Silent Heartbeats 5: Antitrust
By Maureen
***
Jamie dreamt. His sleep, unfortunately, was not the sleep of the innocent. He thrashed around in the twin bed, throwing off the white sheets and the light blanket yet still managing to be firmly tangled up in them. His kicking feet had long since pushed the blue plaid bedspread from the end of the bed to the floor. He cried out, searching in his dreams for solace, for a protector, and, as usual, found none.
Alex awoke with a jolt and quickly glanced at the clock blearily. 2:45 the clock blinked back ominously. Sighing, he pulled on his robe and walked down the short hall to the room where Jamie slept. This was becoming a nightly routine since Jamie had come to live with him, although after nearly 3 weeks he was beginning to only have one dream a night.
Creeping into Jamie's room, he turned on the bedside light, casting an eerie glow throughout the room. He put his hand on the smaller boys shoulder shaking it lightly. The light never woke him from the night terrors and shouting would, of course, do no good.
Gasping, Jamie sat straight up, his eyes blinking rapidly. Before he understood what was happening his arm swung out, hitting Alex squarely in the jaw. Alex reeled backwards, shocked by the blow. He grabbed his jaw with one hand, while trying to show the frightened youth that he meant no harm.
Finally waking fully, Jamie's eyes widened as he saw what he had done. Panicking, he exclaimed "Alex! Are you all right, I didn't mean...I mean..!"
*I'm okay.* he signed, not mad. *Be quiet. You're shouting.*
Over the past several weeks Jamie had started speaking progressively louder, as if by raising his voice, he'd be able to hear himself. Alex or whoever happened to be around would admonished him that he needed to speak softer, at which time he would begin to speak at a normal level once again.
The both headed towards the kitchen to get an icepack from the freezer. Jamie sat at the table toying with a glass of juice, embarrassed.
*Want to tell me about it?* Alex asked, as he did every night after a nightmare.
"No." Jamie replied, sullenly. "It was just a nightmare."
*Of your father?*
"Yeah." He said, being drawn into talking. "It's been nearly 5 weeks now, Alex, and he hasn't been found. Part of me hopes he's gone for good, but, I want him to see justice. I want him to pay for what he's done to me."
*He should pay, Jamie. But you should not be worrying about it. You should worry about school.*
"I keep reliving those days before you guys found me. I thought I was going to die."
Awkwardly, Alex reached over and patted his hand. He was not very paternal and physical contact from anyone other then Catie frequently spooked his ward, yet often time there was no other way to get his attention. *You're safe now.* he signed, cursing his limited vocabulary.
Jamie had started to see a psychologist about his problems, but the communications gap seemed insurmountable at times. They had been meeting once a week for two weeks now and little progress had been made, although not much had been expected in such a short time.
He also began to open up to Alex more and more as the weeks had past. They both looked at each other in a new light. Jamie had stopped seeing Alex as the bull nosed, stubborn doctor and had begun to allow Alex to see the many layers that had made up James Robert Waite. They were both impressed with what they saw in the other.
*Sleep now?* Alex asked, yawning. Thank goodness it was a Friday night, neither would have been able to wake had it been a weekday the following day.
"Yeah. Night Alex. Sorry again," Jamie put his now empty glass away and headed back to his bedroom. A few minutes later the light turned out.
Alex sat in the darkened kitchen wondering what could be done to help Jamie. On the outside he seemed to be adapting well to his new life, but Alex was fairly certain it was merely a façade. He rarely saw the 'super squad' outside of the station anymore, and Alex had overheard Tyler and Val discussing it. He rarely saw any of his friends anymore except for Catie who came over several nights a week. He never went over there and it did not appear that Jamie was making any new friends at Bradford.
***
The next morning dawned well before Alex was ready for it to. Over a cup of coffee he glanced at his calendar to see what needed be done that day since neither he nor Jamie was working. Penciled in the small box was 'Jamie-Catie shopping'. Of course, he remembered, Catie was supposed to come over at 9:30 and they were going to go shopping.
Partly this was to help Jamie get used to using common words, but also to get him used to interacting within the hearing world. Kingsport High School was holding a spring formal in a few weeks and Jamie was going to help Catie pick out a dress. They were going together, much to Jamie's embarrassment, he was afraid he'd make a fool of himself or ruin the evening by refusing to dance.
Alex glanced at the clock on the microwave, which read 9:20. 9:20...Catie was going to be there in 10 minutes and Jamie was still asleep! Jumping out of the chair he ran to Jamie's room, shaking him awake.
