, steady heartbeat.

The next morning dawned cold and clear, the usual pattern for this time of
year.  I had forgotten to close the shades, so as soon as the sun cleared
the surrounding hills, it struck us in the eyes, rousing us from the sound
sleep we had finally found.  That meant it was about six o'clock.  My
father would be up having his morning coffee, but mom would most likely be
in bed.

Pete began to stir beside me, and it was then I realized that he had
wrapped his legs around mine, entangling us together.  I also discovered
that I was more than slightly aroused by his presence.  For some reason
this embarrassed me, and I began to quickly make my escape.  Unfortunately,
Pete's arm snaked it's way around my waist as I began to sit up, and
prevented me from moving away.  He gently coaxed me to lay back down, and
rolled over, placing his head on my chest.  I'm not sure he was even awake
at this point.  In any case, he trapped me with my morning woody sticking
straight up, tenting my shorts for all the world to see, if they should
open the door.

No one did open the door, but not long after there was a knock.  "Pete?"
Brenda.  " Pete, honey, it's time to get up and get a move on.  You guys
awake in there?"  I heard her hand on the door knob and I flew away from
Pete so fast that he dropped his head on the floor.  By the time the door
was open, I was up with my back to Brenda putting on a pair of shorts.
Pete glanced my way and gave me a wry grin, understanding if not exactly
liking my precipitous departure.

"Yeah, mom, we're up.  And next time, wait until we say okay to open the
door, please?"  She had the grace to look embarrassed.  It wasn't even her
house.

"I'm sorry boys.  I'll try to remember.  But you shouldn't be doing those
things anyway."  I turned around and was ready to bite her head off, but
she had already left the doorway, leaving the door wide open. With a bitter
rejoinder in my teeth, I shut the door harder than was absolutely
necessary.  Just who the fuck did she think she was?

"Like we DO those things.  And if we did, it still would be none of her
business.  Or my parents business for that matter.  I really hate it when
she does that to you, Pete."

"Yeah, me too.  But she's Mom.  I guess I'm used to it."

"I," added emphasis, "never will be.  I'm going to say something next
time."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Bri.  She may not let us spend a lot of
time together if she thinks you're a bad influence."  He giggled at that,
but I wasn't in a joking mood.

"Over my dead body.  No one is going to keep us apart.  Not my parents, not
your mom, not your dad.  And we both have a right to some privacy.  I hope
my dad gets that lock on soon."

"Boys!  Let's go!"  Dad this time.  Pete finally got out of the sack, and I
noticed that his shorts were nicely tented as well.

"So you DO love me," I said with a grin, looking straight at his crotch.
Noticing my meaning, he turned scarlet and whipped around, his back toward
me.  I laughed as he fished out a pair of shorts I had lent him, and
slipped them on."

"Now, boys!"

"Coming!"  God, give a guy a chance.

Pete and I hurried out to the dining room to find everybody there and
starting to fill their plates with eggs and potatoes.  We took our fair
share and left the table bearing a considerably lighter load.  Conversation
was limited to making plans for court this morning and getting Pete and his
mom moved out afterward.

Even though Pete and I had come late and taken more food than anyone else,
we were the first to finish our meals.  Mom admonished us to place our
dishes in the dishwasher, and then to get in the shower, separately.  It
was starting already.

Just because we were a couple they assumed we were having sex.  I mean,
shit.  Did they really think they could stop us if we really wanted to?
All we would have to do is go to the fort or something.  It just wasn't any
of their business. It was really beginning to piss me off, and it had only
been two days.  I wasn't even sure I was ready to have sex yet.  Don't get
me wrong.  The though of making love to Pete totally turned me on.  But I
wanted us to grow into that kind of relationship, so it would be special,
instead of spoiling what we had just to get our rocks off.

Pete beat me to the shower, so I went to my room laid out my clothes for
the day.  Jeans, a t-shirt, socks underwear, sneakers.  The usual.

Pete finished up and came into the bedroom to get dressed, and I left to
take my shower.  I usually linger in the shower, turning up the water as
hot as I can stand it, and let it flow over my body, waking me from sleep,
but this time, I didn't have the opportunity.  Pete must have drained the
hot water, causing me to squawk in dismay as it turned ice cold in the
middle of lathering my hair.  I wasted no time in rinsing my hair, trying
to keep my body out of the arctic blast from the showerhead, and usually
failing.  After taking all I could stand, I climbed out of the shower and
turned it off from the outside, not daring to subject myself to that
torture any longer.  I would kill him.

I toweled myself vigorously, and gradually my skin changed from blue to
pink as I warmed.  The whole time I was nurturing thoughts of how to exact
my revenge.  After slipping on my shorts, I wrapped my towel around me and
headed to my room to get dressed.  Pete was already clothed and laying on
my bed, legs over the edge, idly kicking his feet.  He sat up as I came in,
and favored me with an appraising gaze.  Closing the door behind me, I
dropped my towel, held my arms out at my sides and turned around, allowing
him to inspect me.

