Part 10
A few days went by that was… normal. Nothing happened but soon the boy realized that they'd had their teacher there for a week. They heard him tell their father that the trial period was over and he was staying. The boys couldn't stop their smiles as they walked into their classes that day.
But that was two days ago and this day was not happy at all. All day the boys had felt snappy, the air around them was tense and they knew something was about to break loose… most likely a fight between someone. Wes looked up at them when they were about to end the classes for the day.
"I hope you will do your homework even thought you all seem to have gotten out on the wrong side of the bed this morning", he said. "I am going out tonight and have no intention of staying in because you boys are behaving like raging bulls."
"We'll behave", Trent grumbled and the boys left. They headed for their room to get their homework done… but then Blaine said he would meet up with them later. He had to get some air and stretch his legs.
With that he left and the boys headed for their room… all but two. David had noticed how Blaine always snuck out whenever he could and they were all worried, they were wondering what was going on. They didn't know for sure, but David thought Thad actually knew what was going on, because every time Blaine said he was going out Thad started blushing. So this time… David decided to follow him.
In the meantime as they were out the other boys were doing their homework. They had to write an essay about their dreams and Nick was angry because he couldn't figure his out. Trent and Thad were already writing away, they were on their second or third psge already.
"Will you stop that", Nick spat at them and they looked up in confusion.
"Stop what", Trent asked.
"Stop writing so fast it makes me feel like a loser!"
"Whatever for", Thad asked confused.
"Because I can't come up with anything to write in this bloody essay!"
"Don't yell at them for it", Fred said calmly. He was sitting on his bed, writing but not as fast or eagerly as Trent and Thad.
"Shut up Fred, just because you're the oldest doesn't mean you can tell us what to do", Jeff snapped, crumbling up another piece of paper. "This homework suck!"
"It does not", Trent said. "It really fun to write about what you want to do in the future, your plans and dream jobs and such."
"Oh I guess you already have that figured out", Nick mocked.
"As a matter of fact I do", Trent said and sniffed at Nick in a bit pompous way.
"Then tell us because we sooooo wanna hear it", Jeff mocked.
"Don't be sarcastic because you're having a hard time", Thad said as he wrote. "It's not Trent's fault."
"Well he doesn't have to rub his essay and dreams in my face", Nick yelled. "And neither do you!"
"I haven't done anything", Thad said confused. "I didn't say a word until you snapped at me and Trent."
"Don't be a smart-ass!" Jeff yelled and Thad stared at him.
"Hey don't take your frustration out on Thad", Fred said sternly. "Just focus on your work."
"Stop telling us what to do", Nick yelled. "You're not our father!"
"He just wish he was", Jeff spat.
"Excuse me", Fred growled and Jeff snatched his essay from him. "Hey!"
"Just listen to this! 'My hopes for the future is to follow in father's footsteps and become important in the world of finance, just like father and his father before him. My dreams are to carry on the family name.' That's not your dream!"
"It doesn't even sound like you!" Nick spat.
"It is my dream", Fred grumbled and snatched the paper. "Father will be pleased."
"But will you be happy", Thad asked carefully.
"What are you talking about", Fred asked and glared at him.
"You told me you wanted to be a child-doctor and help children get healthy again. Why do you suddenly want to follow in father's footsteps?"
"I… It's… you wouldn't understand."
"Try us", Trent asked and looked up from his essay.
"Fine…" Fred sighed. "Since I'm the oldest father wants me to follow in his footsteps and be just like him. I really don't have a choice in the matter. I can't go against father's wishes."
"Of course you can", Thad said and smiled. "You're the bravest boy I know!"
"Yeah", Trent agreed. "You don't have to do what father wants. Look at Mister Montgomery, he goes against father's wishes all the time."
"I most certainly do not", Wes called from the other room where he was doing… something. "I do exactly what he tells me to."
"Then why are we outside constantly", Fred asked with a grin.
