Part 63
Now what had happened to our three missing Warblers? At 5 am Wes left the Dragon to snuck out of the school to meet up with Kim and Collin. Collin hadn't told Kim, Wes and Kim's family what they were going to be doing. He just told them to dress in clothes they'd wear to laze around. They didn't question him and did what they were asked. Wes had to admit that he was not a morning person before 7 am. He stumbled around outside of the dorm and had to stop to rub his eyes a few times. It was hard to see through the mist as well. He nearly jumped out of his skin when a hand landed on his shoulder. He jumped and twirled around only to come face to face with Collin and Kim. Kim was the one to grab his shoulder. Wes nearly performed a judo throw on him but Kim's laughter broke through to him before he could.
"Don't sneak up on people like that!" Wes hissed angrily, but the older boys just laughed. Wes pouted and crossed his arms. "You're mean."
"But you love us anyway", Collin said. "Now come along we have to catch bus number 7."
"Where are we going", Kim asked as they headed for the bus stop.
"We are going to jump off at the 8th station you pass and then follow the arrows. Dad will meet us there."
"Collin", Wes asked as the bus stopped by them.
"You'll see Wessie", Collin said and hurried onto the bus. Kim and Wes had no choice but to follow him. Wes did it a bit reluctantly because he didn't know what a mischievous Collin could do. He was also trying to figure out a lie to tell the grownups when they asked about why his parents weren't there. He had a lot of ideas going on but didn't know which one to pick. Was his parents stuck abroad? Maybe they didn't celebrate Thanksgiving because of religious reasons? No that wouldn't work since Wes celebrates Christmas… Maybe they didn't celebrate because they were immigrants? No then Wes would actually have to speak Mandarin or Cantonese and he didn't… well not since he yelled at Nathan when Mitch tried to hang himself. He didn't even remember what he yelled. What could he say? He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder shake him slightly. He turned and looked at Kim.
"Collin says we're here buddy", Kim said and Wes nodded and got up. He and Kim got off of the bus with Collin and then followed the arrows. But then Kim and Wes stood gaping.
They were now standing in a forest glade. In the glade there was a huge pit with sand, mud, ramps, obstacles, hills, puddles, sharp turns, wide turns and so on. There was no one there when they arrived. The place was deserted and the only thing there was a locked warehouse.
"Hello", Collin called happily as he walked into the glade. "Anybody here?"
"Collin why are we here", Kim asked as the trio started to look around. The boys looked around for a bit and then Wes heard a clinking sound from behind the warehouse.
"Hello", he called. "Is there anybody there?"
No answer.
"Hello?"
Wes walked towards the sound and then jumped high when a dirt bike came out of nowhere in front of him. Wes fell backwards in shock and the other two looked up as they watched the dirt bike drive into the pit and driving around the course.
"You okay Wes", Kim asked as he helped Wes get up.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine", he said. He was watching the biker in awe. He was driving like a pro and was jumping over those jumps like it was nobody's business. Wes grinned widely. "Wicked." Wes had been doing these kind of things with Austin, well mostly driving around on a forest road, but never jumping over obstacles. Kim looked worried and the same did his dad and stepmom that just arrived. The boys greeted them before returning their gazes to the biker. Suddenly they all gaped as the biker jumped into the air with his bike and did a stunt where he removed his legs from the support and did a split in the air before getting back onto his bike before it took ground.
"Whoa!" Kim exclaimed as the biker did similar stuff over the next few jumps and ramps.
"Look at him go!" Wes exclaimed when the biker let go of the handle, while being in the air, gripped the saddle and then got back into normal position. When he was the furthest away he suddenly put everything to it and steered towards the edge of the pit, where they were standing and the little group hurriedly scattered as the bike flew up and landed in front of them. He made a swipe with his bike and then turned it off. When the dust from the gravel finally cleared they saw a navy blue dirt bike with red decorations on it that looked like lightning bolts. The biker was wearing a navy blue uniform and a helmet that matched the bike… and protective glasses of course. He was muddy and he didn't say a word. Kim's dad slowly walked up to him.
"Um hey", he said. "Excuse me."
The biker looked at him.
"Hi", Mr. Johansson said feeling a bit awkward. "Um I'm not sure we're in the right place and wonder if you could point us right. You see we were invited by Oscar Pratchett to a place… which is here but this", he gestured for the dirt bike course "makes me a bit unsure that we are in the right place. Do you know where he is?"
"Yeah because this is way too fun and way too cool, even for him", Collin teased.
"So he would never be here", the biker said, his voice muffled by the helmet. "Is that what you are saying?"
