Chapter 10

The Vernon house

John helped his mom into the house; it was two stories and very traditional. When they had pulled up to it at first John had almost expected the worlds perfect family to run out, the mother and father would were still beautiful and in great shape, the daughter and son and faithful old dog. He was shocked to hear it was Vernon's house, he had expected something different, maybe something more square with nothing on it, sharp windows and exact doorways. This house almost gave off a warm welcoming feel. And yet it didn't match the man at all. The inside was just as bad. Rust walls, cherry floors, rugs, John looked at the entrance like it was impossible, "Are you doing something other then teaching?" he asked as Vernon walked in with their bags.

"Don't get smart Bender." Vernon warned.

"John please be nice." She said, her voice slightly shaky.

John didn't say anything as Vernon shoved the bags into John's arms and he took hold of John's mother and helped her into what John figured was the entrance to the kitchen. "Don't be so angry with him… he just…" John's mother started as they disappeared around the corner, John sighed because this was so fucking strange. He dropped the bags and sat on the hard wood stairs that led up into who knew where. It had been a week since the incident with the his father and the cop car, Bradley had been found a few houses over in the bushes. His career as a cop hadn't lasted very long. John had regretted being so mean to the man. But at the same time he was glad the sick tweeker got what he deserved. He hadn't even known John and he had been asking things that weren't any of his business. No, John thought, feelings and thoughts like that belong to your father… not you.

He thought about how the rest of the year was going to go. He had only a few months to catch up on all the missed work, and get the normal work done and he also had to figure out what he was going to do with his dad out there on the lose. The cops couldn't keep him and his mother in the hospital; they had down right refused to. John knew his dad had been there and they hadn't even noticed, to many people, to many rooms. John wanted to be in a place he could see his dad coming. He had no clue how he was going to keep things together. Before everything had spun into this dizzy world of surrealism he had been able to walk off the abuse, play it off, vent on Vernon and cause trouble at school.

He had told himself, one more year and then he would be gone. It wouldn't matter anymore. He never thought it would come to this, growing close to his mother… living with Vernon… having to save his GIRL FRIEND from his father and have his girlfriend's father shoot at his dad instead of him. The fact that John was being allowed back to school was only because the rest of the breakfast club was there. And anyone associated with John was considered in danger. The school was going to have cops at every door and the doors locked during the day, no more off campus lunch and no more people just walking in. All adults had to come in through the office and be checked over. The sad part was that all the kids were going to know it was because of HIS old man that the school was now more so like a prison then ever before.

Though he was sure it would probably increase his reputation as a bad ass he didn't much care anymore what people thought. He just wanted to get it over with and for the love of god he didn't want ANYONE to know that Vernon was with his mother or that John was staying with him. He didn't care what people thought anymore, but he sure as hell didn't want to hear any type of sexual joke referring to his mother and the principle of the school. There was a knock on the door and John looked at it and felt his stomach flip flop. Vernon came from the kitchen and looked at John was just sat there and stared at it.

"Jesus Bender, are you to lazy to answer the door?" Vernon snapped. John had noticed Dick's once somewhat positive attitude towards him had changed slightly since the day they had decided to move into his house. John had volunteered to go live in his old house, once you got passed the smell it wasn't that bad. He was more then willing to avoid Vernon's charity all together but his mother had gotten so upset about that comment and ever since Vernon had been snappy with him. Vernon opened the door and then looked to John, "It's for you." He turned and walked back to the kitchen. John stood and was amused to see Brian poke his blonde head around the door. "H-hey John." He said walking in carrying a huge bag that looked like it was breaking his shoulder. "Hey brain what's up?" John asked wondering what the hell the little guy was doing there and how he had known where Vernon had lived.

"I uh… I got a surprise for you dude." Brian said letting the bag fall off his shoulder. It hit the floor with a thud and Vernon peeked his head around the corner, "Sorry sir." Brian said waving. The moon shook his head and disappeared for the third time.

"What's this…" John asked pointing at it.

"It's your surprise." Brian said with a big grin.

"Gee thanks Bry-guy but if I wanted a huge bag full of bricks I would have just gone to my old house and picked up a few."

Brian laughed and snorted, "No man, I mean, it's not bricks… its all your home work completely done and organized. All you got to do it rewrite it all and turn it in on Monday. You will be all caught up and you will have no worries at all."

John stared at the kid in shock, "You're joking right?" John asked.

"Nope, after we heard about what happened we all went to the teachers and collected it each week and told them you had gotten a tutor to go over it with you in the hospital so you could turn it in when you came back. Each week the guys gave it to me and I did it in my spare time, which you know me… Mr. No life."

