Indiana Summer - 4. Answers

Disclaimer: This story includes sexual and romantic situations between consenting individuals. Any allusion to illicit or illegal activity, sexual or otherwise, is used only for enhancement of the story line and not promotion thereof. Remember AIDS, HIV and other STDs are a very real threat, please always practice safe sex.

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Indiana Summer04: Answers

 

Billy pushed me back against the wall and pinned my wrists above my head with his hands and leaned in close to me and pressed his lips against mine, hard.

 

I jerked so hard when I woke up that I nearly fell out of the swing.

 

"Sleeping on the job City?"

 

Old man Templeton's voice broke through my sleepy thought process as he stepped out of the back door.

 

"No sir, job's done for the day." I said doing my best to keep the distaste out of my voice.

 

"What do you mean?" He asked as he leaned against same spot Annie had earlier.

 

"I mean we’ve done all the construction we can till you get us more wood and I've helped Billy finish his chores so there’s nothing else we can do." I said looking up at his old, stony face.

 

"Where's my boy at?" He asked completely ignoring my last sentence.

 

"Last time I saw him he was going to get the horses. I imagine he got held up by the red head girl with the attitude of a cactus that was looking for him." I jerked my thumb over my shoulder towards the field.

 

Turning his back to me he walked down the steps and was heading toward the barn, before I called out to him.

 

"You don't like me very much do you Mr. Templeton?" My mind was still a little groggy so my mouth was running unchecked.

 

He stopped for a minute then started back toward the porch and stood at the foot of the steps as he spoke.

 

"No I don't. You’re too much like your father. Arrogant, self absorbed, no respect for rules or authority, and there’s not an ounce of humility in your blood. It's nothing that firm hand couldn't work out of you but forcefulness was never your daddy’s strong suit." His voice was dripping with disdain that explained a few things at least.

 

"If you've got such a low opinion of my dad then why did you agree to let me come here over the summer?" I asked keeping my voice calm while anger flooded through me.

 

This old prick had no clue what my dad was like, at least not anymore.

 

"You can thank Mrs. Templeton for that. But I decided to let you stay when I saw you walk up the driveway. I'm going to break that cocky streak of yours boy. While you’re on my farm you’re going to learn discipline and respect. By the time I send you home your father isn’t going to know who you are. I just hope he has the backbone to keep you in hand." He said and an amused smirk appeared on his face.

 

I couldn't respond. I knew if I opened my mouth that I wouldn't be able to keep from telling the old man to fuck off. I didn't want to risk any harsher treatment than I needed. But I was damn sure not going to let the old man break me down like he had done Billy.

 

I stood motionless as he walked away, my jaw clamped shut and my hands grinding the wood railing.

 

Wrenching my hands off the rail I sat back down on the swing, my temper no less now that he was gone. I looked down at my hands and saw several splinters embedded in my palms from the unfinished wood, a few were ground in so deep that little blots of blood beaded to the surface.

 

I tried to pull them out but my fingers were too blunt so I got up and carefully opened the back door and went into the kitchen to try and find something to pull them out with.

 

"Goodness what happened?" I looked up and saw Annie standing in the doorway leading to the dinning room.

 

"I got a few splinters." I said as she rushed over and examined my bleeding palm.

 

"David how did this happen?" She asked as she drug me over to the sink and rinsed my hands off with warm water.

 

I didn't want to tell her about my discussion with the old man, so I, yet again, formulated a lie.

 

"I tripped on the back porch and grated my hands on the railing as I tried to catch myself."

 

"I see. Sit down and keep your hands pressed lightly against this towel, I have to go get my kit." She laid clean, white kitchen towel in my hands then headed out of the kitchen.

 

I sat down at the kitchen table and waited for Annie to get back. As I waited I ran the dream I had been having through my mind.

 

It had started after I squeezed his hand in the barn. I tried to talk to him but he knocked me down and we wrestled around on the floor of the barn. After he hit me a few times in the sides I managed to get up but he had grabbed me and tossed me against the wall and kissed me, which is when I woke up. I tried to remember more but it was fuzzy, any words that had been said I had forgotten, but the emotions were still there and very strong.

 

Fear, anger, confusion, and lust weren't easy emotions to forget.

 

"I found it, finally. I've not had to use it in so long I had forgotten where it was." Annie's voice rang through my head.

 

She sat down across from me with what looked like a small toiletries bag.

