The Summer Job - 72. Brothers

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Chris Butler, in the company of Sandra Hammond, a therapist the police department contracted to interview child victims, picked up Rochelle Green and Elizabeth Cummings at their apartments at eleven-thirty.

Once they were all situated in Butler’s SUV, Sandra said, “I’ve had a chance to read the interviews of Tyrone Flowers. You should know that, even white-washed, it was clear to me that the boys were blackmailed and intimidated into sexual activity.”

Elizabeth Cummings said, “I knew something wasn’t right. Jeffry and Rochelle’s boys have always been thick as thieves. Then Jeffry started doing anything he could to be away from the apartments while I was at work.”

Rochelle Green shook her head and said, “Lord, what a mess. When you can’t trust family, who can you trust? I knew Tyrone had a sketchy side, but, I never saw this coming. When Luke and Jon-Jon asked if they had to mind Tyrone while I was at work, I thought he was just making them behave.”

Hammond said, “This is one of the most common ways sexual abuse occurs. It is seldom a stranger. It takes being a trusted friend or family member to provide the access, opportunity and authority over the kids. The kids are almost always too embarrassed and ashamed to complain about it. Sometimes they deny it more strongly than the perpetrator. “

Chris Butler said, “When I spoke to Phillip Wright yesterday, he said that he, and I quote, ‘smelled a rat’ when he talked to the boys, and that was why he reached out to get them included in the Y’s Day-program.”

Hammond asked, “Is he the boy who was on TV last week?”

Rochelle said, “That’s him. Our boys spent the weekend with him. He has turned out to be what I had hoped Tyrone would be for them. Phillip has certainly been looking out for them.”

Jeffry and the four Green brothers wanted to do anything besides go to the interview. Dentist appointments were mentioned, as were changing dirty cat boxes, cleaning the bathroom and, babysitting Georgie, the most ferocious 8-year-old in their apartment complex. After hearing a few Georgie stories, Phillip was not sure whether to laugh or run away.

As time approached, Phillip herded Jeffry, James, Marcus, Luke and Jon-Jon into the conference room. They were nervous and had skipped lunch in hopes that they could get this meeting over with and eat later. Once they were seated, they were by no means settled. The boys fidgeted like they were waiting outside Principal Satan’s office and anticipated being eaten.

It was little Jon-Jon Green who asked that was on all their minds, “Phillip, what if Mama doesn’t want us anymore?”

Phillip opened his arms and Jon-Jon and Luke swarmed into Phillip’s lap. He hugged the two boys and said, “There’s no way that will happen.”

Marcus whined, “What about us?”

Phillip indicated that James and Marcus should join the hug, and they did. So did Jeffry.

Chris Butler led Sandra Hammond, Elizabeth Cummings and Rochelle Green to the main office in the YMCA.

A cute little blond-haired boy with an impish smile asked Rochelle if she was Jon-Jon and Luke’s Mom. When she said yes, the boy hugged her and said they were “really cool” and then scampered off.

Detective Butler said, “It looks like this place has been good for them. They’re making friends.”

When they arrived in the office, they were expected and motioned through to the conference room. Detective Butler stopped them just outside the door. All three of the adults clearly heard and saw Jon-Jon voice his fear and Phillip reassuring them all.

Rochelle Green took the initiative, entered the conference room, put her hands on Marcus and James shoulders and said, “Phillip is right. There is no way that would happen. What happened to you was my fault for putting Tyrone in charge when I was at work. You all tried to tell me in one way or another something was wrong. I just didn’t get it.”

Elizabeth Cummings entered the room and hugged Jeffry.

Sandra Hammond introduced herself and said, “Guilt, blame and shame can get in the way so let us put it where it belongs. The only person who truly deserves it is Tyrone.”

Phillip immediately recognized Mrs. Hammond’s name from the list of specialists on Wally Garner’s list. He said, “I told the boys that seeing a therapist to get this sorted out is nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately, it happens to too many boys. In fact, it happened to me when I was about Jon-Jon’s age at the hands of an older teenager. I would like to sit down and talk it out with you.”

Mrs. Hammond’s eyebrows rose in surprise, and Mrs. Green and Cummings looked at him appreciatively. Phillip had just shown their boys that seeing a therapist was what the cool kids were doing.

Between Hammond and the two mothers, the boys were put at ease in just a few minutes. It was not the sort of meeting that anyone would enjoy, but now that it was clear it was not a hanging, the boys were relieved, and it showed.