"Yeah", Collin said. "This place is not classy enough for him, he wouldn't be caught dead here and…"
he trailed off. The words died on his lips because the biker removed his glasses and helmet as he spoke. When the helmet was off he shook his head to get his bangs out of his eyes. He was sweaty, warm and dirty. He had blonde hair, green eyes and was very tall and muscular.
"I wouldn't be caught dead her", he asked and Collin grinned.
"Dad!" he yelled and hugged the man. The others gaped but soon introduction was run and of course, the grownups and Collin as well wondered where Wes' parents were.
"They couldn't be here", Wes said and bit his lip, looking at his feet. "Something came up…"
"More important than their son", Mr. Pratchett asked. Wes shrugged.
"Well don't you worry kiddo there's room for you here", Mr. Johansson said and Wes smiled.
"Really", he asked.
"Of course", Kim's stepmom said and smiled. Mr. Pratchett laughed.
"Come now", he said and got off the bike and nodded at the warehouse. "Follow me."
The others followed, Wes and Collin a bit more eagerly.
"Uh sir", Kim asked hurrying up to him. "What are we doing here?"
"Unwinding", Mr. Pratchett answered.
"We do this all the time", Collin said happily and watched how his dad got a key out of his pocket.
"So", Mr. Pratchett said and he clapped his hands together before he pushed open the door to the warehouse. "Grab a bike and let's have some fun… the Pratchett style."
The three teenagers grinned and had no problems with doing what asked. Kim's parents looked a bit more wary but as the boys started their engines they joined them. Collin told Wes that his little brother would be coming to Dalton later and that's why his dad brought their bikes there. But if Wes wanted he could use it until Collin's brother got there.
Soon the glade was full of the roars of engines and laughter. Other than Collin, his dad and Wes no one had ever driven a dirt bike like this so they had to practice on the easier parts. Wes shocked everyone by actually be pretty good at driving his bike. He did some easy jumps and Mr. Pratchett showed him some easy stunts to do and Wes did them happily. Collin was doing a bit more advanced stuff. Kim got his phone out and started to record them. His dad and stepmom took lots of pictures. Suddenly Mr. Johansson laughed loudly.
"Oh you clever bastard", he said when a song suddenly started playing over the PA. Had anyone looked into Wes eyes at that moment they would've seen the fire in his eyes as the music started playing, loudly. Wes, Collin and his dad were all going to race.
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way– They looked at each other and started their race around the court while the less experienced member of their group watched from the side.
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
I like smoke and lightning
Heavy metal thunder
Racin' with the wind
And the feelin' that I'm under
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen– They made jumps but only Collin's dad did the advanced stuff.
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never want to die
Born to be wild
Born to be wild
"Whoo!" Kim cheered watching them. "Come on guys!"
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes my way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never want to die
Born to be wild
Born to be wild
After a few hours the group was heading to the Bean to get some coffee and some cookies from Ma. As soon as she saw them she walked up to them and stopped them.
"Oh no, no, no", she said and put the head of her broom in Wes' chest. "I do not want any mud on my newly cleaned floors and you Mr. Montgomery I have told you before and I thought that I was going to get rid of this" she gestured at the mud "when Austin graduated!"
"Aw Ma please can't we come in", Wes said and smiled. "Please? We've been out all morning and would really love it."
"No."
"Pretty please with a big kiss on top… or a love song?"
"No", but she was more hesitant this time. Kim and Collin were grinning at Wes and the grownups looked amazed. They'd never met a little kid that could wrap a grownup woman around his finger like this.
"I'll promise I'll be on my best behavior", Wes said with an angelic smile.
"You are always on your best behavior when Otthan or the Everetts aren't around", Ma said.
"See you don't have to worry", Wes said with a grin. "I promise that if you let us dirty little mongrels in I will play a song for you on the piano."
"Singing as well", she asked.
"No but I'll play your favorite song."
"Sing it and I'll give you all an extra cookie."
"Give us extra cookies and I'll sing."
"Or I can just get the water hose and spray you down."
Something lit up in Wes eyes and that reflected in Ma's eyes.
"Guys", Wes said. "Let's go round back for just a tiny little bit?"
The older boys and the grownups looked at each other. Wes had a weird tone in his voice, but he would never do something towards them… would he?
"Wes Montgomery I am going to kill you!" Kim yelled as Wes sprayed him with the water hose again. They'd gone into the alley behind the coffee shop and Ma had handed Wes the water hose and there were a few buckets as well. A water fight was going on. The older boys and the grownups were trying to get to Wes but he sprayed them every time and Ma helped him by throwing water balloons at the boys or just buckets of water.
"Aw but Kim I thought you wanted to be clean", Wes teased and dodged a boot aimed at his head. "Ha you missed! Oi!" He dodged a few water balloons from his 'brothers'.
