It was past nine o'clock when the Covers returned back to The Cove.
"That was fun, 'dad'," offered Charles, "and I am glad Doctor Doug decided to go with us. I can see why my older 'brothers' like him so much. He's just a regular guy isn't he?"
"Yes, Charles, I'd have to agree with you there," offered 'dad' Ken. "I heard you ask him to sit at another table with you so I took it you wanted to talk to him about something. Do you want to tell your 'dad' what that was all about, 'son', so I have an idea?"
"Well … I wanted to ask him about my surgery, 'dad'," began Charles. "It wasn't like I didn't want you and Robert to hear me but … well, I just wanted to hear his ideas about it. He didn't tell me anything you both didn't tell me, it's just that… well, he told me about some of the kids he's helped and how the surgery worked wonders for their mental well-being, as he called it. He said he applauded you 'dad', for allowing me to decide when I should get it done, but he did encourage me to get it done sooner than later. He assured me that once it is over I can begin to heal not only my external body … but my internal body and mind, as well."
"Did he help you decide when you're going to get the surgery?" asked Robert.
"No not really. He didn't give me a date or anything, but he said I'll be doing myself a big favor by not putting it off for too long. I had told him you spoke to me about it and I had to decide on a date before the last two weeks before school began. It was then he explained that the rest of my summer will feel a lot better 'back there', he teased, and recommended I get it over with so it would be ancient history when school starts in the fall," fully explained Charles.
"Thank you, 'son', for telling me all that; the ball is now in your court. You have to decide when the surgery will be. Keep in mind it will take at least seven days for you to fully heal. After that you'll have to be careful you don't over strain when you use the toilet and my bet is that within two weeks you'll be you're old self," encouraged 'dad' Ken.
"Well … it is getting a bit late. I want to finish some reports before I go to bed. What are you guys going to do?" asked Mr. Ken.
"I want to try out my new phone," offered Charles. "But first, I need to do what the papers said in order to get my talk minutes and texts and data added to the phone. After that I'm going to ask Robert for his number so I can call him and see how this thing works," laughed Charles.
"Yeah, and then I can give you all the guys numbers, too, so you can call them if you ever need to," recommended Robert.
"Sounds like you two will have the rest of your evening full. Okay, then, if you need me you both know where I'll be," teased 'dad' Ken.
Then, both lads simultaneously said, "Yeah, in your Study!" That got all three Covers laughing and then all three departed to their respective rooms.
"Robert … did 'dad' have you activate your phone?" Charles wanted to know.
"No why?" Robert asked back.
"Well, he had me set up an email account with the phone company so I could activate my phone. Now, I have to do what's on this piece of paper so I can get all the minutes, texts, and data they provide attached to my phone," replied Charles.
"Ohh, 'dad' had all that done by the time he gave me my phone for my birthday. He also did the same thing for Eric. Did 'dad' tell you why he wanted you to do it?" inquired Robert.
"Well, he said that I need to believe in myself and that I can do things if I put my mind to them. After I activated the phone I saw how easy it was to do. I also know I can ask you or him for help if I get stuck. So, let me see what this piece of paper says," finished Charles, as he turned his attention to the paper before him.
Robert watched Charles read through the directions, twice, before he did anything. Then, he saw the lad open his account with the phone Service Company and type in the eleven digit registration number. It took about seven minutes before Charles' phone beeped confirming the phone now had 1200 talk minutes, 1200 texts, and 1200 megabytes of downloadable data available. Both boys smiled.
"OK, Robert, tell me your phone number so I can put it in my cell phone. Then, I'm going to call you to make sure this works," said Charles.
For the next seventy minutes, the 'brothers' worked on adding all Robert's phone numbers into Charles's cell phone. The lad then pulled out Camm's and James's cell phone numbers and added them, too.
It was now going on eleven o'clock and both lads decided it was time to go to bed. Charles felt the stresses of the day, mostly due to all the running around he did for his physical and then the stressing out he did over hearing that he needed surgery. It all had taken its toll on his body and he felt really tired. The twelve year old said his 'good nights' to his 'brother' and then hugged him for everything he did for him that day. Charles then headed to the bathroom to relieve his bladder and afterward he went to his bedroom and got ready for bed.