 

"What’s in there?" I asked as she blew a little dust off of it.

 

"Some needles, gauze, bandages, medical tape, tweezers and scissors. It’s my splinter kit; I've not had to use it since the boys were little." She said as she pulled out a needle and tweezers.

 

"You think you can patch me up?" I asked as she pricked at a few of the more shallow splinters.

 

"I don't know. Most of these aren’t that bad but a few of them look like I might have to cut them out." She said as she bent low over my hands.

 

I watched as she worked, carefully pricking the splinters up to the surface then pulling them out carefully with the tweezers

 

"Four left, and these are the bad ones", She said as she reached into her case and pulled a small razor blade, "You’ve got a choice here doll. I can leave these last four in and they will either work themselves out or further into your hand, either way their going to be irritating. I can also make a tiny nip above them and pull them out, I did it dozens of times to my boys, you'll bleed a little and it's going to sting for a little while but you'll heal up in a couple days, it’s your choice."

 

I thought about it for a second and decided to let her finish her job, I could handle a few little cuts but I couldn't stand the grating feeling of the wood in my palm.

 

"Go for it." I said pushing my hand a little closer to her.

 

She nodded and bent over my hand again; she made little slashes over each of the splinters, (two on the ball of my thumb and two just under my index finger), then carefully pulled out the splinters.

 

When she was done she dabbed my palms with some peroxide then wrapped some gauze around the ones that she had cut in to.

 

"Keep that wrapped till your shower tonight then wash the cuts carefully and thoroughly then come back down and let me see if they need re-wrapped." She said as she re-packed her kit.

 

"Gotcha, I think I'll go upstairs and listen to some music for a little while. Unless you have anything you want help with." I didn’t feel like helping do anything but I knew Annie was too much of a mother hen to take me up on my offer.

 

"No, I have everything under control. Go upstairs and relax for a little while. After all you've done the past few days you've earned it." She gave me a warm smile before I got up.

 

I loved the way she smiled at me, it made me feel warm all over, and it reminded me how my mom used to smile at me. I missed her smile, but I knew she was gone and that I'd never see her again.

 

When I got up to the room I rummaged in the trunk for my mp3 player. I lay back on my bed and clicked through the songs till I found Nickleback and closed my eyes again and let Saving Me and Never Again drown my thoughts.

 

                                                                 *     *     *

 

"Hey Hillbilly." I turned away from the horses and saw Samantha striding toward me.

 

Samantha was my girl, my best friend. She was the only one of my friends that was really there for me after Seth left, she was the only one of my friends to ever see me cry.

 

"Hey string bean." I said as she threw her arms around me and hugged me tight.

 

"Is that a bandage?" She rubbed her hand across my chest where she had laid her head when she hugged me.

 

"Yea that’s what it is alright." I said as I turned back to the horses.

 

"I thought you were sticking to forearms and inner thighs." She said coming up beside me and leaning against one of the ropes.

 

Samantha knew I cut; she had caught me doing it at school one time. She had never asked why and I had never told her. I never mentioned the urges and desires that overwhelmed me, she knew nothing about the images of guys that forced their way into my dreams, and she never would.

 

"I was, but it was a cut of opportunity, it won't happen there again. I promise." I said and she leaned her head against my shoulder.

 

We stood together leaning on the ropes of the coral and watching the horses for a few minutes before Samantha spoke up.

 

"So who is the asshole that’s staying with you guys this summer, he told me his name but I wasn't paying attention."

 

"David Baily he's some brat from California. His dad knows my parents and he asked if he could spend the summer. I don't know the reasons why, don't care to." I replied, easily sounding pissed that he was there, considering I was pissed, at least I thought I was.

 

"What’s he going to be doing while he's here?" She asked curiously.

 

"My dad set us to repairing the barn over the summer." I said standing straight and pulling her with me.

 

"You must be thrilled." She said sarcastically as I undid the ties of the corral.

 

"Shitless, pure and simple." I replied as she handed me the halters and leads.

 

I walked into the corral and caught Speckle and Shadow and fastened their halters and leads and walked them out of the corral with Elder following behind.

 

"Elder is looking a little chunky. When did you ride him last?" She asked falling into step next to me.

 

"The last time you came and rode with me which was about two weeks ago." I said thinking back to our last ride.

 

"You should ride him to the dance Sunday; it’s going to be a full moon so you'll be able to navigate in the dark." She said enthusiastically.

