Wild Child

Chapter 4

Gus let himself into the house. It was quiet and the lights were off, so his father must have gone away. He was glad of that. He didn't want to face the man. He couldn't believe that Brian Kinney had been standing in his bedroom. How could his mothers have brought that fag here after all these years?

Quietly Gus made his way upstairs. He didn't want a fight. He was tired and wanted to go to bed. It was after midnight according to his watch. Gus saw that the door to his bedroom stood open. They were going to pay for that. He had told his mothers thousands of times that his room was off limits. They should not have been inside there. Fuck them!

As quietly as he could Gus closed his bedroom door behind him. He was about to throw himself onto the bed when he realized someone was already lying there. He looked more closely in the dim light from his TV. Fuck! His father was sleeping in his bed holding the controls to his damn X-Box.

Gus was about to raise a fuss and tell his fucking father to get the hell out of his room when he thought better of it. He knew there would be a big fight if he did that, and he didn't feel like fighting at the moment. He stood beside the bed studying his father as he slept. In spite of the negative feelings he had towards the man Gus could see the similarity in their appearances. They had the same nose and eyes, as he had seen earlier. Their hair was a similar color. He wondered if his father got the same kind of bed head that he did. He hoped so.

Carefully he lifted the controls to his X-Box out of his father's hands. He set them on the nightstand. Looking around he decided he didn't want to leave his room. He pulled the bedspread out from under his father's feet and gently spread it across the man. It was summer and covers weren't really needed but there was a breeze blowing in the window. He went to his cupboard and pulled out the winter duvet. He folded it in half and laid it on the floor beside the bed. He grabbed the extra pillow off the bed beside his father and laid down on top of the duvet. In a few minutes he was asleep. He had every intention of being up and gone before anybody else in the house woke up.

Brian turned quietly and looked over the side of the bed. He watched Gus sleeping down on the floor. In his sleep Gus reminded him of the little boy he knew and loved. Brian had been awake since Gus had entered the room. He was always a light sleeper and he wanted to see what Gus was going to do after finding his father asleep in his bed. He had been relieved that it wasn't a switchblade to the heart, because at that point it wouldn't have surprised him if that was what Gus did. Gus gently covering him up had been a pleasant surprise.

Rolling onto his back Brian stared at the ceiling. He knew if he had been awake, or rather if Gus had known he was awake, there would have been an instant fight. He wondered how he could communicate with Gus on this kindly level when one of them wasn't comatose. He wasn't sure that was possible.

Brian turned and looked down at his son again. He looked so peaceful. Brian's heart went out to him. He wanted to fix all the problems his son was dealing with, but he didn't know how the fuck to do that. He stared at Gus for a long time watching the boy sleep.

"Night, Sonny boy," Brian said as he turned away and finally fell asleep again.

+++++

Gus rolled over and felt his hand hit the hard floor. He gave a little moan followed by a yawn as he began to wake up. For a moment he wondered where the fuck he was. Then he remembered that he was sleeping on the floor and that he was going to escape before his father woke up. He turned onto his back and looked up. Hazel eyes that matched his own stared back at him.

"Did you sleep well, Sonny Boy?" Brian asked with his patented smirk.

"Don't call me that," Gus ordered.

"Why not? I used to call you that all the time when you were little."

"I haven't been little for a long time."

"True," Brian replied. "I'm surprised you managed to stay in the same room with me all night."

"Well, I can rectify that immediately."

"Rectify? Where did you find that word when you're flunking all your subjects?"

"I … I know how to read," Gus said defensively.

"I used to love to read," Brian said looking thoughtful as he remembered his own childhood. "Reading is a great escape from the world we have to live in."

"How … how do you know that?" Gus asked as Brian had just voiced his own sentiments about reading.

"I lived in a less than ideal family," Brian admitted as he swung his feet over the side of the bed and sat up to look at Gus sitting cross-legged on the duvet on the floor.

"Just like mine."

Brian snorted. "You have no idea."

Gus frowned. He wanted to know what his father meant, but he was afraid to ask. "I better get going," Gus said.

"Where are you going?"

"Out."

"Out where?"

"It's none of your business."

"I came here to see you, Gus. Do you think you could stay and talk to me for a while?"

"No."

"Gus…"

"We have nothing to talk about. Go back where you came from."

"I'm not going anywhere without you."

"What … what does that mean?"

"Stay and I'll explain."

"No."

"I know you hate me, and you have every right…"

"You're fucking right about that!"

"But explain to me why, if you hate me so much, you took the time to cover me up last night."

