The E.R.

 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2005-2008 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

“Officer, do you have a first aid kit in your car?” I asked wanting to clean up Barry’s skinned knees.

“I’ll get the paramedics here,” he said.

“That’s not necessary,” I said. “I’m a registered nurse.”

A voice came over the radio and said, “Partial plate 1HT on a 1966 Ford Mustang no match on file.”

Chapter 6

He handed me the kit and I went over to Barry and cleaned up his knees. While I was doing this TJ said, “Dad, can Barry spend the night?”

“I think Barry should be getting home son,” I said looking at the boy. “I’m sure his parents are worried about him.”

As soon as I said the Barry became inconsolable. He started babbling, “I don don’t kn know where they are?”

I sat on the ground and eased the crying child onto my lap and just held him while he cried. I wasn’t sure what he meant when he said he didn’t know where they were. “Did you get separated from them tonight?”

He shook his head no as he continued to cry. TJ leaned over to him and said, “Did the guy take you from them?”

Again he shook his head no. “Did they just take off and leave you here?” I asked hoping he would say no to this question.

“Un huh,” he choked out in between sobs.

I swallowed hard as my ire began to rise. I stood Barry up then got to my feet so I could talk with Pat. I started to walk over with Barry but he just stood there looking at me. I reached my arms out to him and he wanted to be held. I picked him up and headed to Pat saying, “It’s alright Barry. Every once in a while we all want to be carried.”

“We have a problem,” Pat said. “That partial comes back not on file to a Mustang. The plate may have been stolen. Is this the boy?”

“This is Barry,” I said rubbing his head. “His parents took off on him leaving him out here. How did you end up with that guy? No one is going to make any judgments son so don’t worry.”

I sat Barry on the trunk of the patrol car and he said, “I had to go the bathroom and when I came out I couldn’t see them. I stayed where I was and waited but after a while, they still didn’t come back. I started walking around trying to find them and then I just sat down and started crying. I was sitting there and this guy asked me if I was lost. I said my parents left me when I was in the bathroom. He told me he knew where they were and said he could take me to them. We started walking but I knew we weren’t heading in the right direction but he said if I didn’t behave he was going to hurt me.”

I looked at my watch and it was almost midnight. I then looked at Pat and said, “I’m taking Barry home with me. Notify the on call worker. Tell them I have him and they know I’m an emergency foster parent. Barry, what’s your last name son and how old are you?”

“It’s Langston,” he said. “I’m 14 years old.”

Barry was trying hard to stay awake but was fighting a losing battle. I picked him up and carried him back to my car and got us home. Now I had a dilemma, where was he going to sleep. I didn’t want to separate TJ and Freddy. I was still holding him when he said, “Mike don’t leave me.”

“I’m not leaving you son,” I said. “I going to set you in the chair and make up the other bedroom.”

“No, no please,” he said starting to cry. “Can I sleep with you?”

I was exhausted and didn’t feel like trying to argue with him. I said, “Alright son, you can sleep with me tonight.”

I carried him back to my room and sat him on the bed. I had to use the bathroom and as soon as I turned away I felt Barry’s hand in mine. “I have to go to Mike,” he said looking up at me.

We did our business and I started getting undressed. I stripped down to my underwear and Barry was copying me piece for piece. I pulled the covers down and slid in then motioned for Barry. He scampered over and climbed in. I was on my side and Barry glued himself to me. I turned off the light and wrapped my arms around this scared little boy. I stroked his hair and felt him relax and drift off to sleep. I closed my eyes and followed him into dreamland.

The next morning I woke up and I felt a pair of eyes staring at me. I blinked a couple of time to clear then and saw Barry staring at me. “Morning kiddo,” I said stretching the kinks out of my body.

“Morning Mike,” he said. “Thanks for letting me stay here with you last night.”

“No problem,” I said rolling out of bed to drain my nearly over full bladder. “Did you sleep alright?”

He came walking in and pulled his briefs down and started peeing then said, “Slept like a baby. I hope I didn’t keep you awake.”

I put my tool away and washed my face and hands. “Nope,” I said. “You were out pretty quick.”

Barry washed his hands next then reached up wanting to be held again. He wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me the biggest hug I can ever remember getting. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“What’s wrong Barry?” I asked sensing something was on his mind.

I carried him back into the bedroom then sat him on the bed and put my shorts on so I could fix some coffee. I headed towards the door and I heard a pair of bare feet padding along behind me. I put the coffee on then sat down and immediately had Barry on my lap again. He wrapped his arms around my neck and buried his face into my shoulder and started to cry. “What is it son?” I ask him again. “Did that man touch you last night?”

