Dennis checked out first but Cammie and I talked quite late, adrenalin was what had kept me going so Cammie told me about her and Ally and some of the mischief they got into as girls. She gave me a brief rundown on Ally’s ex-husband. She showed me pictures of Ally and Carter her young son. Ally had told me she had a son but didn’t elaborate. He looked an awful lot like her. Finally, the wine and conversation did the trick and I was exhausted. I thanked Cammie and she ambled off to their room. On my way to my bed, I checked on the boys, they were still cuddled up tight. I peaked in on Brandon and found him awake, he had been crying. The events of the day had caught up with him and he was upset. I took his hand, tugged him out of bed and led him down the hall so he wouldn’t be alone. We piled into bed and I was out right away. When I woke at three, he was sleeping soundly.
I woke again at seven, showered and dressed. I tried rousing Brandon and he resisted so I let him be.
While I was making breakfast, a pair of little arms surrounded my waist.
"Thanks for bringing Kelly back to me Rob."
Ronny stood there in just his undies with big soulful eyes gazing up at me.
"If you’re happy, I’m happy Ronny. You boys deserve to be together and I’m going to do all I can to rescue Kelly from his current situation."
"I know, Kelly told me. He said his Mom wasn’t like that before she got on drugs; he doesn’t want to go back if she’s not going to get off them."
"I guess we’ll see what happens."
I moved the skillet off the hob, picked Ronny up and held him. He tried hard not to cry but lost the battle.
"I’m so worried about Kelly, how can they treat someone like him so bad?"
"Drugs ruin people’s judgment and they stop caring about anything but the next bunch of drugs they can take."
"It sucks ass Rob."
"I’d have to agree with you buddy, why don’t you go up and get dressed and wake the other two, okay?
I smooched his cheek, he gave me one back, and I set him down to carry out his mission.
I returned to my cooking and soon Cammie was there in a bathrobe, offering assistance.
"Man I hope Ally looks that good fresh out of bed."
"Better, she was always the energetic one and she could howl at the moon and still get up with the chickens."
"Yeah, I kind of got that impression. I have to tell you her personality reminds me a lot of my wife. I hope that doesn’t mess things up."
"I don’t see why it would if you’re honest with her about it. On the other hand, you are nothing like her ex. He was a complete waste of skin. He had charm and a big mouth and no morals."
"So you said last night, of course we did go through three bottles of wine."
"Well don’t let on, I’m sure she’d prefer to tell you herself."
"Wait, you just told me to be honest with her and now you want me to lie?"
"No silly, just don’t volunteer anything. I’ve never heard you tell anyone anything you didn’t want them to know."
"Okay, okay, just clarifying."
"Is there coffee to be had?" I heard Dennis croak.
"I’ll make you some, hon," Cammie told him.
The machine grumbled and spit out a cup and Cammie put in another pod for herself.
Brandon made his appearance; he must have stopped by his room because he was wearing shorts and a T.
"How are you feeling this morning Brandon?"
"Better Rob, did you get some sleep too?"
"Like the dead, I slept nearly straight through. Can you go see what’s keeping the Bozo brigade? They should be here and breakfast is nearly ready.
I pulled the toast from the oven and dumped the second batch of sausage and egg scramble in the big bowl."
Cammie had already set out plates and flatware on the counter.
It didn’t take long before a herd of boys descended on the kitchen just as I dumped the second batch of potatoes into a bowl and breakfast was complete. I poured myself another cup of tea and Brandon saw to everyone’s beverage needs.
Kelly was quiet and seemed to be working something out. I figured he would tell me when the time was right for him.
Dennis and Cammie said their goodbyes and so did Wade; he had chores and some other things to do but promised to stop by later. He gave Ronny a big hug just in case and then hugged us all before joining his parents.
"So what would you guys like to do today, any ideas?"
"I haven’t been to the beach in a long time; do you think we could go?" Kelly asked.
"That sounds cool," Ronny added.
"I’m in," Brandon said.
"You realize the water is not fit to swim in after a storm like we just had. But if you just want to play on the beach we can take a Frisbee and a ball and even play volleyball."
There was universal agreement so we got ourselves ready to go.
"Hey Brandon, maybe we can go by and visit Espen while we’re in the neighborhood."
"I was going to ask if we could, thanks Rob."
