One Moonlit Night - 23. Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-three

Frantic and confused, I didn’t know if I should or should not yell out Scotty’s name. I thought if Brad Toller had any intentions to hurt Scotty, he just might if he heard me. It was dark and that side of the building was not well lit. In addition, there were shrubbery and other plants along the wall of the building. I was walking at a rapid pace, and trying to hear or see if perhaps they were amid the bushes. Suddenly, I heard the cracking sound of a slap followed by, “You fucking little faggot…” and then a piercing scream. More panicked, I ran toward the sound. As I was about to round the corner of the building a body ran full force into me practically knocking me down.

“Ouch, damn! Sorry, I was…Oh, thank God it’s you,” came the heavy panting voice of my boyfriend.” Maintaining my balance and holding onto Scotty, I noticed his hair was disheveled, his jacket sleeve ripped, and he was shaking.

“I’m gonna’ kill that son-of-a-bitch,” I screamed.

Scotty clung to me and said, as he was holding his one hand close to his body, and in an alarmed voice, “Forget that asshole Bash, right now I need to get some ice on my hand. I don’t know if it’s broken or not. I need you to help me right now.”

“Oh my God, oh my God, your hand’s broken? Shit!” I swooped Scotty up in my arms and ran back to the gym. Michelle was standing just inside the door holding it open. She looked worried and confused, and then she asked, “What’s happened? Scotty are you okay?”

“I need to get him some ice or a splint or something. That prick Toller may have broken his hand. I need to get him to the Coach’s office. Please run and get Coach Hastinger to unlock the door,” I pleaded. “He may still be by the boys’ restroom,” I yelled over my shoulder, as I maneuvered my way around the oblivious gyrating dancers, trying to shield Scotty from being bumped.

Arriving at the boys’ locker room I anxiously paced—actually, I was mindlessly going in circles. Scotty very patiently said, “Bash, you can set me down now. I’m getting dizzy.”

“Oh, uh sure, I’m sorry. Scotty...Scotty.” Visions of two years ago flashed through my mind, and I couldn’t hold back the tears. I grabbed him and hugged him. “God, I was so scared. Scotty, I love you so much. I really, really love you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.” Then my anger returned. “I’m going to break every fucking bone in Bradley Toller the Third’s, body. He is going to wish he never set eyes on me,” I explosively stated.

Just then, the huge bulky form of Billy Farmer came down the hallway and he was practically dragging a pretty bloodied and disheveled Bradley Toller in our direction. “Oh my God, Scotty, no wonder you broke your hand,” I said looking at Toller’s face.

“Huh? Aah, Bash, I didn’t do that. All I did is slap him and kick him in the balls. I swear. I didn’t do that!” Scotty said, as if that was some horrible thing to do.

Then Scotty saw Billy’s knuckles, they were smeared with blood. “Jesus, Billy, what did you do to him?”

“Uh, nothin’. Uh he fell. Didn’t ya’ Toller?” Billy threateningly said.

Brad, dazed, remained silent, partly because I don’t think he was cognizant of where he was at and was probably wondering from which direction the freight train came that plowed into him.

Coach Hastinger came running down the hall fishing keys from his pocket. “Scott, are you okay?” Then looking at Brad, “Christ, what happened to him? Scott, did you do that?” He disbelievingly asked.

“Coach, look at the size of him compared to me. No, I didn’t do that. In all honesty for once, I can say I wish I had,” Scotty said angrily. “Though, if my hand’s broken, I just may be tempted to kick him in the nuts again.”

“Well, lets get him in here and cleaned up, and I’ll take a look at your hand,” Coach instructed as he unlocked the door.

After examining Scotty’s hand, the Coach said he didn’t think it was broken, but that Scotty should get it X-rayed to make sure. Brad didn’t seem to have any broken bones either, but would not have a very pretty face for a while. When he did finally become aware of his surroundings, Coach told him his parents were on their way to pick him up and to expect a visit from the police. He could be looking at charges for assault, attempted sexual assault, and paying to have someone assaulted. Brad hearing this, literally crapped in his pants.

When the band broke from their final set, Bobby had learned from Michelle where we were and raced to the boy’s locker room. Seeing Brad, he looked at Scotty, then back at Brad. “God, Scotty, remind me never to tangle with you. You’re a killer—way to go.”

“My God, you people, I can barely beat my way out of a wet paper bag, let alone do that kind of damage,” Scotty replied.

“Well, then Bash did...?” Bobby asked.

“No, I didn’t, but I wished I had.” I answered. And then coldly staring at one less cocky and miserable looking, not to mention banged up and smelly, Bradley Toller III, I said threateningly, “That’s not to say I won’t.”

