CHAPTER TEN
"Where have you been?" Tina asked, thumping Dick playfully on the arm.
"Ouch! Hey what was that for?" Dick rubbed his arm.
"Well you just fell of the face of the earth. We tried ringing you but either all we got was the answer phone or Alfred was very evasive."
"It's a long story." Dick said trying to dodge the question.
"Oh no you don't get away with it that easily, we'll see you in the canteen at lunch you can tell us everything then."
"Everything?"
"Oh yes, you don't pull a disappearing act and get away without an explanation."
"I'll think about it." Dick grinned.
"Think hard." Tina warned wagging a finger at him.
"Ooh I'm so scared!" Dick laughed pretending to shake.
---- Dick placed his tray on the table.
"So?" Tina demanded.
"So what?" Dick feigned puzzlement.
"What's been going off?"
"Well, it's kinda a long story."
"We've got time." Lisa added.
"Ok, ok. Look the thing is I was having a hard time with Bruce's girlfriend Beverly, ex girlfriend that is. It turns out that when I was ill it was her spiking my food."
"Oh my god!" John B said incredulously.
"Well next thing Bruce calls me into his study and accuses me of using some performance enhancing stuff and using cannabis."
"What! That's ludicrous." Emma exclaimed. "Not you."
"Well no, but anyway I was so pissed with Bruce I decided to leave. I mean if he didn't trust me… I got as far as the cemetery to say goodbye to Mom and dad and next thing I know I'm in the police station."
"Oh boy, if that wouldn't make Bruce mad as hell." Peter breathed.
"Well I thought so too. Alfred collected me, and I had to wait for Bruce to get home. I have to admit I was a bit worried. Anyway he brought Beverly home with him, but then he got called away for a phone call. Beverly started in on me straight away. Next thing Bruce is throwing her out and apologising to me."
"Wow that was a turnaround." Tina said raising her eyebrows.
"Yup. Anyway I started having the nightmares again, so Bruce was really sorry."
"I bet." John B remarked.
"So why have you been away from school?" he added.
"Bruce decided we needed to get away and spend some time together on our own. You know to talk and stuff. We went up to this neat cabin f his up in the mountains."
"I bet that was good." Lisa said.
"It was great. We did nothing but talk. Oh and we walked around the lake there. I think the first night we never even got to bed."
"So you managed to sort things out?" Peter asked him.
"Yes, thankfully. I reckon Bruce and I are probably closer now that we have been in a while."
"That's really nice." Lisa told him.
"We have some news too." Peter interjected. "Guy got expelled."
"Guy? Why what did he do?" Dick looked surprised.
"Ironically he got caught smoking a joint."
"Really! Wow that is ironic. I bet his dad was so mad at him."
"We haven't heard yet what's happening to him." Amy told him.
"All the same everyone has heaved a sigh of relief." Peter informed him.
----- As they left the canteen Peter caught Dick's arm.
"Dick I'm moving in with Antonio. Things have got no better at home. I was wondering if you would be able to give me a hand this weekend. I can't think of anyone else who might have a truck."
"I'll ask Bruce, but I can't see there being a problem. We do have a truck."
"Look I haven't told the others, I mean I still feel a bit weird about things, you know?"
"I understand."
"Would Saturday be alright? My Dad has to work and he always ends up in a bar, he never gets home till late."
"I'll check with Bruce and get back to you, but I don't see a problem. What's your Mom say?"
"She is a bit upset but she says she understands and doesn't blame me."
"At least she understands."
"I know, but I do feel a bit bad about leaving her with him."
"No offence, but you have to do what's best for you and she has to make her own decisions."
"I guess so. By the way I'm glad you sorted things out with Bruce. You know you could have told us."
"I guess so but well you know how it is."
****
---- Dick pulled the truck over and parked in front of Peter's house; the street was quiet, most people were either shopping or still in bed on this Saturday morning.
Peter came out to meet him.
"Hi, thanks for this, I appreciate it."
"No problem, only too pleased to be able to help." Dick acknowledged as he followed Peter back into the house.