 

"I doubt I'm going to be able to make it to the dance but I'll think about it." I said as we reached the barn.

 

"Why won't you be able to make it?" She asked as she stood back to let Elder pass.

 

"Because to get out without my parents knowing I have to climb out my window and down the ladder, which is easy, but I have to share my room with David." I said fastening the stall doors.

 

"Your point is?" she asked slipping her hands into her back pockets.

 

"My point is what if he wakes up? What do you want me to do, bring him with me?" I asked skeptically.

 

"Why not? He'll walk in and take one look at all the hillbilly teenagers and tuck tail and run. It'll be great." She replied with a huge, amused smile.

 

"I'll try but I'm not making any promises." I said and walked with her out of the barn.

 

"I've got to get going, but really try to come Sunday. Walker's band is playing and Chris is D.Jing between songs." She said before standing on tip toes to kiss my cheek.

 

"Like I said, I'll do my best." I said as she walked down the driveway. I watched her as she started down the road to her house, she only lived a mile down the road so she never saw the point in driving to see me.

 

I went inside and found mom standing at the stove cooking.

 

"There is a letter from Seth in here for you." I said quietly as I handed her the envelope from earlier.

 

"What did his letter to you say?" She asked as she slipped it into her pocket.

 

"He offered me a job on the ranch after I graduate." I said leaving out the part about my soon to be niece or nephew.

 

"Is that all he said?" she asked as she stirred her sauce.

 

"No but the rest you have to get from your letter." I smiled when she turned around looking confused.

 

"Alright but you better go upstairs and write him back. I'm going to the post office to send a package to your cousin tomorrow so I’ll send it while I'm there, and tell David to do same with the letter from his uncle." She said and I couldn't help but tense up at the mention of David’s name.

 

"Alright, I'll be done by dinner." I said before heading up to my room.

 

When I walked into my room the first thing I saw was David, still dressed in his work clothes, stretched out on his bed listening to music. The second thing I noticed was that the palm of his left hand was wrapped in gauze.

 

"What happened to your hand?" I asked, a sudden and unexpected wave of concern washing over me.

 

He sat up and took off his head phones before he answered me.

 

"I was having a talk with your dad on the back porch and I sort of grated my hands on the railing in frustration. I got a boat load of splinters and your mom had to cut a few out. Needless to say it wasn't a great conversation."

 

Without realized what I was doing I walked over and sat next to David and pulled his hand toward me.

 

"What are you doing?" He sounded surprised and pulled his hand away.

 

I didn't know what I was doing. Seeing him bandaged up like that had triggered something in me. I was worried that he might be really hurt. I had tried to be a total ass for two days and a bandaged palm completely tore down my defenses.

 

"I'm sorry. I got worried. When we were kids and mom had to cut a splinter out of Seth or me she sometimes went a little deep. I guess it just brought back some old memories." I didn't know if what I was saying was the truth or not. It did remind me of when I was younger but I also felt this strong fear of him being hurt. I don't know why I felt it, I just did.

 

David looked at me strangely for a second before holding his hand out to me.

 

Cradling his hand carefully, while still trying to figure out what the hell I was doing, I unwrapped the gauze from around his palm.

 

I carefully inspected the four small cuts in David’s hand as well as several of the small puncture marks.

 

I couldn't help but notice how soft his skin was as I ran my fingers over his palm, searching for any stray splinters that might have been missed. I could feel a few small calluses starting to form and somewhere in the back of my mind I wondered if the rest of his body was as soft as his hands.

 

"What did you two talk about that made you mad enough to do this?" I asked doing my damnedest to distract myself from the cold wave I felt washing over me.

 

"It’s pretty obvious that your dad doesn't like me. I wanted to know why so I called him on it." The anger in David's voice was unmistakable as he told me about the conversation the two of them had.

 

His story surprised me a little. My dad had always been harsh when it came to Seth and me, but to say that kind of stuff to someone he hardly knew and to talk about their dad that way was a new level for him.

 

"My dad has always been a tough guy to get along with. When someone doesn't live up to his expectations or ideas he sets out to change them. That’s why Seth left; he couldn't handle living with my dad anymore. He's only gotten worse since then." I didn't know why I was telling him all this, it was the kind of stuff I never told anyone, not even Samantha.