Okay, you guys go get your boardies and hoodies and stuff.
I loaded up an ice chest and a bag with chips and such. I put on my own cargo shorts and a light jacket. I stuck my stubby five shot Commander in my pocket and stuck my I.D. in another.
The beach had been chewed up pretty good but crews had been working to clear away the debris. The signs prohibiting swimming were up. It was a shame because the surf was perfect for kids to swim in. Too much crap from the city storm drains makes the water full of bacteria and toxins. We found enough people to get a volleyball game going and people came and went. Brandon came over and sat by me while I was watching. We watched Kelly spike the ball after Ronny set him up and that was the game point. But the game just restarted and they were off again. Eventually Brandon joined back in and I took a stroll to the jetty and back. The boys were lounging around the ice chest when I returned.
The boys decided they were beached out and I suggested lunch at Louie’s bar-b-cue. Louie’s is one of those places that you take friends from out of town because it’s been there forever and the food is great.
"Hey Rob, that’s a hungry looking crew you got there." Lou the great grandson of the founder invited us to sit and suggested deep fried pickles.
I agreed and added a couple baskets of fries and we began looking at the menus. Lou came back, we ordered, and he chatted with me about the beach, the weather and what it did to the business.
"With the 101 closed, I don’t get many tourists but a lot of the locals have been through, so it’s worth being open."
The food was great and the boys were happy. I suggested we go by and see Espen before it got much later. Brandon grinned wide and we set off for the hospital.
Espen was quite happy to have visitors but after a few minutes, the younger boys used up all their questions and looked antsy. I asked Espen if he would like something from the vending machines and he opted for peanut M&Ms and a coke and Brandon chose cheese crackers and Dew.
I tugged the other two down the hall and took my time with the errand. It took about fifteen minutes before we returned and I knocked before entering. Brandon was just helping Espen back to bed after a bathroom visit. Easy enough to accomplish since he no longer had any I.V.s attached.
I handed Brandon his cheese crackers and his Mountain Dew and Espen his Coke and candy.
Kelly said he needed the bathroom so I pointed him and Ronny down the hall. I mentioned to Brandon that we would need to head back soon. I still needed to do a few things before I took Ronny home. I gave Espen a hug and a peck on the cheek and left them to say their goodbyes.
Kelly and Ronny met us outside the room and Brandon said that Espen was getting sleepy.
I put my hand on Brandon’s shoulder as we walked to the elevator.
The ride home was uneventful; the two younger boys had a short nap and then went for a hike around the acreage.
I sat and watched a PBS special on lesser-known African cats like the Serval and Caracal. Brandon sat with me for the last of it and leaned on me.
"Thanks for giving us some time alone. I guess we just missed his mom. We had a good talk and he’s kind of interested in me, like romantic interested."
"He seems like a real nice guy; I hope it works out for you two."
"Well we haven’t done anything yet in case you’re wondering, I just took him in so he could pee and I peed with him that’s all."
"Brandon, you don’t owe me any explanation. I trust your judgment and you’re a decent person. What goes on between you two is your business."
"Can I still talk to you about it if I need to?"
"That’s different, I will answer any question I am able. The one’s I can’t answer; I’ll help you find the answer for. Is that fair enough?"
"Thanks Rob, I love you like you were my real Dad."
"I’m honored Brandon, I would be proud to have a son like you."
I hugged him close and we just sat quietly for a while.
After a dinner of Burritos and salad it was time to take Ronny back to Mary and Jack. It hurt to watch the boys say goodbye. They didn’t know if they would ever see each other again. I couldn’t promise they would, but I would do my best to make it happen.
Mary and Jack looked relaxed and said that they had enjoyed their time in Santa Barbara. I didn’t enquire further.
When I arrived home with a couple of very tired boys I steered Kelly and Brandon up the stairs and got them ready for bed. We said our good nights and I kissed each of them good night and went down to unwind a bit and maybe sort some of the issues I was dealing with.
After some mental meandering my phone sounded off and I thought it might be Ally. It was Detective Steve Nelson with Oxnard P.D. and it wasn’t social.
