Levi POV
I had run to town for groceries and needed to talk with Brandon about what was going on. I ran to his house and Mel told me he was at a site, he owned his own construction company. He was also a volunteer firefighter with me, this is how we had gotten to be such good friends . He wouldn't be home until late but she had some bags that Andrew's brother had dropped off for him. It sounded like his dad got a hold of everything else and it wasn't pretty. She then insisted on going with me to get groceries because I would just get more frozen meals and red meat because I couldn't cook to save my life. This was one of Mel's favorite topics and she loves to haze me about my lack of cooking abilities. She wouldn't give me the full story either saying it was his story to tell and he would need someone to talk to just give him time.
I was still trying to figure out Mel's angle when I pulled into the drive and grabbed my first load. I could hear the girls getting wound up and opened the door to let them out when I saw Andrew in the kitchen clutching a hammer as if his life depended on it, I was a bit confused and a little amused until I saw the look of terror on his face before he lost it. The tears started rolling and he was having a hard time catching his breath. I set my groceries down and walked over to him slowly like he was a freighted deer I didn't want to blot. I took the hammer and set it on the counter and led him to the sun porch. I had to wrap an arm around his waist to help keep him up and he kept mumbling
" I thought . . . my dad" and "I panicked" "I'm sorry".
"Hey, it's ok I got you and no ones going to hurt you here. You're going to be just fine. It's OK, just breathe, you got this."
I led him to the porch swing and sat down next to him. He was still sobbing and trying to catch his breath. I pulled him next to me trying to keep some pressure on him to relive the panic and to reassure him I was here. It took about 5 mins for him to catch his breath and start to breathe normally. I kept pressure on his back, careful of his injuries. His arms were wrapped around his knees and his head was placed on top. He looked to fail and broken in that moment and I had no idea how to fix it. He was getting himself under control, I could feel the muscles in his back relaxing. He started to ease himself back onto the swing and was laying with his head back trying to keep everything in check.
"I promise I will be right back, but I need to get those groceries before the dogs make a mess of them, just sit here for a minute and breathe."
He bobbed his head but didn't move otherwise I gently eased myself off the swing and went into the house to get the cold stuff put away. I think it was time we talked about what exactly was going on. I got the bags off the floor, so the dogs wouldn't think they could have any of that. I grabbed a mug and put some hot chocolate milk and rum into it to help sooth his nerves. This was something my grandmother did when I was young and It always reminded me of her.
I returned to the sun porch with the mug in hand to find him still in the swing with his head resting on the back and eyes closed. He could have been sleeping if I didn't know any better. My heart went out to this kid, I just wanted to help him. I knew I would need to handle this delicately, which was not my specialty. I would need to keep my needs in check while he was healing. . His face was swollen from the blows yesterday and the crying he was doing. I grabbed a box of tissues on the way and settled into the swing next to him.
"I have some chocolate milk with rum, if you want it might help your nerves a bit"
He peeked out at me from under his lashes and slowly sat up and took the mug. I set the tissues next to us and waited for him to make the next move. I would give this kid all the time he needed, and I would wait until he was ready. He took a long sip and stretched his legs out. I looked out the big picture windows that covered the south side of the in-closed porch. The trees were finally looking fuller, It had been a late and rainy spring. I was ready for the weather to change and for summer to start.
"I just graduated from East U and I was excited for the next chapter in my life" he started "I came out at college, but I wasn't ready to tell my parents. I didn't think they would take it well. I really didn't have a reason to until Chet came along, he and I were good together. I had met his parents and he kept pushing me to meet mine. I thought about doing it at graduation but decided to just introduce him as a friend. I told him it would be better to tell them at home, so they wouldn't feel ambushed. He was upset but agreed, I didn't have a car, so he drove me home with all my stuff. He was moving to Long Valley for a job, it's only a 45 mins drive from here and I was going to live at home until I could find a job and save up some money and maybe move closer to Chet."
He was starting to have trouble and took a moment to sip his drink and close his eyes. I was wondering why he didn't just move in with Chet and where was this guy that made him come out to his parents. This just didn't seem right something was missing but I would just have to wait until he was done. I think he was getting to the hard part and I didn't want to stop him. I could see how pale he looked under all the bruises.
"I should tell you that Stan is my step dad. My mom married him when I was 1, Brandon is actually my step-brother from his first marriage. My dad died when I was really little, and Stan has been the only dad I have ever known. He was good to me and my mom Karen, they even had two girls together."
He paused after this, he seemed to be collecting himself. It took him a few moments to start talking again. I just sat quietly listening to him trying to be supportive without interrupting his story.
"We got to my parents and he helped me unload my stuff. I went to reintroduce Chet and he walked up to me and put an arm around my waist." He paused, taking a breath his eyes were lost in the memory and silent tears were sliding down his cheek.
"I saw him as my father but apparently, he can't have a FAG for a son. I came out to them and my dad freaked, called me all sorts of awful names and told me I was worthless and he wished he'd never called me son. Chet was able to get me out of the house."
He paused regret filling his eyes but he continued in almost a whisper.
"My mom was trying to calm him down, but he wasn't having it, he kept punching things and yelling. I told Chet I couldn't just leave my mom in there with him and He just said, 'I'm sorry but this is your mess, I can't do this' and he got in his car and left me."
His tears had stopped now, and Andrew looked numb telling his story. He had a black stare looking across the porch.
"I was heartbroken by his words, but I didn't have the time. My mom was alone in the house with that man. I don't know what I was planning on doing, maybe just get my stuff and leave but as soon as I stepped foot in the house he started to attack me. He was hitting and kicking everything he could get his hands on."
"I blacked out for a while when I came too everything hurt I could hear Stan and my mom yelling at each. Then I heard Brandon's voice and he was yelling too. My mom had called him to calm Stan down and stop him from hurting me. Brandon had moved me into the bathroom and was blocking the door, so Stan couldn't get to me. Stan just kept saying he needed to beat the FAG out of me and then everything could go back to the way it was. Marcus showed up, he and Brandon got me out to the car. Marcus wanted me to press charges, but I just couldn't do that to my family, I had already done enough damage."
He looked so sad and broken in this moment. I wanted nothing more than to gather him in my arms and tell him everything was going to be OK. This boy had been hurt and wronged and I felt for the justice he deserved. My hands were balled into fist and I had the strong urge to hit something. I took a few calming breaths so as not to scare the kid.
"Marcus took me to the clinic to get checked out. Once they released me he then brought me here."