"Wha?" Jamie mumbled, disoriented. Without responding, Alex went over to the window and threw the curtains open, light cascading into the room, lighting it up. Jamie immediately shielded his eyes "Why'd you do that, man?"
*Catie. 10 minutes* Alex signed, motioning for Jamie to go into the bathroom. Jamie staggered into the smaller room and looked at himself blearily. Hum. Hair sticking out on end every way imaginable and several that weren't, needed to shave and morning breath. Well, time to get to work getting presentable.
Within the 10 minutes he had to get ready he managed to shower and start shaving. Since it was only the two guys living there, Jamie frequently left the door open to the bathroom while he shaved so the mirror would defog quickly. Without him knowing it, Catie had arrived and when he turned wondering why the shadows had moved she was standing in the doorway, smiling. Jamie just stood there with only a towel wrapped around his waist, and shaving cream smeared over half his face.
He dropped the razor in the sink.
Catie just waved.
"Catie? Could you...uh...go in my room or something? Go watch some cartoons?" Jamie replied, flustered, trying to maintain as much dignity as one can clad only in a towel and shaving cream.
*Why?* Catie replied, smirking, *You look good like this.*
Jamie felt his cheeks grow hot and he tried to chase her out of the room without dislodging the towel. Once she had gone, he firmly closed the door and continued to shave, hoping he didn't look as embarrassed as he felt.
He crossed the hallway to his room, where he found Catie laying on his bed as if she owned it, flipping through his book, Clockwork Orange. "Catie!" he exclaimed, hoping she would leave him to get dressed in peace.
*What?* she asked, setting the book down. *I don't see your problem. Oh, here.* she handed him the note Alex had left for him.
/Gone to run errands, be back later. Have Catie call if you are going to be later than 5pm - Alex/
Wonderful, Jamie thought, not only is Catie here being stubborn, Alex isn't here to get rid of her!
Jamie opened the drawer of the dresser and grabbed the first pair of boxers and undershirt he found. He went back into the bathroom and changed into them, taking the time before coming back into his room to spike his mostly wet hair. Back in his room he pulled on the pair of clean jeans lying over his desk chair and then rummaged through his closet searching for a clean shirt. He finally found his NOFX band t-shirt. Sitting on the bed he pulled on socks and his black low top chucks, before reaching for his wallet and other essentials. Finally he turned around to face Catie.
*Ready?*
*I've been ready hours ago. Lead the way to the mall!" On his way out Jamie grabbed his patent-pending leather jacket and his two helmets. Only thirty minutes after waking up, he was already out the door.
***
As soon as they reached his bike, Jamie slapped his forehead with his palm. "Catie, wait here, I'll be right back!"
Before she could answer he shoved the helmets in her hands and bolted back into the apartment building. Several minutes later he came back down, and for the life of her Catie couldn't figure out what was so important.
*What was so important?* she asked.
Jamie turned his head and folded the small flap of cartilage at the top of his ear down. There was a large, flesh colored hearing aid resting on the top of his ear with a small tube of wires connecting it to the inside of his ear.
"I got them yesterday…and if I turn the music up full blast, I can hear some of it!" Jamie wore a huge smile, happy he could now hear something even if the human voice was still out of his range. "They're as ugly as sin, but they work!"
Catie smiled back at him, *That's wonderful! So you could dance right? At the school dance?*
"I…guess. I'm not making any promises." Jamie took his usual helmet and placed it on his head, effectively ending the conversation. Catie sighed, wishing he would be willing to dance with her no matter what and tugged the helmet over her head. Experience had taught her to wear pants and her hair down when riding a motorcycle so she was clad in jeans and one of her favorite shirts, a rose colored wavy plaid with gold shot throughout it, and of course, her doc martens.
***
After two hours of shopping Jamie was convinced he was smoking bad crack when he agreed to go shopping with Catie. Why couldn't she go with Val? Jamie thought as he slouched in the chair outside the dressing rooms of the third store. So far she had tried on every dress Jamie could imagine and several he couldn't yet had not found one to her liking.
Their first stop had been the formal wear store for a tuxedo rental. That had only taken 30-odd minutes. Why couldn't girls be more like guys, he wondered. All he did was flip through the book until he saw the tux he wanted and then made sure it they had it in his size and it fit. In, out, and done in slightly over 30 minutes, even with Catie forced to translate for him.
*Well?* Catie asked, stepping in front of his and interrupting his musings.
