Once again huge thanks for all your reviews and PM's that you have sent me for this story. I've got a busy couple of days but will hopefully have time to post another chapter at some point over the weekend. Please let me know your thoughts. Best Wishes Mx
The second half of the concert gets under way and once again I am mind numbingly bored until the jazz band take to the stage. Elliot is loving his moment of glory especially when he gets a small solo in one of the songs. The concert finishes as soon as they've played the last song and once the lights go on I make my way towards my family. Most people around them have already started to move away towards the exit. Dad is stood putting his jacket on and mom has her head close to Matty as she speaks to him.
'I'm going to play in the orchestra when I come here next year.' Mia says happily to me. That's all I need, my little sister at school with me. She'll be running home every day to tell mom what has happened.
'That will be good Mia.' I say to her. 'Did you enjoy the concert?'
'Yes, I loved all of it and I saw Lily watching her brother.' She says. 'Oh There's Elliot.' She adds and runs off in the direction towards him.
'Christian.' Mom says and I look at her and Matty. 'Please could you take Matty to the bathroom, he says he can't wait until he gets home.'
'Sure mom. Common buddy I'll show you where they are.' I say as I wait for him to stand. He puts his hand out for me to hold. Shit I thought he'd just follow me, someone is bound to see me holding his hand. I take his hand in mine and then walk rather quickly through a side door and down a corridor. 'In here Matty, can you manage on your own?' he nods and then I have second thoughts, I better go in and make sure no-one else is in there. Just as Matty finishes the door opens and in walks Lily's brother with three other boys that I don't recognise.
'Well if it isn't brawler Grey the perfect piano player.' He says. Matty comes towards me and then freezes as one of the other boys steps in his way. I look over at him and he looks at me with his wide eyes. Shit he's scared.
'Greg I'd love to talk but I need to get back to my family.' I say.
'You'll go when I say you can.' Greg snarls at me and the two other boys move closer to him and block the door so that we can't leave.
'Look can we sort out whatever the problem is tomorrow. He's only five and he doesn't need to be here.' I say as I nod towards Matty.
'No we're here now and I suggest you keep your mouth shut.' Greg says and goes to push his hands on my chest. I block him as he got his hand to close to the no go zone. 'It's true then, no one can go to touch you. Boys, hold his arms.' The two side kicks move towards me and I lash out. I hit Greg on the nose and it immediately starts to bleed and then hit another on the cheek. The other boy backs away and the one blocking Matty looks like he wants to run. 'You fucking idiot.' Greg screams. 'You'll fucking pay for this.'
'Matty, come on.' I say but he just stands there staring at the other boys. 'Matty, now.' He's frozen to the spot, I hold out my hand but he shakes his head. I've scared him and he won't come near me. I scoop him up in my arms and before he realises what's happening I get him out of there. I open a classroom door and take him inside closing the door behind me and then put Matty down.
'Gracie.' He whispers. He just wants mom.
'Matty, are you OK?' I ask. He looks at me with those wide eyes and my heart constricts.
'You hit me.' He says quietly.
'No.' I say in shock. 'Matty I'd never hurt you, well not intentionally.'
'OK.' He says simply. 'Gracie now.' He adds and holds out his hand. I look at him in amazement, he seems to have just brushed the incident off and isn't bothered now he knows I'm not going to hurt him. I take his hand and we make our way back to the theatre. Mom is waiting for us, dad has already gone back to the car with Elliot and Mia. As soon as Matty sees mom he gives her a small smile and holds out his other hand for her which she takes. He's now in between us both and we walk to the car together.
'Are you fastened in properly?' I ask Matty as we're sat in the back once more. He nods and then takes my hand again. He holds it all the way home.
'I not tell.' He whispers just as we're about to get out.
'Mom and dad will find out tomorrow. That was Lily's brother and Lily will tell Mia at school and she won't be able to keep it quiet.' I say.
'Oh, Wick will shout and Gracie get upset.' I say.
'Probably.' I mutter.
'You tell Wick now, it wasn't your fault.' He says quietly. I think about what he said as we walk across the drive and up the steps to the front door.
'Dad, please could I talk to you in your study?' I ask nervously.
'Sure son, you go in and wait for me. I'll just say goodnight to Mia and Matty. I won't be long.' Dad says. I gladly go in and head straight to the liquor cabinet and take out the first bottle that comes to hand. After taking a couple of swigs I reluctantly put it back before dad comes in. I need some money to go and get my own, I've got the fake ID now and because I'm so tall for my age I could get away with buying some.
'OK Christian, I'm all yours.' Dad says when he comes into the study. 'Matty has gone back into his silent mode refusing to speak to anyone.' He goes to the liquor cabinet and pours himself a brandy. My heart stops as I watch him but he doesn't seem to think anything is remiss.
'Dad it might be my fault that he's not speaking again. When I took him to the bathroom at school some older boys came in and I ending up punching one on the nose and another in the face.' I say.
'What the hell did you do that for?' dad bellows. 'What have we told you about keeping your anger in check?' he continues. It's OK for him to shout and get angry. I switch off as he continues his rant. I should never have listened to Matty. 'How many times this week?' I hear.
'That was the fourth.' I mutter.
'Jeez Christian, I'm surprised we're not looking for another school for you. Maybe I'll get that call tomorrow.' Dad says. I'm past caring. The door creaks and moves slightly, dad stands and goes towards it and when he opens it Matty is stood there. 'I thought you'd gone to bed.' Dad says gently to him. He shakes his head and then walks straight past dad and climbs onto my knee. Dadd looks puzzled but comes and sits back down opposite us.
'Wick, it wasn't Christian's fault. There were four boys and they were blocking the door and they wouldn't let me near Christian and they went to push Christian in his chest and then they said some very bad words and I was scared but Christian did look after me.' Matty says in one breath and then turns round to me and snuggles into my arms.
'Why didn't you tell me all this?' Dad says more gently. I shrug. 'All the other fights this week, have you started them?'
'No, they just come up to me and start making comments to try and get a reaction. I try to stay calm and then they try and touch me.' I say and hug Matty tighter.
'OK son, thanks for telling me. If the school phone tomorrow at least I can be prepared.' Dad says. 'Do you want to take this little man back up to bed? I'll go and let mom know what's happening so if I'm at work when the school phones she knows to direct them to me. I'll deal with this.'
'Thanks dad.' I say and carry Matty out of the study. I put him down once we're at the bottom of the stairs, he looks at me and smiles and then he's away running up the stairs and expecting me to chase. He beats me as he had a head start but it's worth it to see the grin on his face. 'Thanks Matyy for telling dad.' He nods at me and then heads into the bedroom next to mom and dad's. The duvet is dumped on the floor along with the pillows, I'm sure mom won't have left them like this all day. Matty drags the duvet to the bottom of the bed and then comes back for the pillows before settling down. He picks up a book as if to read. 'Matty, it's late. You should be going to sleep and on the bed.' He just shrugs at me. 'Where have your words gone?' I ask him gently. He looks at me with his wide eyes that are full of tears.
'To mommy and daddy.' He whispers and then closes his eyes. I don't know what to say to that answer. I sit on the floor next to him and stroke his curls until he falls asleep.