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Blissful LivingBy NOPYou all know it, you all love it. Two boys growing up in a different way. *DISCLAIMER* Chapter 8 "Here," I handed a blue button-up shirt to Robbie, "this will look good on you." I assured. I always made sure he was clothed before I even started; I was still in a towel when the doorbell rang. "I got it." I assured and ran down the stairs while Robbie covered his bruises with the baby blue cloth. Darlene eyed me strangely when I answered the door. I gripped the towel tighter, "Come in, I'm getting cold." I laughed, waving her in. "I didn't mean to pull you out of the shower." she apologized, looking around. "Naw. I was just out." I started for the stairs. Robbie was at the top, adjusting his bracelets, "I'll get dressed, you two behave." I warned. "Robbie!" She yelled. "I don't get greeted like that." I mumbled as Robbie passed me coming down. I think he spent that Sunday, with Darlene, trying to gather reserves for the long Monday ahead. He laid his head in her lap as we watched the multi-seasonal How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He let her play with his hair, his soft, drying hair. I think to both gather the before mentioned strength and to raz me a bit. The doorbell interrupted my watching of the film, as I was the only one who really noticed it. I figured that my dad had too many groceries to open the door and trotted to the front area. I opened the door, standing face to face with a robust woman with a briefcase and a huge smile. "Afternoon." I greeted a little suspicious. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" "Pleasant." I waited for some sort of name. "I'm Marge Price, with social services. Is your father in?" "I'm sorry, Mrs. Price, he's not. But he will be back soon, would you like to come in and wait?" I stepped aside to let her in. "Thank you." "Who is it?" Robbie called. I came into the room, "Social Services." Robbie sat up and shut off the movie. I introduced everyone to Mrs. Price. "Well, Robbie, it's really a pleasure to meet you." She smiled and shook his hand. "Can I get you something to drink?" I offered. She asked for water, as did Robbie. I retreated quickly into the kitchen and filled their glasses with ice and water. I stepped back into the room to find the movie back on, to the delight of Mrs. Price and Robbie both. My dad pushed through the door, huge bags filled to the top in hand, with a commotion of noise. I rushed to help him, as did Darlene. Mrs. Price and Robbie stayed seated in the living room. My dad caught sight of Mrs. Price on his way to the kitchen and questioned me while we dropped the bags on the floor. "I thought they wouldn't be here till Monday, I didn't think they worked Sundays." He looked around confused, "Put the groceries away, will ya?" He headed into introduce himself. It's amazing what can be accomplished in five minutes. I wanted to miss as little of this conversation as possible. Latter we found some mistakes, like the popcorn in the fridge, the canned soup in the freezer and some lettuce in with the meat. I made it back into the room quietly. I looked at Robbie who was pale and quiet. I sat next to him. He leaned against me, his head on my shoulder. "They own a ranch, with horses and cows and chickens. It'll be a fantastic place for him to get back in touch with his family." "It sounds nice, but I think you're over looking the social aspect of things." My dad leaned forward to try and explain his point better, "I'm not just talking about all of his friends here, but he's more of a pillar here. What I mean is, he's different from the rest of the kids. He doesn't fit in with the mainstream around here, but because he's always been here, there are some boundaries that have been laid within the social structure at school." He continued, "If you take a kid like Robbie out of his established spot and put him in a place where new boundaries have to be etched, there will be some horrible consequences." "I think that Robbie will be able to find friends. It's a wonderful, small community." Robbie croaked the beginning of a sentence, and cleared his throat to repeat it, "What he means is, I'm gay." He had tears on the rims of his eyes, "It's hard enough around here, in a large community." "Well." She licked her lips, "They are your family, and family is always what's best in situations like this." "But what about what's right?" My dad asked, "He's almost seventeen, he's going into Junior year, with the possibilities of graduating early. Do you want to jeopardize his future by suddenly moving him to a small, rural community, away from his friends and history?" "Social Services has to place the family above friends. We believe this is what's best for Robbie." She was growing more aggravated with my dad's further reasoning, which made more sense. "Now, I normally don't work on Sundays, but I thought you should know right away about this development in Robbie's case." She stood