Thank you again to DiexGaaf and sisterdear for reviewing. Also thank you to Leriana for the review. You guys are great!

*River

"What are you doing here?" Jack asked as Bobby pulled him into a tight hug. He pushed Jack away and ran a hand over his head, messing up his already messy hair.

"What do you think I'm doin'? Ma called. Apparently she's brought home a fucked up kid." Bobby draped his arm over Jack's shoulders and the two brothers walked toward the door.

"I dunno," Jack shrugged. "We went for a walk. He seems pretty normal to me."

Bobby scoffed. "Yeah, to you. That's promising, Jackie."

"Whatever, man."

Jack opened the door and he and Bobby made their way inside. Evelyn emerged from the kitchen smiling from ear to ear. "Welcome home, son."

"It's good to be back, Ma." Evelyn smiled again, patted Bobby on the arm, and turned to go back to the kitchen.

"Jack," she called over her shoulder, "will you go tell Lee dinner is ready? Bobby, set the table for four please?"

Jack left the living room and Bobby followed his mother into the kitchen. She went to the stove and he started pulling plates out of the cabinet. "Seems like Jack likes the new kid," he observed.

"I expect they'll get along nicely. I do appreciate you coming home, though, Bobby. I," she paused and looked at her oldest son. He had changed so much since he had first come to live with her nearly eleven years ago. He was become a good man, though he still didn't like to use his head all the time. "I don't think this is going to be easy."

"Oh come on, Ma." Bobby began placing the dishes on the table. "You raised the four of us. How much worse could it get?"

"That's the thing, Bobby. I wonder all the time what I could've done better. I mean, Jackie's still not sleeping through the night and I know he's still playing with the past. Lee and Jack have very similar cases."

"You can't blame yourself, Ma. You did a great job with us all. Jack's come a long way even if it's still not perfect."

Bobby and Evelyn were both cut short in the conversation when Jack and Lee entered the dinning room. "What's goin' on?" Jack asked.

"Just catching up," Evelyn smiled.

Jack walked over to his seat at the table and stood beside it. It wasn't long before he took notice of Lee standing in the doorway, staring wide-eyed and fearful at Bobby. He scolded himself mentally for not being more mindful. Of course the kid was going to be scared of Bobby. Jack should have introduced them right away.

"Lee," Jack held his arm out toward Bobby, "this is my brother, Bobby."

"Hey, nice to meet you," Bobby said cheerfully. He extended his hand to Lee but instead of shaking it the terrified teen took a step back from it.

He desperately wanted to stop staring at Bobby, but his eyes wouldn't obey. He felt like he needed to keep a close watch on him just in case he decided to try anything. To his relief, Bobby retracted his hand and went to the head of the table. Evelyn took her place at the other end and Lee stood by the chair opposite from Jack.

Lee stood back and watched uncomfortably as the Mercers took each other by the hands while Evelyn said a prayer. He was grateful she hadn't asked him to join in.

With the grace spoken and the food ready on the table, Evelyn and the boys took their seats and began to pass the dishes. Lee stared dutifully at his plate, taking a small helping of mashed potatoes, while the others ate.

Evelyn watched the scene before her. Lee had hardly eaten enough to feed a kitten since he'd been in her home and it concerned her. He was skinny as it was, and meal times clearly made him very uncomfortable. She made a note to talk to him about it, but not now. She didn't want to make a scene in front of Jack and Bobby.

"Lee, would you like some corn to go with your potatoes?" she asked, holding the dish of corn out. He shook his head, no, and said a quiet 'no thank you' before going back to pushing his food around the plate.

"Come on man, eat up. Ma's a great cook," Bobby said looking from Lee to his mother and back again.

"The food is great," Lee said quickly, afraid they had taken his not eating as an insult. "I'm just not very hungry."

"That's okay," Evelyn said before Bobby could interject again. "We always have snacks or leftovers in the kitchen so if you get hungry later you can help yourself."

Jack pushed his chair away and started clearing the table once everyone had finished their meal. "Hey, LeeLee, Let me ask you a question," Bobby asked as Lee pushed his chair back into the table.

"It's Lee," he replied boldly. He wasn't sure where this sudden courage came from, but he regretted his comment instantly when Bobby turned to look at him. "My name," he said meekly putting his head down. "It's, it's Lee."

"Right. Well, I gotta ask. Are you gay?"

Lee froze. He opened his mouth to reply but no words came out. Was he gay? He had slept with men before but it was never consensual nor had he approved it. Was that the same? He didn't know. His eyes darted around the room searching for the protection of Evelyn or Jack but he was alone with this man who could take him out with one punch.

"I'm just curious," Bobby continued, oblivious to the younger boys inner turmoil. "I mean, little Jackie hasn't come out yet but I thought maybe you could help him. Ya know, if you are gay." Bobby took a step closer and put his arm around Lee's stiff shoulders.

"Don't fucking touch me!" Lee shrieked, ducking out from Bobby's arm. He felt tears forming in his eyes and he began to shake uncontrollably.

"Shit man, I'm sorry," Bobby offered sincerely. Lee backed away quickly and nearly knocked himself and Jack over as they collided in the doorway.

"What the fuck is going on?" Jack asked, having heard the commotion from the kitchen.

"We're fine," Lee said with a shaky voice. "I'm sorry for shouting." The tears Lee had been holding back began to fall and he hurriedly wiped them away.

"Come on," Jack said. He motioned toward the backdoor and stepped to the side so Lee could pass by. "Let's have a smoke and calm down."

Lee stood still, staring at Bobby with a look Jack had never seen before for a moment before finally looking away and walking past Jack to the back steps. Jack followed close behind turning to give Bobby nothing more than an angry glare before closing the storm door behind him.