Robert felt tired, as well, but he wanted to talk to Eric before he went to bed so he called his best Friend.
Charles felt tired but he wondered if his big 'brother' Collin was still up, so he found the teenager's phone number in his phone and pressed the phone icon which then dialed Collin's phone.
"Who is this calling me so late at night?" demanded Collin. "If this is you Ryan you'll get it from me when I get back that way!"
"Collin … it's me Charles," quickly spoke up the twelve year old.
"Robert gave me your number and … and … well, I wanted to see if you'd talk to me about something," revealed Charles.
"Charles … is that really you? My Big Bro went and got you your own cell phone like I asked him? Great!" a surprised Collin spoke up.
"Yes, Collin, 'dad' gave me the phone tonight after I talked to Doctor Doug. Robert helped me set up all the phone numbers and he gave me yours. I hope you don't mind?" cautiously asked Charles.
"Mind? Hell no, I don't mind and I am glad you called. I had a boring night, which is why I answered the phone the way I did. I had hoped it was one of my friend's asking me to go out and party," laughed Collin.
"Well, if you got someplace to go I … I can call you tomorrow Collin," sheepishly replied Charles.
"NO I DON'T and don't you hang up on me my 'little bro'," loudly barked back Collin.
"Now … what is it that you want to talk to me about?" a much calmer Collin asked.
"Well, I had my physical today and … and Doctor Powers said I needed surgery," got out Charles before he began to cry.
"Charles … is that you I hear crying?" calmly asked Collin.
"Yes … I'm so scared, Collin. I don't know what to do. … 'Dad' told me I could decide on when the surgery happened, but I am so scared about it, Collin. I talked with Robert and Doctor Doug and they both told me I should get it done sooner than later but … I just don't know," Charles got out, as he continued to cry.
"My little 'brother', please try to calm down. Is anyone there with you, right now?" asked Collin.
"No … I told Robert I was tired and that I wanted to go to bed but … well, I decided to call you to see if you were up so you could tell me what to do," replied Charles.
"Well, I'm not sure if I should be the one to tell you what to do, Charles, especially if, as you said, your 'dad' told you it was up to you," came back Collin. "So, you call him 'dad' now?"
"Yeah, I asked him if I could call him 'dad', like Robert does, and he said it was okay. I never had anyone I could call dad before. It feels real nice to say that especially after what Mr. Ken has done for me," answered the twelve year old.
"That's great my 'little bro'," responded Collin. "Now tell me why Mr. Ken wants you to make the decision on your surgery. My bet is he told you that for a reason," finished Collin.
"Yeah … he said it was my body and that I could decide between now and the two weeks before school starts to schedule the surgery. He told me that it wasn't an emergency so he's letting me decide but he'll decide if I wait too long," responded Charles.
"Do you know what the surgery is for?" now asked Collin.
"Yes … it's to fix … this is embarrassing, Collin … it is to fix my … my … butt hole," Charles finally got out.
"Ohh," said Collin, but he followed that up saying, "but that's a good thing then, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess … it's just, well, I don't know what it would be like. I have no idea what to expect and I'm just so scared," replied Charles.
"What did Doctor Doug say?" asked Collin.
"Well … he didn't tell me anything about the surgery. He just told me how I would feel afterwards. He also told me that some of the kids he's helped, who needed the surgery, felt a lot better and it helped them heal their insides and not just their butt," explained Charles.
"Their insides?" questioned Collin.
"Yeah, you know, their mind, their brain, their insides," replied Charles.
"Oh, now I know what you mean," replied Collin. "He's saying that if you are having trouble over the trauma of what Smokey and his gang did to you and if you are having problems dealing with it, then the surgery will initially take the physical hurt away and the constant reminder of what they did to you. Then, with the hurt gone it will help your mind deal with some of the shame you feel about it."
"Collin … did you … did you have to have surgery for what those guys did to you?" meekly asked Charles.
"The simple answer is YES, Charles, I did. But, for me, I didn't have to go to the hospital," answered Collin.
"Why was that?" simply asked Charles.
"Well, my 'little brother', you see … I didn't even know I had had the surgery until after I woke up," answered the lad's 'big brother.'
"But … how? Why?" quickly asked Charles.
