After checking in with my brother, who had exhausted himself unpacking and shelving all his books, I found he was usually a dynamo of energy. He had bought a pick-up truck and set about building bookshelves after ordering all his lumber cut to length. He bought a few tools and a pocket joiner and proceeded to cover two walls of his spare room with bookshelves. I've learned that when he's in that mode it's best just to get out of his way, there wasn't anything I could do to help and he likes to tackle these things on his own.
I decided to explore the small park. Me-kwa-mooks Park was mostly a heavily wooded area with large meadow-like areas. There was a bronze plaque carrying a quote of Chief Sealth of the Duwamish tribe. It was very pastoral and relaxing and had an area of steps leading down to the Puget Sound where one can watch the water and observe some of the sea life.
I wandered several trails and pathways until I came to a large fallen tree. Covered in moss and lichen, it had been there a very long time. But more than that, the boy called Benny who had been so rude earlier, leaned against the log enjoying a patch of sunlight.
When I had poked Benny's nerve junction I gained a brief sense of anguish, fear and intolerable pain. It had been like an alarm going off in my mind for a brief moment and I felt compelled to learn more.
"Hello, Benny," I said gently.
Benny jolted up and looked for a moment like a hunted animal might. "Hey, what are you doing here? What the fuck do you want now?"
"I want to help, come sit in the sun with me over by that tree," I suggested, and I walked off in the direction of a bright pool of light near a small stand of Ash trees.
Reluctantly, Benny followed and sat in front of me with his legs folded while I sat on my heels.
"So what do you want?" Benny asked in a surly tone.
"Your hand, give me your hand please?"
I had caught him completely off guard and he slowly extended his hand in compliance. Not that he had much choice; I know how to use my voice to get someone to do as I ask without shouting or threatening.
I seized his hand in both of mine and watched his eyes pass through a myriad of emotional states. Surprise, revulsion, fear; a great deal of that and then curiosity and acceptance.
I began to probe and found that he was suffering horrible abuse at the hands of his entire family. His stepfather was beating him and his stepbrother was sexually abusing him, and his own mother verbally debased him at every turn. I learned that he was considering suicide. He was near a point where he could take no more and wanted just to get out.
"You have to tell Benny, you have to tell someone what they're doing to you. I can see what you've seen. I can see Larry's pimply face grinning at you as he thrusts into you, it has to stop."
I expected outrage from this intrusion but Benny just sobbed, "I don't know how, they control everything; they know what Larry does to me and they don't care. Adam beats me for being alive and my mother acts like I'm scum. I don't think they'd miss me if I died.
"That's not the answer Benny, and you know it." I still had his hand and I began to project a calming influence and turn his anger and indecision into purpose. He began to droop and his chin was soon against his chest. I withdrew from his mind and covered my tracks as I did. After a few moments, I nudged his shoulder.
"Were you listening Benny, you seem to have gone off somewhere while I was talking?"
"Oh sorry, I guess I was thinking of something; what were you saying?"
"I was saying that whatever you're up against at home, you can get help. I know that you're not really an evil person Benny, don't let them make you one."
In letting him think his secrets were still his alone, I gave him some peace, otherwise he might have gone the wrong way and jumped into the Sound.
I shook Benny's hand and he walked back toward the houses on 56th SW, and I walked toward the entrance to the park.
"Do you think he'll get the help he needs?" asked a man sitting on a bench in the shadow of the trees.
"I hope so, he actually has a kind soul, he just needed direction. Tell me Messenger, do we have any influence with the Child Protection agencies around here?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"I think he'll need someone special to help retrieve him."
"Actually, I think I know of someone who would be ideal. Do you have time to hear a story?"
"Sure, all the time in this world."
"There is a Traveler who is still suffering from his assignment. He was assigned to observe the death of a young person who, if she had lived, would have caused horrible things to happen. The Traveler was to prevent others from assisting the child at the moment of her death and he did that by giving the appearance that he was trying to rescue her. The child was willful and would not follow instructions; eventually the Traveler allowed the child's hand to slip from his and fall to the rocks below. The traveler had become attached to his target and nearly interceded. Fortunately, in grasping the child's hand, he caught a glimpse of the evil resident within that child's soul and that allowed him to perform his mission. But it left him scarred and he withdrew. I think he would benefit this boy and vice versa, because if the Traveler were to die now he would almost surely be dispersed and we would lose a great asset. We need all we have and more, your kind are rare."