"Do I pass?"

He pursed his lips, considering how to answer.  "I suppose, although you
could use more color," then grinned as I took a swing at him, intentionally
missing by a wide margin.  "Get dressed. We're running late, and I want to
get this over with."  I nodded assent and quickly pulled on my jeans and
t-shirt.  Socks on and shoes tied, I was ready to go in two minutes.

As we entered the living room, everyone was ready to go.  Mom and Dad were
dressed casually, as was Brenda.  They all knew Judge Saunders on a first
name basis, he husband having been my baseball coach a few years earlier
and helping out with the scouts as well.  He had died last year from a
heart attack at the age of fifty-five.

We all piled into the old Bronco my dad drove, and were at city all with
ten minutes to spare.  Pete and I were in the back seat with Brenda.  She
had purposely sat between us.  This was going to be a challenge, I could
see that already.  Pete didn't seem to notice, and I couldn't really blame
him.  He had a lot on his mind.  It was possible he had seen his dad for
the last time.  I wasn't sure what to do for him, either.  I wanted to hold
him, let him know I was there, but I wasn't sure he wanted that from me.
And between Brenda and my parents, we'd be lucky if we were ever alone
again.

As we walked in the main entrance and up the stairs to Judge Saunders'
office, I began to get nervous.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  Judge
Saunders met us at the top of the staircase, and ushered us into her
office.  I had met Gloria Saunders any number of times before, but this
time she seemed to have an ominous air about her.

Her chambers were crowded, as there was already a stenographer seated in
the corner, and Danny, wearing his uniform, stood nearby.  With the five of
us and the Judge, that made the rather spacious office seem cramped and
small.

Gloria was a fifty-something woman, wearing her brown hair short but
styled. A handsome woman, she may have been beautiful in her day, but the
lines on her narrow face betrayed the worry and stress or her position.
She wore a blue suit under he black robe, and wire rimmed glasses hung on a
chain from her neck.

"This is an informal session, but it will be recorded for the record.
Everyone ready?"  Seeing no one disagree, she continued, "Then lets begin.
Family Court case 972043, Brenda Day Jameson versus Joseph Mitchell
Jameson.  Mrs. Jameson is requesting that a restraining order be issued
against Mr. Jameson, ordering him to maintain at least one hundred yards
separation from the plaintiff her son, Peter Daniel Jameson.  Is this all
correct as I've stated it?  Please state your name as you answer."

"Brenda Day Jameson. Yes, Your Honor. Your statements are accurate."

"All people bearing witness to this case, state your names for the record."
One by one, we gave our names, and the stenographer recorded our words
dutifully.

"Mrs. Jameson, please describe the events of last night as they occurred."
Brenda again told her story, and again I searched for a reaction from my
parents as she mentioned Pete telling her he was gay.  I saw Dad tighten
his jaw briefly, but then relax again and shake his head slightly, like I
do when I am chastising myself for doing something wrong.  Brenda completed
her story and the judge moved on quickly.

"Mr. Jameson, please state your name and describe what happened last
night."

"My name is Pete. Um, Peter Daniel Jameson."  Pete continued on, detailing
our waiting down stairs, listening to the dishes crash, and hearing Joe
yell at Brenda.  He also told of our escape, but didn't mention my nearly
getting caught.  As he described the time we spent in the fort hiding out
and the trek back to the house, my mind began to wander a bit, thinking
about my parents and their reaction to the fact I was gay.

They didn't react at all like I thought they would.  Well, Dad had run out
on me, but he came back quickly and put my fears to rest. I still had my
dad.  And Mom, nothing seemed to phase her.  At least that much was normal,
what I was used to.  But I still had this doubt in my mind, this uneasy
feeling in my gut that told me the other shoe had to drop soon.  If only.

"Brian?"

I broke from my reverie with a start on hearing my name. "I'm sorry, my
mind was wandering."

Judge Saunders gave me an indulgent smile, and asked me to state my name
and tell my story, which I did.  I didn't embellish or exaggerate, I told
it like it happened.  I told of the fear I felt hearing the dishes crashed,
the terror when Joe said he was going to kill us, the horror when he caught
my jacket collar and I wasn't sure I was going to get away.  Finally I
recounted our approach to my house and meeting Danny in the field.

My parents both spoke of Joe's arrival and his ranting, his potential for
violence, his attack on my dad (I hadn't known Joe had tried to take on my
dad because I had turned his son gay).  They also described the arrival of
the cops, Joe's arrest, and our return.

Danny gave the police report on Joe, and stated he was being charged with
Domestic Violence Battery, Assault, Resisting Arrest, Drunken Driving,
Public Drunkenness, and Assaulting a Peace Officer.  Quite a list of
charges, I thought.

