Salvation - 49. Chapter 48

It was two weeks later that I heard from the private investigators concerning my lost son. Only now, he wasn’t my lost son. He was Michael Osborne of St. Louis. The photos the agent sent me, including photos when he was younger, further confirmed who he was. The report indicated that his family was visiting New York when Michael got into an argument with his father over a street person. Michael wanted to give him some money. His father said no, he was just a street bum. Michael talked to the boy and told his dad that he hadn’t eaten in several days. His dad said if he gave him any money, he would find out what it is like living on the street. The boy behind his father’s back gave the boys what money he had. His wife told the father, and he kicked him out.

Carleton was angry; he called the agency and asked for the parents ’ address. He then compiled the costs associated with Michael and sent them an invoice covering these costs.

It was on my official letterhead. I didn’t expect an answer, but I wanted them to know that their son was dead and it was their fault. I never heard anything back. I made arrangements with the stonemason that built the headstone to put Michaels’s name on the stone. When I went to see him, he wasn’t my lost son. He was my son Michael.

Strange things happen, things I never could explain or understand. During my lunch period, I went to an office supply center when I was working in my New York office and ordered a desk, chair, computer, and printer for Jon. If he were going to be staying home while going to NYU, he needed to have the tools and a quiet place to study.

Five days later, a truck pulled up to the porch. I went outside thinking it was the furniture I ordered for Jon. The driver came out, smiled, open the back door, and yelled into the truck, ‘NOW’. Three boys ran out of the truck, up on the porch, and stood behind me. The driver closed the truck door, got back in, and drove away.“Sir, he said you would give us food.”

“I’m going to do more than that.”

I steered them to the kitchen. Maria saw me and looked puzzled. I told them to sit at the breakfast bar, and I would get them some food. I poured them a glass of chocolate milk. Maria heated some food for them.

Alex came in and looked at the boys. I told him how they came. He smiled; something was up.

“I don’t know how they knew, but this is strange.”

Maria left when she came back she had several newspapers. Laying them in front of me, I then knew how they knew where to bring the boys. There was my presentation to the UN. I looked at Alex.

“I’m sorry, Carleton, it was Dad’s idea. He felt if more people knew, the boys would be treated better.”

“He has put the boys in danger. Now those perverts know where they are. Every time we go out, I’ll be having a fit and fearing that something might happen. Jon is going to NYU. He is alone.”

“No, Jon won’t be alone. He’ll have a best friend who will be trained by the most sophisticated guard system in Europe.”

“Am I to meet this young man?”

“Well, it isn’t a young man, she’s a young woman.”

“Alex, you better start explaining. I’m scared.”

“Steven, take these boys, let them take a shower, and see if you can round up some clothes for them. Go with Steven, he’ll help you and explain where you landed.”

“Alex, your turn.”

“I know you’re upset, I should have told you, but I didn’t expect anything this fast. Dad wants the world to know in the hopes that other people will volunteer to help these boys. I guess he didn’t think that part of the equation.”

“The girl?”

“She is trained in defense and is a graduate of special forces in Europe. We felt that a girl could accompany Jon better than a man. She is attractive and knows her job. She will meet Jon at the car when he arrives and will act as his girlfriend. She will walk him back to the car when he’s ready to leave for home. He doesn’t know she is who she is; they met at orientation last week. She thinks he’s cute and has flirted with him.”

“Jon didn’t mention meeting anyone.”

“He probably didn’t think much about it.”

“What’s her name?”

“Her name is Michelle, and before you ask, that is her real name.”

“Dad”

“Yes Steven”

“They are scared. I showed them the shower in my room; all three went into the bathroom. I think you need to talk to them.”

“When they are done showering, bring them to my office. I’ll talk to them. Have your brothers in the dining room for a snack. Tell David to fix something light, maybe cookies, and milk.”

Steven smiled and went to get the boys. I went to my office with Alex, Sal, and Mo.

“This has become very serious. When will the fence and security systems be completed?”

“We have another two weeks, and then the electronics need to be tested.”

“Until that is completed, I want everything on high alert. None of my boys are to go anywhere unattended.”

“I’m sorry, I hadn’t expected this.”

I heard a knock on the door. Alex went to open it, and Steven was there with the three boys. They had showered and were wearing clean clothes, which means Steven had asked the other boys for clothes. For me, it meant another trip to J. C. Penny’s or a similar store.

“Come in, boys, please sit down and don’t be afraid. We aren’t going to hurt you, but I do need your name. Will you please tell me your name and how old you are?”

“My name is Tobias, but my friends called me Toby.”

“Okay, Toby, how old are you?”

“I’m 13”

“ What is your name and age?” Looking at the boy on the right of Toby

“My name is Billy, and I’m also 13.”

Looking at the 3rd boy, “My friends call me Frankie. I’m 12.”

“My boys call me Dad, this is Alex, this is Sal, and this is Mo. We protect boys like you from strangers who want to hurt you. We make sure you have food, clean clothing, and a place to live. Steven was the first boy to come and live here. He can tell you what it’s like to live here. You can stay here if you want or I can return you to the city, that choice is yours. No one is forced to stay here.”

I watched as they digested my words. “If you decide to stay, there will be a few chores you’ll have to do as well as go to school. Please think it over, over some cookies and milk. Steven, take them to the dining room and introduce them to your brothers.”

“Okay, Dad. Let’s go guys.”

“Do you think they will stay?”

“They would be nuts if they didn’t.”

“I wonder how many more are going to be dropped off.”

“Look at it this way. You now have people doing some of the work in finding kids.”

“I have a question for you Carleton, what are you going to do when the first kid says he wants to go back out on the street?”

“I don’t know, I have never forced a kid to stay here, but they all did. For most of these kids, life here is better than their home life.”

“I’ll have to get passports.”

“Yes, you can remind your father what he has stirred with his good intentions.”