"Thank you Messenger, Benny may yet prove to be one of us."
"Take care Traveler, I see you have met your target."
"Yes, but it will be awhile before he requires my help. Thank you for your insight, I will keep an eye on Benny to see how he is doing."
I looked around but there was no one in the park near us and I turned back just as the Messenger disappeared. They are non-corporeal and can manifest as visible to all or just an individual.
"Hello Étienne, how are you and your brother getting along?" my mother queried.
"We're doing well, Art just left to get some more screws for his book shelves, he's nearly done."
"Well that's good, I wanted to let you know that we're a little delayed, the moving company has made a complete mess of the operation and we are days behind in our schedule."
"No worries Mom, everything is fine here, the painters finished and the plumber changed out the water heater. He said it would need to be back flushed in about eight months and recommended running water filtration or a softener."
"What about the one for Art's apartment?"
"He said it was sized appropriately and was relatively new. It was last flushed a month ago so it has most of the year before it's needed again," I explained.
"Your dad was skeptical of those units without tanks but they've turned out to be very reliable. Have the other services been turned on?" she asked.
"Yes, the power is on as well as the water, the cable people were here yesterday and the internet is all set up when you're ready."
"That's good dear, we should be on our way in a few days and if it gets too close I'll fly up so Art can head out on his next trip."
"That sounds good Mom; I look forward to seeing you guys. By the way, we have a cat, he seems to think he lives here and he's very friendly so we've been feeding him. I think you'll like him."
"It sounds like you've made a conquest, I look forward to meeting him. Have you made any friends yet?"
"Yes, three although one might be living somewhere else soon."
"I think we'll all do well there, I need to see about dinner so I will let you go. Be sure you eat well and be careful. I love you Étienne and I'll talk to you soon, give my love to Art."
"I will Mom, I love you too, bye."
I dawdled on the computer for a bit and researched the area historically, I would explore Lincoln Park next and perhaps get Chase and Carter to join me.
Art returned and we had dinner; we watched Mel Brooks' movies until late in the evening. Art and I have always enjoyed each other's company. His new job involved a lot of travel and it was a relief for him when our parents bought a house with a garage apartment all ready to use. It would have remained empty since my parents wouldn't want to deal with a renter and Art needed a place where his things would be secure and well cared for.
On a previous shopping trip, we had picked up a litter box for Seneca and a good selection of dry and wet food. He didn't seem terribly picky. He even tolerated a bath and then flea treatment. When I went to bed that night he decided to lie across me and I discovered he snores.
The next morning was glorious, the skies had cleared after a brief overnight rain and sunshine was everywhere. Seneca was on the cushion I had placed on the window shelf observing his domain. Occasionally he made prattling noises at potential prey but made no effort to pursue.
I sent a text to Chase to see what he had doing. I asked if he wanted to show me Lincoln Park and he said yes. I told him I would be over after breakfast.
"Bon Jour Étienne comment ça va?" Chase greeted me.
"Ҫa va trés bien, very good Chase, you had great pronunciation and everything. I think French will come easy to you."
"I studied a little online last night, at least when Carter would leave me alone. He kept talking about you, he told Dad about the jug but Dad just laughed."
"It's not unusual to find a plastic one in a child's room these days if there's no bathroom attached. At least that's what he said. He'll probably tease you about it a little but he won't be mean."
"He doesn't seem the type to be mean. I can tell he loves you and little Carter. Is Carter coming with us?"
"No, he has Day Camp until 1:30 and then Ms. Fowler brings him home around 2:00 and somedays he goes to Auggie's house to play. I just watch him in the afternoons but the housekeeper watches him if I have something to do at the time. You'll like her, she's Jamaican and very cool."
"I look forward to meeting her."
"Do you always talk like that? You sound so um... I don't know, so proper I guess."
"That's probably because of my old school. Everyone talks that way so they don't get jammed by the teachers. It becomes a habit; I hope the next place will be more relaxed."