"Wow, Catie…" Jamie started at a loss for words. It was a royal purple ball gown, with a fitted bodice, showing off everything she had to the utmost advantage before a full skirt poured out from her hips. The dark color accented her ivory skin and made her already dark hair seem the color of ebony. "I, I, like it."
*You think so?*
"Yeah, you look gorgeous…." He trailed off as he noticed some other guys looking at her, their eyes glazed over. He glared at them over her shoulder as she walked back into the changing rooms to put her street clothes on, his expression an unmistakable sign reading 'she's mine, stay away'.
***
A few minutes later the guys had left and Catie came out, carrying the dress over her arm. She took it over to the register and the woman rang it up for her, before placing it on a rack behind her with a tag reading 'Catie Roth'. She would come back with her mother later to pick it up since she couldn't carry it with her on the bike.
"Hey," Jamie said, coming up behind her.
*Hey* she replied, smiling. *You really like it?*
"I wouldn't say I did if I didn't. So you're done dress shopping right?"
*Yeah, what do you have in mind?*
10 minutes later they Jamie was completely lost within the small bookstore, searching for new books to read. Despite the TV having closed captioning he rarely watched it anymore. It wasn't the same, he claimed, and instead had turned to reading.
Catie found him in the science fiction section surrounded by a plethora of novels, with Jamie in the middle, completely oblivious to anyone and anything but the books. Sighing she turned around and strolled back to the magazines. They still had plenty of time to shop and he was obviously content for the moment at least.
"Hey Catie, what's up?" Val asked, spying her best friend.
"Oh, hey Val. Not much, I've been looking for a dress."
"For the dance?" So far, Val didn't have a date since she had been planning on going with Tyler. She had considered briefly asking on of the guys from the football team out, but discarded that when she remembered the only ones without dates already were going stag for a reason. It's the 21st century; she figured with a smirk, I can go by myself as well.
"Yeah. Jamie ordered his tux today too."
"Where is he? I haven't seen him outside of work in a while." Val asked, looking around the store.
"Over in sci-fi completely engrossed. I'm almost hesitant to disturb him."
"Almost?" Val laughed, before heading over there, Catie in tow.
Val tapped Jamie on the shoulder, and then felt so bad as he jumped a mile. *Sorry,* she signed, sheepishly. Catie on the other hand, laughed, earning herself a dirty look from both Jamie and Val.
"Hey, Val!" Jamie exclaimed.
"Shhh," Val said, motioning for him to lower his voice. It was a constant struggle for him to maintain a consistent volume and often times forgot to.
"Sorry," he muttered, crest fallen. Yet another reminder he was no longer normal. "We were about to leave, so I'll see you at work Val."
*Bye* Val signed, wishing she could sign better so she could find out what was bothering him.
Jamie practically ran off, Catie in tow. She cast an apologetic look at Val and called out to her "I'll call you later!"
*Jamie!* Catie signed as she pulled out a piece of paper from her bag /Why'd you blow off Val?/
"I felt like leaving. I feel like going home now."
*Oookay…* Catie signed, knowing she was missing something important.
He dropped her off at her house and left before she could thank him for going shopping with her. Miffed, she went side and called Val's house.
***
Jamie ran into the deserted apartment and immediately grabbed his favorite CD, Ten by Pearl Jam, and put it in the player. He turned the volume up as high as it would go, only hearing a whisper of the music, as if the volume was too low. He followed by turning on the TV as loud as possible as well before searching out more noise.
Within minutes the apartment was a cacophony of sounds with Jamie in the middle straining to hear any of it, tears streaming down his face because he could only barely hear any of it. Last night he was jumping for joy, today he was depressed.
Alex could hear the noise down the hallway and was almost bowled over by the noise when he opened the door. Dropping the bags of groceries in the small entryway, and shutting the door he rushed over to Jamie, crouching as near to the stereo speakers as he could get.
Alex turned off the TV and stereo, before he too became deaf and enveloped Jamie in a hug. Jamie responded by attempting to break free and Alex restrained him. After only a few minutes Jamie had begun to hyperventilate and finally stop crying, his breath coming in short hiccupy gasps.
Alex rocked back and forth with his ward; trying to comfort him, while attempting to imagine the hell he was going through with the end nowhere in sight. After nearly 20 minutes, Jamie had cried himself dry and had fallen asleep his head against Alex's chest. Struggling to pick the man-boy up, he carried him to his bed placing him on it and taking his shoes off. Alex smoothed his spiky hair down and watched it stand back up before leaving the room.
A/N: NOFX is an awesome punk rock band. I like them, they have a song called 'the brews' it's the greatest song they do IMO.