 

I looked down at the bed and I realized that I was still holding David’s hand. I let go quickly and looked up at his face. Our eyes connected again like they had in the barn and he pinned me with the same look he had then, that deep penetrating look.

 

The intensity of his gaze was too much to handle. I felt myself wanting to move closer to him, to be just close enough that I could feel the heat coming off his skin. But I couldn't do it, I couldn't let go.

 

I shot up from the bed and walked over to the window. I took a few deep breaths and forced the tears back before I looked at him again. I wanted to say something, to tell him what was wrong with me, but I couldn't do that either.

 

"You should go get a shower. Dinner isn't for a little while yet but it'll be better to do it now so we can both have enough hot water." He looked as confused as I felt, but it was the only thing I could do. I couldn't settle myself with him in the room, I needed him to leave.

 

"Yeah, you're right. Good idea.” He said as he stood up and rummaged through the trunk then left the room with his clothes and shampoo.

 

I stood against the window and rolled my hands into fists to keep them from shaking. That sickening feeling in my stomach was rising so strong and so fast it was hard to stay standing. I wanted to dive under my bed, grab my kit and slice away at any body part I could.

 

I couldn't risk it though, I didn't know how long David would be in the shower and the chance of getting caught was too much, but I needed to do something. I raised my hand to the cut on my chest and pressed hard against it, gasping as the searing pain shot through my chest and I was forced to focus on it and the feeling in my stomach lessened. I pressed harder and more pain rushed through my veins and I fell to my knees shaking and sweating.

 

I knelt for a few seconds and forced my breathing back into a slow, steady rhythm. I managed to stand up and collapse into my bed. My head and chest were pounding from the pain and the adrenaline rush I had forced, but the bubbling sickness in my stomach was gone.

 

I relaxed into the sheets and let the coolness of my bed calm me down, it was then that I remembered Seth's letter. I rose up and pulled the letter out of my back pocket, I read through it one more time and tried to figure out what to write back.

 

I stood up and went to my dresser and got a pen, legal pad and envelope out of the bottom drawer then sat back in my bed to reply.

 

Hey Big Brother,

 

I got your letter and I am fucking ecstatic that you guys are having a kid. I also accept the duty as godfather and look forward to meeting my future niece or nephew quickly. Things here are the same as they always were. Dad is as harsh as he always has been and Mom still does everything she can to balance him out. Summer is finally here so he is worse then normal, but I have been lucky enough to stay out of his way so thus far I am doing well.

 

Mom and dad took in a boarder this summer to help me rebuild the barn. He is the son of one of their friends from college. His name is David Baily and he is around my age. So far he has been helpful, he knows a little bit about construction so I hope to get the job done quickly so I can have some free time this summer.

 

Samantha says hello and is always asking how you are and always says that The Barn Dances are less fun since you left.

 

I'm really considering taking you up on your offer after I graduate. I know dad is going to want me to stay on the farm but like you, I don't have the talent for it and I hear Colorado is a beautiful place to live, but I want to know what it is that I'll be doing on the ranch if I come out there.

 

That’s all I got to say right now. I'll write as more stuff happens and I hope to hear from you soon.

 

Brotherly Love,

 

Billy.

 

PS: Try to send me a picture with your next letter, I miss seeing that ugly mug of yours.

 

I tore the sheet off the pad, folded it and put in the envelope, I didn't remember the address but I figured I would just tell mom when I gave it to her. I slipped the letter into my pocket and tried to ignore the restless feeling I was having.

 

Any time now and David would be back from his shower and I had no idea what I was going to do. I looked down at my watch, it was only a little past three and dinner wouldn't be ready till six, three hours in which to loose my mind.

 

I was drumming fingertips against my knee when he walked in. He was dressed in a black AC/DC t-shirt and a pair of khaki cargo shorts. I looked at him for only a second before turning my gaze back to my bed.

 

After storing his stuff in the trunk and binning his dirty clothes he sat down on his bed and slit open the envelope that held his uncle's letter.

 

As he read I sat there going out of my mind with a thousand different thoughts and feelings rushing through me.

 

                                                                   *     *     *

 

Aloha David.

 

If you're reading this that means that my overtures to your dad didn't work and you are dead with an Indianafarm as your hell. I tried to talk him into letting you come with me this summer but he said that he wanted you to learn some responsibility. You let a kid run with scissors and play with fire one time and you’re branded for life.