"Where will you be going?" Chase asked.
"It's a private school, Rainier Academy, I guess it's supposed to be a nice place."
"That's where I go, it's a really cool place and it's in Columbia City which is the coolest part of Seattle. That's where all the artists and musicians hang out and you can ride a bike almost anywhere around there without some dick trying to kill you with his car."
"What's the school like, is it a little less rigid on the rules?"
"Sorry, I'm afraid not, but we don't all talk like we're in Princeton or something so maybe you'll get used to talking normal."
"I don't know; it's pretty deeply ingrained."
"You know I'm yankin' your dick, right? They're language Nazi's, just like every other school like that. Mummy and Daddy are paying for a proper education and it's up to them to beat it into us," Chase said with a very upper class accent.
"That's good to know, I kind of like private school. They skipped me ahead and in public school that can be a lot of trouble."
"Well Rainier is a good school without too much crap, a lot of the kids have two moms or two dads and you don't hear the kind of crap Benny was spouting the other day. Oh yeah, that was weird, this morning I went for my run around the Mooks and I saw Benny on the path between the exit and me, but he just waved at me and kept walking. He didn't say anything either, no crap or anything, it was weird man, just weird."
"I spoke to Benny yesterday afternoon, I found him in the park. I think he spends a lot of time there rather than be at home. Can I tell you something in confidence and trust you not to repeat it?"
"Sure Étienne, I'm good at keeping things quiet. I see a lot of stuff at school that should remain private."
"Hah, now who sounds like an adult? Benny has a very bad life at home. His mother berates him and calls him names, his stepfather beats him and his stepbrother rapes him. Benny says they know he's doing it but they don't stop him. I'm pretty sure Benny is going to call the Child Services people and get the help he deserves. We talked quite a while."
Chase had tears in his eyes, "That's so horrible, who would let that happen to their own son. They all need to go to jail. I've seen his brother, Larry and he's a creepy bastard. He's like seventeen or maybe older."
I hugged Chase to my side and patted his back.
"He's getting help though?" Chase asked.
"I think so, he seemed determined when we said good bye."
"That's good," Chase responded.
We walked quietly, each caught up in our own thoughts. My phone jingled and I looked at the text message. It was from Benny, there was a photo attached of two men and a woman in handcuffs. The message read, "I called them and they came, I have to go to the hospital so they can take pictures of me and swab my butt for Larry's goo. He's so fucked, they all are, if they let me keep my phone; I'll call you later if that's cool."
I sent him a text that told him I was available anytime he needed to talk.
I showed the text and photo to Chase; fortunately, we were in the park and had plenty of cover. Chase absolutely lost it, he was trembling and crying and cursing the people that had been tormenting Benny. We stood in a ring of tall shrubs while he cried out his fury into my chest as I held him tightly. Eventually he calmed down, leaned back and looked at me.
"Thanks, it was just more than I could really handle and keep my head together."
"No shame in that Chase, it should never have happened and it should never have gone on so long. It took a lot for him to end it, and he did it the right way."
"I guess it wasn't real to me until I saw that picture. It's weird but I always thought Benny was really good looking."
Chase went quiet, I was sure he thought he'd said too much.
"I thought he was cute too, not as cute as you but cute all the same."
"Are you yankin' me?" Chase asked.
"Did you think you were the only one?"
"Yeah sort of, it's hard to explain."
"So?"
"So, you really think I'm cute, cos I think you are, too."
"Yes, I really think you're cute," I stressed.
"That's so cool, do you um...?"
"Do I want to kiss you? Yes would you mind?"
"No, I think it would be nice if..."
I didn't let him finish, he was babbling anyway so I just kissed him.
We spent a lot of time on those first few kisses; he was so sweet.
"Um, do your parents know about you liking boys?"
"Yes and no, I don't just like boys. Girls are nice too, but they're different. My family knows I'm Bi but so far it's just been boys and mostly just kissing."
"My dad knows, and he's cool about it. As long as I don't do anything in front of Carter that he wouldn't understand, I don't need to worry. I told my mom I was gay but I don't know if she understood anything I said."