John stared for a second longer and then took the tiny boy in a big bear hug. He squeezed him and said, "Man I owe you one! This is great, it takes care of a lot of shit! You aren't so bad brain." John teased. Brian got red in the face and fidgeted, "I figured it's the least I could after you stopped those jerks from stealing my stuff and shoving me in my locker."

"Yeah, but I still doubt they could have gotten you to fit, I mean I know your small but our lockers just aren't that big."

"That's the point, it hurts." Brian said laughing, John shook his head and wondered if he had ever shoved a kid in his locker at any point and he honestly couldn't remember. He picked up the bags and made a face, "Jesus, did I really miss this much?"

"Well mid terms are around the corner so I had Allison get all your books out of your locker, the ones that weren't destroyed. Figured if you wanted to try and study for them I could come help. I marked the chapters to study for each class and high lighted what is really important." Brian said beaming.

"Wow dude, your like, on top of things aren't you… thanks…" John said getting slightly uncomfortable about how happy Brian seemed to do something for him.

"No problem, oh and uh… figured you may have lost them in the fire so I got everyone's numbers again for you. Claire said to call this number; it's a private line that goes straight into her room…."

"Isn't our princess so spoiled." John said smiling taking the card Brian had pulled out of his pocket.

"Yeah, but I think that is what you like about her." Brian said shuffling his feet and holding that innocent smile on his face.

"Well dude, I hate being ungrateful but I was hoping to get settled in and no doubt Vernon will want to talk to me so… I will see you at school Monday right?" John asked hoping the kid wasn't let down they couldn't spend more time together.

"Oh yeah, that's totally cool, I got to get home for dinner anyway… night John."

"Night kid."

John turned and grabbed the other bags and headed upstairs. When he reached about half way up he heard Vernon call up the stairs, "The one furthest down the hall is mine and your mothers… the one near the top of the stairs is yours… don't make a mess of it." Then he was heading back to the kitchen.

John sighed and made it the rest of the way to the top; he went to Vernon's room first just to see what it looked like. He was curious about the inner workings of this once very obvious bachelor. He pushed the door carefully open with his foot and looked in. White lush carpet, green walls and dark wood matching furniture set. Another door leading to either a bathroom or closet and a window with white curtains. John dropped his mother's bags just inside the door and turned to go look at his room.

He was dreading this, he pushed the door open and was greeted by another plush white carpet, and dark blue walls with white trim a big window and a queen size bed. He had a huge walk in closet and a small cabinet. He dropped his bags and opened the cabinet. The TV inside made John smile. He noticed then the desk by the door and noticed there was also a bookcase full of books. He would NEVER admit it, even to Claire but he sometimes liked to crack a book and just read a page or two to see what they were about.

He kicked the door shut and then ran and flopped on the bed, it was so soft he almost thought he was on a cloud. Man, Vernon sure knew how to live. And boy did he live well for living on a teacher's salary.

"Like it?" came a voice from the doorway. John lifted his head to see his mother leaning on the doorframe.

"Ma… what are you doing walking around…" she held up a hand and said, "Don't even start to worry, I am fine, the only reason I am so shaky is because of the new meds they are giving me. Other then that I am fine. Now answer the question Mr. I can stay at our old house."

John smiled and felt a twinge of guilt, "It's really nice ma." He said sucking up his pride. "It will be nice to have a real bed." He saw her smile abate and stood instantly rushing over, "Ma I didn't mean to…" he started.

"I know John it's okay. I understand… its all a blur to me really, what we did and didn't have. Half the time I forgot you even lived with us." She said putting her hand to her mouth and John saw a tear come to her eye. "God I've been so bad to you." John took her and helped her over to his bed, "No ma, it's all okay. It's all over and said and done and it's in the past and I… I forgive you… I really do… I mean come on… if I didn't have you I'd have no one… I mean in the end you saved me really… there was no way he was going to let me go…we both know that." She nodded and before John knew what was going on she had her arms around him.

"I can't believe he is going so crazy over this…so absolutely and completely crazy over something as stupid as this. I mean I knew your father was stupid, but I never thought he would really do this…"

"Neither did I, honestly the way he talked, I figured he was just waiting for me to move out… calling me lazy and a bum… I mean… I don't know I guess but it didn't seem like he really liked me…"

"There is A LOT you don't know about him John. But some day I will tell you… "

"I am not sure I would want to know anything about that ass hole." John said angrily.