 

I'm sorry to tell you this but by the time get this I will be in Honolulufor a convention on Oriental/American Architecture. I really wanted your dad to send you to me because I know how into Architecture and building design you are, but alas it did not work out that way.

 

I hope that Templeton isn't working you too hard, but then if he is you'll adapt like you always do. I met him at your parents' wedding. He and his fiancée Ann actually had a joint ceremony with your folks. I didn't think too much of him though, he was actually a bit of an asshole and I doubt things have changed much.

 

I wrote you this letter because I figured you wouldn't have access to a computer and I know your dad made you leave your cell phone, so I begged the address from him so we could keep in touch.

 

I'm going to be at this convention for about a week but go ahead and send your reply to my place in Davisand I’ll answer as soon as I get back.

 

I want to hear all about what’s going on and how you plan on staying sane in Hicksvilleso write back fast.

 

 

Love, Uncle Scott.

 

PS, I'll be in Indianaaround June 30th I will try to make it down to see you.

 

"I can't believe he's at an Architecture convention in Hawaiiand I'm stuck on a fucking farm!" I thought angrily.

 

I was going to kill my dad when I got home. He had to have known about the convention and he still sent me out here to rot for three months.

 

I was musing about how much my life sucked when Annie came into the room.

 

"Billy if you’re not doing anything I want you to run some of the jam your aunt sent down to Walker's. I know how much his mother likes it and your aunt sent more than we could use in a year." She said as she leaned against the door frame.

 

"Yes Ma'am." Billy replied quickly getting up and going to the door.

 

"David, would you like to go with him. It’s not too far of a drive and you haven't been off the farm since you got here." She said sweetly as Billy froze in his tracks near the door.

 

I knew Billy didn't want me to go, he didn't even want to be in the same room with me, and feeling the way I was I didn't want to be around him too much either.

 

"No, that’s alright. I'm sure Billy doesn't want me tagging along where ever he goes, I need to reply to my uncle’s letter anyway." I tried to refuse as politely as I could.

 

"Nonsense. You can write that letter after dinner and I can take it to town with me tomorrow, you've got plenty of time. And Billy doesn't mind if you come along, do you Billy." She said as she turned to her son.

 

I could tell Billy was doing some fast thinking, probably trying to figure out an excuse to give her that would keep me from going, but in the end he caved.

 

"No, I don't mind, it'll be a good way to kill time till dinner." He answered and I wondered how she missed the reluctance in his voice.

 

"See? What did I tell you? Now you boys don't have to be back for about an hour so take your time. Just remember you need to get a shower before dinner Billy." She said as she grabbed my clothes hamper and went back downstairs.

 

I reluctantly got up and followed her and Billy downstairs to the kitchen.

 

There were two boxes sitting by the door and Annie told us that they were the ones to go to Walker's. We each took a box and went out the back door to Billy's truck. After the boxes had been loaded securely we got in and Billy started down the gravel road in the opposite direction we had arrived from.

 

I ignored the heavy silence that enveloped us as we drove and instead turned my attention to the scenery around us.

 

The trees on either side of the road were thick trunked and heavy with foliage. We passed a few small fields with a rainbow variety of wild flowers growing in them. We drove over a wide river and even from the bridge I could tell that water was deep and clear. Despite my company I was in awe of the natural beauty of this place.

 

Too quickly though it vanished and was replaced by cultivated fields and farm houses.

 

We pulled into a gravel drive way next to a big field of soybean plants and parked next to a rusty old ford pick up.

 

When we got out Billy called out to a big guy sitting on the front steps to the house. This guy had to be one of the biggest fuckers I have ever seen. He was at least 6'2 with a broad chest and a perfect V torso; he was wearing a pair of knee cut overalls with a white t-shirt. His arms and legs were so ripped they looked like they had been cut out of flesh colored marble.

 

He came up to Billy and shook his hand then pointed to himself then me, Billy nodded then turned to me.

 

"David Baily this is Walker Anderson. Walker and I go back to elementary school." Billy introduced us and Walker actually gave me a firm handshake before pulling a small notebook and pen out of his pocket. He scribbled something down then showed it to Billy.

 

"His dad is an old friend of my dad. He is going to be helping me fix up the barn over the summer." Billy said and Walker started to write another note, but Billy stopped him.

 

"Why don't we take this jam inside then you can ask all the questions you want." Walker agreed and stacked the boxes on top of each other lifted them effortlessly out of the bed of the truck and took them up to the house.