Through all this, Billy Farmer remained silent. We said nothing to implicate him and at this point, it wasn’t even clear if Brad had any idea who did the damage. The only blood that was on Billy’s hands was from Brad and he had unintentionally washed away that evidence. He didn’t even have a skinned knuckle. His involvement appeared to be only that he rescued Brad and brought him to the boys’ locker room for help.

Uncle Phil and Aunt Liz came rushing into the locker room. Aunt Liz gasped when she saw Brad as she hugged Scotty and looked at his hand. Uncle Phil made the assumption, that thus far, all of us originally had made and looked at Scotty with a slight smile, “My Lord, Scott, I didn’t know you were such a tiger.”

“But I didn’t…Oh, forget it,” Scotty exasperatingly said.

Michelle peeked her head around the corner, and asked if it was okay if she came in. She too looked at Brad and her eyes went agog. Scotty holding the ice pack on his hand interjected before she even asked, “No, I didn’t. She turned to me with a questioning look and I just shook my head no saying, “He uh, fell.” I don’t know that she believed either of us. She went over to see if Scotty was okay.

An angry Mr. Arnold with a flushed, flustered, and very concerned Mrs. Arnold in tow, came barreling into an increasingly crowded locker room. They smothered their son with hugs. Since they only had been informed of the incident in the boys’ restroom, they didn’t know who or why Brad Toller was there in such a miserable state. “Oh, you poor boy,” Mrs. Arnold said as she saw Brad.

“Poor boy my ass, uh sorry Mrs. Arnold, I, uh, mean butt, he’s the one who’s responsible for tonight’s mess.”

“What?” screamed Mr. Arnold, as he whipped around and glared at Brad. “Why, why, you miserable low-life, you will pay for this you worthless punk. No one threatens or hurts my son and gets away with it. I can only hope you’re 18, because some guy named Bubba is going to have a blast with you in the prison where they send you.”

“Robert Arnold, Sr., don’t talk like that! Not in front of the children,” Mrs. Arnold scolded her husband.

Scotty, wincing, spoke up and said, “Can I get to the hospital and have this hand checked and taken care of. I’m supposed to play a concert in a month.”

“Oh, sorry son. Liz, will you take Scott to the hospital? I’m going to stick around to see how things go here. I’ll come by as soon as I know what’s being done. I’ll have one of the men drop me at the hospital.” With that, Uncle Phil hugged Scotty and gave Aunt Liz a kiss, and we were off to have Scotty’s hand X-rayed.

“Michelle, I’m sorry about this, uh do you think you and Billy can make sure everyone gets home. The limo should be here around, oh my God,” I said looking at my watch, “well in about 15 more minutes. I’m really sorry about tonight…I’ll call you later. Do you think you’ll be up? And, well, uh, you’ll know what to and what not to say to the others.” I handed Billy a wad of money asking, “Oh, and here, can you give this to the limo driver as a tip?”

“You’d better call, I won’t be able to sleep until I know Scott’s okay and this poor excuse for a, well I was going to say man, this piece of trash is dealt with,” she stated firmly.

“Uh, Billy, will you watch out for Michelle and see she gets home safely? Sorry I screwed up your date with Sally.”

“You didn’t. She only came with me to ride in the limo,” Billy said hanging his head with a hint of hurt in his voice. “I’ll make sure Michelle gets home safe and call me too, okay?” I nodded and said I would.

On the drive to the hospital, I asked Aunt Liz if anyone had called my mom. “Oh, my God Sebastian, no I didn’t. I’m so sorry…during all the excitement I…”

“No problem Aunt Liz, Scotty’s the one who needs attention. I wasn’t hurt or anything. I’m just angry I wasn’t there to protect him.”

“Sebastian, honey, as I understand from what little I know, you had your hands full protecting little Robert Arnold. So, don’t be hard on yourself.”

“Yeah, babe, you didn’t know. It wasn’t your fault and you did come to my rescue. Mom, did you know that Bash carried me all the way to the locker room?” He smiled at me and continued, “You’d have thought I had broken my legs.” He then gave me a kiss on the cheek and whispered that I was his hero and he loved me so very much. He then asked me what happened to Bobby, and I related the incident to him. He said that he was glad I was there or Bobby could have gone through more hell. Hell he did not need after losing Chris in such a tragic way.

When we got to the hospital, I had the intake nurse page my mother. She had a look of concern as she hurriedly came to the emergency room waiting area. As I appeared to be all in one piece she had a noticeable look of relief, until she saw Scotty, whose tuxedo jacket sleeve was torn and his hair still all disheveled. Noticing that his hand was covered with an ice pack, she knelt down in front of him, examined his hand, and asked what happen. Being a nurse, she was accustomed to all manner of tragedies. This however, hit too close to home as she listened in horror as to what had transpired over the past few hours. She then stood up and gave me a long hug. I couldn’t help but notice the mistiness in her eyes as she released me and went over to the intake desk and talked with the nurse in charge. A few moments later Scotty was taken to the image-scanning department.