"You … you were awake?"

Brian nodded. "I'm here to help you, Gus."

"I don't need your help. I don't need anybody's help."

"Your mothers seem to think you do."

"What the fuck do they know about anything?"

"I'd say they know quite a bit," Brian said. Gus glared at him. Brian decided it was time to get it all out in the open. "Your mothers have asked me to take you back to Pittsburgh with me."

"Fuck them! I'm not going anywhere."

"I think you might decide otherwise."

"Why would I do that?"

"There's something about a switchblade and an expulsion and possible police charges."

Gus snorted. Brian almost laughed out loud. The kid sounded so much like him. But Brian knew false bravado when he heard it. It was time to call Gus on it. "You think that's a bluff? Melanie tells me that she has been in contact with the principal and the police. They are willing to press charges if you make them."

Brian saw the color drain from Gus' face. "They … they wouldn't," he stammered.

"I believe they will."

Gus stood up. "You all hate me and I hate you." He started towards the door. Brian was just as quick and blocked his way.

"We need to sort things out, Gus," Brian said gently. "You need to stay and talk. I think you'll see the wisdom of coming to Pittsburgh."

"Fuck you! Fuck all of you!" Gus screamed. He drew his arm back and aimed a punch at Brian's stomach. Brian caught Gus' arm before the blow could connect. He grabbed the arm and twisted it behind Gus' back. "None of that, Sonny Boy," Brian whispered in Gus' ear.

"Let me go. You're hurting me." Gus struggled to no avail. Brian had a viselike grip on his wrist.

"If you stop struggling it won't hurt as much."

"I'll report you for child abuse."

"Go right ahead. I've been down that road before."

"You have?"

"I have. Ask your cousin."

"What cousin?"

"See, there's lots of things in Pittsburgh that you don't know about." However, Gus' demon cousins weren't one of the things that Brian really wanted Gus to get acquainted with. Gus had calmed down a bit. Brian let go of Gus' arm but grabbed the boy from behind wrapping his long arms around his son. The hold effectively pinned Gus against him and prevented the boy from using his arms to hit. "Can we talk sensibly without this violence?" Brian felt Gus go limp and he relaxed his hold thinking maybe he was getting somewhere with the boy.

"I … I guess we could talk," Gus said meekly.

Brian began to relax his hold when he felt Gus push at his hands and break free. Gus made it as far as the door to the bedroom. He grabbed the knob and turned it yanking it open, or so he had thought. He felt the door hit something and looked down to see Brian's boot clad foot braced against the bottom of the door.

"Fuck!" Gus reacted. He should have removed Brian's boots when he had covered him up last night.

"Is everything all right in there?" Lindsay's worried voice asked.

"Go make some breakfast," Brian ordered. "We'll be down soon."

"Mom, he won't let me out," Gus wailed. "Mom, please, make him let me go."

"Gus…" Lindsay said uncertainly.

"Go downstairs, Lindsay, and let me handle this."

"Mom!" Gus called, but both he and Brian could hear her footsteps going down the stairs.

"It looks like it's just you and me."

"Why did you come here? What do you want?" Gus asked his voice breaking slightly.

"I came here because I love you and you need help. I told you what we're going to do."

"I don't want to go with you. I want to stay here."

"You gave up the right to stay here when you started abusing your mother and your sister."

"I … I didn't…"

"Don't fucking lie to me!" Brian shouted. "I've seen the proof."

"Dad," Gus said softly, deciding to use another ploy. "I can understand why my moms might have called you, but I promise to clean up my act. I'll behave better. Just give me another chance." He looked up at Brian from under eyelids wet with tears.

"Oh, you're good," Brian grinned. "If I didn't know what a pile of horse manure that was, I might believe you."

"I mean it. I promise," Gus tried again.

"It's too late for promises. How many times have you told your mothers the same thing you're telling me now? Don't bother answering that because it would be another lie. They've lost count how many times you've promised to be good."

"But I mean it this time," Gus tried to convince his father. "Really I do."

"I'd like to believe you, Sonny Boy, but I guess I must be from Missouri. You'll have to show me."

"Leave me here and I'll show you," Gus said hopefully.

Brian shook his head. "You really think all adults are idiots, don't you?"

"They are! You are!" Gus shouted.

"Now there's the truth. Much better, Sonny Boy."

"Stop calling me that. Fuck you! I'm not going anywhere." Gus crossed his arms on his chest and glared at Brian. He looked like a petulant Mikey.

"Good. Stay here and start packing. I'm going down for breakfast. And don't try to sneak out. I'll be watching."

