Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:51:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: Caleb Wilson <cable4uw@yahoo.com>
Subject: Two Boys on a Bike Part 4

Monday morning saw James waiting at the park gates. As he perused the green
expanses of the park his mind went back to a week ago. He'd never imagined
that he would spend so many happy hours in this very same park cycling
around with a small slim boy hanging on to him. Now that same small figure
appeared at the other end of the park and started walking towards him, he
needed no clues to know who it was. Seeing the boy brought a smile to his
face, he would have recognised Patrick a mile away and now the figure had
broken into a run towards him and within minutes was by his side.

"Hi Patrick."

Puffing a bit Patrick gasped out, "Hi, James, you been waiting long."

"No not long, if you've got your breath back let's go," and the two friends
made their way to school. As they neared the school gates James stopped in
his tracks muttering,

"I can't believe my eyes that's Duncan with Heather Shaw, and he's actually
holding her hand."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Uh, nothing Umm I'll explain a bit later, come on let's get to school."

As they passed Duncan, James greeted his friend who totally ignored him,
James raised his eyebrows and gestured with his head towards Duncan and
batted his eyelids denoting a person besotted by another. Patrick had to
stifle a burst of laughter with his hand till they were inside the school
grounds and out of earshot of Duncan.

"What was all that about James."

It's Duncan he was calling that girl all sorts of names last week now he's
looking at her as if she were Britney Spears."

"Who's Britney Spears?"

You don't know who Britney Spears is.?"

Umm not really, I think I've heard the name mentioned on television but
didn't pay much attention."

He looked at the smaller boy and noted the sincerity on his face and
realised that Patrick was not having him on. "Well forget Britney Spears
what famous beautiful women do you know of?"

"Not any really, but my dad reckons that Marilyn Monroe was the most
beautiful women in the world when he was younger."

"Yeah I've heard of her, well that's who Duncan seems to think Heather Shaw
is."

"Jeez he really has got it bad, but not as bad I have for somebody that I
won't mention."

Looking at his companion James smiled and mumbled so others couldn't hear,
"Watch it specs or I might just do something that will embarrass you."

"Promises, promises," Patrick uttered, and laughing ran ahead into the
school closely followed by James who grabbed him as he tried to wiggle
through the doors.

As he held Patrick he lowered his head to the smaller boy's ear and
whispered, "Got you specs, now I'm going to embarrass you in front of the
whole school."

"No James please you wouldn't," then suddenly turned and looked at James,
"That's twice you called me specs, why?"

Releasing Patrick James shrugged his shoulders, "Don't know it just came
out sorry."

"Don't be sorry I like it, but don't let anybody else hear you calling me
that I only want you to use that name."

"Sure let's get to our classes."



At lunch time while Patrick had gone home for his meal break James managed
to question Duncan about Heather while they ate.

"So what's with you going all soft on Heather Shaw after what you said
about her on Friday?"

"Oh man Jamie I feel a real worm about that. I phoned her on Friday night
and she agreed to go to the movies with me on Saturday. Jeez Jamie she may
not be good looking but she's was so I don't know how to put it but it was
just great being with her and now we're going steady."

"So are you still coming for soccer training after school or are you going
to see Heather."

"You must be joking I'm not giving up my place on the team I'll be there."

"Looks like your girlfriend's looking for you she's over there by the
door."

Duncan swivelled around in his chair saw Heather stood up and said, "See
you later Jamie," and headed in her direction.

After Duncan had left James finished his drink then headed out of the
school gates and made for the entrance to the park to wait for Patrick. He
had to wait about ten minutes before Patrick arrived on his way back to
school.

"Sorry James, have I kept you waiting long?"

"Yeah like forever or seemed like forever."

"Couldn't eat any faster my mum was nagging me to slow down. Why don't you
come home with me for lunch break it's better than those school meals.

"Umm, not too sure about that, your mum can't feed me every day for
nothing."

"It's no big deal I'll ask my mum this evening and see what she has to
say."

"Okay, you can tell me at school tomorrow what your mum says."

Aren't you coming over after school this evening?"