"Ha", Wes teased. "You'll never get me!"
"We are all older than you and you are alone", Collin called. "We'll drown you."
"I have Ma and a water hose", Wes smirked. "I'd like to see you try."
The war commenced and it didn't end until Ma and Nelson got a big basin of water and dumped it onto Wes, Ma declared, when Wes stared at her:
"Well you were dirties of them all."
Later they were sitting inside of the Bean wrapped up in big blankets and towels. They were eating cookies and drinking coffee or chocolate. Wes, Collin and Kim were talking about the songs they were going to use for sectionals and the boys listened as Wes worked on his Spanish pronunciation. Ma was talking with the parents, giving them details on their sons and what they were up to. Not only did she care about the boys, she kept parents updated. She told Kim's parents that he seemed a bit low since he broke up with that girl Daisy. She told Collin's dad about how Collin was such a sweet heart and that Collin was helping leading the Dalton basketball team, the Golden Eagles, to a first place in the region. They would surely reach the championships if they kept this up. After a bit Ma turned to Wes.
"Honey you promised me to play the piano", she said. "And I brought extra cookies so you better play and sing."
"Aw but Ma", Wes objected.
"Now young man", she said sternly and pointed at the piano. Kim and Collin sniggered. Wes got up with a pout and headed for the piano. He sat down and started playing. The grownups smiled because they recognized the song. Everyone in the coffee shop turned to watch Wes. Kim grinned and walked over to the counter and got the guitar down from the wall. Ma had told him to use it anytime. He walked up to Wes and started playing while the younger boy sang:
Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do, about you now
Ma smiled at the boy and the parents stared. They'd never heard Wes sing before so it was amazing for them to hear him now.
Back beat, the word was on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now
Collin smiled and got up and joined Wes by the piano, singing with him and Kim backed them up.
Wes & Collin: And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I
Would like to say to you but I don't know how
Wes: Because maybe,
Collin: you're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all,
Wes: you're my wonderwall
The boys decided to change it up a bit. So Wes did the backup and Collin and Kim sang.
Collin & Kim: Today was gonna be the day
But they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do, about you now
Kim: And all the roads that lead you there are winding
Collin: And all the lights that light the way are blinding
Kim: There are many things that I
Would like to say to you but I don't know how
Collin: I said maybe,
Kim: you're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all,
Collin: you're my wonderwall
They made a switch again.
Kim: I said maybe,
Wes: you're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all,
Kim: you're my wonderwall
Wes: I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me
Kim: You're gonna be the one that saves me
Collin: You're gonna be the one that saves me
All: And after all, you're my wonderwall
Everyone in the coffee shop cheered and especially the parents. Wes noticed how proud Kim's parents and Collin's dad were over their boys. And he felt a knife stab at his heart. He would never experience something like that. His family would never look at him with proud eyes. His family didn't even love him so when his friends got hugs from their parents Wes slipped away un-noticed… or at least that's what he thought.
Wes was standing in the bathroom trying to wipe his tears away but it was hard. He hadn't cried over his lack of family for a long time but today brought all that out. He thought back to his life with his biological grandparents and everything they put him through. He thought of when he first realized that he wasn't loved. He had been five years old and had been riding the bike one of the gardeners had given him and he fell and scraped his leg badly. He screamed in pain and started crying… but no one came. He managed to limp back to the house and got inside. His grandparents saw him, saw the blood and said:
"Don't drip on the floor."
And.
"Take the back door, you are not allowed to use the main entrance."
The gardener that had given him the back took pity on him and helped him clean the wound. When he smiled at Wes so his grandfather could see it… he got fired. Wes looked at his hands and felt the burn of a tear going down his cheek. But before he could wipe it away someone else did it for him. He turned and saw Ma Trixie smile at him.
"What's wrong baby", she asked and gently took his hand. "Is this day very hard for you?"
"Yes Ma", Wes said. "It keeps reminding me I don't have a family."
"Then we are in the same boat you and I baby, I have no family either… well no biological family."
"Huh", Wes asked confused and Ma lead him to the door so they could peek out into the coffee shop. There were people everywhere and staff doing its job.
"This is my family baby", Ma said. "My customers, my staff and all of you boys at Dalton. You are all my family and I will not trade any of you away for my biological family's love, praise and acceptance. Can you say the same?"
Wes looked at Collin and Kim that were telling their parents about… something that required a lot of gestures and grimaces. Wes looked at them and smiled slightly. He may not be accepted, loved, missed, thought of, cared about or dear to his biological family but he was all that… for the Warblers. And he wouldn't trade that for the world.
TBC Well it's a bit longer...
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