"Hi Rob, we have some developments regarding Lyle Petersen and his girlfriend Abby Hauser. We came out to serve a warrant after our team made several buys at the trailer. When we made entry there was no sign of Lyle and we found Abby in the shower beaten to a pulp. She’s at VCMC now but she’s circling the drain. The Docs don’t expect her to regain consciousness. Do you still have her boy with you?"
"Yes, I just put him to bed. I was hoping to get her into a program after you locked up Lyle but I guess I better call my attorney and have him press for custody.
"Well it probably wouldn’t have worked out anyway. She made half the sales so we would have had to take them both. But here’s the thing; we don’t think Lyle did the assault. His beat up Chevy was still there and the neighbors say he got into a black Escalade with four large Hispanic males. All of whom were sporting a lot of ink. The neighbors say they always had people like that coming around. I have a feeling that Lake Piru may be Lyle’s permanent address now."
"Well thanks for the heads up, I’ll call VCMC and check status on Abby."
I called Paul first and told him what had occurred. He gave me some assurance that custody would be granted. He would call Judge Bannister’s office in the morning and see if he can get us on to the calendar or in chambers.
I called VCMC and asked for the attending Doc for Abigail Hauser. I identified myself as being with the Sheriff’s office; he informed me that her body appeared to be shutting down and that her brain functions were minimal. He speculated that it would only be hours before she ceased to exist.
"That was about my Mom wasn’t it?"
Kelly stood in the doorway tears running down his cheeks. He wore only a long T-shirt.
"I couldn’t sleep and I thought I heard you talking. Please tell me what happened."
"I gave him as much information as I could and held him. He was quiet and though he still had tears in his eyes, he wasn’t sobbing. "Is my Mom going to die?"
"I’m sorry honey but it looks that way. She was beaten pretty badly and her body was already under a lot of stress from the drugs and her general condition."
"Who did it, was it Lyle?"
"They don’t think so; several big guys with a lot of tats took Lyle with them when they left. They figure it had to do with drugs."
"Paco and Flavio probably, they supplied Lyle and he probably ripped them off or came up short on the money."
"I’m sorry Kelly, but it’s looking that way."
"She wasn’t really my Mom anymore, you know? The drugs killed that off. I bet Lyle’s probably dead, those guys don’t mess around. I thought I’d be happy about that but I’m not, he just doesn’t rate any feeling at all. I don’t even hate him anymore."
I pulled him into my lap and held him. "I was talking to my lawyer and he‘s optimistic that a judge will grant me custody of you, is that still what you want?"
"Yes Rob, please; can I stay here and go to school and just be normal for a while?"
"Kelly you can stay and grow up here if that’s what you want. The only thing that would be likely to prevent that would be a relative claiming custody. And you are old enough to have your preference considered. It’s not a guarantee but most judges will give your wishes preference."
"I only know of two cousins my mom had. One is in an institution and the other is super religious and I can’t stand her."
"What about your father’s side?"
"I don’t know who he is, neither does Mom. I was kind of a mistake and she told me to stop asking."
"I understand buddy."
I picked up a couple of lap blankets from the stack by the couch and covered us. I held Kelly and allowed him to drift off to sleep. Once asleep, his face was angelic and I was able to follow him. I woke suddenly hearing footsteps but it was Brandon.
"Is something wrong Rob?"
I filled Brandon in, invited him to join us and handed him a blanket. He leaned in and kissed Kelly’s cheek and snuggled in next to him.
At 3:05 by the cable box display Kelly woke suddenly, still half in a dream, I heard him say, "Bye Mom. I love you."
Kelly looked around and looked a bit disoriented but shook it off. "Mom’s gone, she just told me. She said she was sorry for how she acted and hoped I would have a good life. And she told me she loved me and said goodbye." He had a gentle smile on his face; he seemed to have found a mechanism to help him deal with the situation.
With the three of us wide awake I asked if they were in need of anything. We all needed a pee so I went upstairs and let the boys use the guest bath. While I was upstairs, I called for a status report on Abby and received a shock. She had expired without regaining consciousness at 2:59 a.m.! I thanked the nurse and sat back wondering, what the hell had I just encountered. I’m not religious but I don’t claim to know everything about the state of being. I believe in reincarnation and a general energy that controls the universe. I’m probably closer to Taoism than anything else. I shook it off and went back down to rejoin the boys.
I opened a tub and we polished off the chocolate Mousse I had made a couple days earlier.