By Maureen
***
Jamie dreamt. His sleep, unfortunately, was not the sleep of the innocent. He thrashed around in the twin bed, throwing off the white sheets and the light blanket yet still managing to be firmly tangled up in them. His kicking feet had long since pushed the blue plaid bedspread from the end of the bed to the floor. He cried out, searching in his dreams for solace, for a protector, and, as usual, found none.
Alex awoke with a jolt and quickly glanced at the clock blearily. 2:45 the clock blinked back ominously. Sighing, he pulled on his robe and walked down the short hall to the room where Jamie slept. This was becoming a nightly routine since Jamie had come to live with him, although after nearly 3 weeks he was beginning to only have one dream a night.
Creeping into Jamie's room, he turned on the bedside light, casting an eerie glow throughout the room. He put his hand on the smaller boys shoulder shaking it lightly. The light never woke him from the night terrors and shouting would, of course, do no good.
Gasping, Jamie sat straight up, his eyes blinking rapidly. Before he understood what was happening his arm swung out, hitting Alex squarely in the jaw. Alex reeled backwards, shocked by the blow. He grabbed his jaw with one hand, while trying to show the frightened youth that he meant no harm.
Finally waking fully, Jamie's eyes widened as he saw what he had done. Panicking, he exclaimed "Alex! Are you all right, I didn't mean...I mean..!"
*I'm okay.* he signed, not mad. *Be quiet. You're shouting.*
Over the past several weeks Jamie had started speaking progressively louder, as if by raising his voice, he'd be able to hear himself. Alex or whoever happened to be around would admonished him that he needed to speak softer, at which time he would begin to speak at a normal level once again.
The both headed towards the kitchen to get an icepack from the freezer. Jamie sat at the table toying with a glass of juice, embarrassed.
*Want to tell me about it?* Alex asked, as he did every night after a nightmare.
"No." Jamie replied, sullenly. "It was just a nightmare."
*Of your father?*
"Yeah." He said, being drawn into talking. "It's been nearly 5 weeks now, Alex, and he hasn't been found. Part of me hopes he's gone for good, but, I want him to see justice. I want him to pay for what he's done to me."
*He should pay, Jamie. But you should not be worrying about it. You should worry about school.*
"I keep reliving those days before you guys found me. I thought I was going to die."
Awkwardly, Alex reached over and patted his hand. He was not very paternal and physical contact from anyone other then Catie frequently spooked his ward, yet often time there was no other way to get his attention. *You're safe now.* he signed, cursing his limited vocabulary.
Jamie had started to see a psychologist about his problems, but the communications gap seemed insurmountable at times. They had been meeting once a week for two weeks now and little progress had been made, although not much had been expected in such a short time.
He also began to open up to Alex more and more as the weeks had past. They both looked at each other in a new light. Jamie had stopped seeing Alex as the bull nosed, stubborn doctor and had begun to allow Alex to see the many layers that had made up James Robert Waite. They were both impressed with what they saw in the other.
*Sleep now?* Alex asked, yawning. Thank goodness it was a Friday night, neither would have been able to wake had it been a weekday the following day.
"Yeah. Night Alex. Sorry again," Jamie put his now empty glass away and headed back to his bedroom. A few minutes later the light turned out.
Alex sat in the darkened kitchen wondering what could be done to help Jamie. On the outside he seemed to be adapting well to his new life, but Alex was fairly certain it was merely a façade. He rarely saw the 'super squad' outside of the station anymore, and Alex had overheard Tyler and Val discussing it. He rarely saw any of his friends anymore except for Catie who came over several nights a week. He never went over there and it did not appear that Jamie was making any new friends at Bradford.
***
The next morning dawned well before Alex was ready for it to. Over a cup of coffee he glanced at his calendar to see what needed be done that day since neither he nor Jamie was working. Penciled in the small box was 'Jamie-Catie shopping'. Of course, he remembered, Catie was supposed to come over at 9:30 and they were going to go shopping.
Partly this was to help Jamie get used to using common words, but also to get him used to interacting within the hearing world. Kingsport High School was holding a spring formal in a few weeks and Jamie was going to help Catie pick out a dress. They were going together, much to Jamie's embarrassment, he was afraid he'd make a fool of himself or ruin the evening by refusing to dance.
Alex glanced at the clock on the microwave, which read 9:20. 9:20...Catie was going to be there in 10 minutes and Jamie was still asleep! Jumping out of the chair he ran to Jamie's room, shaking him awake.
