C'est la Vie - 13. Chapter 13

Part 13
The Letter

He made his way home and on entering the house was as usual greeted by a flying bundle of a 5yo girl rushing to greet him.
“Where have you been Timmy, mum and dad were getting a bit worried” she said as he put her down after planting a kiss on her cheek.
“Oh I just went to see a friend.”
“Is he going to come here like Kai, then we can all play hide and seek.”
“Umm not at the moment but maybe sometime later he’ll come,” and followed by his sister he made his way into the sitting room to greet his worried parents.
They tried not to show their concern but Timothy could see it in their eyes and realized that it had been inconsiderate of him not to have phoned to let them know he was alright. He knew it would take quite a bit more time before they would be able to put the events of the last couple of months behind them and until that time he’d just have to keep in contact with home as often as possible so that he didn’t cause his parents any undue worry.

He spent the next few hours watching television and playing with his sister then after his tea told his parents he was going to his room to do his homework.
With his homework nearly finished he looked at his watch and frowned on seeing the time. It was just past 6.00pm and no call from Kai. He picked up his phone and dialled Kai’s number and got no response, meaning the phone was either switched off or his battery was low.
Forgetting about his homework for the moment and putting his phone away he went to his computer and checked out the way to end a letter addressed to a judge. Getting the desired information he set about re-writing the letter.

Your Honour.
My name is Timothy Clarkson, Peter Blake, the boy who is on trial for stabbing me and who is pleading guilty With Extenuating Circumstances, never intended to stab anyone. Yes he was carrying a knife, which is against the law, but it was only meant to frighten my friend Kai Webster and myself. What really happened during the argument was when I saw Peter Blake reach for the knife. (At the time not knowing it was only for show, and meant only to scare us.) I became concerned and tried to grab his hand at the same time stepping between my friend and Peter Blake. I missed his hand and as he was already bringing the knife upwards when I stepped in front of him it entered my stomach just below the ribs. So it was partly my fault. If I hadn’t tried to intervene most probably no one would have been injured. On those grounds I would be really grateful, and so would the accused Peter Blake if Your Honour, didn’t send him to a youth detention centre as punishment for his crime. I know that the law now wants to deal with knife crime more harshly because of the recent spate of knife attacks, but having spoken to Peter recently I sincerely believe him when he says that he never intended to stab anyone. I’m sure a probationary sentence instead would be more suitable than a custodial one.
Thanking you in advance for listening to me.
Yours faithfully.
Timothy Clarkson

With the letter finished he printed it out then signed it by hand. He folded and put the letter into a plain white envelope and addressed it to The Right Honourable and left the name blank. He’d have to get the name of the Judge from Peter Blake through his lawyer, and that would mean getting his phone number off Adam Fletcher on Monday at school.
Pleased with all he’d achieved Timothy looked at his watch again and knitted his eyebrows in concern, it was past seven and still no word from Kai. He picked up his mobile again and this time dialled the Webster’s landline and after a few rings got the answering machine asking him to leave a message which he ignored and just hung up. He went downstairs and tried to watch television but couldn’t get interested in the programme. He moped around the sitting room going to the window and looking out till it got dark, and by 9’30pm with still no word from Kai he resigned himself to the fact that Kai wouldn’t be coming around to spend the night. His mother noticing the boy’s silence and restlessness asked him, “What’s the matter Timothy?”
“Nothing really, he replied then noticing the look from his mother, “Umm well actually I haven’t heard from Kai since this morning. I tried calling him but kept getting his voice mail. So either his phone is switched off or his battery is flat.”
“Oh dear I hope all is well,” and before his mother could continue his phone started ringing,
He pulled it out of his pocket looking at the number on display and frowned not recognising it and hesitantly saying.
“Hello.”
The moment he heard the voice a big smile came on his face, “Kai, what happened you got me all worried, and whose phone are you using?”
They talked for about five minutes and then Timothy broke the connection, and turning to his mother said, “That was Kai. He forgot to put his phone on charge when he got home last night. They left his Grandparents house later than usual so he won’t be over tonight.”
“Well now you can stop worrying,” his mother said
Putting his phone away and addressing his parents sad, “Mum, dad, I’m going to my room see you in the morning.” Giving his mother a goodnight kiss he went to his room pulled out his book and settled down for a couple of hours of reading. Knowing that he wouldn’t be disturbed by someone asking him to play hide and seek or shops or any other game that she’d thought up.

At 9.30am the following morning the doorbell rang and Mrs Clarkson answered the front door to see Kai standing on the doorstep.
“Come in Kai,” and she stood to one side as the boy entered the house. They made their way into the kitchen where Mr Clarkson and Linda were finishing their breakfast. After making his salutations Kai asked if Timothy was up.
“Actually he’s still sleeping,” Mary Clarkson said, “He was reading in bed till nearly 1.00am until I went into his room and told him it was time he went to sleep. But go and wake him Kai I think he’s slept enough.”

