Chapter Eleven

"Brain, it's nice to see you again," Sue Ellen's mom smiled, offering him a seat. Brain was placed beside Jenna at the end of the table. Ryan and Sue Ellen were in front of them, with Jenna being in front of Sue Ellen and Ryan in front of Brain.

"We've ordered the international platter on behalf of Ryan. It'll be here soon," Mr. Armstrong said. Brain nodded, ordering his drink with the waitress and watching her leave. "Ryan, why don't you tell me more about yourself? I hear you like Japanese manga."

"Yes, as well as the manga from other countries. Jenna and I enjoy the Korean ones as well," Ryan replied.

"Have you ever watched the anime for them?" Brain asked. Ryan shook his head.

"Until recently, it was very hard to get the anime in German. Now that I've learned English, it's easier, but we still prefer the books. Jenna and I have been trading since we met a few years ago, and I have more being shipped here, if that's okay," Ryan said to the Armstrong's. They nodded with smiles as Brain's drink arrived.

"I found the novel rendition of '1/2 Prince' online. I'll email it to you later," Jenna said quietly. Ryan nodded in thanks while sipping his drink.

"Ryan, we'll have the other kids take you to the library once you've settled in. It'll be closed tomorrow, so you should go tonight or next week," Sue Ellen's mother said. Ryan nodded, looking to Sue Ellen, who was playing with her straw paper.

"What are you making?" he asked.

"Oh nothing," Sue Ellen grinned, crumpling it up.

Brain watched their interaction, but he was also looking to Jenna, who had gone pale and leaned back in her seat. She was obviously mad about not sitting with him, but it was too late now. The meal was arriving, and plates landed on the table as fast as the waitress could set them down.

The meal was quiet, aside from Ryan's comparison of the German food on the table to the German food he ate at home. He and Mr. Armstrong also had much to discuss about the other European foods, but only he and his wife could compare the foods from the other countries.

After an hour, the group was departing, and Brain decided to walk Jenna home.

"I saw the way you were looking at him," Brain said quietly. Jenna glanced up to him before looking away. "You'll have the time to ask him."

"I know, but…she gets to be with him all the time. I've always wanted that, ever since…."

"I know," Brain whispered. "I'm not sure if I've ever had a crush, but people tell me things."

"Me too!" Jenna grinned.

"I guess we look like good listeners. But it gets a little tiring to live life through others. I'm trying to decide if I want to disconnect my phone and computer and forget about everyone else," Brain sighed. "But I want to help people, and I want to help you if I can."

"I don't know if you can or not," Jenna sighed. "I just don't know what to say to him, and he doesn't know what to say to me."

"What?"

"He kissed my hand at the airport. And he said he'd been waiting for a long time to do that," Jenna murmured. Brain nodded quietly. "But I don't know if he meant seeing me in person or something else."

"Have you ever talked about it with him?" Brain asked.

She shrugged. "I mean, we have talked about our past, as well as what we like, but never anything specific about ourselves."

"You'll find a way to tell him, and if he likes you, he'll find a way to tell you too. You'll both find your way, and…if it isn't meant to be, then it isn't meant to be."

"But I don't want to ruin our friendship," Jenna sighed.

She turned to her house and waved gently. Brain nodded, watching her go inside before returning home. He hoped it all worked out for her, but he had a lot of work to do. He took a bus to the closest stop by his house, and he practically ran inside. His sympathy bug was gone: It was time to work.

Because Muffy's mother was still gone, she invited Binky over for a meeting with his tutor. Muffy watched from an adjacent table as the two met, and when they were finished, Binky and Muffy went into the kitchen for lunch.

"What are you doing this afternoon?" Muffy asked. Binky thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"I was going to take Mei-Lin for her soccer practice this afternoon, but Mom is going to take her. Why? Is there something you wanted to do?" Binky asked. Muffy smiled, winking flirtatiously. "Aren't we pushing it a little?"