"No, I've got soccer training this evening which doesn't finish till after
seven thirty and by the time I get home and cleaned up it will be nearly
nine pm.

"Oh okay, where do you hold your training session?"

"On the practice pitch it has floodlights so we can continue training when
it gets dark."

"Is it okay if I come and watch?"

"Oh yeah, that would be brilliant I'll keep an eye out for you when we're
training. Come on let's get into the class before Tomlinson gets there."

The rest of the day went without incident. The two boys walked homewards
together till they had to part and go their separate ways. Reaching home
Patrick kicked off his shoes dropped his bag and walked into the living
room.

"Mum."

"Yes Patrick."

"Can James come home with me in the afternoons to have something to eat?"

Yes if he wants to, I'm not too sure he'll like our food."

"Anything is better than school dinner's mum you should know you've worked
in a school before, and mum can I go and watch James at his soccer training
later on this evening."

"Alright but you won't be out too late will you?"

"I'll be back by nine mum, James will drop me home," Patrick said, grabbing
his bag he went upstairs to wash and change.

He came down a bit later after he'd done some of his homework his mother
asking him, if he wanted to eat before going to watch James training?"

He decided to eat before going out and sat at the table while his mother
served his food. Within a space of a few minutes he cleaned his plate took
it into the kitchen washed and dried it. Kissing his mother he left the
house making for the school training pitch.



As he was halfway through the park area that he and James fooled around in
on the bike, a sudden blow to the back of the head stunned him and sent his
spectacles flying onto the grass. He stumbled and tried to turn to see who
his attacker was when a fist crashed into his face knocking him onto his
back. As he fell he faintly heard a voice yelling, "Leave him alone," and a
few moments later a woman helping him into a sitting position and asking,
"Are you alright."

He was far from alright his nose was bleeding down the front of his clothes
and his head was hurting but not wanting to sound ungrateful he said, "Umm,
I think so but I have to find my spectacles they fell off when I was hit."

"Here they are mum," and a small boy about six years old held up Patrick's
glasses.

Patrick took the spectacles thanking the boy and was helped to his feet by
the woman.

"Are you alright to make your own way home or do you want me to come with
you?"

"No I can make it on my own and thanks for helping and chasing the person
away."

"It was nothing he was only a boy from the local school here I recognised
the uniform.

"Thanks again," and Patrick headed back home again holding his head back
trying to get the nose bleed to stop.



Arriving home his mother reactions to seeing her son with blood all down
the front of his clothes, and a swelling over the right eye which was
already bruising and swelling even more, was anything but calm. Like all
parents she hurled a hundred and one questions at him without letting him
answer, at the same time taking him to the sink and putting a cold
compression to his forehead to stop the nose bleed.

When Patrick complained that his head was hurting because of the blow from
behind she telephoned the doctor asking if he could attend to Patrick
explaining what had happened.

She took him to his room telling him to get changed and to get into bed and
that she'd send the doctor up to see him when he arrived. Once he was in
bed she fussed around him till he had to tell her, he needed to be left
alone as he felt sleepy.

She left Patrick and made her way to the living room. A few minutes later
Mr Jensen arrived at the same time as the doctor and they entered the house
together. The Doctor was shown the way to Patrick's room. His parents
remained by the door while the Doctor made his examination of Patrick.. Ten
minutes later coming out of the room accompanied Mr and Mrs Jensen
downstairs Doctor Graham informed them that, "Patrick had a mild
concussion, his nose wasn't broken but he would have a black eye for the
next few days. He also emphasised that if Patrick was to complain that his
headache was getting worse to take him to the hospital right away," he also
said, "He had given the boy a mild sedative that will help him sleep till
morning." He left them giving Mr Jensen a prescription for some ointment to
be applied to the eye to help to reduce the bruising and swelling.



James kept looking over at the spectators during their practice game but
could see no sign of Patrick. Eventually when the practice session was over
he grabbed his gear and quickly pulled out his mobile phone and dialled
Patrick's home number. James heard Mrs Jensen's voice when the phone was
answered.

"Can I speak to Patrick, Mrs Jensen?"

"Oh okay I was wondering what happened to him he was supposed to come and
watch me at Practice."