I watched Pete as the charges were listed, and saw his face grow more pale
as each one was read.  He still loved his dad, I was sure.  Even with all
the stuff.  And maybe somehow, he felt that his dad's actions reflected on
him.  I wanted to give him a hug, but now wasn't the time or place.

Having heard all of us, Judge Saunders, who had remained impassive through
all the testimony, spoke crisply and quickly.  "Your petition is granted.
The restraining order against Mr. Jameson is hereby issued and in force.
Mr. Jameson is to maintain one hundred yards separation from Mrs. Brenda
Day Jameson, her son Peter Daniel Jameson, Mr. Benjamin Keith Kellam,
Mrs. Lisa Irene Kellam, and their children, Brian Andrew Kellam and Dawn
Chelsie Kellam.  The respondent is barred from any contact, by physical or
electronic means, with the above named persons. Furthermore, he is ordered
to maintain one hundred yards separation from the schools where the
children are in attendance.  That is my judgment.  Officer Trask, please
see that Mr. Jameson is informed.  This session is closed."

The stenographer finished up the last few words, and then made her exit
with Danny's assistance.  As she left, Danny closed the door behind her.

"It's a damn shame, Brenda.  I'm so sorry that it came to this."

"I know, Gloria.  But it is for the best.  At least Pete will be safe."

"Yes.  Boys, could you step outside for a minute?  I would like to speak to
your parents alone, if I may."  Pete and I looked at each other, then
shrugged and rose without a word.  I opened the door, let Pete leave, and
then closed it quietly behind us.

"What's up with that?  This concerns us too."

"They don't think we are old enough to handle this." Pete ran his fingers
through his hair (I loved it when he did that) and let out a long
sigh. "I'm not sure I'm gonna make it, Bri.  I'm so scared right now.  What
is going to happen with us?  Mom has to get a job, we have to find a place
to live.  Now you and I have to watch what we say and how we act.  We're
not even sure that they'll let us see each other.  I'm don't know if I can
handle all this pressure, and I don't know what I'll do if they try to keep
us apart."

I took a quick look around, and seeing no one, gave him a quick peck on the
lips.  Under the circumstances, I risked giving him a big hug (people would
see us outside of the judges office and might think I was comforting a
really good friend, right?).

"Everything will work out.  And remember that we ARE together.  I refuse to
let them split us up, Even if I have to move in with you, or you with me.
As for the rest of it, let your mom deal with it.  You have enough on your
plate as it is."  A clerk came into view around the corner and Pete tried
to wriggle out of my grasp.  I held him firmly in a brotherly hug, and soon
he stopped struggling.  As the clerk passed us, she gave me a friendly
smile.

"You two okay?"  She must have been in her mid-twenties, good body with a
pretty face and flaming red hair worn long.  She was dressed in a business
suit that somehow left her a casual impression.

"Yeah.  It's just been a rough day so far."  She nodded knowingly.

"I'll be back in the office, last door on the left, in five minutes.  If
you need anything while you wait, come find me, okay?"

"Thank you, ma'am."

"My name is Bridgett.  If I'm not there, ask them to page me.  I'll come
back right away."

"Thanks."

"No problem."  Smiling again, she turned and went on her way.  We sat there
as we were for quite a while, at least an hour.  Several people passed us,
and one man even gave us a dirty look.  I glared at him until he dropped
his gaze. Pete didn't even try to free himself as they walked by.  A minor
victory, I thought.

Time drug on interminably, hours passing.  What could possibly be taking
them this long.  We still had to go and get Pete's stuff from the house.
And Joe was due to be released on bail this afternoon.  Maybe they decided
to let the bastard rot.

About eleven o'clock, Danny stepped out.  We had separated by then, but I
don't think he would have minded anyway.  He looked tired and troubled.  He
stared at us for a second, weighing what he saw.  I think he might have
been deciding how grown up we actually were in light of the events of the
past 24 hours.  "I'll be back in a second.  Don't go anywhere." Yeah, like
we were going to walk into the street and get run over.  He stepped into
the men's room, and was back in less than five minutes.  He sat on the
other side of Pete.

"Danny, what's going on?  What is taking so long.  I though it was all
settled now."

"I'm afraid not.  There are other issues that the judge is hammering out
with your parents, like the living situation and the money, all that kind
of stuff.  It may take awhile yet, and I need to head out.  You guys have
my pager number if you need me.  Remember, I am here, and I have been where
you are.  Call me if you need to talk, anytime at all.  I mean it."  He
must have seen that we were just nodding dutifully instead of in sincerity.
I nodded again with more feeling, really meaning I would call him if I
needed to.

Danny stood and ruffled my hair, then headed down the stairs toward the
police station.