"What do you mean? We're using protection, and…I really like you," she whispered, taking his hand and rubbing it gently. Binky rubbed it back, enjoying its softness. "Just a little bit of fun…in the pool," she grinned, eying the large pool in the backyard.

Binky nodded, though he didn't have a pair of swim trunks. When Muffy was finished eating at lead the way to the pool house, he told her. She scoffed, pulling him into the room and stripping him quickly. His penis flopped out and she petted it gently.

"I can't wait to have that inside me again," she sighed, going to a built-in storage locker nearby. She stripped, and Binky felt himself grow erect as she pulled on the skimpy bikini that barely covered her large breasts. "I have the condoms," she grinned, shoving several into her bikini. "You should put one on right now though."

Binky watched her put it on, and once she was finished, she kissed him gently. She then took his hand and led him outside.

Carlos was cleaning the pool on the far side as the two got in. Binky felt himself grow nervous, as well as more erect. Somehow, the nervousness was turning him on, and it was doing the same for Muffy.

She swam towards him, wrapping her legs around him. She kissed him as he let himself touch the bottom. As their lips worked their magic, Muffy picked up his hands and placed them inside her bathing suit. Despite his nervousness, he slipped it off, watching it float away as he kissed her neck.

"Don't leave a hickie," Muffy moaned, moving her hips carefully. He felt his erection rubbing against her crotch, and she arched her back as he moved his hips. "Take me!" she cried, letting him pull off her swim trunks.

With Carlos watching, Muffy mounted Binky, riding him with careful movements, ignoring the burning of the pool water against her sensitive clitoris.

"OH!" she cried as Binky put his large hands against her butt. She put her head on his shoulder, letting him work for a moment. "Put a finger in," she whispered. He gave her a strange look, but he'd always wanted to know what the inside of an anus felt like. He found the entrance and stuck in a finger.

Muffy's cries sounded almost pained, but they were really from extreme pleasure. The combination of her moans, Carlos's fixed stare, and the amazing sensation on his penis made Binky cum so hard that his penis flew out of Muffy, spewing his milky semen all around them.

Muffy immediately rubbed against his leg, and the rough sensation of his leg hair finished her off as Binky nuzzled her breasts.

"That was amazing," Muffy moaned, releasing him and beginning to float on her back. Binky joined her, and the two took hands while they floated.

As they spun in the gentle currents of the pool, Carlos got a full view of Binky's penis. He smiled gently as he finished his cleaning. Then he went behind a bush and stared at Binky's crotch, rubbing a few out in the bushes while remembering the scene with him and Muffy. He wanted to do the same with Binky, but he knew it would never happen. Only women seemed to want Carlos, and men merely treated him like a brother.

He sighed heavily as he left the Crosswire estate, the image of Binky's enormous cock on his mind, and on his cell phone.

As the Read family rejoined Arthur and Katherine in Francine's room, a breaking news segment came onto the television in a nearby room.

"We interrupt this program to bring you a special report, live from Sutton Place Drive just outside of Richman Cove, Virginia. Dave Smith is coming to us live via telephone for this special report. Dave?"

"The fugitive Nate Johnson has been recovered in a motel here. Authorities say he lured six young girls, all under the age of twelve, into his room and had intercourse with each of them. His father, District Attorney Nathaniel Johnson, also had intercourse with each of the girls.

"No identities have been released, but it is clear that we have a huge case coming up, one that will span multiple jurisdictions."

"What can you say about the girls? Were they all friends, or just together when this happened?"

"Well the neighbors said the girls were a part of a ballet troupe visiting from Elwood City. A few of them knew Nate from their riding lessons, and according to the reports, at least one of these girls is already included in the charges that have already been filed. The identity of this girl, as well as the others, will not be released, but police are trying to make people aware of Nate's identity, as well as his father, in case they can receive bail. While they would be under a strict watch, anything can happen when you're dealing with someone as dangerous as these two fugitive criminals, alleged fugitive criminals."

