Alvin had finally fallen asleep. He had only eaten half his dinner, but at least he ate something.
Dave smiled as he listened to his son's soft breathing. Careful not to wake him, Dave stood up and quietly made his way out of the room. Before closing the door, he took one last look at his battered son. What if Alvin was right? What if Leonard did come back? Dave sighed and gently closed the door. At the same time, Jamie walked up to him.
"You OK?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about something Alvin asked me" said Dave.
"He's just frightened Dave" Jamie said. He had overheard the question Alvin asked.
"But what if he's right? What if Leonard does come back?" Dave said.
"You know what to do" Jamie said. Then he quietly entered the room to treat Alvin.
Dave stood quietly and watched. He knew what to do all right.
"Come on out Leonard! You can't hide forever" Officer Brown called into a dark alley.
There was no answer.
The police flashed their flashlights all around the alley. There was no sign of their suspect. What they didn't know was that Leonard was hiding behind the dumpster.
"He's not here" Officer Hawkins said.
"Then we'll keep searching. We can't let him get away" said Officer Brown.
Simon and Theodore had brushed their teeth and put on their pajamas. Dave was now tucking them into bed.
"What will you do if Uncle Leonard comes back?" Theodore asked Dave.
"Let's just say I'm not going to be the same fool I was last time. I swore I was going to protect Alvin and that's what I'm going to do" said Dave.
"Uncle Leonard's strong though, Dave" said Simon.
"I can handle him" Dave said as he headed for the door. He turned off the light and quietly left.
Theodore turned over to where he was facing Simon. "Simon?" he said.
"Yeah?" said Simon.
"Will Alvin ever get over this?" Theodore asked.
"To tell you the truth Theo, I don't know. Abuse is pretty scary, especially for the victim" said Simon.
Theodore was quiet.
When his little brother didn't answer, Simon said, "We just have to be strong for him".
Could Theodore do that for his brother?
When he felt that the coast was clear, Leonard slowly made his way from behind the dumpster and out of the alley. He then realized that he was next to a gun store. Before walking inside, Leonard pulled the hood of his sweater over his head. Then he entered the store.
"I'm sorry, we're closed" said the clerk.
"Too bad. I want to get a gun" Leonard said.
"I'm sorry sir, but I can't sell anything after closing..." the clerk was cut off when Leonard suddenly grabbed him by the collar.
"Maybe you didn't quite hear me. I want a gun and I want it now" Leonard said with his threatening voice.
"OK, OK. I'm sure one more customer wouldn't hurt before I lock up" the clerk said nervously.
Leonard set him down. "That's better" he said.
The clerk smoothed his clothes. "Um, what are you interested in?" he asked.
Leonard thought for a minute. "You got any revolvers?" he asked.
The clerk disappeared to the back of the store and returned seconds later the gun Leonard had requested. Leonard was then handed some bullets.
"Um, may I ask what the gun is for? Are you going hunting?" said the clerk.
"I've got some unfinished business to take care of" Leonard said.
Dave, Simon, and Theodore were sitting at the table. But Simon and Theodore weren't eating. This was very strange, especially for Theodore.
"Are you guys OK?" Dave asked.
"We're worried about Alvin" said Theodore.
"He's fine Theodore. As a matter of fact, I'm going to see him after you guys leave" said Dave.
"I don't think that's what he means, Dave" said Simon.
"What does he mean?" Dave asked.
"He wants to know if Alvin will ever get over this. He asked me last night, but I wasn't so sure myself" Simon said.
"Alvin's strong, he'll get through it" Dave said as he handed them their lunches. "Now run along. You'll be late for school".
Simon and Theodore said nothing as they left through the back door. Dave felt sorry for them. He had kept a positive attitude, but was Alvin really going to get over all of this? If he was, how long would it take?
Dave quietly entered Alvin's room and found him sleeping. His bandages had been removed. Alvin was just one step closer to coming home.
Dave smiled as he watched his son sleep. As gently as he could, Dave brushed Alvin's hair back. Alvin stirred a little, but he did not wake.
"Just relax Alvin. You should be home by this evening" Dave said gently as his son slept
Alvin's eyes fluttered open and he looked at Dave.
Dave smiled. "Good morning" he said softly.
Alvin rubbed his eyes.
Dave took a seat on the bed and gently brushed Alvin's hair. "How do you feel?" he asked gently.
Alvin found some strength to talk. "I'm scared" he moaned.
"There's nothing to be afraid of" Dave said gently.
"But we don't know if he'll come back or not" Alvin said.
"And if he does, I swore to protect you. Alvin, I was a fool to let him in last time. I'm not going to be that same fool this time" said Dave. He gently pulled Alvin in for a hug and they hugged for a long time.
Because Alvin had lost the use of his legs, he had to learn to walk again. With help from Dave and Jamie, Alvin was told to walk from the bed to the other end of the room. It took about thirty minutes, but he succeeded. After that, Alvin was asked to try without their help. Alvin had made it half way across and Dave had to help him the rest of the way.
"Don't worry, you'll get it" Dave said.
It was true. By that afternoon, Alvin was walking again. He was now back in bed, napping.
Dave smiled as he watched his son sleep. He gently stroked the child's hair.
Jamie knocked on the door. "You have visitors" he said quietly. Miss Miller, Linda, and the kids walked into the room.
"How is he?" Linda asked.
"He's fine. He just regained the use of his legs" said Dave.
"You mean to tell me that Leonard almost paralyzed him?" Miss Miller asked.
"Seems that way" Dave answered.
The kids exchanged looks with one another.
It wasn't long before early evening approached. Alvin's IV had been removed. He was back in his original clothing and relaxing in bed. He looked scared.
"You OK?" Dave asked.
Alvin sighed. "I can't get the thought of Uncle Leonard coming back out of my mind" he said.
"You're just frightened, that's all. Everything is all right" Dave said gently.
Alvin was quiet.
Dave placed a gentle kiss on the child's forehead. "Don't worry about it. I'll take care of him" he said.
A/N: Just what is Leonard going to do with that gun? And what does he mean by 'unfinished business'? The next chapter should be up soon and you'll find out. Please no negative reviews.