 

"Is he a mute or something?" I asked quickly while Walker was gone.

 

"No, he can speak, and he can hear and everything else he just chooses not to. It used to be that you couldn't shut him up but a couple of summers ago he just stopped talking, he never gave any reason for it and as far as I know hasn't said a word since. His parents took him to doctor after doctor and shrink after shrink but never found anything wrong with him. So we all just got used to it." He said as he leaned back against the truck.

 

We stood in silence till Walker came out of the house and waved us up to the porch. He sat down on a wooden chair and had a note book and pen sitting on his knee. I sat down on the steps and watched as he wrote a note quickly in his notebook before handing it to me.

 

He had written three questions. Where I was from, exactly how old I was and why I was staying with the Templeton’s.

 

"I'm seventeen and I'm from Sacramento. I broke a few too many rules of my dads and he thought a summer out here would be good for me." I said as I handed Walker his note book back.

 

He wrote another quick note and handed the book back to me. He wrote that he had some family in Sacramento and wondered if I knew a Julian or Becky Paulson.

 

"I go to school with a Julian Paulson. He's a big tennis freak", I said and he took the note book and wrote another note and handed it back to me, "He's about five two with brown hair and eyes. He's a petty nice guy unless you piss him off." I replied to his question of what he looked like.

 

He told me that Julian was his cousin and that they hadn't seen each other in a couple of years.

 

The three of us talked for a little while longer, but Billy and I never talked directly, just to Walker. Billy had been distancing himself again since we talked about my hand up in his room. Every time we got close to some sort of friendship he pulled back.

 

The last note Walker showed before we left was one asking if I was coming to the barn dance. For some reason this seemed to anger Billy.

 

"That depends, what is it?" I asked curiously.

 

"I'll explain it later. We have to get back home though." Billy said hurriedly.

 

"Alright; talk to you later Walker" I said as we left the porch.

 

Billy showed no signs of talking as we drove back to the house, so unwilling to wait for him to be in a good mood I asked about the dance.

 

"What exactly is the barn dance?"

 

"It’s what it’s called, a dance in an old barn out in the woods. A bunch of us from around here get together a few times over the summer and party. Most of us play an instrument or two so music is never in short supply and there’s a kid from town who likes to come out and DJ for us when he can, it’s a good thing we can get hold of generators." Billy replied in a very monotone voice.

 

"I suppose a city boy wouldn't be welcome?" I asked as we rounded a bend and the house came into view.

 

"It'd be your choice. No one would hassle you over it, but the music is always country with a little southern rock." Billy said and I couldn't figure out if he was inviting me or trying to dissuade me.

 

We didn't talk anymore after that. When we got back to the house Billy said he was going to take a shower and went upstairs.

 

I walked into the kitchen and saw Annie pulling a casserole out of the oven.

 

"What's grub tonight?" I asked as she set it on the stove top.

 

"Shepherds Pie, a family favorite." She must have seen the dumb look on my face because she elaborated, "It's made by a layer of minced beef, a layer of sautéed carrots, onions and garlic with a mash potato top, although I do add a few things to flavor it up some." She said with a devious smile.

 

"It sounds, and smells good. I can't wait to try it." I said as I examined the dish.

 

"It was a favorite of the boys when they were younger, especially Seth." She said with a strange sadness to her voice.

 

I didn't want to upset her more so I backed off and let the subject be although Seth was starting to intrigue me.

 

I was leaning against the sink when Billy came in the kitchen.

 

"David did you touch the collar of your shirt this afternoon when you got those splinters?" Annie asked as she came in from the laundry room.

 

"No, why do you ask?" I said and I noticed she had my shirt in her hands.

 

"Well there are three small drops of what looks like blood on the back of the collar." She said as she handed me my shirt.

 

I took the shirt from her and looked at the collar there were three pea size spots of blood on the collar, I racked my brain trying to figure out how they got there as I hadn't raised my hands past waist level while they were bleeding. I handed the shirt back to her and told her it might have happened when I took my shirt off for my shower when I noticed the panic like expression on Billy's face.

 

Annie went back to the laundry room and left Billy and I alone in the kitchen. I wanted to try and talk to him but his dad walked in before I could say anything.

 

"Is Dinner done?” He asked to no one in particular.