"Your father told me to keep you inside all the day, but the afternoon is not day. Had he said daytime I would've kept you inside all the time."
"So you are just twisting his words?"
Wes narrowed his eyes at him and Fred blushed and returned to his work. Nick and Jeff was glaring though.
"As if you'd go against father", Nick spat at Thad.
"Huh", the smaller boy asked and looked up.
"I said: 'as if you'd go against father'. You can barley look him in the eyes as it is!"
Thad looked a bit hurt and turned away.
"What no smart comeback this time", Jeff mocked.
"Hey!" Trent snapped. "Leave us alone and do your work instead of constantly insulting us!"
"Aw big brother to the rescue", Nick mocked.
"Nicholas", Wes said sharply from the other room and Nick startled in fright and then returned to his work. His brothers continued with their own, but Jeff and Nick still felt like arguing.
"This is no good", Fred grumbled. "My dreams won't come to me…"
"Didn't you say you wanted to be just like daddy", Jeff mocked.
"Jeffery", Wes said in that sharp tone and Jeff returned to his work. Trying so hard to figure out what to do. That's when Wes started singing softly:
Climb every mountain,
Search high and low,
Follow every highway,
Every path you know.
The four brothers peaked into the room but didn't see their teacher. They just heard him.
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
'Till you find your dream.
The boys moved to the doorway and found their teacher sitting on his windowsill looking up at the blue sky with a soft smile.
A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life
For as long as you live.
He looked as if he was searching for something, deep in thought, but with a happy smile on his face.
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
Till you find your dream
They boys looked out the window Wes was looking through and saw him watch birds fly and play in the sky.
A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life,
For as long as you live.
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
Till you find your dream
"Was that self-exploring", Fred asked and Wes turned to him.
"A bit yes", he said. "I hope you get inspiration."
Trent returned to his work, as did Fred, Jeff and Nick. But Thad hung back.
"What's your dream", he asked and Wes looked at him.
"What", he asked.
"What's your dream", Thad asked again. "Do you have a dream?"
"I'm living it", Wes said with a soft smile.
"You always wanted to teach?"
"Yes."
"So you don't have any dreams?"
"Just by fulfilling one dream Thaddeus Banks doesn't mean you lose the rest. Now continue your homework, spit-spot."
Thad nodded and hurried out into the room. He had just sat down when:
"BOYS!" was shouted from downstairs by their father.
"What does he want now", Jeff growled and they left to go downstairs.
When they got down they saw their father looking at their two other brothers, looking livid.
"All of you", he said. "Into my office… NOW!" The last he yelled and all boys hurried inside and stood on a line, from oldest to youngest. So it was Fred, David, Blaine, Thad, Trent, Jeff and Nick. Their father closed the door and turned to them. Their mother was already in there.
"What's going on father", Fred asked politely.
"Why don't you tell me", Will growled.
"We don't know what's going on father", David said and looked at Blaine that glared at him.
"Oh", Will asked and narrowed his eyes. "You don't?"
All boys shook their heads.
"So then why is Mrs. Adams calling me to tell me her son was beat up in the park today?!" Will yelled. The boys looked at each other in shock and confusion.
"You didn't", Thad said and looked between his brothers. "Please tell me you didn't!"
"I didn't", Fred held his hands up. "David?"
"Not me", David said. "Blaine?"
"Uh uh", Blaine said shaking his head. "Trent?"
"I've been home all day with Fred, Thad, Nick and Jeff", Trent said. "We've been doing our homework, ask Mister Montgomery if you don't believe us father."
"I will not", Will yelled. "I want to hear from you why you beat him up!"
"We didn't", Blaine objected. "David and I went to mother's store to see how things were going. Ask Jeremiah if you don't believe-"
"Oh and why should I believe the boy that fucks my son in secret?!" Will yelled, red in the face and Blaine paled. "Blaine! I don't care about the fact that it was a man that you let fuck you into the ground in the park and in the store! I care about it being an employee of your mother's! And a poor boy at that! You should keep higher standards!"
