Chapter two: Stories

The afternoon passed in a blur of words and magic. It was like I could feel Billy's story deep in my bones. He wove me a tale of magic men who turned into wolves, cold people, life, death, and family. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard.

When he finally stopped speaking, I realized I had been crying; the story had been so beautiful. I wiped them away with my coat sleeve.

"Oh! I'm sorry," Billy exclaimed. "I didn't tell you where you could put your jacket. I'd hang it up for you, but…" he pointed to his wheelchair.

"Um, yeah. Ok. Where's the coat closet? And, uh, the bathroom too." I had been sitting for a long time and really needed to go; if you know what I mean.

"The closet is by the front door, and the bathroom is up the stairs, to the left.

I hung up my jacket where he pointed me, straightened out my t-shirt and jeans, and climbed the stairs. There were two doors at the top. One was closed and had a "KEEP OUT" sign. I figured that was Jacob's room. The other one was open slightly, with the light off.

I opened the door, flicked on the light and did my business.

Coming back down, I thought, What if he wants to know about me? What should I tell him! I decided I would tell him the truth. He probably knew most of my problems, anyway. Mom was his brother after all.

I sat back down on the couch. "Would you like something to eat? Drink?" Billy offered.

"Uh," I wasn't sure how to respond. People skills were not my strong point. "Do you have any, um, water?" What a stupid question, Ash. Of course they have water!

"Yeah, sure. One second." Billy, I should probably think of him as Uncle Billy from now on, wheeled out of the room.

I looked around the room. It was simply furnished, but cozy. Nice.

Then Uncle Billy returned. "So, I've told you my story. Could you tell me yours? If you don't want to I understand, but I'd like to know my nephew's life, if I could."

"I'll tell you." I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. "When I was five years old, my dad told my mom he was gay. He'd been gay for a year or so. He still loved her, though, he told her. But like a sister or a mom. She screamed and told him that she hated him. Never wanted to see him again. I can remember that day like it was yesterday."

I paused at that point, and choked back tears. Billy waited.

"That—that was when she turned to drugs and alcohol. She got drunk for the first time that night. She hit me and yelled some more. My father never left. He still hasn't. A year later, alcohol wasn't enough for her to escape and she became a drug addict, too. Coke or heroin is her drug of choice. That was the year I started school. The kids, they knew, but didn't understand. I don't know how they knew; I think their parents told them. But they tore me apart for everything: my skin, light olive; my hair, black and long; my grades, bad; and most often, my family. All of those were used to hurt me deep. My life at home got no better. Mom screamed a lot. Was high and doped up more often, though. And those few times she was lucid, she told me she hated me, had always hated me. That I was the reason for her misery."

I paused again; took a sip of water and cleared my throat.

"My dad was the only reason I didn't kill myself. He would be left defenseless to her hate. It was my job to keep him safe. I was the punching bag she took her contempt out on. Dad was the fuel.

"At school, it got worse, too. I was beaten up until last year. That was when I grew to six feet. It's a lot harder beating on someone who's at least four inches taller than you." I smiled at that. "Then, last month, something happened. Something wonderful and scary at the same time. I—I changed into a wolf. It was scary at first, but then I read an old letter of yours to mom. You mention werewolves and that's when I knew. Your letter saved me.

"I decided to find you, after reading that letter. The return address pointed me here. My only problem was money. Getting here cost more than I had. For the next month I stole from my mom's drug and booze money. She didn't need it. I finally got enough, and that's why I'm here."

I ended my story there. Billy just sat for a moment, tears in his eyes, thinking. "Why didn't your father leave with you?" he finally asked.

"She wouldn't let him. She said if he ever left she would hunt him down and kill him. She needed his money for booze after all."

"Oh," he sat for a while longer. "Well, thank you for sharing that with me, Ashton. Now, it's getting late." I glanced out of the window; the sun was setting. "What do you like on your pizza?"

I smiled. "Pepperoni, please."

"One pepp, coming right up! Now, take your bad up to Jake's room. He has an extra bed. You can stay there."

I nodded, nervous. I liked Billy, but I was a bit scared of Jacob. He didn't seem very friendly and he reminded me of the boys back home. Plus, I'm not the most sociable person.

I grabbed my bag and started up the stairs. I reached the top and knocked on the door, "Hello?"

The door opened, but I couldn't see anything. The light was off. "I'd tell ya to go away, but since that wouldn't do anything, I'll just say take the bed by the window," Jacob called from inside the room somewhere.

"Um, thanks?" I said. Grabbing my bag, I stepped into the room.

Oh my gosh! I hope this chapter makes you cry like I did! I feel so bad for Ashton! Can you imagine! Well, I hope you liked this one. I'll explain Jacob's angriness soon!

Review please!