"Thank you for your report, Dave. Again, in case you are just joining us, Nate Johnson and District Attorney Nathaniel Johnson have been found in Richman, Virginia, and they were found with more victims. We are sending a truck there now, and we'll get you more information as soon as it becomes available."

"Now back to your regular programing," a male announcer said.

The Read's sighed as they clicked off the television. All of them eyed Francine, who was in a drug-induced coma because of the pain her infection was causing. Katherine was at her side, stroking her hand, while Arthur had lodged himself in the corner. The rest of the Reads were standing, including DW and Kate. They were silent as footsteps approached the doorway. A knock sounded and everyone looked to the door.

"Is this Frankie's room?"

"Dad, what are you doing here?!" Katherine hissed, standing angrily.

"It's time we supported our little girl," her mother whispered, walking gingerly towards her daughter's bed with tears in her eyes. "How could we just throw her out, Oliver? How could we just throw her away?" she sobbed, sinking to her knees beside the bed.

"We were upset," he whispered to Arthur's father. His mother had slipped out behind them with both girls in tow. "Can you ever forgive us?"

"It's Francine you need to ask that, if she ever wakes up," Katherine said sternly.

"Why are you being so harsh to us, Katherine?" he asked, stepping forward. Katherine stepped backwards.

"No. Don't come near me," she growled in a low voice.

"Listen, you were angry with her too. Why are you—"

"I'm angry with the two of you because I called three days ago and you refused to come! Your daughter could be dying, but you were both too concerned with her broken morals to even come to her side! I was going to apologize before this happened, but I guess you two were going to let her crash and burn no matter what."

"That's not true, Katherine," her mother whispered, looking up from the floor. "Sit down, please, and hear me out."

Katherine obeyed, sinking into her chair again.

"When I was fourteen…I met a man like Arthur. He was gentle, sweet, and we'd known each other for years. Over the summer, he grew into a man I could fall in love with, and I grew into a woman he could fall in love with. We started dating, and…on the third date, we had some unprotected fun outside of our old high school.

"I didn't know what was happening to me, but my period stopped and I grew larger. I was pregnant, Katherine, with a son. This stranger dumped me as soon as he found out, and even when he was born, he kicked me to the curb. My parents weren't too supportive either, but…where was I going to go?

"I put him up for adoption two weeks after he was born. A family took him in, and…he's grown up now. We talk all the time, and he's still my pride and joy," she smiled. "But seeing Francine go through that…I needed to be tougher than my mother was to me. I never said anything to Francine about sex or protection. She told me she knew, just like you said when you were her age, and I believed her. When I found out she was really clueless, I kicked her out for disrespecting my wisdom, for not taking what she needed from me. Like your father said, we were also upset, and letting her go was the easiest way for us not to do something we would regret. Sadly, we regretted our decision anyway."

"As you should," Katherine murmured. "But…I get it. I just don't know why you didn't come here sooner. She could've used your help. We all could have used your help."

"We know, Katherine, but…you didn't tell us why she was here. We were out…buying some things for the baby. We're turning your old room into a nursery, and we'll take her home when she's recovered," her father smiled gently.

"She lost the baby before she got sick," Katherine sighed. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Katherine. It's probably for the best, but…I have to say I'm heartbroken now," her mother grinned, fighting back tears. "I was looking forward to being a grandmother."

"We were too," Arthur's father whispered, "but I think it's all for the best."

They nodded collectively while exchanging glances.

"We'll just work to save our daughter now," Francine's father said after a long pause. "We have to make her better, keep her alive."

The group nodded as Arthur's mother returned with his sisters. They settled on the floor against the wall furthest from the bed. Arthur's mother settled in beside her husband, while Francine's father settled in beside his wife.

Arthur remained in the corner, trying to pretend he wasn't there yet again.