"You told him", Blaine yelled at Thad.
"N-no", Thad stuttered and held up his hands.
"You knew?!" David yelled and looked at Thad.
"Do you?"
"You didn't tell me your brother sleeps around?!" Will yelled at Thad.
"No", Thad said, getting desperate.
"Why not?!" Thad didn't answer. "Thaddeus answer me!"
"B-because Blaine's in love", Thad squeaked. "He was happy and I wanted him to be happy and he's happy with Jeremiah. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd react like this and yell at us and then blame us for not telling you and… and…"
"I hate it when you keep secrets and play your stupid games!" Will yelled and all boys looked at their feet. "I'm fed up with your nonsense! Your stupid stories about popping in and out of story books! Making the classroom clean itself! Sliding up the staircase, seeing things move on their own and saying that stupid word… supercal… superca… super…"
"Supercalifragilisticexpialid ocious", Thad said and smiled.
"Not know Thaddeus!"
Thad blushed.
"I've had enough of your wisecracks and smarty-pants ways", Will yelled at him. "And your stupid ideas about being a novelist! If it was up to me you'd be out on the street right now!"
"Will!" his wife shouted in horror and hurried up to her smallest son and pulled him close to her. Will paled and his anger ebbed away when he saw the hurt on his son's face. Thad pushed his mother's arms away and ran out of the room.
"Thad", she exclaimed. Her sons stared at their father.
"Father", Fred asked when he saw his father sit down by his desk.
"Go to your room and stay there", Will said with an voice that was empty of any emotion other than despair.
"But-"
"Now Frederick!" His father yelled and all boys ran. Emma looked at her husband, that was rubbing his face with his hands and then she left too.
The brothers ran into their room and saw Thad sit on his bed, glaring daggers at something in his hands… it was one of his notepads. Blaine marched up to him and tore it from him.
"Hey!" Thad yelled and flew up.
"Why did you tell father", Blaine yelled angrily and shoved him. "Why did you tell him about Jeremiah?!"
"I didn't", Thad yelled back. "I promised I wouldn't and I didn't! How would I've known you had sex with him back at the shop? Father knew that! I didn't! I didn't tell him!"
"You knew", David yelled. "You know what Blaine was up to and didn't tell us?!"
"He asked me not to", Thad growled. "It's not any of our business anyway! I just found them after running from Jesse and the others!"
"Found them in action", Jeff asked.
"Yes!" Thad yelled at the same time that Blaine shouted: "No!"
"Blaine for goodness sake what were you thinking", Fred asked. "You can't just have sex with employees of our parents'! You can't just fool around with the first guy that crosses your path!"
"I don't!" Blaine yelled.
"He loves him", Thad cut in.
"Shut up Thad", Blaine said and shoved the younger boy again. Thad yelped as he tripped on the leg of his bed and fell to the floor… pulling the vase in the window down with him. It almost exploded into a lot of pieces and Thad screamed as he got glass in his hand and face.
"Blaine?!" Trent yelled and grabbed Blaine's arm in anger. "What's gotten into you? Why are you such an arse?!"
"Because he likes to get it in his arse!" Jeff yelled.
Blaine turned around and punched Trent, thinking he was Jeff. Trent yelped in pain and Blaine stared in horror.
"What on earth is going on in here", their mother asked as she entered and saw her children. Two of them seemed to be hurt. "Oh my! Mister Montgomery!"
"Yes ma'am", Wes said and entered and looked around. He looked at the boys. "Now was this really necessary?"
"Shut up!" Fred yelled at him.
"Temper, temper", Wes said calmly as Blaine carefully helped Thad up, but Thad moved away from him, anger and hurt on his face.
"Well Mister Montgomery", Emma continued. "Mister Banks is very upset right now and I think it will be better if you keep the boys up here for the rest of the day, keep them occupied."
"I hope you haven't forgotten ma'am", Wes said. "Today is my night off."