Not waiting to be told twice Kai made his way to Timothy’s room entering as softly as he could he saw the small form of the boy curled up under the duvet with only the top of his head exposed. Not making a sound Kai made his way across the room to kneel down beside the bed. Lifting the covers he revealed the face of the sleeping boy. Lowering his head his face was only inches away from that of Timothy’s, and leaning over he gently let his lips rest against those of the boy he’d fallen in love with.
“Mmm,” the sleeping boy moaned as he stretched and straightened his limbs Timothy’s eyes opened to see the face that he’d been so concerned about the previous day staring down at him. He smiled as he looked into the eyes of his favourite person “You’re back?”
“Uh huh.”
“Did you kiss me just now or was I dreaming?”
“I’m not telling, but you can figure it out when I kiss you again,” and the face lowered again and two pair of lips were united.
Kai Webster broke the kiss slipped his trainers off his feet and lay down on top of the bedclothes beside the small form of Timothy Clarkson, his head sharing the same pillow.
Staring at the face that was only inches away Kai asked, “So how did your day go yesterday?”
“Other than worrying why you hadn’t phoned like you normally do not bad.” Timothy hesitated momentarily before saying, “I umm went to see Peter Blake.”
“What,” Kai yelled sitting up, “Are you crazy?”
“I only went to see how he was doing. He must be worried thinking about what will happen to him if he was to get a custodial sentence if found guilty.”
“Yeah, well he deserves what he gets. I’m not shedding any tears over him.”
“He wasn’t going to stab anyone Kai. It was only because I got in the way that anyone got injured, he was only trying to scare us when he pulled the knife.”
“Yeah, they all say that, it’s the only way they can think of to get out of going in to youth custody.”
“Well I believed him. His parents are really worried they already have their eldest son in prison, and now it seems like the younger brother is going to follow him. I’m going to try and help see if I can get him probation instead of being sent away.”
“Timmy leave it alone,” Kai said taking the smaller boy into his arms, “You can’t keep trying to change these kids. One of these days you’re going to come up against the wrong one and you’re going to get hurt and I mean physically. You just can’t tell with them.”
“I’m not stupid Kai,” the smaller boy said pecking his companion on the lips, “I know when to steer clear of certain kids when I meet up with them. But Peter Blake isn’t all bad actually he’s looking for attention, and acting at being a hard case he hopes he’ll get noticed by the other kids, especially the girls and Crystal Lenihan in particular.”
“Crystal Lenihan, you must be joking.”
“Nope I’ve seen him watching her when he was in school and whenever he could he always tried to impress her by doing something that he hopes would catch her eye.”
“So,” Kai enquired, “What happened during your visit?”
“We got along fine I even decided to write a letter to the Judge,” Timothy said, reaching over to his bedside table and picking up an envelope and handing it to Kai, “In the hope that it might help to lessen the sentence.”
Kai took the envelope opened it and read the letter. When he’d finished he folded it again and placed it back inside the envelope and turning to his companion said, “You really think it will work.”
Timothy smiled, for all his huff and puff inside his friend was quite a forgiving character he’d seen it applied to both Hunter, and Fletcher and now he had to convince him to do the same for Peter Blake and he was sure he was half way there already.
“I hope so not only for Blake’s sake but for his parents they’re real nice and if he were to follow his brother inside I think they’d be devastated.”
“What do your parents and Peter Blake’s have to say about the letter?”
“Only you and Peter Blake know about the letter. I’m not telling anybody else especially Blake’s parents, don’t want to build their hopes up just in case the judge doesn’t bother to take any notice of it.”
“Enough of Blake and your letter, can we have a bit of loving instead.”
“Nope my dad, or mum, will most probably be up asking what I want for my breakfast pretty soon,” Timothy said smiling, But we can go over to your place afterwards there’s less chance of us being disturbed over there.”

He waited for Timothy to get washed and changed then accompanied him downstairs to the kitchen, and was greeted by Mr Clarkson saying, “Ah I see you managed to drag him out of his bed Kai.”
Kai smiled and took a seat at the breakfast table while Timothy after greeting his parents and sister who’s took a seat next to him, poured flakes into a bowl added milk and sugar, and without ceremony proceeded to devour the contents of the bowl.
After Timothy had finished his breakfast the boys spent some time talking with the adults, and playing with Linda before heading out to Kai’s house.