"Well don't think about it right now. What you should think about are the visitors who are coming over. So do me a personal favor, take a shower and put on the nicest thing you got… have." she corrected herself and smirked, "You know I had really nice grammar before I met your father… in fact I was well off and my parents had planned for me to be a doctor. We could have been rich and well off and just fine with out your father."

"Yeah, but without him I wouldn't be here… and not that I was a fan of how we lived but… I mean… because of that I learned how to take care of myself. I go into high school and see all those rich kids who have never worked for anything in their life, they get handed everything… and I just feel like some how, in some way, I know more… it's like my life is so different and because of that I didn't grow up a conformist ass hole."

His mother smiled and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, "I don't know what I did to deserve such a great kid… it's so strange, like the last 18 years have been a dream…." She paused and stared off into space and then John kind of moved a little to get her attention and she snapped back to him. "Oh right sorry, I got off topic, anyway, go shower and try to find something nice if you can. I don't really know what you have…um… just try for me… these people are the ones who helped me get us out of there so you owe them to at least show up and smile."

John nodded and sighed, "I guess I can do this one thing for you…" he said. She shoved him playfully and he smirked, "Okay, now, one hour and be down stairs." Nodding John watched her leave and wondered if this was going to last. How long would it be before Vernon would get tired of him and kick him, how long would it be before Vernon and his mother started fighting? Would they really have to move yet again? John knew if it was going to happen it would happen right as he was starting to get comfortable. Maybe he just shouldn't get comfortable. He stood and looked through his bag for any clothes that weren't torn, ripped, stained or needed a rope to keep up.

He found a decent pair of jeans that he only wore when he went out with his stoner buddies to the bars, and a clean white t-shirt. He also grabbed his red flannel and headed towards the hall. He looked down the hall and saw a door that hadn't been explored yet and wondered down that way, when he opened it he was greeted by a bathroom that looked royal in it's own right. Gleaming tiles, shiny faucets, white tube and shower with a beaded shower curtain and a rather decorative mirror. There were candles and pictures of attractive outdoor scenes and towels that matched the shower curtain color.

He sighed and closed the door behind him, this was so WEIRD, he undressed slowly and looked at himself in the mirror. His skin had nicks, and scars and bruises still. Years of neglect and abuse had definitely left a mark on him. If he thought really hard he could probably tell you what every mark was from. His body told the story of his 18 years in hell and he hoped that when and if the day came that he and Claire went far enough that he was with out clothes, she wouldn't stare at him is disgust or pity. He wasn't someone to pity, everything that ever happened make him who he was and if anyone had a problem with who he was or where he had been then they didn't need to be around him.

He moved over to the shower and after a few minute of cursing figured out how to turn it on. He removed his pants slowly and saw the one huge scar that ran up from his knee to just where his leg met his groin. He shivered that was one he would never forget; his father had stopped with the knife just before he had reached the important part. It was a good thing John had moved right after or else he would have had his leg impaled to the floor. That had been one of the worst episodes his dad had ever had and John tried to wash it from his mind.

He stepped into the shower and felt the hot water burn his skin; he adjusted accordingly and savored the feeling of hot water on his skin. He shivered from the feeling and for a second felt like all they years of torment were being washed away. He grabbed a bottle of shampoo and washed his hair and then scrubbed down his body with the soap. He was very thankful for the hot water because often times he hadn't had any. He didn't want to get out but he only had an hour and he needed to shave.

John didn't really like facial hair, he had started getting it in about 7th grade and had managed to steal one of his dad razors to shave. Once he was older he would lift them from the store if he needed a new one. As he turned off the shower and stepped out he grabbed a towel from the basket on the floor. He unrolled it and wrapped it around his waist. And then realized, this whole time he had been thinking of shaving and he didn't have a razor. "Shit." He muttered. He threw on his jeans and rubbed his hair mostly dry with the towel. Then he opened the door and walked to the stairs and then hesitated before slowly walking down.

He came into the kitchen and stood in the doorway, his mother was talking to Vernon and laughing with him. She turned when she saw John and gave a kind smile, "Yes John?" John averted his eyes and though he HATED asking for things he managed to look at Vernon, his mother noticed he was trying to ask Vernon something. "Vernon…" she said gently touching his hand, the man looked over at him and waited, John gritted his teeth and then finally managed to get himself to speak.

"Um… V-man… you got a… uh…" he motioned to his face as if he held a razor in his hand. Vernon thought a moment and then John's mother realized, "Oh! Razor! Richard, do you have a razor John can use?" Vernon realized too what John had meant and then slowly stood, "Of course." He walked towards John and he saw the man's eyes drop down to look at his body, obviously the marks surprised him, but he didn't say a word. John rolled his eyes and as Vernon passed he nodded to his mother thanks for helping him ask. She nodded back and smirked.