"What?!" Nick yelled.
"Oh dear I had forgotten", Emma said. "I suppose I can't ask of you to change your plans?"
"No ma'am."
"That's not fair!" Jeff yelled. "Father loses his temper and we're banned to the nursery!"
"He didn't lose his temper", Emma said soothingly. "He's just worried. Mrs. Addams called and said her son has been badly injured and wanted to know if you boys were behind it since you'd been have a bit of a row the other day."
"We didn't hurt the jerk", David yelled.
"Temper, temper", Wes said as he evaluated the damage done to Trent's face and Thad's.
"The jerk hurt Thad really badly along with a few other boys", Blaine yelled. "And we're just supposed to take it? It's not fair! Father is not being fair and he's mean and I hate him!"
"Blaine take that back", Emma said trying to sound stern. "I will not have you criticize your father!"
"Why not", Fred yelled. "He keeps criticizing us! He told Thad he wanted to kick him out!"
Emma looked at her sons. Thad and Trent were hurt and bleeding and the other boys were clearly upset and hurt by their father's words as well.
"Sometimes", she said. "People says things they don't mean."
"Leave this to me ma'am", Wes said and walked up to the door. "Bring Trent and Thad with you downstairs, help them get a bit cleaned up and I'll join you soon." He held the door opened.
"Very well", Emma said and walked up to the door and turned to the boys. "Thad, Trent?"
Trent took Thad's hand and they walked out. Their mother hung back at the door, watching Wes turn to the boys.
"Your temper will be your downfall", he said calmly. "I told you so before and now look what happened."
"Nothing happened", Blaine yelled. "Father hurt us and made us upset!"
"Was he the one to push Thad so the vase fell so it broke and Thad got hurt?"
"No that was-"
"Was he the one that punched Trent?"
"No it-"
"So why are you boys blaming him for your actions. Nick and Jeff, you two have been bothering Trent and Thad all evening about their job, you also bothered Fred. Why? Because you are all in a bad mood."
"And you're not making it any better", David yelled.
"Temper, temper", Wes said calmly.
"Stop saying those fucking words", Nick yelled.
"Nicholas", his mother gasped. "Do not say those things to Mister Montgomery. Do not criticize your teacher!"
"Why not? He criticizes us? Just like father does!"
"Behave yourself young man."
"No!" Nick yelled being livid. "I'm tired of acting like you and father want us to! He loses his temper but we get the blame!"
"Temper, temper think of the cost of a temper once it's been lost. When you lost it you cannot get it back."
"What's that supposed to mean", Fred growled.
Wes didn't answer, just took his jacket and slung it over his arm.
"You will stay in your room for the reminder of the day and evening and night", Wes said to make sure they could not twist his words.
"But we-" David began.
"No buts", Wes said sharply. "If you can't be good you may as well be sorry."
He reached the door just as Emma walked out.
"I will never be sorry for thinking father is a mean, unfair jerk!" Jeff yelled and Wes looked at them all.
"Temper… temper", he said and left the room as well, closing the door behind him. Jeff threw a pillow at the door and the boys all sat down around the room looking angry.
"I hate them", Jeff yelled. "I hate them all! Father, mother, Mrs. Brill and Tanaka… and Wes too! Him more than most!"
"You don't mean that", Fred said and sighed.
"You're right… I don't… I hate father more than most! How dare he say that to Thad and how dare he blame us for something we didn't do because we were trapped in here all day!"
Blaine looked at the mess he'd caused and got up and snapped his fingers like Wes always did but nothing happened. He did it again and got more and more angry. He kicked a piece of the vase across the room.
"I hate this house", he yelled. "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it! I wish I could run away!"
"Why don't you", David spat. "You could run off with that guy you keep letting fuck you senseless."
"Don't talk about Jeremiah like that!"
"Why not he talks about you that way I'm sure, telling all his friends how he gets to fuck a boy from the nice families. Where was it he fucked you again? In the park and at the store? Anywhere else?"