"WHAT, can I come over please I won't disturb him if he's sleeping?"

"Thanks Mrs Jensen,. I won't be long."

As he ran to his bike James dialled home.

"Mum, I'll be a bit late getting home."

"No, they're not extending the practice session. I'm going to see Patrick
he was attacked in the park this evening."

"I don't know how serious it is mum he's sleeping at the moment I'll let
you know after I've been over to see him."

"Yes mum I'll be careful see you later bye."



He didn't bother changing out of his football kit, he stuffed his clothes
into his shoulder pack jumped on his bike and pedalled off as fast as he
could towards Patrick's house. When he arrived he let the bike drop on the
lawn walked to the front door and rang the doorbell. He heard footsteps and
Mrs Jensen opened the door.

"Come in James, Patrick's still sleeping."

"Can I go up and see him Mrs J uh Jensen."

"That's okay James Mrs J. sounds fine to me, and yes go on up."

James for once entered the house without taking off his footwear he climbed
the stairs and opened the door to Patrick's room as silently as he
could. Because it was a bit dark in the room with the curtains drawn he
left the bedroom door open to let the light from the passageway filter
in. He could see Patrick curled up in the bed with just the top of his head
poking out from under the bedclothes. Walking over he knelt beside the bed
then taking the bed covers he gently lifted them to look at the face that
had occupied his thoughts most of the day.

Seeing Patrick's face made him suck in his breath he wasn't expecting to
see the huge swelling and the purple and black colouring of his right
eye. He tried but couldn't hold back the tears that came to his eyes and
let them flow freely down his cheeks. He stayed by the bedside for a few
minutes then leaning forward he placed a kiss on Patrick's forehead, "See
you specs." and replacing the covers he made his way out of the room
closing the door behind him. Downstairs he went to the sitting room to see
Patrick's parents. Mr Jensen noticing the tear stains on the boy's cheeks
walked over to him saying, "James are you alright?"

"Yes I'm okay Mr J. but I'd like to know who did that to Patrick?"

"We don't know, but he did say that the woman who chased the boy off who
was assaulting him was from the same school that the two of you go to."

"Mr J. do you know who the woman was we could take her to the school to
identify the boy."

"No but I've already reported the matter to the police and asked them to
try and find her she must be living locally she also had her young son with
her he was the one who found Patrick's spectacles."

"Okay Mr J. I think I had better get home."

"I'll drop you home James,"

"I've got my bike Mr J I can ride home."

"No it's a bit late, leave the bike here you can pick it up after school
tomorrow I'm sure you'll be around to visit Patrick.

"Okay Thanks Mr J," he said goodbye to Mrs Jensen and the two of them left
the house.



Normally James was quite a relaxed character and didn't anger easily but
the whole morning the feelings inside him were bubbling over till by the
first break they were reaching boiling point. The moment the bell went he
was out of his seat and headed for the playground his eyes searching till
he saw the person he was looking for. Seeing Bert Collins he began to run
towards him then stopped, "Shit I've got to be careful or I'll blow it," he
thought.

He casually walked over to Bert getting his emotions under control he
greeted him, "Hi Bert."

"Hi James, what's up?"

"Nothing, was just wondering if you've been beating up on smaller kids
again."

"No James I told you I wouldn't do it again."

James grabbed the boy's hands and looked at the back of them and noticed
the bruise on the knuckles of the right hand.

"Hurt yourself Bert."

"Yeah."

"Well tell me how you did it."

"I was playing soccer and fell over."

"You're so stupid Bert it's unbelievable, you beat up the new kid in the
park yesterday evening, didn't you?"

"No I didn't."

"It's okay I'm not going to do anything to you but when the cops get you I
hope they put you away for a couple of years."

"What d'you mean the cops," Bert said nervously, "they can't prove
anything."

"I've said it before Bert you're stupid, you didn't even bother to change
out of your school uniform before you went to the park and beat up Jensen,
the woman in the park recognised the uniform and knew it was from this
school. All the cops have to do is bring her to the school to identify the
person and you're in shit up to your eyebrows."

"Oh Fuck! That woman didn't see my face did she?"