"Well, the way I understand it, it was when Mr. Ken and Chief brought me into the house that my Big Bro saw that I was bleeding so much. He told me he called Doctor Powers and when the doctor came and saw what had happened to me he did the surgery right there in the Laundry Room," explained Collin.
"In the Laundry Room; why did he do it there?" Charles wanted to know.
"I asked Mr. Ken that same question, too, Charles. It was then he reminded me that the big storm was still brewing, at the time, and that the access roads to the hospitals were said to be all blocked. He also told me that Doctor Powers told him he needed to stop the flow of blood from my butt, as soon as possible, if there was a chance I'd live long enough to even recover from the assault on me. My Big Bro said Doc Powers had brought all the equipment he needed after what Mr. Ken told him was wrong with me.
"Charles … Doc Powers … he did my surgery using only those big flood lights Mr. Ken has in his garage. They told me my butt was severely damaged by the men's repeated rapes and the doc told me he had to use more than 25 stitches to close up the tears inside my rectum and at my anus. What I didn't tell you before, and not many people know, is that Doc Powers also gave me an additional 25 stitches, or so, to close up some knife wounds I received when I fought the man in the boat who was told to kill me and dump me into the lake," Collin continued to tell Charles.
"But what was it like when you woke up and you knew what they did to you? How did you feel?" now asked Charles.
"Charles, I didn't wake up for more than three days after the surgery. Doc Powers told me he'd given me a medicine to keep me asleep while my body recovered from everything that had happened to me. I will tell you that when I did wake up my butt was really sore, but Doc Powers told me that it was because of the number of stitches he had to give me to close up all the tears he found. But just because I was really sore doesn't mean you'll be the same way," added Collin.
"Yeah, Robert told me it wasn't all that bad when he woke up," offered Charles.
"Yes, he and I compared notes," lightly laughed Collin. "He and I talked about what happened to us and there isn't too much we haven't shared with each other."
"Yes, you told me you two did talk about that. … So, I take it, that even though the two of you both had to have surgery on your butts, it was different for each of you?" asked Charles.
"Yes, you could say that. And, Charles … it will be different for you, too. There is no way I can tell you what will happen to you and how your surgery will go, but believe me when I tell you that you will be much better off once the surgery is all over," Collin said, to try to reassure his 'little brother'.
"But how long will it hurt and how long will I have to eat all those soft foods 'dad' told me about," asked the anxious youngster.
Collin thought about his answer before responding. "Charles, everyone is different in how they heal. It was about a week, I'd say, that I ate soft foods but it seemed, to me at least, that each day Momma Maria gave me better foods to eat. And I will tell you that I didn't go hungry, either. Momma Maria gave me eggs, soups, milk, cake, Jell-O, milkshakes, ice cream and lots more good tasting things."
"But what about when you went to the bathroom? Did your butt hurt then, too?" Charles wanted to know.
"Well, the first time I went to the bathroom, Mr. Ken told me not to push and to let nature take its time," began Collin. "But all I did was fart at first, if I remember right. Then, I asked if I could take a shower; I felt so grungy. Mr. Ken helped me take my shower. He told me to try not to let my butt stitches get wet. I felt so good taking my first shower after all those months of being held captive."
"My 'dad' … he helped you take your shower?" the incredulous twelve years old asked.
"Yep, Mr. Ken turned the shower on for me and he helped me wash my hair. I think he may have washed my back, too, but that was so long ago. He even helped me dry off because I was so weak," reveled Collin.
"Sheesh, didn't it feel, you know, kinda weird that a man, who you didn't even know yet, helped you shower and then he … he dried you?" asked skeptical Charles.
"At the time, my 'little brother', I only cared that I had my first shower in more than three months," replied the older teenager.
"Did you get a, you know, a boner when he washed you or even dried you?" asked Charles, who found it somewhat disturbing that his new 'dad' did that for his new 'older brother'.
"I think I know what you're saying there, Charles, and believe me when I say Mr. Ken, my Big Bro and your new 'dad,' never did anything inappropriate with me the whole time I lived with him, and he had lots of opportunities if he'd wanted to. Charles … we used to sit in his special chair, you know, down in the Theater and not only did I watch the movie but I would tell him about myself and what happened to me while I was held captive. Charles, he'd wind up holding me tight when I would cry as I told him stories of what they did to me. In all those times, not once did Mr. Ken ever get even close to touching me where he shouldn't. You need to trust him, my 'little brother'. If you can't trust him, who can you trust?"