John followed Vernon up stairs and towards his room, Vernon walked in and John stopped outside the door. Vernon disappeared into the master bathroom and a few seconds later came out with a new razor. John nodded thanks and as he turned to go Vernon followed but asked, "So your old man do all that?" he motioned to John's back and torso.

"Nope, it was my girl friend, she hates when I misbehave." John said trying to sound more like a smart ass then a sarcastic.

Vernon said nothing else and as John turned into the bathroom he murmured thanks underneath his breath and shut the door. Vernon sighed and walked down stairs to the kitchen. He saw Wendy sitting there running her finger around the top of her teacup. He sat across from her and played it off like he hadn't seen anything, like nothing was different. But Wendy knew what was on his mind and she said it out loud, "I know what you are thinking Richard…"

"I am not thinking anything." He said picking up the paper.

"The answer is yes, I did leave some of those marks on him."

Vernon closed his eyes behind his paper and took a deep breath, then he released it and set the paper down again.

"It doesn't matter Wendy, it's all in the past, and if it really bothered me I would have said something."

"It bothers me… every day, I still can't believe after everything he stood by me the night we left. Despite everything, he took my hand and when his father came at me he took the hit. I just can't believe how selfless he has grown up to be despite his surroundings."

"Well you know what they say… when you go with out…" but he didn't finish, he caught Wendy's eyes and the tears and he came to sit next to her.

"Wendy, it is going to take years for everything to be forgotten or forgiven or dismissed. But it wasn't your fault and in the end you were the one to rectify all the problems. I mean it isn't like he hates you… he has shown more affection towards you then I would have thought after so many years. But you can't keep dwelling on it or you will just destroy yourself… come on, go shower and get dressed and I will start the food for when the rest of them get here okay?" She nodded and stood, she still shook and though she would never admit it she was still having shakes from with drawl. Vernon had heard her openly lie about the meds to John; she didn't want him to worry about it. But even after months and months of rehab she still shook slightly, her body still craving the drugs that Rick had shoved down her throat or injected into her. "You want help?" Vernon asked and Wendy shook her head and left the kitchen. Vernon watched after her and smiled, even though the circumstances were not the best he was so glad to have someone in this house with him. It was so good to know other people were around and not going to leave. Maybe he could start to get used to this, get comfortable and relax and know that those two weren't going to be walking out on him any time soon.

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Ricky sat on a metal chair in the basement with a few guys that he knew.

"Come on man, just have a fucking smoke…" one said handing him the bowl.

"No Eric, I ain't touching that shit again until I get them back." He said angrily.

"Why even bother, you said yourself you hated the kid, and it isn't like Wendy did you any favors." Eric hissed passing the bowl towards the guy next to him who hadn't really talked since Ricky had got there.

"I know, but that isn't the point. Wendy is MY wife, I married her and she promised to stay with me. What's the point of marriage if the vows don't get enforced?" He said with a sneer, "Besides, I saw John do something kind of interesting the other night when I ran into him and his pretty little girl friend. I think he could be useful if I could get a hold of him."

"What do you mean dude, what did he do?" Eric asked taking a swig of beer.

"He rode with a cop to pick up his girl friend, I am guessing they figured she was in danger, " Ricky said with a smile on his face, Eric laughed and Rosco's lip twitched. "They pulled up outside her house and for some reason he lunged over the seat and held a knife to the guys throat. The poor rookie didn't know how to handle it. Gave me a heads up though that Johnny had a knife. I mean… it isn't like any of use couldn't pull a knife on someone, but it was a cop and he was in the cop car. It kind of made me smile, he takes after me a lot more then I had thought…I think I am going to lay low for a few weeks, scope him out and watch him… keep an eye on his mother too. Maybe I can use Johnny's friends against him… there has got to be a way to get him away from the cops, school and that piece of shit Vernon."

"So your telling me you suddenly like your brat of a kid because he pulled a knife on some shmuck cop?" Eric asked looking confused but also slightly amused.

"I never said like, but I see potential and I hate to see potential wasted, even if the person with it is a waste of flesh. Rosco, do me a favor will you?" Ricky said looked at the man who hadn't said anything. A creepy smile drew across the silent man's face and he nodded. Ricky had a very good idea on how to see just how tough his son was. And perhaps he could find some kind of weakness too.

A/n: I know this chapter was mostly John thinking but you need that kind of stuff to make sure everyone is still up to date. chapter 11 on the way. Please R&R