He shook his head and said, “No.”

“Then what is it?” I asked softly.

“You’ll hate me,” he said feeling his tears run down my chest.

“Do you remember what TJ and Freddy said last night?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “But they were just being nice to me saying that.”

“No we weren’t,” a voice said from the kitchen door.

Barry looked up and saw TJ and Freddy standing there smiling at him. “We meant it because we know it’s true,” Freddy said.

“Go on and tell Dad what you told us last night Barry,” TJ said while pouring me a cup of coffee.

Barry sat up and wiped the tears from his eyes and said, “I think I know why my parents dumped me.”

‘This better not be why I think it is,’ I thought to myself.

“Why might that be?” I asked.

“I’m a fag,” he said breaking down again.

There was that word again. God how I hated it. I lifted his chin and said softly, “You’re not a fag.”

“Yes I am,” he said. “I’m a queer. I like guys.”

“Alright,” I said. “You like guys but you’re not a fag. You know what?”

He looked up and said, “What?”

“I like guys too,” I said smiling at him.

“Really,” he said. “And that doesn’t bother you TJ?”

“Nope,” TJ said. “See, I like guys too and this guy is my boyfriend.”

“Cool,” Barry said smiling now.

“Just cause you like guys is no reason for them to abandon you,” I said.

“They found out I had a boyfriend,” he said. “They even had him arrested and put in jail.”

“Why?” TJ said.

“Well,” Barry started to stammer. “It’s because he was older then me.”

“How much older,” I asked.

“He was 23,” he said. “And before you say anything he didn’t start anything. I did. We’d been friends for about two years and I fell in love with him. I knew he liked guys and finally one day I started playing with his dick and I even sucked him.”

“How did your parents find out you two were having sex?” I asked.

“They didn’t,” he said. “I went over to his house and then we went out together. My parents saw us and started calling him all kinds of names and saying nasty things about him. They called the police and had him arrested. The judge didn’t believe my parents because I told them in court he’d never touched me or anything. My parents took out some kind of thing but he can’t come near me until I’m 18. I hated that and then my parents said that they were going to send me to some doctor to straighten me out. The doctor said this is just who I am and they didn’t like that either. That’s when they dumped me.”

I hugged him and asked, “Barry, have you thought about trying to find a boyfriend more your age?”

“Thought about it and even fooled around with a couple,” he said. “But I guess I want someone older. Someone who can love me and teach me things and make me feel special.”

I decided to table the conversation until later. I know TJ and Freddy would be hungry and Barry too. I sat Barry on my chair and started fixing breakfast. I went through a dozen eggs, half a pound of bacon, a pound of sausage and half a loaf of bread. I knew I had a job to do today and that was restocking the groceries for these eating machines.

After they were finally full the boys cleaned up the kitchen. I just poured my last cup of coffee when there was a knock on the door. I got up to see who what there and thought it was probably Pat coming to see how Barry is doing. I opened the door and there was a guy standing there holding a case that made him look like a salesman. I was about to tell him that whatever he was selling I wasn’t interested when he said, “Are you Mike Cummings?”

“Ah yeah,” I said wondering who this clown was. “I’m he.”

“I’m Todd Freeman with Child and Family Services,” he said. I’m the weekend case worker. I got a call from Det. Pat Moreland telling me you have a child here who was almost abducted.”

“Yes,” I said. “Come on in. I want to be assigned as his foster father too.”

“I was going to ask you if you would mind taking him,” he said. “I called other families and none of them are able to take him. We know you already have one placement here and we just need to know if there is adequate room here.”

I was about to take Todd to see Barry’s room when the boys came out of the kitchen. Barry saw Todd and said, “Who’s he?”

“This is Todd and he works with social services.” I said.

“Nooo,” Barry screamed. “Don’t let him take me Mike.”

He tried to run but TJ and Freddy were behind him and held onto him. I started walking towards him when he ran and jumped into my arms. I kissed his head and said, “You’re not going anywhere son. I was about to show Todd your room. They need to know I have enough room for you monkeys here.”

“Monkeys,” Barry said smiling. “I ain’t no monkey.”

I tickled him and said, “Well, you’re my monkey.”

I put him down and took Todd down to show him where Barry would sleep then said, “He told me a lot this morning and it’s more than an attempted abduction.”

He looked around the room and said, “I’m satisfied you have room for him. More, what do you mean? You don’t mean he was abandoned, do you?”

I nodded my head and said, “Yeah and I hope they find them. I need to have Barry talk with Pat later and tell him everything he told me.”

