CHAPTER 40

YOU WON'T SEE ME

The next day, Charlie called and asked Paul if he could bring Leah and the boys in to make their official statements. He reluctantly agreed and told him they would be there after lunch. Paul had kept the boys home from school as he couldn't quite let them out of his sight yet. He wondered if he would ever be able to do so again.

Once Noah was settled in for his morning nap, Leah and Paul left him with Emily and made their way over to the house with the boys. This was going to be really hard, but Paul decided they should do it together.

They went in through the shattered back door and Leah's heart sunk as she took in the sight that used to be the kitchen. Black soot covered everything that wasn't burned. Travis stood beside her and she felt his little hand slip into hers.

Paul stepped past them and said softly, "Come on." Leah and Travis followed Paul and Tyler as they made their way into the living room, which didn't look nearly as bad. "Looks like the middle of the house is in pretty good shape. Just smoke and water damage. That can be cleaned."

Leah nodded as she walked toward their bedroom then shook her head as she saw the big black hole burned into the back wall. She stepped over to touch Noah's little crib that was now partially melted. Leah had been so proud to buy for that for him.

"Hey," Paul called softly. "Oh man, look at that hole."

Leah nodded. "This is going to take a lot to fix, isn't it?"

"Well, it's not as bad as I originally thought. This bedroom, the bathroom and the kitchen are the worst. But, this may work out for the best, you know. We were going to need to build on sometime soon anyway. I think Chuck could draw up some plans for us to look over and as soon as we get the insurance money, we could start building."

Leah smiled and wrapped her arms around Paul. "Look at you, finding a silver lining. Never would have guessed that."

Paul chuckled. "Me either." He dropped a kiss on Leah's head and turned to walk over to inspect the boy's room. Leah walked to the closet and pulled open the door to take down the metal box his grandma kept all the important papers in. She set it on the dresser and opened it to start sifting through in search of the insurance papers.

"Yes, found it," Leah murmured as she held the insurance papers in her hand. She placed them on top of the other papers then closed the box and latched it to take with her. Looking around the room, Leah moved to the dresser to look at the clothes there. They were in tact, but smelled of smoke. She grabbed the laundry basket and loaded it with the clothes from the dresser to take back to Emily's to wash.

The boys were gathering up some of their things that weren't damaged to take back with them when Leah told them to fill a laundry basket with their clothes. Paul noticed that Tyler had pulled out a plastic tub from under the bed that held all of his journals. He was happy to see that they had survived the fire.

Once they had what they wanted to take with them loaded into the truck, they drove back to Sam's house and unloaded. Leah went right to the phone and called the insurance company to tell them what happened. She wrote down the name of the agent they were sending out the next day and what time he would arrive and then hung up and handed the paper to Paul.

"Thanks, babe."

"Are you going to work tomorrow? You've missed so much lately."

Paul nodded. "Yeah. We should finish in Port Angeles this week, and our next job is a small remodel on a house just outside Forks, so I'll be closer to home."

"Good. I like that idea." Paul did, too. He hated the thought of leaving them tomorrow, but they really needed the money. Chuck had been very patient wit him, and he really appreciated it, but he didn't want to take advantage.

"Let's get some lunch then we need to head into Forks to see Charlie."

Leah sighed and nodded solemnly. She knew it had to be done, but she was not looking forward to it.

Paul held the door and let Leah lead the way into the sheriff's station. She asked for Chief Swan and was directed to his office where she knocked on the door and heard him grunt, "Come in." Looking back at Paul and the boys, she whispered, "Ready?"

They nodded and she opened the door. "Hey, come on in," Charlie greeted them with a smile. "I know the office is kind of a mess right now . . . " he said as he moved some files around and to make room for them all. "You know what? Why don't we go down the hall to the conference room. Follow me."

They all filed out behind him and followed him down the hall to a much bigger room with a large table in the middle of it and eight nice chairs on rollers around it. "Hey, boys," he said as he dug into his pocket and pulled out some change. "Why don't you go across the hall there and get yourself a snack or a soda, OK? Then come on back and we'll get started."

Tyler and Travis took the change with a soft "Thank you," and made their way across the hall. Charlie looked at Paul and Leah, who had each taken a seat on the other side of the table. "I wanted you to know that we are still holding Doreen and Johnny here until we can transport them to the county lock-up in Port Angeles. There will be an official arraignment there to list the charges against them."