"Shut up", Blaine yelled. "I love him and he loves me! He won't hurt me even though Thad thinks he will. You don't know him! None of you do!"
Blaine sat down on his bed.
"How did father know I wonder", Nick asked. "You think Thad told him?"
"No", Blaine muttered. "He would never…"
"And still you pushed him and accused him."
"I was angry! I still am! I hate this house!" he threw a shoe and it hit Fred.
"Ow that hurt!" Fred yelled.
"That hurt", a high pitched voice echoed around the room and the boys looked around.
"Who said that", Jeff asked.
"I did", the same voice said and Jeff saw his old teddy bear come out of the closet. "You hurt my feelings." Suddenly the room became dim and the doors and windows locked. The boys looked around in fright and worry.
"What's happening?" Blaine asked. "I don't understand!"
"I'm sure you don't, Blaine", another voice said and Blaine realized it was his closet that spoke. "You and your brothers think you have nothing to learn but you don't understand the simplest things."
"How do you know our names", Fred asked and then yelped as something fell onto his head. It was his old stuffed bunny.
"We know everything that happens in this nursery", it said. Suddenly the lights went out completely and then only a silver light came on. All the boys' old toys were now bigger than them and the furniture had faces. The boys were really scared.
"Why are you all so big?" Nick asked and grabbed hold of Jeff's arm.
"You'll find out", Jeff's bear laughed almost evilly.
"Children who lose their temper will lose everything else in the end", Blaine's closet said and the toys and furniture started to chant:
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Bear: Temper, temper
Caught you at last
Your quick temper
Went a bit fast
This is a place of woe
Things: This is a place of woe
Bear: This a place where all
Things: Wicked children go
"But this is our nursery!" Fred objected and pushed his bunny away from Blaine and stood between him and the bunny.
"No, this is our nursery", his bunny said.
Things: Temper, temper, that was your crime
We've been watching you for some time
We knew that you'd appear (That you'd appear)
We knew your temper tantrums would lead you here
The things tore at the boys and they managed to get out of their holds and huddled together in the middle of the room as they were encircled by their old favorite toys and smaller furniture.
"Stop!" David said. "Leave us alone!"
"Pray silence for the judge!" one of the beds yelled.
"What judge?" Jeff asked.
"All rise", the bear yelled and in from Wes' room came his carpet-bag walking and jumped onto a table. It looked around with a stern face and sang:
Temper, temper, silence in court
Is this not the story you thought?
You have to stand on trial
Things: Stand on trial
Bag: You will not see your parents
For quite some time
Things: Children who refuse to learn
Will not return
Children who refuse to learn
Will not return
The bag looked at the five Banks-boys. He looked really stern and a bit angry. Fred made sure his brothers were behind him. David was protecting the younger boys as well, keeping an eye on all things. Nick, Jeff and Blaine were really afraid and hugged each other. David and Fred were afraid too but refused to show it.
"Are you Fred, David, Blaine, Nick and Jeff Banks?" the bag asked as it eyed them.
"Yes, and we live at Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane", Nick said sounding scared.
"Not anymore, you don't", a toy said. "You're at destiny's crossroads."
"You stand accused of the wanton lost of a most important commodity", the bag said. "Namely, your temper!"
"Call the first witness!" the bear called.
"Call the first witness!" the beds echoed.
"Call the first witness!" the bunny finished and they saw one of Thad's books walk up and then sang:
Temper, temper, think of the cost
Of a temper, once it's been lost
You cannot get it back
Things: Cannot get it back
Book: It's no excuse to say
Things: That your mood was black
"Call the surprise witness!" the bear then called.
"Call the surprise witness!", the beds echoed.
"Call the surprise witness!" the bunny yelled.
The mirror on the wall jumped from its nail and hurried up shouting:
"Surprise!"
The boy stared at it and saw the events of earlier play out in the glass.
