The Boy in the Black Coat
The officer examined the file carefully, and somehow managed to find himself quietly shocked by what he was reading.
It wasn't the boy's unsettling family life that shocked him for he had seen cases like his numerous times before. Abused, bullied, a dead mother, an alcoholic father, the list never seemed to end. He sure had been through the wars but sadly, many other prisoners were in a similar situation and it was nothing out of the norm. No, it was in fact the character profiles written by his family before his conviction that ultimately puzzled him.
He had been observing the boy carefully, in the week leading up to his release, and was astonished by what he saw. According to his files, he came here as a five foot two inch tall boy, bespectacled and adorning a hearing aid. His greatest passions were singing, dancing, reading, and writing. Five months later, and he had grown into a five foot eight inch tall boy, no longer wearing glasses or using the hearing aid he had never really needed. The officer presumed he opted not to wear it because he refused to show any signs of weakness. After all, it didn't seem to matter if he wore it, as there were no evident signs of him not being able to hear properly.
Yes, he was a changed boy. It was practically impossible to imagine him belting out a tune these days - especially since his voice had broken.
That week, the officer had watched the freshly turned fifteen year old play football with fellow inmates. Considering the boy had never been into sports before, it was amazing to watch the amount of skill and natural talent he displayed when playing. As he matured he had turned into a very good looking lad, therefore gaining confidence and a harder edge to his personality to match.
Letting out a sigh, he closed the file and slotted it back into its place in the cabinet. He examined the boy in the black coat sitting in front of him, and picked up on his anxiety as he continuously tapped his fingers upon the old wooden table in front of him.
'I think everything has been cleared up then,' the officer declared, breaking the awkward silence.
The boy looked up and nodded, clearing his throat in order to speak.
'So I can go?' he gently queried, trying to conceal his nerves.
'Follow me,' the officer replied, beckoning him over to the door, 'and then you can go.'
Peggy Mitchell touched the gates that towered above her gently, silently hoping it would give her some sort of insight as to what her grandson had been going through for the past five months. He was so young and immature for his age, she couldn't bear to think what a snivelling wreck he may have turned into while he was locked up here. She had tried to visit a few times after he had banished the family from visiting but true to his word, he had never appeared and Peggy was always left disappointed. She looked up at the tall blonde standing next to her and was glad that she had at least reconnected with Ronnie. It was going to be hard enough breaking the news about his father's downward spiral to him, let alone if he had to return to a warring family.
'Auntie Peg!' Ronnie cried, causing Peggy to fall out of her trance, and look up to see what Ronnie was gesturing at.
She noticed a figure in the distance making his way towards the gates. There was what seemed to be a police officer escorting him along, but as Peggy started to wave, the officer left the boy to make the rest of the way out on his own.
'Ben!' Ronnie shouted, a smile spreading across her face, lighting it up.
The boy began to wave too, but he was considerably taller and very different looking to Ben Mitchell. Eventually, the boy reached the gates and was let out by another officer, to find himself face to face with his family for the first time in months.
The three of them looked at each other, a frosty silence between them.
'You know,' he mumbled, attempting to break the ice, 'I really feel like sprinting off into the distance. It would just feel so good. I'd feel so free.'
Peggy appeared to be thinking about something to say but before she did, Ben decided to get in first.
'Before you say anything,' he began, noticing the shocked expressions upon his family's faces, 'I know I look completely different to the boy you remember. But that's because I am. I've grown taller -'
'I've noticed' Ronnie interrupted.
'My voice broke -'
'I've noticed that too,' she replied once again.
Ben let out a short laugh.
'And, before you interrupt Auntie Ronnie, I've grown into someone I'm a lot more comfortable being,' he continued. 'I like playing sport and -'
This time it was Peggy that interrupted him, but instead of speaking she pulled him in for a much needed hug. It was a rather clumsy embrace as Ben now towered over Peggy, who had always been small in stature.
'You can tell us all of that on the way home. You're a Mitchell, my only grandson, and I'll love you no matter what. I think everyone will be pleased to see what a fine figure of a man you've turned into. Now, go get yourself in the car,' she ordered, smiling as she did so.
'Good to have you back, Gran,' he replied, sarcastically saluting her at the same time.
Ronnie let out an exaggerated cough, as if to gain his attention.
'And you Auntie Ronnie,' finding himself being pulled into her embrace now too. Once he had peeled her off he looked around, a confused expression on his face.
'I think there's someone I've forgotten!' he exclaimed but he was still smiling. So, where is he?' Ben queried innocently. Noticing the puzzling looks he was receiving he continued to explain. 'Dad! Is he in the car? Or is he waiting at home with Lou?'
Peggy sighed, her smile crumbling, as her grandson asked the questions she had been dreading.
'Oh, Ben. I'm so sorry for what I'm going to have to tell you. I hoped you wouldn't have asked so soon, at least until we'd got home, but he is your Dad. Maybe you should take a seat, darling.'
Peggy heard her niece's sharp intake of breath, confirming her fears that this was going to be a long journey home.