Noon came and went.  We started to get hungry for lunch, being the
bottomless pits we were Seeing no sign of our parents coming out of
chambers, we ambled down the hallway to seek out Bridgett.  Her office was
a large room, holding maybe ten cubicles.  Her cube was right in front of
the door, but she wasn't in at the moment.  Looking around, I couldn't see
her anywhere.  I asked the person in the next cube if Bridgett was around,
and was told she would be back in a minute.

Pete and I waited out in the hall, and Bridgett was along not a minute
later.

"Hey, guys, what's up?  Still waiting, huh?"

Pete nodded. "It's time for lunch, and we're getting hungry.  Is there
anyplace where we can get something to eat?"

"Sure is. Come in for a sec."  We followed her into her cube, and she
pulled out a slip of paper.  She signed it and handed it to Pete.  "Go down
to the cafeteria on the first floor.  You know where it is? Good.  Give
this to the cashier when you go to pay, and that'll be it.  Lunch is on us
today."

"Wow. Thanks, Bridgett!  You are a lifesaver!"

She grinned "No problem guys. Now eat something halfway health, okay?"

With a dejected "Okay," we turned around and walked out of the office,
Bridgett's laughter following us.

The cafeteria was easy to find.  Since it was lunch time we just followed
the sound of voices and clanking dishes.  Deciding what to eat wasn't
really a chore.  I had a turkey sandwich, chips, and a Coke, while Pete
decided to go for a cheeseburger, extra grease, and fries with a Coke to
wash it down.  We sat at a table off in the corner and watched people come
and go as we ate. The noise made it impossible to have a meaningful
conversation and keep our voices below a bellow.  Of course, we finished
our meal quickly, but we decided to stay there for a while since no one was
looking to kick us out of our table.  Things died down to a level where we
could talk again about one o'clock.  I sat in the chair next to Pete and we
put our heads together to speak in hushed tones.

"Do you think they'll finish up soon?"

"I hope so. I'm getting bored here. And besides, I need to get my stuff
still.  I hope Dad didn't trash anything."  I thought about the downstairs
and the torn picture.  "This is so weird. It feels like a bad dream.
Besides you, I mean."

"I understand.  It seems like it to me too.  Parents aren't supposed to
that kind of thing.  They are supposed to be steady and calm, like a rock.
I guess they aren't any different than anyone else."  I felt a hand descend
on my shoulder, startling me, and I must have jumped about two feet into
the air.  Dad was standing over me, kind of grinning.

"Nervous?"

"Don't DO that to me!  I almost had a heart attack!"

"Yeah, me too!"

Dad just chuckled and motioned us toward the door.  "We're done here for
today.  We need to get up to the house and help Pete and his mom get their
things.  Besides, I'm hungry.  I see you guys ate something, but I'm sure
you could eat more.  You two put an elephant to shame, as much as you eat.
Let's go."

As we went down the front steps, Mom and Brenda came out of nowhere to join
us in the walk to the Bronco.  Both looked a little worse for wear, and
could probably use a nap.  But circumstances conspired against us.

We piled into the truck, and I made it a point to sit next to Pete this
time, placing him in the center.  I looked for a reaction from Brenda, but
didn't see one.  She must have been preoccupied.

The drive up to Pete's place was silent except for the noise of tires on
pavement.  We got there in no time.  At first glance, the house appeared as
it always had, immaculate.  Dad stopped the Bronco in front of the house
and let Pete and I out.  Brenda climbed back in.

"I'm going back to get the truck so we have some room to carry things.  You
two head on in and get your stuff packed.  Just take necessities like
clothes.  I'll go through what you pack when I get back.  You have your
keys?"

"Yup. See you in about twenty minutes, then."  With a nod, the truck pulled
away, leaving Pete and I at the front door of the scene of the crime.

"You okay, Pete?"

"Think so.  Let's just get this over with."

It was a beautiful day.  The sun was shining brightly overhead in a
brilliant blue sky we could make out here and there between the trees.
Birds flittered from branch to branch, singing their songs.  The grass was
a brilliant green, and brightly colored flowers grew in the plantings in
front of the house.  It was hard to believe that the events of the previous
night occurred in such a beautiful place.

Pete gingerly put his key into the deadbolt lock, and carefully turned the
key with some hesitation.  As he opened the door, I saw pieces of broken
dishes and other items here and there around the entrance to the kitchen.
The family room was unscathed, as was the hallway leading down to the
bedrooms at the other end.

I put my arm around Pete's shoulder as we walked down the hall.  We were
chatting about the damage Joe had done in the kitchen as we turned into the
bedroom.  What we saw stopped us in our tracks.  The door was ripped off
its hinges and lay half out of the window behind the bed.  That was the
only thing in the room, besides the bed, that was recognizable. We had
walked into hell.

----------------

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