up, "I'll show myself out." and left in a furry. I entwined my fingers with Robbie's. He was surprisingly calm. He sat by my side, leaning on me slightly, and blinked several times. He finally moved, licking his lips, he squeezed my hand, "I'm hungry, does anyone else want something?" He stood up. My dad started to follow him, but I pushed him back down with a firm shove on his shoulder. He took a deep breath and let me go after him. I passed Darlene, on her way out, as I entered the kitchen. I gave her a quick peck on the cheek and let her show herself out. Robbie blurred around the kitchen, grabbing bread and mayo and other sandwich fixings. I cleared my throat and leaned against the door frame, "Robbie?" I tried to get him to look at me, "Robbie?" He whipped around and exploded in a rage, "What?" He yelled. I took a breath, "Do you want help?" He rubbed his face and pushed his hair out of his way. He lowered his arms and crossed them over his stomach, "Cyanide." He smiled, "That's better than a knife, right?" I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say, "'cause that really did hurt. But after a few minutes all I felt was light headed, a little drained. Ya know? It was kind of nice, numbing. Maybe a rope, no that would be too long and drawn out, choking. If I could get a gun." He sighed and let himself drop to the floor, "Best be the knife." "Shut up Robbie, you're not going to do anything." I sat down across from him. "I've done it before, for less." "I won't let you do it." "There's nothing left." He smiled, "Why stay here, where there isn't anything left?" "I'm still here." "The ranch is in Texas. On the border." by the end of the night we were sharing a good cry. For kids like Robbie, school is Hell. Jocks circle you, corner you, abuse you physically, verbally, and with rumors. Girls play with you by looking at you and getting your attention just in time for their boyfriends to notice. The teachers try to help, but their interference only makes it worse. Every time classes change kids like Robbie pray for a friend in every class, just to help them get by. "Hey, faggot!" Someone called from the swiftly moving crowd. Robbie swallowed and kept moving, his head down, "Hey, ass rammer!" The voice called out again. Robbie felt a hand on his shoulder, gripping harshly on the concealed bruises. Robbie ripped himself away with a yelp, "Jesus, what happened to you?" the voice was filled with surprise, shock and general interest. "What's it to you?" Robbie glared and tried to turn back onto his path. "Hey, hey. I'm just asking who worked you over." "Why? You sorry someone beat you to it?" "No." The boy looked down, "Just, wondering." "Sure." Robbie tried to pass right by him. "So who was it?" "My step-dad." Robbie fled in search of a friend. I met him outside, for lunch, and he told me what had happened in the hallway. I laughed a little, testing the water. First he glared at me, then he cracked a small smile, and then he entered a full fit of laughter. The classic, movie-style shadow came over us. Some of the jocks were coming in for the kill. The stopped a few feet shy of us. Robbie looked at me, licked his lips and let out a sigh. He achingly pushed himself up and turned to face them. "Come on." He looked at them, "Who's first?" The looked at one another and then back at Robbie, "Well? I'll even fight. Will that help?" He was getting mad, "You want me to throw the first punch?" He sighed, "What do you want? Should I start running, you wolves? Or should I drop here and let you kick me like vultures?" He shook his head and stood in front of them, "Just make sure you kill me this time." "Sorry." One of them, the one from the hallway, said, "We're sorry." "Sorry? You haven't even hit me yet. Where's the names?" "Look." He sighed, "We feel bad that you have problems at home and school, we're sorry." "Like having trouble at one or the other is okay, but both isn't?" Robbie eyed them, "You've beaten me up, harassed me, abused me in most senses of the word, and now, because of my family life you feel bad? Just beat me up and get it over with, at least that makes more sense!" Robbie sat down and leaned back on his elbows. "We're trying to apologize." One of them stepped forward angrily, only to be stopped by another. "Hit me, or go away." Robbie huffed, looking extremely disgusted with them all. The crowd slowly dispersed and walked away from Robbie and me. I had been holding my breath the whole time, waiting for someone to lash out. I let it out in one big sigh. "You're really lucky, ya know? Anyone of them could have killed you." Robbie let silent tears trickle down his face. He wiped them away with the back of his hand and started to hastily gather up his food. "What's wrong?" I asked. No response. "Robbie, you should be happy they didn't kill you." "I wish I were, but I can't be." He stood up and swiftly walked away, throwing the remains of his lunch into the trashcan. |
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