Charles was silent at his end of the phone conversation for quite some time before responding, "Yes, Collin, you're right. I DO need to trust him. He's done so much for me and … yeah, he never once tried to do anything to me and I know he could have if he had wanted to."
"Charles did you know that when Mr. Ken was shot and he couldn't wash himself very well that I, well, that I returned the favor and I helped him take his showers?" asked Collin.
"No, I didn't, Collin. Wasn't it embarrassing for you to do that? And what did he say about your helping him take his shower?" Charles wanted to know.
"Well, at first he didn't want me to help him because that is who he is. But, after he tried to do it himself, he found he couldn't move his injured arm all that well so he relented and asked me to help. And, yes, we were both naked in the shower but nothing ever happened and neither of us got a hard-on, and we showered together for about three weeks before his arm got to the point he could wash himself. By the way, it took close to three months before he had full use of his arm back," revealed Collin.
"But weren't you embarrassed to be naked with him?" Charles pressed to know.
"My 'little brother' neither of us were embarrassed to be naked in front of each other. Even though my Big Bro is about seven years older than me, we consider each other as 'brothers' and brothers aren't embarrassed to show one another their private parts. I bet it's just like when you and Robert take your morning showers and you both see one another naked. It feels natural as you are close in age and have the same things hanging. Right?" Collin now pressed Charles.
"Yeah, you're right, we are close in age and we both have the same 'boy parts', but he's got a lot more hairs than I do," revealed Charles.
Collin laughed and replied, "Yes, I heard that. At your age many boys are concerned how big their 'boy parts' are, as you put it, and they take every opportunity to see other boys junk when they can. I bet when you guys skinny dipped you got to see many other boys naked and how big their dangly parts are, too," finished Collin, as he continued to laugh.
"Yeah, I admit it. I did want to see how big the other guys were and some of them were really big compared to me. Most of the older boys were Robert's friends but Todd changed and swam with us and his is really big compared to me. But, I also got to see some boys two years younger than me. They were the younger brothers of Robert's friends. I was surprised that none of them popped a boner but some of them almost had one," answered Charles.
"Charles, I think we got off track there, from what you called me about, but it isn't a bad thing that you saw younger and older lads naked. You saw that you are all alike in many respects. Sure Todd's is bigger but he is also a lot older and when you're his age your dick and balls might very well be as big or even bigger. Just don't over compare them. You have what you have but remember they all work the same. They get all hard and when you manipulate them the right way they will all eventually produce sperm and shoot it out. I bet you already know about that," laughed Collin, some more.
"Now, let's get back to why you called me, your pending surgery," followed up Collin.
"I think you are scared about the surgery because you've never had surgery and you don't know what to expect. Am I right?" asked Collin.
"Yeah," replied Charles.
"Okay and now that you've talked to two people who've had that particular surgery you now know something about it. So, all you need to do is search the internet and read about the surgery and how it is done and then you'll know what to expect afterward. I think when you've done all that you'll be much more comfortable about the surgery and you'll schedule it sooner than later. What do you say to that my 'little brother'?" asked Collin.
Charles thought about what his 'big brother' just said and he knew that what Collin said rang true, so he replied, "Yes … I guess I agree with what you just said. I never even thought about looking it up on the internet. I know if I do that I'll have a better idea of the whole surgery thing and it should help me make my decision. Thank you, Collin, for talking to me tonight and thank you for being my 'big brother'"
"Charles, I'm so happy that I have you and Robert as my 'little brothers'. I always wanted a brother and now I not only have you two but I also have Mr. Ken, Ryan, and Eric. You don't know how happy I am over that," exclaimed the older teen.
"I know what you mean about having 'brothers', Collin. It is nice knowing that we all consider each other as a 'brother' and can call on them like I did tonight. What I also like is that I have at least two 'brothers' who have experienced something like what I did and I can talk to them about it if I ever need to," yawned the younger lad.
"I'm getting real tired now Collin, so I'll hang up now and get to bed. Thank you for talking to me tonight and I'll let you know when I decide to have the surgery. Good night," said Charles as he yawned once more.