"Wha?" Jamie mumbled, disoriented. Without responding, Alex went over to the window and threw the curtains open, light cascading into the room, lighting it up. Jamie immediately shielded his eyes "Why'd you do that, man?"
*Catie. 10 minutes* Alex signed, motioning for Jamie to go into the bathroom. Jamie staggered into the smaller room and looked at himself blearily. Hum. Hair sticking out on end every way imaginable and several that weren't, needed to shave and morning breath. Well, time to get to work getting presentable.
Within the 10 minutes he had to get ready he managed to shower and start shaving. Since it was only the two guys living there, Jamie frequently left the door open to the bathroom while he shaved so the mirror would defog quickly. Without him knowing it, Catie had arrived and when he turned wondering why the shadows had moved she was standing in the doorway, smiling. Jamie just stood there with only a towel wrapped around his waist, and shaving cream smeared over half his face.
He dropped the razor in the sink.
Catie just waved.
"Catie? Could you...uh...go in my room or something? Go watch some cartoons?" Jamie replied, flustered, trying to maintain as much dignity as one can clad only in a towel and shaving cream.
*Why?* Catie replied, smirking, *You look good like this.*
Jamie felt his cheeks grow hot and he tried to chase her out of the room without dislodging the towel. Once she had gone, he firmly closed the door and continued to shave, hoping he didn't look as embarrassed as he felt.
He crossed the hallway to his room, where he found Catie laying on his bed as if she owned it, flipping through his book, Clockwork Orange. "Catie!" he exclaimed, hoping she would leave him to get dressed in peace.
*What?* she asked, setting the book down. *I don't see your problem. Oh, here.* she handed him the note Alex had left for him.
/Gone to run errands, be back later. Have Catie call if you are going to be later than 5pm - Alex/
Wonderful, Jamie thought, not only is Catie here being stubborn, Alex isn't here to get rid of her!
Jamie opened the drawer of the dresser and grabbed the first pair of boxers and undershirt he found. He went back into the bathroom and changed into them, taking the time before coming back into his room to spike his mostly wet hair. Back in his room he pulled on the pair of clean jeans lying over his desk chair and then rummaged through his closet searching for a clean shirt. He finally found his NOFX band t-shirt. Sitting on the bed he pulled on socks and his black low top chucks, before reaching for his wallet and other essentials. Finally he turned around to face Catie.
*Ready?*
*I've been ready hours ago. Lead the way to the mall!" On his way out Jamie grabbed his patent-pending leather jacket and his two helmets. Only thirty minutes after waking up, he was already out the door.
***
As soon as they reached his bike, Jamie slapped his forehead with his palm. "Catie, wait here, I'll be right back!"
Before she could answer he shoved the helmets in her hands and bolted back into the apartment building. Several minutes later he came back down, and for the life of her Catie couldn't figure out what was so important.
*What was so important?* she asked.
Jamie turned his head and folded the small flap of cartilage at the top of his ear down. There was a large, flesh colored hearing aid resting on the top of his ear with a small tube of wires connecting it to the inside of his ear.
"I got them yesterday…and if I turn the music up full blast, I can hear some of it!" Jamie wore a huge smile, happy he could now hear something even if the human voice was still out of his range. "They're as ugly as sin, but they work!"
Catie smiled back at him, *That's wonderful! So you could dance right? At the school dance?*
"I…guess. I'm not making any promises." Jamie took his usual helmet and placed it on his head, effectively ending the conversation. Catie sighed, wishing he would be willing to dance with her no matter what and tugged the helmet over her head. Experience had taught her to wear pants and her hair down when riding a motorcycle so she was clad in jeans and one of her favorite shirts, a rose colored wavy plaid with gold shot throughout it, and of course, her doc martens.
***
After two hours of shopping Jamie was convinced he was smoking bad crack when he agreed to go shopping with Catie. Why couldn't she go with Val? Jamie thought as he slouched in the chair outside the dressing rooms of the third store. So far she had tried on every dress Jamie could imagine and several he couldn't yet had not found one to her liking.
Their first stop had been the formal wear store for a tuxedo rental. That had only taken 30-odd minutes. Why couldn't girls be more like guys, he wondered. All he did was flip through the book until he saw the tux he wanted and then made sure it they had it in his size and it fit. In, out, and done in slightly over 30 minutes, even with Catie forced to translate for him.
*Well?* Catie asked, stepping in front of his and interrupting his musings.