"If she didn't see your face the cops wouldn't bother bringing her to the
school would they. If I was you I'd forget about school for the day and run
home and tell your parents what you've done. Maybe if they don't beat the
shit out of you they might just decide to help you."

Bert totally lost it and yelled, "I'm going home," and ran out of the
school gates before any of the teaching staff noticed.

James King felt relieved that he hadn't used his hands on Bert, and that
he'd got as much satisfaction watching him squirm when he told him the
police were on his tail.



The day seemed to drag on forever and James was getting impatient to hear
the bell sound for the end of classes, and when it did he was out of his
seat like a shot. As soon as he was out of the school gates he broke into a
run and within a few minutes was at Patrick's front door. Ringing the bell
and panting he waited impatiently for the door to be answered and when it
did it was Patrick's mother. "Hello James, come in."

Hi Mrs J how's specs umm I mean Patrick."

Mrs Jensen smiled looking at the concerned look on the boy's face "I'm sure
as you call him specs will be a hundred times better when he see you. He's
in his bedroom on his computer, go on up."

"Thanks Mrs J," kicking his shoes off in the hallway and dropping his
school bag he went up to see Patrick. At the bedroom door he knocked
lightly opened it and poked his head around the door. Patrick glanced at
the door on hearing the knock and when the head appeared, "James," he
called, and jumped up from his chair and made for the door. They met and
James wrapping his arms around the smaller boy lifted him off his feet so
that he could bring their lips together in a tender kiss, breaking the kiss
he asked,

"How are you feeling Patrick?" as he gazed at the ugly purple and black
bruising around the right eye.

"Not too bad my head isn't hurting now but the eye looks gross, don't know
how long it's going to take to clear up."

Setting Patrick back on his feet he assured him his eye would clear up then
asked, "So what've you been doing all day."

"Nothing much lying down, using the computer, and mostly thinking of
you. Mum told me you came round last night while I was sleeping you should
have woken me."

"No you needed to sleep, and I didn't stay long."

"Oh, guess who came around to visit this afternoon?"

"No idea, tell me."

"Mrs Collins, Bert's mother."

"What."

"Yeah she came to apologise and to see if I was alright. Seems like Bert
told her what he'd done and she wanted to know if mum and dad would drop
the assault charges against Bert.

"So what's going to happen?"

"Haven't the faintest my parents have to discuss it with Bert's parents
about what's going to happen. Anyway I'm not really interested let's talk
about something else."

"I can't really stay long Patrick I only came to see how you were and pick
up my bike to go home."

"I'll come with you."

"No."

"Why not I'm not bloody dying, I've only got a black eye."

"I'll come back later specs to see you."

"No, I'll go home with you then you can bring me back after you've changed
and had your tea."

James looked at the smaller boy and saw the determined look on his face,
"Okay, but only if your mum says so."

He was out of the room in a flash shouting from the top of the stairs,
"Muuuumm, can I go out with James please mum," he went down the stairs two
at a time to confront his mother in the sitting room, "Please mum."

"Patrick you're only just beginning to recover from the blow to the back of
your head and face, can't it wait till tomorrow."

"No mum pleeeeease, James will look after me he won't let anything happen
please mum pleeeeeease."

Looking at her younger sons pleading face she gave in, "Alright but don't
be out too late."

"Thanks mum, James," he yelled and turned to see James standing behind him,
"Oh thought you were still upstairs, are you ready to go."

"Yeah," then addressing Patrick's mother, "Bye Mrs J. I'll have him back
early."

Going to his mother Patrick kissed her, "Bye mum won't be long."

The boys put their shoes on James picking up his bag as they left the house
and went to the garage to pick up his bike. Without hesitation Patrick
climbed onto the saddle James looking over his shoulder and asked,

"Okay specs."

"Never been better, let's go," and James felt an arm snake around his waist
and squeeze sending shivers through his body.

The boys were off James pedalling Patrick, sitting behind legs splayed
outwards holding onto him with one hand while holding James's bag with the
other, chatting and laughing as they made their way to James's house. They
couldn't wish for more, the presence of each other was all they desired and
of course their favourite mode of transport better than any flashy car.