The Copeland home was a nice colonial style home on the outside, and warm and homey on the inside. Adam went into the living room leaving Jay, Jeff and Chris standing waiting for him to come back. He came back a minute later with a woman who had to be his mother. She smiled at the three boys and even Jeff who was not prone to smile often had to smile back. Her hair was a soft honey color and her eyes a striking green.
"So, My Adam says one of you got hurt while playing." She said smiling even brighter.
Chris nodded. "Yeah, Jeff scrapped up his arm." He said nudging the smaller boy forward.
Jeff looked up at the woman she sort of reminded him of his mother. He smiled shyly as she looked at him. "Well, lets take a look at that arm huh?" She said taking his uninjured hand.
She had him sit down on one of the nice wooden kitchen chairs and then she sat in another one and took a look at his arm. She studied the scraps then looked at him. "Were going to have to clean this out buddy, can ya be good and not wiggle around while I do it?" She asked.
He bit his lip and looked thoughtful for a minute then nodded. She smiled and petted his blonde hair and looked up. "Adam can you get me the first aid kit please?" She asked.
He nodded. "Sure thing mom." He said and hurried off to get said first Aid kit.
When he returned she took it and laid it on the table. She calmly cleaned the wounds kissing him on the forehead when she finished wrapping his thumb and forearm up. "There ya go, good as new." She said. "Now who wants some cookies?"
All four boys accepted the offer of cookies and milk and went and sat on the Copeland's front porch with their snack. Chris was quite but suddenly he looked up. "Um guys," he said nervously.
"What's up Chris?" Adam asked looking at him.
"What time is it?" He asked.
"Quarter to six," Jay responded. "Why?"
Chris stood up quickly. "Oh Shit!" He said. "We got to go!" He said. "Come on Jeff!"
Jeff jumped up waved to Jay and Adam then raced after Chris silently. The two boys made good time and made it to the diner just as Tom locked the door. He glared at the two of them but couldn't find anything to say cause they had made it before he had left town.
"Get in the car." He snapped waving his hand in there direction.
Jeff and Chris cringed simultaneously but both ran to the car and got in. They buckled their seat belts and waited for Tom who was checking the lock one final time then he slowly made his way to the car watching both boys silently. He looked as if he were making a decision.
He got into the front seat and started the engine he didn't say a word as he pulled away from the curb and silently drove through town and into the country. Finally when he did speak it made both boys jump. "I'm taking Jeff to see Doctor Pritchett this evening." He said coldly. "I'll drop you off at home Chris so you can help your mother with Kevin."
Chris looked at Jeff who had dropped his head and was starring at his bandaged hand. "Yes, sir." He responded.
Tom pulled the car into the driveway and stopped. "Tell your mother will be home in about two hours." He said.
Chris looked one last time at Jeff then nodded. "Yes, sir." He whispered the climbed out of the car. He watched it back out of the driveway silently wishing he could go with. He didn't want to think about what Tom was going to do to poor Jeff now that he had him alone.
Chris turned and went inside and spent the next three hours helping his mother make dinner and even playing with Kevin trying to keep his mind off of Jeff and Tom. Jeff being alone with Tom. He didn't want to think about that.
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When Tom returned several hours later he was carrying Jeff in his arms. The small boy looked like he was asleep but when Tom walked by he could see the green eyes were open and filled with a fear of something that had happened that he hadn't enjoyed.
Chris watched silently as Tom laid the smaller boy on the couch and he curled into a ball. Chris wanted to go to him and get him upstairs. He wanted to get Jeff as far away from Tom as he could. But, he knew that wasn't going to happen."
Tom went into the kitchen and started talking to his mom. Chris slowly got up and hurried over to the couch and smoothed Jeff's hair. "Hey?" He whispered.
Jeff slowly focused on his and stared blankly at him. He shivered and he could see tears being held back from falling. He smoothed the younger boys hair again then smiled. "Come on lets go get you cleaned up okay." He said soothingly.
Jeff nodded a little but didn't move finally Chris gently helped him to his feet and led him upstairs. He saw Tom look at him and he turned his head away and continued upstairs.
He helped Jeff slowly undress cursing at the bruises that were on the smaller boys hips. He lifted the shaggy ends of the boys' hair and found what he was looking for. A small round wound on the back of his neck, which was still weeping blood. He wanted to cry but right now Jeff needed him to be strong and he would be.
He ran a warm bath and calmly helped Jeff in. He held him gently as the boy shivered and whimpered as the warm water hit his abused body. But, he didn't say a word. He washed Jeff's body slowly being gentle on the bruises and wound on his neck. When finished he helped him into a pair of pajamas. He wrapped him in the blanket and left him in his bed after smoothing his hair and back gently till the boy fell asleep.
He sighed and climbed up and went into the hallway. He needed to go clean up the mess in the bathroom. As he stepped out of the bedroom he saw Tom starring down at him. He stiffened and held still looking at his feet.
"Is he sleeping?" Tom asked.
Chris nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good," He responded smoothly. "You should get to bed as well, we have a big day tomorrow."
Chris looked confused and looked up at him. "What's tomorrow?" He asked.
"The damn Fair starts tomorrow you idiot." Tom snapped.
Chris nodded and hurried off to bed in fear of Tom's anger more then anything. He was hoping he would get a chance to visit the fair. He'd heard rumors that some big name wrestlers would be at Johns the whole week of the fair. He would give anything to see them.
TBC….
A/N: Okay folks who review for me I need your help. Who would be big when Chris was 12 years old? I mean I know they put that CJ grew up watching HBK and such, but I honestly don't see HBK Going to Canada for a little backyard show. Would it of been the harts and such? I'm not sure hope ya all can help me.
Peace,
This life and the Next,
Amaroqwolf (This message brought to you by the Imagi-nation, I'm a Victim are you?")
