Interlude
Sixteen years ago…
“The man should be horsewhipped.”
Elijah sat on a cold steel examination table swinging his legs. His new owner, Frank, had collected him this evening from the hellish basement and they’d driven for hours and hours until they reached a medical clinic.
He didn’t disagree with Frank but didn’t say so.
It was the middle of the night, so no one was around.
The fluorescent lights overhead flickered and buzzed. The steel table beneath his legs was cold and covered by a scratchy paper sheet. He clucked his tongue as he worked on the wounds, disinfecting and bandaging the ones that hadn’t healed.
This man seemed kinder than the last. Maybe being with Frank wouldn’t be so bad. Although, he didn’t like the way his hands lingered on his skin, or the intense look he wore sometimes.
Frank had actually insisted Elijah call him by his first name. Along the way, he’d bought Elijah two fast food burgers, which he’d scarfed down in a matter of minutes.
They’d gone south, and with each passing mile, it became warmer and sunnier. The light had been almost blinding, and Elijah had closed his eyes, soaking in the sun. At first, they’d rolled down the windows and then he’d put on the air conditioning.
Later on, he’d stopped at a roadside stand and bought a bag of fresh oranges, and they’d tasted delicious. Elijah couldn’t remember having fresh fruit before, and he could’ve eaten the entire bag by himself.
“I’m sorry he hurt you. I’ve always known Paul had certain preferences, but I had no idea he’d go this far. I promise, he’ll never lay a hand on you again.”
Elijah sniffed, wiping his nose on the back of his hand. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken kindly to him. His eyes burned and he closed them, afraid Frank would see.
Frank had even let him bring Cat along. He’d stopped at a pet store and bought a cardboard carrier to put him in. Even though Cat had yowled in protest for the first hour before tiring himself out, Frank hadn’t complained or gotten angry with Elijah.
Elijah had been tense and worried, whispering to Cat, trying to shush him. He’d been afraid he’d do something awful to the animal. Elijah always made sure Paul never found Cat in the room with him. He knew firsthand how cruel the man could be.
“Are you a doctor?”
“Yes, a pediatrician. I make a livin’ takin’ care of boys like you.”
Elijah enjoyed the man’s thick Southern drawl. Hmm, maybe I’ll start talking that way.
“And I’m gonna fix you up, Elijah, don’t you worry. You’re underweight for your age and height, but I can already see you have a healthy appetite. Once you put on a few pounds and spend some time outdoors, you’ll be fine.”
Since Elijah didn’t know how to respond, he stayed silent. Frank would let him go outside? Elijah scarcely dared to hope.
“I want us to be more than friends. Consider me family.” He snapped his fingers. “Yes, think of me as your guardian.” And yet Frank was more than clinical, or fatherly—squeezing, touching him.
Just once, he’d like to be left alone, but things were looking up.
He had a full belly, his furry best friend was with him, and Frank hadn’t threatened or hurt him today. Elijah relaxed, the tension dissipating. In a few moments, he had trouble keeping his eyes open, and he swayed.
“You’re exhausted, aren’t you?”
Elijah stifled a yawn. “Yes.”
“Once you get dressed, we’ll head back to my place. I’ve got a room ready for you.”
“I have a bedroom?”
“Yes, and it’s just ready and waitin’ for you. You’ve got your own television, too.”
“Wow. I won’t be sleeping in the basement?” Elijah had to check to be sure he hadn’t misheard. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him.
“Of course not.” He took Elijah by the shoulders and turned him around. “It’s important you listen to me. If anyone asks, I’m your guardian, understand? I’ve contacted an, er, friend of mine and he’ll create the proper paperwork.”
“Okay.”
“Good boy. And while you’re with me, we’ll see about continuin’ your studies. You’ve been to school before, right?”
“Sort of. The man before the last one…”
“Michael?”
The men who’d held him had a loose connection of sorts, though Elijah didn’t know where they’d met or how they got together. He had the feeling he wasn’t the first boy they’d passed around, and Elijah certainly wouldn’t be the last.
Elijah nodded. “Yes, he homeschooled me, taught me how to read and write.”
Michael hadn’t been awful. He had a lot of rules, and doled out punishment, but nothing like Frank’s torture sessions.
“Excellent, then I’ll work on a solution. I’m not sure about the logistics of sendin’ you to school, but maybe we can work out a compromise? If you’re diligent enough on your lessons, you can work toward your GED. Would you like that?”
“Yes, please.”
He’d like to go to school even more, but getting his GED was something at least. It was better than staring at pictures of Tennessee and daydreaming.
I might have a future after all.