Phillip asked, “Jon-Jon, now that you aren’t scared anymore, do you need me to stay?”

Jon-Jon said, “I’m OK now. Thanks, Phillip.”

After giving Mrs. Hammond his name and number, Phillip stood to take his leave and said, “OK guys, I’ll be in my office until one thirty.”

Phillip departed, thanking his lucky stars he was wearing a jock. Sweet as he was, Luke was almost as big a horn dog as Tanner. The randy little devil had used his lap time to shamelessly grope Phillip, causing a boner.

He used his time to catch a quick shower in the recently renovated locker room near his office and changed into khakis, a nice shirt and dress shoes for court later.

Billy followed Bobby down the spiral stair down from the bridge and admired the view. Young, tanned and muscled, Billy decided Bobby was easy to look at. Bobby explained that there were no stairs on a ship, only ladders.

“Ladders?”

Bobby chuckled and said, “The nautical world is a different place. It will take you a while to get it all sorted out. Do you want one of the four cabins up forward? They are bigger and nicer than the six aft of the galley.”

Billy said, “I want a little space. My Gramps is great and all…”

Bobby said, “I understand. I’m surprised he’s your grandfather. He doesn’t look that old. You’re so lucky to get to travel like this.” He led the way down the main corridor to the after cabins.

Billy decided to try on his legend and said, “I lost my parents in a car wreck last year. Since then, it’s just been me and Pops.” He stopped in front of the first cabin on the starboard side and said, “I think I’ll take this one.”

Suddenly, Billy found himself wrapped in Bobby’s arms. “That sucks, kid, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be”, Billy replied as he looked up at the tall, wiry young man. “It’s been a while since it happened, and I’ve got Pops. The hug is nice, though.”

Bobby released him and asked, “How old are you, Billy?”

“Fifteen. How old are you?” At least the new in improved Billy was fifteen according to his ID. The old and lousy Doug wouldn’t turn fifteen until late in July.

Bobby said, “I’m twenty. I joined the Navy right out of high school, but I blew out my knee last fall. It was bad enough that they cut me loose but, they fixed the knee as well as it could be fixed. Sorry I got emotional about that. I lost my mom while I was in class A school at Great Lakes. It sucks being an orphan.”

Billy flashed a smile at Bobby and said, “You won’t be for long. Stick around and Pops will adopt you too. He’s cool like that.”

Bobby patted Billy on the shoulder and said, “Come on. There is a huge pile of boxes from FedEx in the warehouse. Let us get you moved in.”

Phillip texted Richard: Do you know what your dad intends for the Farmer House and the farm?

As he was putting on his dress shoes, Richard texted back: I assume that they would sell them and put the proceeds in the Trust.

Phillip returned the text: I have got an idea about that. The Trust is well funded. What if we repaired the house and made it into a private group home?

Richard replied: That would be expensive to run. We will have to see if we can manage it. It is a good idea. Who would run it?

Phillip replied: I am thinking Mrs. Green, Cummings or Carlson. That would get them and their boys out of those shifty apartments.

Richard’s reply was slow coming back. Phillip looked at the clock and texted, it is about time for me to head to court. Let us think it through and talk later.

On the way downstairs, Richard’s reply arrived: It makes sense. All of them could live there, it is plenty big enough. Randy’s Mom is a nurse and between the three of them, someone could always be there. I know someone who is interested in the farm too. Talk later.

Phillip went into the office to sign out and ran into Mrs. Hammond, Green, Cummings and Detective Butler. Apparently, their conference was over, and Mrs. Hammond asked, “Could we have a private word, Phillip?”

“Sure, but it will have to be quick. I’ve got to be somewhere at two.”

He followed them back into the conference room. Once they were all inside, Phillip pulled the door closed and said, “I do hope all went well?”

Hammond laughed, and Mrs. Green said, “I think we have you to thank for that. You’ve helped us tremendously.”

Detective Butler said, “Your idea of a day to cool off before we talked made this work a lot better.”

Mrs. Hammond said, “By preparing the boys for the interview and, showing them by example that therapy for what happened was the right thing to do, you sure made my job easy.”

Mrs. Cummings said, “I’ve noticed that Jeffry has been a lot happier this last week. I suspect you had a lot to do with that.”

Phillip glanced at his phone and saw that he really needed to get moving. He said, “You’re all welcome. All five of them are great kids. I’ve really got to get going, I’ve got to be somewhere at two.”

He managed to escape with hugs from two relieved mothers and Detective Butlers business card.