"I reckon we should only need to make one trip, I haven't got that much stuff to move."
"That's ok; I've got all day anyway." Dick told him smiling.
"I've made a pot of coffee." Peters Mom called from the kitchen. "Would you like one before you start?"
"I reckon we should make a start, then I'd love one." Dick called back as he and Peter headed up the stairs.
"I started to pack stuff in boxes so we shouldn't be that long." Peter informed him.
----- "I'll have that coffee now if that's ok." Dick announced as he entered the kitchen. "Peters just getting the last of his things."
"Ok, sit down, I'll pour you one. How do you take it?" Brenda asked, turning to get a mug from a cupboard.
"White, no sugar please."
"With you helping it's not taken long, has it?"
"No, we should have him installed at Antonio's in no time. Thanks." Dick acknowledged as Brenda handed him a mug of coffee. "Forgive me for asking but are you going to be alright?"
"In what way?"
"Well Peter has explained some of the 'problems' you have been having and said that he is a bit worried about leaving you on your own."
"Oh I'll be alright; I can't expect Peter to have to feel responsible for me he has his own life to lead."
"I take it you are ok with the arrangements too."
"Well, in one way I would have been happier if he was moving in with a girl, but he's my son when alls said and done and I love him all the same. It's his choice, I can't change his sexuality."
"I guess that's true." Dick took a sip of the coffee.
There were sounds of a commotion from the hallway.
Brenda's hand flew to her mouth in horror.
"No, no, no, he's home early… I don't believe it!"
"Just what do you think you're doing?" a raised voice could be heard, as the kitchen door flew open and Peter's Dad barged in.
"I suppose you are responsible for all this?" He threatened.
"Carl please don't." Peters Mom begged.
Dick stood a little unsure what to do.
"Don't what? Who's this then Peters little 'girlfriend'?" He turned to face Dick his face red and eyes wide with fury.
"Carl no, you know Dick, he's a school friend." Peters Mom tried to explain.
"So you're in on this too." Carl spluttered venomously.
"Sir, Peter asked me to help him that's all." Dick tried to stay calm realising he was intoxicated.
Peters Dad took a step towards Dick.
"Carl, please." Peters Mom beseeched desperately.
"Shut up woman." Peters Dad snarled as he spun towards her.
"Dad! Don't." Peter yelled from the doorway.
"You shut it too." Carl waged his fist at Peter then turned back to Brenda. "You thought you could do this behind my back did you?"
"Carl what did you expect? Peter would have left long ago if it hadn't been for me."
"He's not going anywhere, you hear me? Get your stuff unpacked."
"No Dad I'm going." Peter said with brave defiance.
"What did you say?"
"Carl you heard him." Peters Mom said quietly. "He's leaving and that's it."
Carl looked from Brenda to Peter with incredulity.
"I don't believe this, both of you defying me eh? Well we'll see about that." Carl snarled as he undid his broad leather belt.
"Dad NO!" Peter yelled as Carl lifted his arm to swing the belt.
"Sir please there's no need….." Dick urged.
"Oh you want a piece of this too do you? Well just wait your turn." His arm swung further back.
As Carl brought the belt down in an arc towards Peter's cringing Mom Dick stepped between them. He caught Carl's arm, the belt wrapping around his. Carl yelled in surprise and vexation.
"Why you…." He blustered raising his other fist.
Dick held on to the belt, and as the fist flew at him he caught that too in his hand.
"Dick!" Peter cried in warning.
Dick pushed Peter's Dad away letting go of the belt. He stumbled backwards against the cabinets. For a moment he stared at the three of them his eyes wild before launching himself towards Brenda with an almost feral yell.
Dick again stepped between them and with one swift movement he hit Peters Dad on the chin. For one brief second Peter's Dad looked at Dick with sheer amazement and astonishment before sliding none too gracefully to the floor.
"I'm sorry…." Dick began apologetically. "I just couldn't stand by and watch him attack you."