"Yes, I saw them, your Honor", the mirror said. "They were fighting over nothing."
"Go on", the bag said.
"And… And hurt Trent and Thad!" the mirror sounded sad and the things sounded horrified. "Again!" The boys all yelped as their beds suddenly used their duvets to tie them to the beds, alone in each one. The things circled them as the beds spun around. Nick screamed in terror as did David. The things just kept singing:
Children who refuse to learn
Will not return
Children who refuse to learn
Will not return
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
Temper, temper
"What is your verdict?" the bag asked calmly.
"Guilty!" the things shouted and the beds stopped spinning. The boys scrambled out of them and huddled together again, holding onto each other for support.
"You stand there bold as brass", the bag said angrily. "You face the stiffest sentence this court can ask…"
Things: Children who refuse to learn
Will not return
Children who refuse to learn
Will not return
Children who refuse to learn
Will not return
Temper, temper!
The boys huddled together and clung to each other as their things laughed and danced around them. They even tore at their clothes and hair. They were all scared.
Temper, temper!
"Temper, temper", a voice said from the door and the boys all looked up and saw Wes enter again and walking towards his room. Staring at his bag. "I did not leave this here…" Nick and Jeff stared at each other before running up to Wes and hugged him tight.
"Mister Montgomery", they called as they hugged him.
"What on earth is going on", Wes asked confused. "Oh I see you cleaned up your mess." The boys looked at the broken vase… which was not broken anymore. The door opened and Trent and Thad entered. They had been taken care of, but didn't really meet anyone's gaze.
"Now you all better get into bed and rest", Wes said as he took his bag.
"Why", Fred spat.
"Because it will make everything feel better."
"How do you know that?!" Blaine yelled.
"You think you know everything", David spat.
"I couldn't agree more", Wes said and looked at Fred. "Fred?"
Fred was red in the face and now walked up to their teacher and actually towered over him.
"I'm sick and tired of your stupid games and tricks", he yelled. "And you don't even recall any of it afterwards and make us feel stupid!"
"That is not my fault", Wes said.
"You try to teach us stupid lessons that aren't even useful!"
"Quite the contrary."
"No! Everything you've shown us and told us is stupid! We don't want you here or any of your lessons anyway!"
"Yeah", the others agreed. Trent and Thad a bit reluctantly. They also blamed this all on their teacher. They realized he must've told their father about Jeremiah.
"So why don't you start explaining things", Blaine yelled.
"I will make one thing clear for you Blaine Banks", Wes said sharply. "I never explain anything." With that he turned around and opened his bag. "Now where is that thing… I need it so I can go out."
"Well go out and stay out", Trent yelled. "We don't need or want you here so there!"
"So there indeed", Wes said and snapped his fingers. The boys' eyes closed and they all got into their beds, their clothes jumping off of them and pajamas jumping on. They got under the covers and fell asleep. Wes sighed and turned to his bag. He pulled out a note and then went to fetch his umbrella. As he put on his coat all his things packed themselves into his bag. He looked around as it closed but then heard a whistle and smiled.
"Is that you Brett", he asked and then walked up to the fireplace. "I'll be out in a minute!"
Up on the roof sat a young man with long black hair that he had in a ponytail. He was dressed in black, had a chimney-brush resting over his shoulder and was covered in sooth and ashes. He was watching the sky and sang happily:
Up where the smoke is all billowed and curled
'Tween pavement and stars is the chimney sweep's world
Where there's 'ardly no day nor 'ardly no night
There's things 'alf in shadows and 'alf-ways in light
On the rooftops of London
There was a strange sound behind him and he turned to see Wes assent from the chimney. Brett grinned happily.
"Coo, what a sight", he said.
"Oh, you're a sweep now, are you?" Wes asked amused and Brett hurried over to him and helped him down from the chimney and onto the roof. When Wes' feet was secure Brett kissed his lips softly and Wes smiled at it. Brett then moved aside and looked at the view.