"Fuck off!" Gus muttered as Brian stepped out of the room and closed the door. Gus threw himself onto the bed and beat the mattress with his fists. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he wasn't going to go to fucking Pittsburgh with his fucking father.

Brian shut the door to the bedroom behind him and then leaned back against it. His hand on the doorknob was shaking and his knees felt weak. He took a deep breath. He had come very close to punching his own son when the kid had swung at him. He hated physical violence but the boy seemed to know how to bring that out in people. He started down the stairs hoping there was some coffee to help calm his nerves. He could have used a large shot of Beam but he didn't think he'd be having that any time soon.

"So how did that go?" Melanie asked as he came into the kitchen.

"Coffee," Brian ordered and Lindsay handed him the mug she had just filled. He scooped in some sugar and stirred. "I'm sure you heard most of it."

"We did," Lindsay admitted.

"We knew it wouldn't be easy," Melanie added.

"Are you taking Gus away, Mr. Brian?" JR asked as she munched on a piece of toast.

"Looks that way, little lady."

"Good."

Brian looked at Lindsay who merely shrugged. Brian couldn't help but wonder what the future held for the little girl without the presence of her brother.

"I need to stay near the bottom of the stairs so that Gus doesn't escape," Brian said.

"Go sit on the couch. I'll bring you some toast," Lindsay said.

Brian sat wearily on the couch in the living room nursing his coffee. The layout of this house was a lot like the one the Munchers had had in Pittsburgh. The confrontation with Gus had taken a lot out of Brian, but he couldn't let Gus know that. He looked at the stairs and saw a shadow. "You packed yet?" he demanded. The shadow disappeared.

"Here's your toast," Lindsay said handing him a slice on a plate. There was very little butter on it. "I hope it's all right."

"Toast is the least of my worries," Brian said taking a bite of the warm bread.

"Do you think you can handle him?"

"I don't fucking know, Lindsay, but I'm going to try."

"I know you'll do your best."

"Maybe we should get him down here and explain exactly what's going to happen," Brian suggested. "You and Melanie have to back me on whatever I say."

"Okay," Lindsay said slowly.

"I mean it. Don't give in to him."

"I won't."

"Can Mel send Jenny to the neighbor's or something? I don't think she should hear what's coming."

"You're right. I'll see what we can arrange."

"Oh, and Lindsay, I may need some papers giving me the right to take Gus back to the States."

"Melanie has already drawn those up … just in case you said you would take him."

"That's good," Brian said wearily. He sipped his coffee as Lindsay disappeared into the kitchen.

After a few minutes Lindsay reappeared and said JR had gone next door. Melanie was making some toast for Gus. Brian called the boy downstairs. After a long pause, Gus appeared. He looked at the front door and Brian knew he was going to bolt.

"Don't even think about it," Brian warned. "My legs are still longer than yours."

"Not for much longer," Gus stated as he sank into a chair opposite Brian.

Melanie came in from the kitchen carrying a glass of orange juice and a plate of toast. She handed them to Gus who accepted them without comment. He started eating the toast and downed about half the glass of juice.

"Gus," Brian said, "I'm going to call the airline and get us tickets on an afternoon flight to Pittsburgh. Are you packed?"

"No."

"I told you to start packing."

"I'm not going with you."

"Melanie, have you got the number of your police contact?"

"Yes, it's right here," Melanie replied fishing a piece of paper out of her pocket.

"You won't use it," Gus said confidently, or at least trying to exude a feeling of confidence.

"Use it," Brian ordered.

Without a word Melanie went to the phone, picked it up and dialed. She asked for Sergeant Hickox. Gus watched. They all listened to her side of the conversation. "So you can send a squad car over at your earliest convenience. We'll have him ready for you," she said.

"No," Gus called out. "I'll go to Pittsburgh. Don't send me to the police."

"Gus says he'll go with his father," Melanie said into the phone. "Yes, if he starts to refuse I'll call you back. Thank you, Sergeant." She hung up the phone. "Go get packed, Gus. Brian, you can call the airline now."

Brian pulled out his cell phone and hit the number for Liberty Air. Melanie stared at Gus willing him to go upstairs. Lindsay remained silent holding her stomach.

"Mom?" Gus said looking pleadingly at Lindsay.

"Go and pack, Gus," Lindsay repeated. It took every ounce of strength she had to say those words. All she wanted to do was take him in her arms and keep him safe. But the time for doing that had long passed so she remained silent and still.

"Mom?" Gus repeated in a strangled voice. When Lindsay did not respond he ran up the stairs to his room.