“I didn’t notice any clothes for him,” Todd said. “Are you going to have the police try to get his things or will he need new clothes?”

“He’ll probably need new things because I don’t think he has a key to his house,” I said walking back to the living room.

“That’s not a problem,” he said digging into his bag. “I can give you a voucher to take to any of these department stores on this list. You’re authorized up to two hundred dollars so you should be able to out fit him pretty well.”

I took the voucher and walked Todd to the door. I shook his hand and started to close the door when I saw Pat dive up. “Morning Pat,” I said holding the door open.

“Hi Mike,” he said. “How’s the boy today?”

“All in all not to bad,” I said. “But there’s another twist.

“He’s got gonorrhea?” Pat said.

“No,” I said looking down the hall. “Not that and the guy didn’t touch him either but the parents abandoned him.”

“Why?” he said.

“I don’t think I’m the one to tell you Pat,” I said.

“Is he gay like you?” He asked.

At first I wasn’t going to answer but the way Pat said it said he wasn’t condemning me or putting me down.

“Yes he is and he’s a good kid,” I said. “I know you have to talk with him but be gentle.”

I called Barry and let Pat and him talk in the kitchen. They had been talking for about 20 minutes or so when I heard Barry start to cry. I quietly walked around the corner and there was Pat sitting beside Barry comforting him. “Why do they hate me Pat?” I heard Barry ask him.

“That’s because they are ignorant,” Pat said. “They also don’t know just how great a boy you are either.”

They talked for a few more minutes the two of them came out into the living room. Pat rubbed Barry’s head then said, “We’re going to do all we can to find your parents.”

I shook Pat’s hand as he left. I got the boys together and we sent shopping. Our first stop was the department store to get Barry some clothes. He needed everything and I’m glad I had TJ and Freddy with me. I stood back and watched TJ pick out jeans and shirts for him. I think he enjoyed playing big brother and Barry liked being doted on. I have to give the boys credit. They got Barry 6 pairs of jeans, 7 tee shirts, underwear and socks and did it under budget. I bought him two pairs of sneakers to round out his wardrobe.

Our next stop what the grocery store, I was feeding two growing teenage boys and they were eating machines. I went down each isle buying everything I needed and it was substantial. By the time we were finished, the cart was hitting overload. I’m glad I had just gotten paid because I spent more at the grocery store than Barry’s clothes cost.

We returned home and got the food put away then Freddy started helping Barry remove the tags and hang up his new clothes. TJ came up to me and said, “What are you going to do with Barry Dad?”

“He’s your foster brother,” I said. “I don’t understand son.”

He looked at me and said, “Dad, I think he’s going to fall in love with you. I know it won’t be problem for me if he does, but what about you?”

I’d tabled that talk for just this very reason. I was a registered nurse who took care of children. I had never allowed myself to think of a gay teen as a possible boyfriend.

Down the hall in Barry’s room he and Freddy were putting his clothes away. Barry was putting his shirts away when he said, “I feel super lucky after what happened last night. Thanks for helping me Freddy.”

“No problem little guy,” Freddy said. “We didn’t want you getting hurt or ending up with what TJ did.”

“I’m sorry he got that but it’s good he’s over it and you guys can have some fun,” Barry said. Hope I didn’t mess up anything.”

“Yeah, he’s fine now,” Freddy said smiling. “Nah, you didn’t mess up anything. We had some time before we fell asleep.”

“Can I ask you something?” Barry asked.

“Sure,” Barry said.

“Do you think Mike is a hot looking guy?” Barry asked.

“Heck yeah,” Freddy said. “Great chest and abs, killer smile and a great looking ass all on one body.”

“He held me last night until I fell asleep,” Barry started. “As soon as he wrapped his arms around me I got hard. It felt so good having him hold me in his arms.”

“You were tried and scared,” Freddy said.

“I know,” Barry said. “I felt so safe in his arms. I never wanted him to let me go. He’s the kind of man I’ve been looking for ever since my parents ruined things with Andy.”

“I think you need to sit down and talk about this with Mike,” Freddy said.

“Oh yeah I’m going to,” Barry said. “I wanted to know what you thought too.”

Back in the living room TJ and I were still talking, I was thinking and TJ was talking. I looked at TJ and said, “I would be putting everything I’ve worked for on the line if I allowed myself to get involved with him son. I know what it would eventually lead to and I don’t know if I could touch him like that.”

“If Barry didn’t want it I would agree,” TJ said. “But we both know differently. I’m going to tell you what you told me once and that is to take it slow and see what happens.”

“I suppose you’re right son,” I said as Barry and Freddy came back into the room.

To be continued...

Posted: 06/20/08