"Good night, Charles, and yes call me with your decision," responded Collin, before hanging up.
Both boys then hung up at the same time.
Charles did go right to sleep and he dreamed about his upcoming surgery. He dreamt that as he went in for the surgery, and while they were getting him ready, he heard his 'dad' talking to him. His 'dad' told him he was proud of him since his 'son' had decided to have the surgery sooner than later and that when it was all over and done his life would begin to get much better than ever before.
He then heard a nurse come over to him and tell him she was going to give him an I.V. that would not only keep him hydrated during the surgery but would also be used to give him something to put him to sleep prior to the operation and then something to block any pain he'd would feel during and possibly after his procedure.
It was before the nurse gave him the sleeping mediation that Collin surprised him by showing up to wish him well. Charles saw himself smile at the unexpected surprise and share a quick hug. After a few well chosen words, it was then that his 'dad' and his 'big brother' each gave him a kiss on his forehead before he fell asleep from the medication.
In the lad's dream, he listened to the doctors talking before they turned him over to begin the procedure. He heard them say that there were lesions, scar tissue, and tears inside the boy's rectum and they would first incise the lesions and cut them away and then sew up the areas. They then said they'd tend to the scars and do the same thing to them before they attack the open tears inside the large colon and trim off any dead or deformed tissue and finally sew those areas up as well. They calculated the surgery would take between one and a half and two hours and would each perform and assist the other during the entire operation. Then they began the procedure.
In Charles' dream, he felt very relaxed about the entire process. He thought he'd be upset and crying about it but to his amazement he looked at the entire course of action as a means to end for his butt pain and begin his body and mind healing process.
While still in his dream, the lad heard the doctors performing the operation comment that his rectum had to have been viciously abused for some of the tears at the anus and inside the large colon to have occurred. They also talked about what Doctor Powers had told them prior to the operation that the known perpetrator had been killed during the recent shootout. They both remarked that it 'couldn't have happened to a better person' and were glad the lad wouldn't have to now testify at a trial. Charles inwardly smiled at what he just heard the doctors say.
The two surgeons both remarked to one another how the newest procedure didn't cause them to cut open the rectum or colon and that with the newer smaller instruments and surgical optics they could easily operate directly through the rectum and decrease the lad's healing time. The two doctors were openly optimistic the lad would have a complete and full recovery and no lasting effects of the invasive surgery.
While the two doctors worked on Charles, they also talked about how the lad was now in the foster care system and was being followed by and taken care of by CPS. They also mentioned the lad was now the foster child of the well known Mr. Ken Thomas and they both noted the boy couldn't have been put in better hands.
During the lad's dream, he could hear the doctors keeping track of the number of stitches they had to use to close up all of the lesions, scars and tears. But even though he heard them mention the number he never could keep track of them all. He figured he'd learn the total number when they talked to him afterwards.
If you had been a fly on the wall and were watching the lad during his dream you would have never figured the lad was having such a vivid dream. The twelve year old didn't thrash about and fight this dream but kept a consistent posture and remained still and all the while he kept a big smile on his face.
At the end of his dream, Charles saw himself being wheeled into the recovery room and eventually waking up from the anesthesia. He saw his 'dad' come to him and kiss him on his forehead and after that tell him his 'brothers' were waiting for his bed to be moved to his room so they all could see and talk to him.
He also saw himself going home after two days in the hospital and his 'dad' talking to him about keeping himself smelling clean and taking regular showers. He then heard his 'dad' telling him that if he needed help the first few days in the showers all he needed to do was ask. Then he heard Mr. Ken tell him that both Robert and Camm volunteered to help him if he needed it. That last part put bigger smile on his face before his dream ended.
That morning, Charles woke up refreshed but could only vaguely remember his dream. He remembered he did dream about his surgery but the only thing he could recall was that it went very well and he was glad he'd decided to do it sooner than later. He then walked to the bathroom to relieve the pressure in his bladder. It was then Robert walked into the same room to use the porcelain offering urn.
"Morning 'bro'" called out Robert. "I hope you slept well"
"As a matter of fact, I did sleep very well and I even had a good dream about my surgery. Well, from what I remembered it was a good dream. Oh, yeah, after I said I was going to bed, I … I decided to call Collin and we talked about my surgery. We had a good talk and he told me some things I didn't know," replied the twelve plus year old.