"Wow, Catie…" Jamie started at a loss for words. It was a royal purple ball gown, with a fitted bodice, showing off everything she had to the utmost advantage before a full skirt poured out from her hips. The dark color accented her ivory skin and made her already dark hair seem the color of ebony. "I, I, like it."
*You think so?*
"Yeah, you look gorgeous…." He trailed off as he noticed some other guys looking at her, their eyes glazed over. He glared at them over her shoulder as she walked back into the changing rooms to put her street clothes on, his expression an unmistakable sign reading 'she's mine, stay away'.
***
A few minutes later the guys had left and Catie came out, carrying the dress over her arm. She took it over to the register and the woman rang it up for her, before placing it on a rack behind her with a tag reading 'Catie Roth'. She would come back with her mother later to pick it up since she couldn't carry it with her on the bike.
"Hey," Jamie said, coming up behind her.
*Hey* she replied, smiling. *You really like it?*
"I wouldn't say I did if I didn't. So you're done dress shopping right?"
*Yeah, what do you have in mind?*
10 minutes later they Jamie was completely lost within the small bookstore, searching for new books to read. Despite the TV having closed captioning he rarely watched it anymore. It wasn't the same, he claimed, and instead had turned to reading.
Catie found him in the science fiction section surrounded by a plethora of novels, with Jamie in the middle, completely oblivious to anyone and anything but the books. Sighing she turned around and strolled back to the magazines. They still had plenty of time to shop and he was obviously content for the moment at least.
"Hey Catie, what's up?" Val asked, spying her best friend.
"Oh, hey Val. Not much, I've been looking for a dress."
"For the dance?" So far, Val didn't have a date since she had been planning on going with Tyler. She had considered briefly asking on of the guys from the football team out, but discarded that when she remembered the only ones without dates already were going stag for a reason. It's the 21st century; she figured with a smirk, I can go by myself as well.
"Yeah. Jamie ordered his tux today too."
"Where is he? I haven't seen him outside of work in a while." Val asked, looking around the store.
"Over in sci-fi completely engrossed. I'm almost hesitant to disturb him."
"Almost?" Val laughed, before heading over there, Catie in tow.
Val tapped Jamie on the shoulder, and then felt so bad as he jumped a mile. *Sorry,* she signed, sheepishly. Catie on the other hand, laughed, earning herself a dirty look from both Jamie and Val.
"Hey, Val!" Jamie exclaimed.
"Shhh," Val said, motioning for him to lower his voice. It was a constant struggle for him to maintain a consistent volume and often times forgot to.
"Sorry," he muttered, crest fallen. Yet another reminder he was no longer normal. "We were about to leave, so I'll see you at work Val."
*Bye* Val signed, wishing she could sign better so she could find out what was bothering him.
Jamie practically ran off, Catie in tow. She cast an apologetic look at Val and called out to her "I'll call you later!"
*Jamie!* Catie signed as she pulled out a piece of paper from her bag /Why'd you blow off Val?/
"I felt like leaving. I feel like going home now."
*Oookay…* Catie signed, knowing she was missing something important.
He dropped her off at her house and left before she could thank him for going shopping with her. Miffed, she went side and called Val's house.
***
Jamie ran into the deserted apartment and immediately grabbed his favorite CD, Ten by Pearl Jam, and put it in the player. He turned the volume up as high as it would go, only hearing a whisper of the music, as if the volume was too low. He followed by turning on the TV as loud as possible as well before searching out more noise.
Within minutes the apartment was a cacophony of sounds with Jamie in the middle straining to hear any of it, tears streaming down his face because he could only barely hear any of it. Last night he was jumping for joy, today he was depressed.
Alex could hear the noise down the hallway and was almost bowled over by the noise when he opened the door. Dropping the bags of groceries in the small entryway, and shutting the door he rushed over to Jamie, crouching as near to the stereo speakers as he could get.
Alex turned off the TV and stereo, before he too became deaf and enveloped Jamie in a hug. Jamie responded by attempting to break free and Alex restrained him. After only a few minutes Jamie had begun to hyperventilate and finally stop crying, his breath coming in short hiccupy gasps.
Alex rocked back and forth with his ward; trying to comfort him, while attempting to imagine the hell he was going through with the end nowhere in sight. After nearly 20 minutes, Jamie had cried himself dry and had fallen asleep his head against Alex's chest. Struggling to pick the man-boy up, he carried him to his bed placing him on it and taking his shoes off. Alex smoothed his spiky hair down and watched it stand back up before leaving the room.
A/N: NOFX is an awesome punk rock band. I like them, they have a song called 'the brews' it's the greatest song they do IMO.