"Best view in the world, eh?" he said. "And who gets to see it? The birds, the stars and the chimney sweeps. Nothing to beat it, eh?"
Wes laughed and sat down and watched the young man dance over the roof as he sang:
Now as the ladder of life 'as been strung
You may think a sweep's on the bottom-most rung
Though I spends me time in the ashes and smoke
In this whole wide world there's no 'appier bloke – He pretended to slip and Wes looked worried. Brett just grinned and pointed at him. Wes blushed slightly and Brett sat down beside him and they started to sing together:
Chim chiminy chim chiminy chim chim cheree
A sweep is as lucky, as lucky can be
Chim chiminy chim chiminy chim chim cheroo
Wes: Good luck will rub off when he shakes hands with you – Brett helped Wes up and pulled him quite close.
Brett: Or blow me a kiss – Brett pointed at his cheek and Wes slapped him on the arm.
"Brett", Wes scolded slightly, but was smiling.
Brett: And that's lucky, too
That's when Brett noticed Wes' carpet-bag. He looked a bit sad.
"Does this mean you're going?", he asked.
"The wind's changed", Wes said calmly.
"Ah, but they're good kids, Wes."
"Would I be bothering with them, if they weren't?" Wes asked as he grabbed his bag. "But I can't help them if they won't let me, and no one is so hard to teach as a child who knows everything."
"So?"
"So, they've got to do the next bit on their own."
Both: Chim chiminy chim chiminy chim chim cheree
Wes: When you're with a sweep, you're in glad company
As Wes sang he put his arms around Brett and hugged him. Brett hugged him back.
"Don' go just yet", he begged. "They need you."
"They don't seem to think so."
"Whot about me then?"
"I will always come to see you, you know that."
"And whot about Eric?"
Wes moved back and smiled.
"Keep your brother company while I'm gone? I know you both love me and I love both of you, but you know I can't stay forever."
"Why not?"
"Families need me."
"We need you too… all three of us can make it work. I saw you and Eric in the park and he saw us. We love you and you love us… don't go."
Wes smiled and kissed his lips gently and then turned around.
"Goodbye, Brett", he said and walked into the shadows. Brett looked at his feet and sang sadly:
Chim chim chim chim cheree
When you're with a sweep, you're in glad company
Nowhere is there a more happier crew
Then them's what sings chim chim cheree chim cheroo
Chim chiminy chim chim cheree chim
"Cheerio, Brett!" he heard Wes call and looked up as the umbrella carried the young man he was so in love with away. "Make sure you and Eric keep an eye on them for me."
Brett just nodded and waved as Wes sailed off. That's when he heard movement below and listened through the open window.
"What's happened?" he heard Trent ask. "Wes' things have gone!"
"The wind's changed!" Thad exclaimed. "He's left us."
He heard the boys run up to the windows and open a second one and look outside, scanning the skies for Wes Montgomery.
"What in the name of heaven are the you up to?" Brett heard Mrs. Beiste ask as she entered the room. "Oh dear. Where's Mister Montgomery?
"He's gone", Nick said and sounded sad.
"Gone? Well, if he doesn't have a heart of stone and no mistake."
"He left us a note", David said sadly.
"What does it say?" Fred asked eagerly.
"Mrs. Beiste, what does au revoir mean?" David asked.
"Why?"
"Because that's what he's written on it. 'Dear boys, keep thinking of the lessons. Au revoir. Wes Montgomery.'"
"Well, I'm not up on these foreign tongues but it's French, I know that. Now let's see. Does it mean God bless you? Or is it good luck? Oh, now I remember now. It means 'till we meet again'. Now will you come on in before you catch your death!"
Brett heard the boys get inside and close the window and with a sigh he looked out at the city. Missing his dear friend so much it nearly hurt.
TBC
Malurina - That he is
NiffAreForever - Well it's a bit of both actually, movie and stage... and a bit of the books as well. I'm happy you like the story :)