"I'm glad you talked to him," began Robert. "He and I have shared a lot about each other's situation and I know how much it helped me understand and work through the hurt and embarrassment I felt after what all those men did to me. So, what did he tell you?"
"Well, he told me that he had the same surgery I'm going to have and that you've had," smiled Charles, as he revealed his new found information.
"Ohh, he never said anything to me about having surgery on his butt," said a surprised Robert.
"Yeah, he told me that the night of the big storm, when Mr. Ken brought into the house, it was then Mr. Ken saw how much he was bleeding from is butt that he called Doc Powers. He told me that the doctor came to the house and because the roads were all blocked to the hospitals the doctor did his surgery down in the Laundry Room. Did you know he got more than 25 stitches to close up his butt injuries?" explained Charles.
"Wow, he had to be really bleeding for Doc Powers to have to do the surgery here, in the Laundry Room, no less," exclaimed the thirteen year old.
"Yeah, Collin also told me that Mr. Ken helped him with his showers until he was strong enough to do it by himself. He also told me that he returned the favor when Mr. Ken was shot. Collin said he helped our 'dad' get his showers for about three weeks," finished Charles.
"Dang, I wonder why he never said anything to me when we talked. But, now that I think about it, we only did talk about what those men did to us and what we did so it wouldn't be made any worse for us. Yeah, we never talked about what happened after we were taken away from our tormentors. Charles … I don't know how much Collin told you about what they did to him but I … well, I believe it was way worse than what we both experienced," added Robert.
"Robert … did Collin tell you how many stitches Doc Powers used to close his cuts on his body?" asked a now somber Charles.
"No, he never mentioned he was cut there. When we swam, though, I did see what looked like light scars on his arms and his stomach, but I never thought to ask him about it. What did he tell you?" asked a now curious Robert.
"Well, he told me that Doc Powers also gave him about 25 stitches to close up some knife wounds he received when he fought the man in the boat who was told to kill him and dump him into the lake," recalled Charles.
Then, speaking to himself, but loud enough that Charles could hear, Robert said, "So, that's why he was in the lake. Collin was a lucky teen that night for sure!"
"What do you mean, 'Collin was a lucky teen that night'?" quickly asked Charles.
Robert looked at his new 'brother' and said, "You'll probably hear this eventually, if you haven't heard it already, but Collin … he swam almost a mile, or maybe more, the night of the storm. I saw how far it was and I don't know how he could have done that if … if he didn't have tons of luck that night. Now, to learn he got about 50 stitches after Chief found him, out on the patio, and to also hear that he also had to fight off one of his abductors who was sent to kill him and dump him into the lake.
"Charles … sure we had men use our butts for their pleasure but Collin … he not only had that happen to him but they also tried to kill him, too. It sounds like he not only fought his captors but through his sheer will to live he swam all that distance in order to live. Our 'dad' may be considered a 'hero' for taking a bullet meant for our 'big brother' but Collin … I believe he is also a 'hero' for fighting his captors and then fighting to live."
All Charles could say to that was, "Golly! I wonder if any people looked at him in that way."
After their talk, the 'brother's' went and brushed their teeth and then jumped into the shower. In the shower, they continued to talk about Charles's pending surgery. It was then Charles told Robert how Collin had suggested he do a Google search about the surgery to get a better idea of what to expect. Robert said it was a great idea and that he'd help him look it up.
As the lads washed their bodies, their boy toys began to rise due to all the attention they were getting. The boys smiled at one another as they saw the other's hardened phallus waving in the air. Then, being 'brothers' and young, horny boys they both began the morning ritual of thousands of other boys around the world; they began to masturbate right there in the shower.
It wasn't as if they'd never done that together before so they weren't embarrassed. They each went at it at their own speed and since Charles hadn't worked out his boy seed the night before he won the unofficial race; although, Robert wasn't too far behind.
When the boys finished their showers, they each headed to their respective bedrooms and got dressed for the day ahead. They met out in the hallway and Charles asked Robert if he was ready to help with the Google search. Robert said he would but he wanted to eat breakfast first. Charles thought about that for a full two seconds before he agreed with his 'brother'. The two lads walked together as they headed to the Kitchen Nook.