"I'm sorry, do you want to tell me about her?"
"Sure, let's find a bench at the outlook, it's over by the sculpture park."
Once we were seated, Chase began to speak as if it was automatic, I took his hand and began to see what he was talking about. Happy memories of his mother turned increasingly dark as some sort of mental illness overtook her. Then the horror show began, the form of a young girl lay on the floor in a pool of blood, his mother stood there with Chase's hockey stick in her hands getting ready to hit her again. Chase threw his body on top of his sister, Lydia. His mother rained down blows with the stick and Chase felt his ribs and his right arm breaking. He heard his father's voice screaming and then one last blow and nothing.
Chase explained that he woke up in the hospital with a cast on his arm and chest. Eventually they told him that Lydia hadn't survived. His mother had been declared insane and was placed in a facility where she became catatonic. Chase had visited whenever he could, hoping that his mother might resurface but it was a false hope and he said he would never go to see her again.
"I'm sorry Chase, that was an awful thing to go through and I understand your reaction to Benny's problems. He might like to hear from you once he's wherever they send him, I hope he ends up with someone nice. Maybe someone that will let him be a kid again."
"Me too, I really hope he can heal from all that. He'll need a good place to be though."
"You ready to continue our walk?" I asked.
"Yeah, that's enough drama for a while; let's go over to the driftwood sculpture park."
Chase showed me the Driftwood sculptures and several other interesting things, he said we had really only covered a quarter of Lincoln Park and there were more interesting things at the other end near the public pool.
"I guess we'll have to see them another day, look at the time," I said, holding up my phone.
"Yeah we're going to have to get moving if I'm going to be there in time for Carter."
We walked briskly and made it with time to spare.
"Chase, I know you asked me not to mention your mom in front of Carter, but does he know what happened?"
"Yes and no, we've told him some parts of it, he doesn't know about Liddy and doesn't remember her at all because he was a baby. Dad says as he gets older we will tell him more when he's ready to hear it."
"I understand. Will it bother him if I mention my mom?"
"No, he doesn't seem to really care about hearing about other mothers, just ours."
"Okay, I just didn't want to cause a problem."
"It'll be fine; oh cool, Janisse is here so you can meet her, she's really nice and very cool."
"Is that you, Chase?" a disembodied voice called out from the kitchen.
"Yes, Janisse, it's me and I have a friend with me."
"Well bring him to the kitchen so I can look at him."
"Well here he is, Janisse, this is my friend Étienne, he's just moved in down the street."
"Well hello Étienne, it's very nice to meet such a handsome boy, are you here to steal my Chase away from me?" she asked with only a very faint accent.
"I will do my best, but that's up to Chase," I replied.
"My goodness, not even a blush. You must have a very strong spirit; give me your hand please."
I held up my hand and she did as I had done with Benny and clasped it between both of hers, "Oh my, you are strong, I can feel your spirit but I can't see everything. I don't detect any bad access so I won't pry. I'm sure you have a good reason for keeping private and I will respect that."
I was a bit surprised, she knew I was blocking access, but she didn't know how to get around it. The same Messenger appeared in the kitchen although he was visible only to me. "You can relax, we're already watching her and she's a good prospect. She's accomplished a lot with no training." And then he vanished just as Janisse turned to look.
"Thank you Janisse, for your courtesy, I'm very pleased to meet you. How long have you been able to read people?" I asked.
"That happened when I started puberty, it was strange but Momma said it was not uncommon in our family."
"So do your people practice Obeah? Perhaps a grandmother?"
"Yes Étienne, how could you know about that?"
"Actually I didn't, at least until you told me, it was just an educated guess. Chase told me you were Jamaican although I expected a stronger accent."
"Well in truth, my mother is Jamaican, I was born in Vancouver. I came here to attend college and eventually emigrated, but that was before all the 9/11 craziness."
"I understand; still it's very nice to meet you. Chase mentioned you were very cool."
"Oh he did, did he? I will need to find a way to repay his compliment."
Chase blushed but also looked a little puzzled by the whole conversation. I gave him a questioning look and he snapped out of it and invited me to his room.
"That sounds great; I've only seen Carter's room."