"It's for the best, Lindz," Melanie said rubbing Lindsay's arm.

"I know, but that doesn't make it hurt any less."

"You're lucky this Sergeant Hickox is so available," Brian observed.

"Actually she's a friend," Melanie said keeping her voice low. "I met her through some paralegal work. She told me we could use her name to get Gus to cooperate. She was even prepared to arrive in a squad car if we needed her to do that."

Brian snorted. "Ever the tricky one, Mel."

"I do what I have to do."

"I guess I better go see if Gus is packing," Brian said standing up and stretching his back. He started up the stairs. He could hear some things being thrown around in Gus' room. He yanked open the door. Gus was throwing clothes and CD's and shoes all over the place. "I see you're making very careful selections," Brian smirked.

"I don't want any of this shit," Gus yelled.

"Good, then we won't have to worry about a suitcase for you."

"What does that mean?"

"If you don't want any of your things, that's fine. You can do without."

"There are some things I want," Gus said rethinking his position.

"You get one suitcase. And none of this shit," Brian said pointing to the X-Box and games.

"But that's what I want."

"Tough shit! I'd suggest you pack some clothes and a few CD's. That should suffice."

"Suffice! Who the fuck do you think you are?"

"I know I'm your father and from this moment on, I'm your guardian. Now get ready. We have a flight at two. We'll need to leave here at eleven-thirty."

Gus glared at his father but said nothing. He watched Brian walk out of his room. Brian went downstairs. Melanie and Lindsay were still in the living room.

"I want to take a shower if that's all right," Brian said.

"Sure," Mel said. Lindsay just looked shell-shocked.

"Can you two manage Gus if he comes downstairs while I'm in the shower?"

Melanie nodded. Brian picked up his suitcase and carried it up the stairs.

"Use our room," Mel told him.

When Brian came down the stairs about twenty minutes later, he felt refreshed and somewhat better having showered and changed his clothes. He felt better until he saw what was going on on the couch. Gus was curled up in Lindsay's arms. He appeared to be crying and so was she. He stopped on the stairs and listened.

"I'm sorry, Mommy," Gus was saying. "I don't want to leave you."

"I don't want you to go either."

"Then tell him to go away. Tell him I'm staying here. I promise to be good."

"You are a good boy, Gus, deep down inside."

"But I'll be good every day. I'm sorry I hurt your wrist."

"It's all right, Gus," Lindsay sighed.

"No," Brian said refusing to listen to any more. "It's not all right, Gus. You should apologize to your mother, but that apology should be because you truly are sorry, not so you can try to get her on your side."

"Please, Mommy, don't make me go with him."

"I'm sorry too, Gus, but you have to go with your father." Lindsay held her son tight but she did not give in to him. Brian breathed a sigh of relief. If Lindsay had caved all would have been lost. "Go have a shower and get your things together."

Gus stood up and glared down at his mother. Then he turned his glare on Brian. "I may have to go with you, but you're all going to be sorry. I'm going to make you all so sorry for doing this to me." Gus ran up the stairs.

"Well, that was special," Brian said shuddering at how much that had sounded like his nephew before Brian had been charged with child molestation. "What is it with twelve year olds?"

"Don't make jokes," Lindsay said wiping at her tears.

"I know this is hard. I'm just getting through it the best way I know how."

"And so am I," Lindsay replied as she brushed past Brian and disappeared into the kitchen.

Some time later, Brian had his suitcase repacked and Gus had his loaded to the gills. The two cases sat beside the front door as the family waited for the cab they had ordered to take Brian and his son to the airport. Brian had spent quite a bit of time on his cell phone in the living room while Lindsay and Melanie were in the kitchen. From time to time, Brian could hear their raised voices. He knew that Melanie was encouraging Lindsay to stick with the plan and he hoped she would.

Finally the cab arrived and Brian carried the two suitcases out while Gus said goodbye to his mothers. JR was still at the neighbor's. Melanie thought that was the best place for her.

Brian came back to the house. "Let's go, Gus."

"We'll miss you," Lindsay said.

"Then don't send me away," Gus cried.

Lindsay merely shook her head and held onto Melanie's arm. Gus gave them a tearful last look and ran down to get into the cab. For a second, Brian thought his son might run away down the street, but the boy got into the cab instead.

"I suggest you both seriously consider moving back to Pittsburgh. I think Gus will need all of us … eventually. I'll keep you posted."

Brian turned and walked out to the cab. He got in and the cab pulled away. All their lives were about to change.

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