Peter and his Mom stood looking at Carl as if they couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
"Don't be sorry." Peter's Mom told him. "He's had that coming for a long time. It's about time someone stood up to him."
"I….. I shouldn't have interfered really." Dick began.
"I'm glad you did." Peter's Mom interrupted. She looked down at her left hand with a brief look of indecision then pulled of her wedding ring and placed it on the kitchen table.
"Mom?" Peter moved beside her. "What are you doing?"
"Peter I have had enough of being bullied by that man." She nodded towards the prone figure. "Dick is there room in that truck for me?"
Dick looked at Peter for direction.
"Mom where will you go? What will you do?"
"I'm not sure but anywhere away from him will be better."
"Mom…..I….. Let me ring Antonio." Peter pulled his mobile from his pocket as he walked back into the hallway.
"I'm very sorry." Dick said again.
"Don't be. Look if he tries anything I'll swear you acted in self defence." Brenda assured him.
"Mom, Antonio says you can use his spare room until you get sorted if you want."
"That's good of him but where will you sleep?"
Peter looked down his face red.
"Oh……. Silly me, I never thought. Ok yes I'll take him up on the offer. Let me throw a few things in a bag. I don't need much."
"Boy Dick you hit him good." Peter said stepping over the still unconscious form of his Father.
"I'm sorry." Dick again apologised. "It's probably because he's drunk. Maybe we should call the paramedics.
"I'm not. Besides he deserved it. Listen he's snoring so he must be alright." Peter said wryly.
"Ok I'm ready." Peter's Mom came back carrying a small overnight bag.
---- The three of them sat in the truck silently for a few moments.
"Mom are you sure you want to do this?" Peter asked.
"Very sure. Oh Peter, look I know it's not quite what you imagined your departure to be, please forgive me."
"Mom it's ok honestly. I would rather you leave than have to worry about you, eh Dick?"
"Er, well I guess so." Dick turned the key in the ignition. "Antonio's then?"
"Yes." Peter said nodding.
---- Having stowed Peters stuff and Brenda's in the spare room the four of them sat sipping coffee in the lounge.
"I promise I won't be in your hair for long. As soon as I get a job I'll find a place of my own." Peter's mom told Antonio.
"Well number one you're welcome to stay as long as you nee to, secondly you won't be in the way. I do have a proposition for you which may be beneficial to both Peter and me." Antonio informed her.
"You do?"
"Well there is an apartment over the coffee shop. It needs a bit of work doing on it as it's been empty for some time. You are welcome to use it if you'd like." Antonio held up a finger to prevent Brenda from speaking. "I also have a vacancy in the coffee shop and I would like to offer you the position."
Brenda's eyes went wide
"Really? I don't know what to say.
"Don't say anything. Look we can sort out the details later but it will give you a start. It may not be what you want."
"I can hardly believe it. I mean I haven't worked for so long I really didn't know where I was going to start."
"Like I say we can sort things out later."
"Look I really must get going. If there's anything else I can do just let me know."
"I must be getting off." Dick interjected.
"Thank you so much for all your help." Peter thanked him as Dick stood up to leave.
"It's ok; I'm just not sure I did the right thing."
"Dick I'm very grateful for what you did." Brenda assured him. "It gave me the push I needed to walk out. I should have done it a long time ago. Its just that I got to the point where I thought Carl's behaviour was all my fault and if I just 'behaved better' and persuaded Peter from being gay then he would go back to being the man he was when we first met."
"Moms right, you did us both a big favour." Peter backed her up. "Don't worry about any comeback, like Mom said before if Dad tries anything we will say you acted in self defence, which you did anyway. Besides I'm sure Bruce has some top notch lawyers if need be."
Dick laughed.
"I guess you're right there, although he won't be happy about it."
"Oh I'm sure he'll understand he's not that bad really." Peter chuckled.
---- Dick sat in the truck, the engine running, staring out into nowhere. He still wasn't sure he had acted appropriately despite reassurances. With a huge sigh he put the vehicle in gear and drove away towards home.