Buster watched the countryside fade into city streets and overheated pavement. His uncle stared at the road ahead, which was crowded with cars in the noon traffic. Ever since Elwood City grew into a mini-metropolis, the city streets had been crowded from eleven to two every day, and the side streets heading to the various schools were busy as late as six o'clock, nine if it was game night.

Buster hated city life now. The fumes entering the truck's open window agitated his lungs, which had grown better in the clean city air. He was wheezing again, and he knew he'd have to get a prescription for his asthma medication within the week if he wanted to breathe at all.

"It's just up here," Buster's uncle murmured, turning onto a side street that led towards one of the largest apartment complexes in the area. Buster groaned internally, staring at the sidewalk as it passed by his window.

After a few more turns, they parked in a cul-de-sac surrounded by duplexes and small apartments. Bitzi's latest car was parked beside them, and the spot they were in said "VISITOR—4A" on the curb.

Buster's bags were soon in his new bedroom, which was large and had a bay window. A computer was at a rather large desk, and his bed was a full-size one, the first he'd had in his own room (not counting the king- and queen-sized mattresses in hotel rooms.

"How do you like it?" Bitzi asked, pausing in the doorway. Buster shrugged, opening one of the three doors in his room. The first was a closet, a large one with custom shelving. The next opened to a bathroom, one that connected to an adjacent bedroom.

"How big is this place?" Buster asked, opening the last door. It opened to a small room with attic access, and Buster closed the door without looking too closely.

"Three bedrooms," she replied. "Your grandmother might come live with us in a few years if her health gets any worse, and I thought you might want to invite your friends down every few weekends," she explained with a smile. "We have high-speed internet now, and you'll be able to talk to them every day on the phone."

"Why couldn't I stay there?" Buster asked softly. Bitzi sighed, moving to Buster's bed and sitting down.

"Honey, I needed you home with me. I'm starting therapy soon, on his dime, and I want you to join me every few weeks. I'll even get you an adolescent specialist if you think you'll need it, but Buster? We're victims, sweetie. We need to recover, and we need to recover together."

"I finally had what I'd been searching for since fifth grade," Buster murmured after a long silence. "After Muffy and Sue Ellen started fighting, the whole group broke up. Binky and I got into a fight, and Arthur threw away his Bionic Bunny comics, and so much changed. Ever since, we've all been separate, and I haven't had anyone to talk to.

"I finally had that," he repeated, "and you took it away from me. The computer won't do our bond any justice, and it won't help with whoever's left here."

"Buster, I'm sorry I can't please you, but things will get better. We'll work at it together, and…if you give your new school a chance, as well as your old friends, I'm sure they'll take you back."

"You got your old job back…," Buster whispered, barely audible. Bitzi nodded with a smile.

"And I got a considerable raise. I'm editing both the printed paper and a few e-paper jobs. Things are looking up for me, and all because I spoke up," she smiled. "Just try for me, Buster. That's all I want."

Bitzi went downstairs, where she was serving a late lunch to Buster's uncle. After a moment of fiddling with his new sheets and rubbing his bare feet against the clean carpet, he took a deep breath and descended the stairs. His mother was right: He just needed to try.

Fern smiled as her therapist looked over her files. She was being approved to stay at a halfway house, and she'd be returning to school within two weeks, if she kept up her good behavior. The therapist had high hopes for her, and she even cut one of her group sessions, Fern's least favorite because it was mainly a group of troubled youth, not people like herself.

"Your host family will take you anywhere you need to go, and if you have any problems, just call these numbers any time," the therapist smiled, handing her a detailed pamphlet.

"Suicide hotline? Youth Violence Coalition? What are these for?"

"If you need them, Fern. They're just a precaution."

"Okay," Fern nodded, slipping the paper into her bag.

After signing some paperwork, she was taken to the lobby. A heavy-set woman with grungy hair took her bag from her without an introduction, and she led Fern into the parking lot.

She knew she'd hate it, but she'd be back home as soon as she started school again. Fern couldn't wait, and she let her giddiness hold back the dark thoughts that had been threatening to return.