 

"Yes it is,” Annie said as she returned from the laundry room, "Billy will you pour four glasses of lemonade, and David will you set the casserole on the table, and William get the serving spoon." She divided up the tasks as she washed her hands at the sink.

 

None of us talked much during dinner, for some reason everyone at the table seemed to be swimming in their own world, myself included. I couldn't stop thinking about Billy, but my mode of thinking had changed. Before, I had only been interested in him in a sexual sense, he was hot and seemed to be a little homophobic and it was fun to tease him and mess with his head.

 

It was different now though, there was something to him that didn't make sense, if he was a homophobe he wouldn't be sneaking looks at me in the barn and the way he touched my hand today, it was soft and gentle almost as if he was concerned about me.

 

But that one moment of peace between us had since been punished by unyielding distance and indifference.

 

"After dinner, is it OK if I take Elder out for a ride, he could use the exercise." I looked up from my plate when Billy spoke. He was looking at his dad and though his voice was soft he had that same defiant look on his face as earlier.

 

The old man looked at Annie for a few minutes before he answered.

 

"Stay off the road, out of the fields and if you go in the woods don't cross the river." He said dryly and continued eating.

 

Somehow I didn't expect him to say yes and judging by the look on Billy's face, neither did he.

 

"David would like to go along. My horse Speckle isn't as fast as Elder but he's still a good ride." Annie offered and I was tempted to go as I had never rode a horse before but the quick side look Billy shot his mom was enough for me to decide against it. If things were going on with him like I thought they were then he didn't need me hanging around and fucking with his mind.

 

"Oh no, I've never rode a horse before. I need to finish writing that letter to my uncle anyway.” I tried to be polite while at the same time making sure it was clear I didn't want to go.

 

"Well we'll have to teach you sometime this summer. But maybe tonight isn't the best night.” Annie’s comment was casual enough but there seemed to be something more to that.

 

After dinner I helped Annie clear off the table while the old man went into the living room and Billy went out to ride Elder.

 

"Do you need a hand Annie?" I asked of course to be polite; I knew she wouldn't accept though.

 

"Boy, how many times do I have to tell you no before you get it?" She asked with this huge smile.

 

"Till you accept my offer.” I said as I left the kitchen.

 

I rummaged around in my trunk till I came up with my notebook and a pencil.

 

Hey Uncle Scott,

 

YOU FUCKING SUCK!!!! I can't believe you’re lying on a beach in Hawaii hitting on islanders while I'm stuck in Podunk Indiana. In reality it’s not all that bad here. The weather is a lot more humid than back home but it’s still nice and the country scenery is beautiful, and I don't just mean the trees.

 

In answer you your concern about how hard I’m being worked, its hardly work at all. Billy and I, (Williams son), are rebuilding the barn over the summer so it’s nothing I can't handle. William hasn't changed much since the wedding, he is still an asshole and seems to have gotten worse. The way he comes down on Billy is fucking harsh, he actually borders on mentally abusive.

 

Billy is actually a very confusing person. He's hot cold, especially when it comes to me. One second we will be talking like normal people and the next he will be acting as if I am the scum of the earth. He also has a bunch of scars on his arms that look like they were made intentionally.

 

We were spreading straw in the horse stalls today and I accidentally laid my hand on top of his and he looked so scared, as if I had found out some deep, dark secret. I don't know how to say it or put it into words but I know there is something up with him, and I think I could help him if he would just let me get close.

 

There’s not much else to report right now, I'm still pondering Billy so I'm a bit distracted but I promise my next letter will be longer.

 

Have fun in Hawaii; bring me back a cabana boy with a smooth hard body.

 

Love David.

 

I folded up the letter and put it on my bedside table; I'd get an envelope later.

 

As I got up to put my stuff away I dropped my pencil and it rolled under Billy's bed. I got down and reached under the bed to feel around for it and my hand hit what fell like a wooden box. I know I shouldn't have but I grabbed hold of it and pulled it out. It was a small wooden box with a simple lift up lid with the initials W.D.T Jr. carved onto it.

 

Curiosity got the better of me and I lifted off the lid and inspected the contents. The peroxide, bandages and pocket knife told me what I needed to know.

 

Billy was a cutter. After all, I had just discovered his kit.

 

To be continued......

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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter; I will have more to you soon. As always I love to get your thoughts and opinions so feel free to email me at allenarcane88@yahoo.com, drop me a PM, write me a review or visit the discussion forum.

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