Paul nodded and took Leah's hand under the table. He was really glad she was here beside him right now. "OK. What do you need from us?"

"Well, I'll have the stenographer come in and record your official statements. You know, you just tell us what happened and that way we have it written down. Then you look it over and if it is OK, you sign it. We'll need the boys to give theirs, too. You think Travis is up to it?"

"Yes. We talked about it last night, and he's good."

Just then the boys came back into the room and Charlie had them sit down at the table. Travis had a small bag of cookies and Tyler a Mt. Dew. "Alright, let me get Debbie from down the hall, and we'll get started."

Travis was fighting with the bag, trying to open it when Tyler automatically reached over and took it from him, pulled it open then handed it back. "Thanks," Travis said as he shoved a cookie in his mouth. Paul watched them and was amazed at how Tyler just did things for Travis without even being asked.

Charlie and Debbie walked in and once everyone was settled, Charlie said, "OK, let's get started."

They each took their turns telling their stories and answering Charlie's questions. Leah was grateful they were dealing with Charlie. He was very patient with the boys and knew how to put them all at ease. She may not like Bella very well, but her dad was another story.

Finally they were all finished, the papers were signed and they were free to go. Tyler had been extremely quiet, even for Tyler, after he gave his statement. Leah saw a scowl on his face and was worried about him. She wondered if she should mention the idea of the boys seeing a counselor of some sort to Paul. They had been through a lot in their young lives, and it might help them to have someone to talk to . . . a professional who could help them get through what they were feeling. She would have to remember to talk to him about that later.

As they all stood to go, Travis informed Leah he had to use the bathroom. "OK, I'll walk you down there," she told him then she turned to Paul and let him know where they were going. He nodded and Leah took Travis down the hall.

Tyler looked at Charlie and surprised Paul by saying, "I want to see her." Charlie glanced to Paul to let him know he wasn't sure how to answer that request. "Look, I heard you tell Paul that they are still here, and I want to see her. I have a right to that, don't I?"

Paul sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Are you sure, Ty? What good can come from that?"

"None. But I have to do this, Paul. I have to."

Paul nodded and put his hand on Tyler's shoulder. "Can we see her?" he asked Charlie.

"Yeah, you can, if you really want to." He motioned for them to follow him down the hall. They stopped in front of a window and Charlie informed the man there to open the door for them. He pressed a button and they heard a buzz then the door clicked open. Just as they stepped inside, Paul heard Leah call to him. He stopped and looked back. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"Something we need to finish up. Here are the keys. Why don't you and Travis wait for us in the truck. We shouldn't be long." Leah gave him a wary look and Paul smiled and said softly, "It's OK. I'll tell you later."

Leah took the keys from him then turned to take Travis by the hand as Paul stepped back through the door. "OK. Let's get this over with."

Charlie led them down a hall and were buzzed through another door then they saw the jail cells. Doreen was dressed in an orange jumpsuit, and she was sitting on a bunk just staring at the wall. Johnny was in a cell down the hall, Charlie informed them. When Doreen heard them coming she looked over at them and sneered. "What the hell are you doing here? Come to gloat?"

Doreen's hair hung down her back and her face was empty of make-up. She ALWAYS wore make-up and without it, she looked at least 10 or 15 years older. Paul sneered back and said, "Believe it or not, Tyler here requested to see you. I have no idea why, but I'm just here to support him."

Pushing herself from the bunk, Doreen stood and hurried over to the cell door. "Tyler, my baby boy! You came to see me? Look at you! I think you've grown another couple of inches." She smiled at him and reached through the bars to touch him and he jumped back.

"Don't. Touch. Me," Tyler spit out through clenched teeth. Paul knew he was angry, but even he was surprised at how much fury he saw in Tyler's eyes.

Doreen backed up a little and looked at Paul. "So, you turned him completely against me, did you? Hope you're happy. You took both my little boys away."

"No, YOU did that," Tyler spit back at her. "You disgust me. Living with you was a nightmare . . . one that I am glad is finally over. Never having enough money for food, never knowing if you were going to come home . . . if you were dead somewhere . . . lying to landlords and drug dealers and social workers for you. It was HELL! Do you get that?"

