Broken Toys

Chapter 22

"Casey these are really good." Billy reached over to pick up one of the photographs from the array on Casey's bed. "I like this one."

Zeke leaned over and selected a photo. "How about this one?"

Casey stood between them, looking from one photo to the other, trying to decide. They were both of the cottage at sunset, one a straight-on view of the back of the cottage and the other a three-quarter view to show some of the property as well as the cottage.

"What about..." Casey reached out and selected a slightly darker photo showing the back of the cottage. Reflected in the glass was the patio and the ocean. "It might not print well, depends on what kind of paper they decide to use, but this one is interesting."

"Kind of busy though, for a publicity brochure." Zeke replied. He leaned over and selected another photo. "You've got a whole roll's worth here. Why don't you pick out a dozen of the best - that will give the dean a lot to choose from."

"So where are the other photos?" Billy wanted to know.

"I gave the inventory photos to the dean yesterday."

"Not those," Billy gave Casey a light thwap. "I want to see the other ones."

"Oh, those..." Casey made a show of selecting the correct folder and opening it slowly, holding it close to his chest so Billy and Zeke couldn't peek. One by one he placed the photos on the bed, starting with the group shot of the three of them and proceeding to the final image of Zeke and Billy entwined, reaching out, beseeching.

"Case..." Zeke couldn't take his eyes away from the images fittingly spread out across the bed. In other, less talented hands the images could have been tawdry, instead they were breathtaking.

Billy was silent and his shoulders were tense, his whole body kept carefully still. His hands tightened into fists reflexively but he couldn't stop looking at the photos.

Zeke moved close, leaning down to speak softly in Billy's ear. "That's us," he said, placing a hand gently on Billy's arm. With the other hand he reached out and drew Casey close. "You made us beautiful, Case."

"You already were. I just took the pictures to prove it."

With unsteady hands Billy reached out and picked up the last picture. The look on Zeke's face... Joey had looked at him like that. He could close his eyes and see it...

"Come back to us, Billy," Zeke whispered insistently in his ear and Billy obeyed, opening his eyes to see himself, captured on film but not trapped by it.

"I'm right here," he assured them, turning away from the images to face the reality. He touched them both and smiled softly.

*****

"Are we there yet?"

Zeke mock-growled and frowned into the rear-view mirror at Casey. Casey just grinned.

"Are you two gonna be like this the whole trip?" Billy asked plaintatively. It was beginning to feel like he'd never get out of this car.

Casey leaned over Billy's seat and gave him a strangle-hug. "Just kidding, Billy."

"Don't you have homework or something?" Billy asked hopefully.

"Nope. Finished it." Casey played with Billy's hair, ruffling it until Billy swatted his hand away.

"That's it," Billy announced, looking over at Zeke. "No more sugar and caffeine for him."

"Yes, dear," Zeke replied, completely straight-faced until Billy thwapped him. "What did the dean say, Case?" he asked, mostly to change the subject. Casey was jittery and it was starting to get on his nerves.

"The usual stuff - drive carefully, get back in time for class, et cetera."

"You finished that book report for Sorens?"

"Yup." Casey squirmed in his seat and then leaned forward again. "How's your report going? You should have gotten an extension, you didn't have as long to work on it as the rest of us."

"It's ok, Case. I just have to make time to finish it this weekend."

"How are you going to do that, Zeke? We'll be traveling most of the time, and you've got to pack up your stuff once we get to your house."

"Did you finish the book?" Casey wanted to know.

"Almost. Just another couple of chapters to go."

"I could read it, if you wanted me to. Out loud, and you could listen while you're driving."

Zeke smiled at Casey in the mirror. "You'd do that?"

"Yeah," Casey said smiling back. "Want me to read it now?"

"Sure. The book's in my backpack there on the floor."

Zeke gave Billy a secret smile as Casey rummaged around, finding the book and getting comfortable before starting to read.

Casey's enthusiastic reading made the miles pass quickly. By the time he reached the end of the adventure, the sky was darkening to twilight.

*****

"We're here," Zeke announced as he made a hard right into a driveway and turned off the car engine.

Casey had been extremely quiet as they approached his hometown and Zeke had to look in the mirror to see if the boy was awake. He was, and his eyes were wide as he looked around nervously.

"There's lights on, Zeke. Are your...?" he couldn't bring himself to finish the question. Zeke had made a point to drive the long way around to avoid Casey's parent's house, but the boy was still anxious.

"They're just security lights, Case. My parents are in Europe somewhere. Had to track them down to get my transfer approved." He laughed humorlessly. "They couldn't even remember what grade I was in." For just a moment, a flicker of hurt and anger showed in his eyes, but he quickly pushed those feelings aside.

"Come on," Billy urged, changing the subject. "Let's get out of this car. I need to stretch my legs."

They walked around outside, working the stiffness out of their bodies after spending 8 hours in the car. They hadn't brought much knowing they'd need the trunk space for Zeke's belongings on the way back, so it didn't take them long to unpack.

"Not much food in the fridge," Zeke reported after taking a survey. "We'll have to eat out tomorrow."

He played host, showing Billy around and serving cans of soda with glasses of ice to his friends before asking Casey if he wanted to call Stokely.

"Now?" Casey's jitters were back and he wandered the room restlessly, unable to sit down, despite his fatigue. He had gotten quite good at navigating on crutches, but now his movements were as unsteady as when he'd first broken his leg.

Zeke watched him for a moment, considering. Casey had been spending long hours in the darkroom developing the photos in addition to keeping up with his studies. Zeke knew he hadn't been sleeping well. Last night Casey had been especially restless.

"It'll be ok, Case," Zeke assured him, catching Casey and holding him. "Let's get this over with and then you can try to relax. You can pick a movie if you want."

Casey nodded slowly, then pulled away. "You call her, okay?"

"Sure, Case."

Billy watched the exchange, concerned. He didn't want to intrude, but he wouldn't stand aside and watch as Casey and Zeke struggled either. A small part of him still hadn't fully accepted his part in this relationship and he had to keep reminding himself that he was needed and wanted here. As Zeke walked to the phone and dialed, Billy walked over to Casey and put an arm around his shoulders.

"Stokely? Yeah, yeah, we just got here. Case too." Zeke listened, considering, then replied, "At 10? Ok. We'll be there. Thanks, Stokes. Bye." Zeke hung up the telephone and turned to his friends, his face neutral.

"She asked us to come to her house at 10 tomorrow. That ok with you, Case?"

Casey shrugged.

"So did you pick a movie?" Billy asked, hoping to ease some of the tension he felt in the smaller boy's body.

"You pick Billy. Anything's fine with me." Casey slid away from Billy's arm and dropped down onto the sofa. Closing his eyes, he leaned back and sighed.

"Hard to watch a movie with your eyes closed," Zeke said, sliding onto the sofa next to Casey and drawing him close. Billy had picked a comedy, but Casey didn't laugh, and eventually he turned his face to Zeke's neck. Zeke could feel him struggling against the silent sobs that shook his body.

Billy took a seat on the sofa and helped Zeke hold onto Casey until the sobs stopped. Turning off the movie long before the end, Billy trailed after Zeke, watching from the doorway as Zeke placed Casey in Zeke's bed and lay down beside him. He watched them for a long time before crossing the room to join them.

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