Broken Toys

Chapter 28

Are you trying to kill me, Case?"

Casey laughed sliding up to look Zeke in the eyes. "So you don't want me to do that again?"

"Not for at least 10 minutes," Zeke said, pulling Casey close and returning the smile. "Maybe 15," he conceded with a yawn.

"We missed first period," Casey observed calmly. "At this rate we'll miss second too."

"That a problem?"

"No," Casey rested his head on Zeke's shoulder and sighed contentedly.

They were still like that when Billy returned after second period, out of breath from hurrying.

"You owe me, big time, slackers." He dumped his books on the desk and walked over intending to drag them out of bed. "I told your teachers you were sick with upset stomachs, probably from something you ate last night. So you'd better be careful if you go to the cafeteria for lunch. Oh, and I got your homework for you."

Before he could snatch the bedding away, Zeke and Casey exchanged a look and reached out, pulling Billy down on top of them.

"Hey, whoa, let me up. I'll be late for class."

"Yeah?" Zeke said, making it a challenge.

"Yeah. Now let me go. And don't forget the dean's picking us up at 12:15." Billy gave Zeke a loud smooch and ruffled Casey's hair before he wiggled off the bed, taking the covers with him.

"Better take a shower," he suggested, not even blinking at their lack of apparel. "I'll be back in an hour and I expect you clowns to be up by then." He tossed the blankets back at them, scooped up his textbook and left.

*****

"Zeke, Casey," Dean Parker nodded his greetings at the two boys as they hurried to join Billy beside the dean's car. "I understand you boys were ill this morning." He regarded them calmly before getting into the car, adding, "I trust you are feeling better now."

"Yes, sir," Casey replied quietly. In truth he didn't feel well at all. He knew it was nerves, and a glance at his friends told him they were feeling much the same way. He wished that he could just skip the next hour entirely.

"Dr. Carson works exclusively with young adults. I believe you will like her. She's very easy to talk to." The dean looked at Billy, noticing how his leg bounced in time to some unheard rhythm. A glance in the rear view mirror showed Casey, eyes wide and paler than usual huddled against the door, while Zeke sprawled out, appearing relaxed except for the tension in his mouth.

"Today is just a get acquainted meeting. Dr. Carson will probably ask you to tell a little bit about yourself and then she'll arrange a regular schedule of appointments. We're going to try this for a month. If you have any concerns you are welcome to discuss them with me. At the end of the month we will meet in my office to discuss whether to continue with Dr. Carson or find someone else."

The dean pulled into a small parking lot and parked. Turning off the engine he turned to them, looking at each boy in turn. "I expect each of you to cooperate fully. Is that clear?"

They nodded with varying levels of enthusiasm, or lack thereof, and got out of the car.

"I'll be back in an hour," the dean reminded them. He waited until they were in the building before starting the car and driving away.

*****

_This is worse than one of Sorens' lectures,_ Casey decided, shifting in the uncomfortable chair again and trying not to sigh.

It was Billy's turn on the hot seat and he was rattling off answers, most of which Casey suspected were embellished if not outright lies.

Zeke had pretty much done the same thing, and Casey wondered if he'd be able to pull it off so smoothly when it was his turn. He'd never been very good at prevaricating - his eyes always gave him away.

Dr. Carson was younger than he expected her to be, with long brown hair pulled back in a messy braid and glasses that kept sliding down her nose. She was wearing jeans and a plain t-shirt and had a jar of candy corn on her desk even though it was March. Casey took some when she offered and it was kind of chewy but still tasted ok.

"So what brings you here, Casey?" she asked, turning her full attention on him at last. Casey could see Billy leaning back and letting out a sigh of relief behind her.

"Dean Parker," he replied simply, ignoring Zeke's soft sound of amusement.

"That would be who, not what, but we'll move on to more interesting questions."

Part of Casey's brain handled what felt like hours of answering questions - about himself, his likes and interests, his photography - while the rest of him studied the doctor, the room and his friends.

Friends... what an inadequate description for two people who had become so important to him. Lovers? Yes, but that wasn't really enough either. They were so much more than that.

"Is that all right with you, Casey?"

Startled, Casey straightened in his chair and tried not to blush at being caught not paying attention.

"You won't mind being first, will you, Casey? Show these guys how easy it is?"

"Ah... okay?" Casey said tentatively, not quite sure what he was agreeing to.

"Good," the doctor replied smiling and giving Casey a look that let him know she was aware of his inattention but wasn't going to give him a hard time about it. "So we'll do 30 minute sessions on Tuesdays - Casey, Billy and Zeke, in that order. Thursdays will be 1 hour sessions with the three of you together."

The doctor leaned back against her desk. "I'm not going to make promises or give you pep talks. You know why you are here and we're not going to pretend you don't need to be here. But if we cooperate with each other, you won't need to do this forever. Clear?" They all nodded obediently. "Good. Now go relax, blow off some steam - within legal limits of course - and I'll see you back here Tuesday."

She escorted them to the door and watched as they walked out before returning to her desk to make notes. There was a slight smile on her face; the situation wasn't as bad as she'd expected.

Closing the case files she took up a pad of post-its and scribbled a reminder to get more candy before Tuesday.

*****

"How was your appointment?" Dean Parker asked when the boys were seat-belted in and settled.

"Okay," Billy said neutrally. Casey nodded his agreement. Zeke turned his head and looked out the window.

"Casey, the health insurance arrangements have been taken care of and I was able to get you an appointment on Monday for your leg. It should be about time for a walking cast."

"Thank you, sir."

"I imagine you'll be glad to get rid of the crutches."

"Yes, sir," Casey said emphatically, making Billy laugh. Zeke reached over and placed a hand on Casey's leg.

A Beatles song was on the radio and Billy got permission to turn it up. They listened to music the rest of the way back to school.

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