Doreen stared at him in disbelief as Tyler unloaded on her.

"I grew up in a sick world of drug deals and drunken one-night stands in the living room when you thought we were asleep. You have no idea the things we heard and saw. No kid should ever have to go through that. And then offering me to some guy when he was done with you?" Tyler was shaking now. "Do you know how sick and twisted that is? Telling your 11 year-old-kid to give some guy a blow job so you could get $20 to score some pot?"

Now Paul was shaking with fury.

Tyler took a deep breath and kept on going. "You have no idea, what you have done to us. NONE!" he screamed. "You kidnapped my little brother, and you BURNED our house. OUR HOUSE! And you aren't one bit sorry. NOT ONE BIT! What the hell is wrong with you? How can a mother do that to her own kids?"

Doreen snorted and spit back, "It's all Paul's fault! If he would have just given me what was mine in the first place, none of this would have happened!"

Tyler shook his head at weak attempt to defend herself. "Are you fucking serious? Do you even hear yourself when you talk?" Tyler asked her. "Why can you never admit that anything is your fault? YOU left us with Grandma. YOU did, and thank God you did. She did the best she could to take care of us, ALL of us. And she LOVED us . . . which is something you will never understand. When she died, she cared about us enough to leave us a house to live in, and all you could see is money you couldn't get your hands on. Who cares if your kids have to live on the street? As long as you have money to buy your drugs. You bitch! Why do you think Grandma left you nothing? She knew what you'd do with it!" Tears of anger were running down his bright red cheeks now. "I came here to tell you how much I HATE you. I hope you rot in prison and I NEVER want to see or hear from you again. You got that? NEVER!" Tyler finished his tirade and turned to Paul, who slung his arm protectively around his shaking body.

"Yeah, well . . . the feeling is mutual. I'm done with all of you. Go away and leave me the hell alone." Doreen turned her back on them and went back to the bunk.

Paul just looked at her in amazement. How did the three of them come from such a fucking unfeeling whore? "I guess I don't have to tell you that what he said goes for me and Travis, too. We are all better off now without you and I will do everything in my power to make sure they put you away for a long time."

In her typical trashy style, Doreen gave him the finger and Paul just shook his head. "Come on. Let's get the hell out of here."

Charlie had stepped back to allow Tyler to say what he needed to say and now he held out his arm to direct them back out. Paul kept his arm around Tyler as they walked away and back down the hall. Once they were at the front door, Charlie bid them good-bye and told Paul he'd be in touch. Paul shook his hand and thanked him then opened the door for Tyler to walk out in front of him.

When they were outside the building, Paul stopped Tyler and said, "Man, that was rough. I could tell you've been holding that in for a long time. Are you OK?"

Tyler sighed and looked up at the gray sky then nodded. "I am now. But I don't know where Travis and I would be without you. If she hadn't decided to take us to you and Grandma . . . I was planning on going to my school counselor and telling her what was going on because I knew she would call Child Protection. But I was really afraid they would split us up, and I didn't want that."

Paul put his hand on Tyler's shoulder and squeezed. "Yeah, thank God she actually made two smart decisions in her stinking life. I've always known that her dumping me with Grandma is the best thing that ever happened to me."

Tyler nodded. "I have a hard time saying stuff like this, and I'll always feel bad because I didn't get to say to Grandma before she . . . you know, but . . . " looking Paul in the eye, Tyler said, "thanks for taking care of us. I love you, Paul."

Paul grabbed him by the neck and pulled Tyler to his chest. "I love you, too, bro. You and Trav always have a home with me. Always."

They stood there for a moment then Paul shoved Tyler away as both of them manly tried to sniff back their tears and then he said, "Enough of this shit. I'm hungry. What do you say we head over to the diner for some ice cream? Or maybe a burger?"

"Yeah, I could eat," Tyler said with a grin as he shoved Paul back.

They hopped into the truck and Leah asked, "Everything OK?"

Paul smiled and nodded. "Yep. We're good . . . and hungry. Travis? You up for some ice cream?"

Travis sat up straight and grinned. "Of course! Have you met me?" They all laughed at Travis as Paul put the truck in drive and headed for the diner. They would be alright. He would make sure of it.