TW: This chapter contains mentions of prejudices. Some mentions of racism, misogyny, and ableism. I don't harbour any prejudices, but I do write about them because they are unfortunately part of reality. I like my fanfic to have an element of realism. Furthermore, I know "that's how life was in the 70s and 80s"

But that does NOT make it excusable.

Chapter 14 Adopting strays is what you do best, isn't it Stark?

Pepper's point of view

I contacted Councillor Pamela Hawley about Rogers.

"Keep him in the viewing room, put him in a cage or something — keep him contained. Someone will collect him… or what's left of him."
"Thank you ma'am"

Peggy's point of view

memory

Tony was 7 when this happened, we'd been homeschooling him for 4 years and every day when we finished his lessons, we would go to the park at the top of the street so that Tony could socialise. He used to sit under a big oak tree with a book and wait for the other kids to show up, and they would read together. Bruce was 9 and a half, Jay was 8. Bruce's mom, Rebecca and Jay's aunt Gina and I would sit and talk. Jay had been born and spent the early part of his childhood in South Philadelphia. When he was 7 years old, his family were the victims of a race-related arson attack. He was the only survivor. Gina stepped in and adopted the boy. Unfortunately, Gina learned shortly after this that she was living on borrowed time. Her health was declining and things were difficult, so she was grateful when Jay befriended Tony and Bruce. Bruce too was an only child. A little shyer than the other two and more aware of who he was talking to. He seemed older than his years. He had been attending the local school, but he was getting badly bullied, so he begged to be allowed to homeschool like Tony. Rebecca agreed, then Gina asked if Jay could join Bruce and Tony.

"I don't like the way that school perpetrates racial stereotypes. Jay told me about an incident that happened the other day. I spoke with the principal and nothing was done."

That day, Rebecca was like a frightened cat. She was constantly looking around.

"Rebecca, what's going on?"
"Brian and I had a massive row last night, and he beat me… I'm OK… I heal quickly. Bruce stood up to him. I'm worried sick… one of these days something's going to set Brian off, and he will beat me to death."

"Maybe we should make sure that Bruce knows what to do if that happens?"
"That's not a bad idea."

The three of us decided it was time to teach the boys how to deal with an emergency. We had a long talk about welfare and safety, and then Bruce blurted something out that he had been sitting on for a while.

"The real reason I left public school is not because I was too smart but actually because of the bullying issue. I warned the principal that mom would not tolerate any further bullying, and he did nothing after the first three times, so I marched into his office and demanded that he call my mom after the 4th time. I HATE losing my temper… I do have a sharp tongue occasionally. Furthermore, I do my level best to keep it in check, but occasionally that's easier said than done, and by goodness that day at school was one of those. I gave the principal an absolute dressing down. I know I shouldn't have done it. Furthermore, I know about respecting my elders and being polite and well-behaved, but those bullies pushed me well beyond my limit. I told the Principal exactly what I thought of him and his stupid school. I don't regret it, either. The bullying was getting worse. I know that's not how you and Dad raised me, mom, and I'm sorry I let you down, but I stood up for myself… and a couple of others. I don't regret it. Maybe I shouldn't have disrespected the principal, but he wasn't doing anything about the bullying so… I did what I had to and since he was refusing to do his job properly, he deserved it."

"Bruce, you did the right thing. You stood up for yourself and others, and I'm proud of you, son. We don't have to tell dad about this…"

"Good because I don't think I want another beating like the one he gave me last night… I hate when he hurts you."

"Thank you for standing up for me, Bruce. I appreciate it. If Dad gets that angry again, though, there's a good chance he'll really hurt me… or worse, which is why we have to prepare you for that".

Bruce's point of view

2 weeks later

I came back from school to find the place ablaze. I turned tail and RAN back to the Starks as fast as my legs would carry me. Furthermore, I ran straight into Tony.

"Whoa! Bruce what's happened?"
"Fire…"
"What? How?"

"I don't know how"
"OK I'm getting help, come inside with me"

"OK"

We went inside…

"Mom, Bruce needs help"

"House is on fire… don't know where my parents are…"

The phone rang.

"Stark Residence, Ana speaking? Oh… hello Jay… yes she's here… of course you may… Miss Peggy, I hate to interrupt when you're dealing with helping Bruce and Tony, but Jay is on the phone. He needs to talk to you urgently… he sounds upset."

"OK… boys… go into the living room and wait for me… you can watch TV for a while."

"Mrs Stark, is there anything I can do to help young master Banner?"
"Yes, Ana, could you go across to Maria and Obie's house and have Maria call Howard please?"
"OK, why don't you come with me, Bruce?"
"OK, thanks, Miss Ana."

We went across the road, Aunt Maria called Howard.

"Mr Stark is on his way home…"
"Thank you. I'm sorry to be a bother".

"You're not."

Mr Stark handled the authorities.