As they made their way towards the Webster house chatting Timothy suddenly said, “Kai I told Peter Blake that I’ll visit him next Saturday and I’d bring you along if.” And Timothy was cut short by Kai yelling.
“Are you fucking crazy? There’s no way that I’d go and see that arsehole let alone walk into his fucking house. If it wasn’t for you getting in the way that knife would have been sticking in my guts. No absolutely fucking not.” And Kai stomped down the pavement.
He’d gone about a hundred yards down the road and not hearing any voice from Timothy turned and saw an empty pavement behind him.
“Shit! He exclaimed, and was going to retrace his steps and thought better of it. Best let it cool down a bit, he thought I opened my mouth a bit too much. His anger quelled he walked home more miserable then ever.

Arriving home Timothy went straight to his room and lay down. He’d hardly kicked his shoes off and put his head on the pillow when there was a knock on the bedroom door and his mother walked in.
The moment she saw him lying down she asked “Are you alright?”
“Yes mum I’m okay.”
“The why did you come home so soon? I thought you were going to spend some time over at Kai’s house.”
“Well we had a bit of a misunderstanding so rather that arguing with him I left it alone and came home.”
“Oh I see,” his mother said, “Alright we’ll leave you alone unless you want to come with us we’re going to do some shopping.”
“No mum I’ll stay at home, I can catch up on my homework.”
“Alright son see you when we get back.” And Mary Clarkson left the room closing the door behind her.

The family had been gone for about an hour, with no Linda to disturb him he’d finished his homework and had gone down to the sitting room to watch the Sunday soccer match. He’d been watching the game for about fifteen minutes when he switched the TV off put on his trainers and headed out the front door. As he walked along the pavement he phoned his father telling him that he was on his way to see a friend and would be back in a couple of hours. Ten minutes of walking brought him to the Wellington Court flats and he was soon ringing the bell to No.48.
“Timothy come in.” Mrs Blake said on opening the door and seeing the boy standing on the doorstep. As she led the way to the sitting room she called out,
“Peter, Timothy is here.” Then told Timothy to take a seat Peter would be here shortly.
The words were hardly out of her mouth when he appeared with a grin on his face saying “Hi Timothy wasn’t expecting you till next week.”
“Yeah well I was at a loose end and thought I’d come and see you as I wanted to ask you about what we were talking about earlier.”
Peter Blake caught on instantly and turning to his parents said, “Mum dad we’re going to my room we got something to talk about.”
“Doesn’t Timothy want a cup of tea or soft drink?”
“No thanks Mrs Blake I’m okay.” And with Peter Blake leading the way the boys left the room.
Once inside the room Peter asked, “So what did you want to talk about?”
“I wanted to know if you have your lawyer’s phone number.”
“No but I can get it off the letter he sent telling us the date of the trial.”
“Okay then can you give him a call tomorrow, and ask him the name of the Judge who’ll be presiding at the trial. If he gives it to you give me a call tomorrow after school and tell me the name, then I can address the letter and envelope to the judge. I was going to ask Fletcher to contact you when I saw him at school tomorrow, but as I wasn’t doing anything at the moment thought I’d save a bit of time and come over now.”
“Glad you did, it’s driving me bonkers not being able to go out after 8.00pm and watching the box is about as exciting as watching grass grow.”
Timothy smiled then reaching into his jacket pocket pulled out the letter to the Judge and handing it to Peter said have a read that’s the finished article.”
Peter took the letter and read it. Finished he looked at the boy sitting alongside him on the bed, “If this works Timothy I’ll owe you for the rest of my life and if it doesn’t I’ll still thank you for trying.”
“You won’t owe me, but you’re going to have a hard time living up to what people will be expecting of you. But not to worry you’ll have plenty of support.”
“Yeah well other than my parents, Adam, and you I don’t know of anybody else who’s going to be very supportive.”
“Oh I don’t know there is one other person who might be willing to help you, once I talk to her.”
“Who’s that?”
“Crystal Lenihan.”
“Christ Timothy, don’t even think about it, and in any case why would I want her to help.”
“Come off it Peter. Jeez didn’t you ever feel embarrassed the things you used to do at school just to try and get her attention.”
Peter Blake blushing said “Shit! Was it that obvious.”
“If I noticed it and I wasn’t even in your crowd, then what do you think the others must have seen.”
“Oh bollocks!” the blushing boy exclaimed
“Just forget it for the moment we’re getting carried away and counting our chickens before they’re hatched, let’s wait and see what happens at the trial.”

They talked about school and other subjects then when it was nearing time for Timothy to leave they went into the sitting room to talk with the adults before Timothy made his goodbye’s and with Peter accompanying him made for the front door.
“You still coming over next Saturday,” Peter Blake asked holding the door open for his visitor.”
“Yes unless something unexpected comes up.”
“Okay will see you then. Umm is Webster coming with you?”
Timothy smiled seeing the look of concern on Peter Blake’s face and said, “No he won’t be coming Peter, see you.”
He left the Blake household and as he made his way into the road turned to see Peter Blake still at the front door watching him. He raised his hand and waved to the boy in the doorway then turning the corner he disappeared from view.