"We have a written agreement with Mr and Mrs Banner that if anything should happen to them, their son can stay with us long term — we'll even adopt him if that's what's needed"

"OK"

Tony's point of view

I went from being an only child to being the youngest of three that very evening. For My 8th birthday, we went to the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Dad and I both had to use the restroom, and we got confused on how to get back to our seats. A tiny, friendly boy who worked for the circus showed us how to get back. When we were leaving the circus, the boy got into BIG trouble for going to the front of the house. I heard an almighty THUD.

"Dad… I think that mean ringmaster threw that little kid out in the rain".

Dad stopped the car and, sure enough, I was right. Dad spoke with the ringmaster, giving the man a piece of his mind. He helped Clint pack up his belongings and brought him out to the car with us. The boy was petrified and rather attached to Dad, so Mom had to drive.

Clint dozed off on Dad's lap. Aunt Maria examined Clint the next morning and set him up for therapy of all sorts.

"That child has been mistreated for sure! He's malnourished, he's got lice, and I think he's… I don't like this word, but it sums him up perfectly… he's stunted. Probably by how he's been treated. Boy, I would like to ring the necks of the people who did this to him."

"He's 9 years old, but he's more mature in some ways and less mature in others."

"Yeah, I noticed that… it's most likely got something to do with how he has been treated for years."

"I don't think he can read or if he can, he's only a beginner reader"
"We'll have him evaluated"

Peggy's point of view

We took Clint to a psychiatrist to have him evaluated.

The psychiatrist's attitude was horrendous.

We'd brought Bruce, Jay, and Tony with us… the four of them waited outside quietly while we spoke with the psychiatrist

"You're either going to have to homeschool that thing you brought to see me or put him in a home for the feeble-minded. I'd recommend the latter because it's not going to be able to support itself when it gets to adulthood. I can spot a dunce from 3 towns over, and that thing is most definitely a dunce."

That raised my ire.

"Excuse me? How dare you refer to Clint as it! Clint is a child, he's a 9-year-old boy. He has been abused and ridiculed and devalued by people all 9 years of his life just because he exists."

The psychiatrist turned to Howard and sneered

"Can't you control your woman?"

Howard practically had a conniption fit, he turned bright red and got right in the doctor's face.
"No, I certainly can not, nor do I want to. Peggy is right about you. Mark my words, you're not getting paid. I'll be speaking to the medical board about having your practising licence revoked. I'll also be speaking to the FDA because I think you're a fraud! Attitudes like yours are what set this country back at least a decade." Howard thundered we left. I told Maria everything. She asked us to speak with Dr Turner. Howard filed a complaint and got that horrible psychiatrist struck off.

2 years later, Dr Turner let us know about another orphaned boy… he was 10 years old, and his name was Scott Lang. He started homeschooling with the others right away.

That Christmas, Howard found a basket on the stoop with the words 'please take care of these' scrawled on the piece of paper that was attached in what looked like blood. Inside the basket lay newborn twins, a boy and a girl. They were sound asleep.

After having Dr Turner review them and guess their age,

'They're about 3 hours old. If the mother wrote the message in blood, chances are she's either in serious trouble or hasn't survived. Potentially from a postpartum haemorrhage. We need to find her… NOW.' we all went out to look for the mother of the twins. We found her, but it was too late.'

Dr Turner was very upset

'This is precisely why we need a way of making young women in trouble understand the risks of their actions' he said furiously. Bruce and Scott took it in turns to get up with the twins every night, then Tony insisted that Bruce show him how to take care of an infant so that Bruce could rest and so did Jay…

END MEMORY

Rogers sneered at the screen.
"Adopting strays is what you do best, isn't it, Stark?"

"Rogers, if you don't shut your fool mouth and quit your bellyaching, we're going to hand you your ass again, do you understand me?"

"Why the hell should I listen to a person who married a whore, befriended a creep, sired a pathetic mediocre genius, and adopts strays as a hobby?"
"Because if you do not listen, and you do not obey our instructions to the letter, you will suffer the worst of the consequences. Now shut your danged pie hole, lest I have Tony go and cut me a switch, so I can roast your ass with it!" said Pepper in her best Texas Momma accent.

"Were you raised in a barn?"
"That tears it… Tony, go and fetch me the broom handle… NOW!"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Tie this fool's ankles and feet to the ceiling and floor… I don't care whether it's feet to ceiling and head to floor or vice versa, I just want him ready for a butt whooping he has long deserved."

"Done"

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Stark get her under control NOW…"

"Hell no, you crossed the line Sir, and you're going to get what you've had coming to you since the Capsicle thawed out… a Texas sized trip to the wood shed! Bruce, do me a favour and put a sock in his mouth to shut him the hell up"
"One of yours or one of Tony's?"
"A pair of Tony's socks please… the stinkiest you can find."

"There should be a pair under the bed somewhere that haven't seen the light of day in about 3 months"

"Let that be a lesson to you, never ever cross Virginia Anne Potts when she goes into Texas Mode… you won't like the consequences" said Shane.

"Uhhh actually I'd say the lesson here is Don't mess with TEXAS!"