Thankfully, Scotty’s hand was not broken nor was it badly sprained. The doctor described it as stressed from the slap he delivered to his attacker. Most people probably would not sustain such an injury from slapping someone. However, Scotty refrained from almost any activity that could possibly injure his piano playing hands. That and he was limited to what he could do as his hands were insured for a couple of million dollars. The doctor gave him some exercises and said he would be allowed to use his hand to practice, for brief periods, in a couple of days. I asked the doctor what he meant by ‘brief periods.’ As my ‘brief periods’ and Scotty’s ‘brief periods’ would probably be two different definitions of ‘brief periods.’ He replied that no more than ten to fifteen minutes an hour a couple of times a day—four to be specific, he added with a grin, realizing I was poised to ask what ‘a couple of times a day’ meant. He further instructed Scotty to continue with the ice packs and to take an anti-inflammatory for pain, and to help in reducing the swelling. He should have full use of his hand in less than two weeks the doctor stated, if he followed those orders. Which, Aunt Liz and I would make certain he did. Scotty was grateful for several reasons. His hand wasn’t broken. He wouldn’t have to cancel his July engagement. He knew the pieces he would be playing as he had performed them before, so his limited ability to practice wasn’t that big of set back.

When my mother hugged me goodbye as we were leaving the hospital I could tell she was still worried. I wished I could have told her something that would ease that worry and concern, but I didn’t have the words. Parents tend to worry about their children over most things. My being gay, I thought was an added burden. That night’s episode did nothing to alleviate any of the fears she might have had. It bothered me tremendously, but I also knew I couldn’t do anything about how she felt. No more than Scotty could for me when it came to my feelings of being protective of him. I may not have known exactly what my mom felt, but I knew what I felt for Scotty—and her. I knew I would never do anything to intentionally hurt either one. That didn’t mean they wouldn’t feel pain because of something I did or something that might happen to me.

My very perceptive lover could tell I was worried about my mom’s obvious fear. “It isn’t easy; is it Bash?” he remarked. I silently shook my head no. He nuzzled in to me, gave me a hug, and sighed. He knew he couldn’t do anything to relieve my concerns about my mother except be there. I guess that’s all we can do for those we love—be there.

When we arrived home, everyone was exhausted. I really didn’t want to rehash that night’s horrible events, but I did promised Michelle and Billy I would phone them. I did call, reassured them that Scotty was okay; he didn’t have any broken bones and told them what the doctor had instructed. I told them I was tired and asked if we could talk about everything the next day. We agreed to meet for a late breakfast at Millie’s. Before I hung up with Billy, he hesitantly asked, “You love Scott, don’t ya’ Bash?”

“Yeah, Billy, I do,” I responded.

“Good,” he succinctly replied. “See you tomorrow around ten thirty—g’night.”

“’Night Billy, and thanks.”

As tired as Scotty and I were, there was something about the anger, compounded with the fear, which made us want each other in a physical way. Our lovemaking was extremely passionate and intense that night. Later as I snuggled into him, I couldn’t help but softly cry. I cried because the one I cared for the most in my life had gotten hurt and I wasn’t there. I cried because I didn’t know what I would have done if he had been seriously injured or God forbid, even killed. I cried because I had him—the love of my life—in my loving arms and he was safe. I thought at that moment that I knew what my mother felt.

Joe Weitzel and all the others who rode in the limo with us called at some point the next day to see if Scotty was okay. All they had been told by Michelle and Billy was that he had hurt his hand and had to be taken to the hospital. After I assured them he would be okay, they all expressed their feelings of relief that it wasn’t serious. Only Joe asked for specifics and I told him I’d tell him Sunday when I brought my car over to have the oil changed. He seemed fine with that explanation, and said he looked forward to helping me.

Around ten thirty that following morning, Scotty and I met with Michelle and Billy. I had called Bobby and told him what time we’d be at Millie’s for breakfast: if he wanted to join us, to drop by. He said he would, but he’d be late as he promised his mom and dad he’d run a few errands for them.

Once Bobby arrived, Michelle was dying to hear the details of the night before. Bobby described what had happened to him. Michelle laughed at the embarrassing position Bo Morton found himself. Billy was blushing as he, Scotty and I were taught that certain things were not discussed around ladies, and though Bobby was not graphic, it still was subject matter I was sure Billy didn’t think was proper to discuss in Michelle’s presence, that and he secretly liked and had feelings for Michelle. When Bobby concluded, Michelle turned to Billy and asked how he got involved. Billy was hesitant; Michelle was insistent.

“Well,” Billy began, “Uh, I saw Bash run out the side door so I decided to go out the front and circle around toward him. I figured I would go toward the track field. I heard a noise; I wasn’t sure exactly what it was so I headed toward where I thought the sound came from. I saw Brad bent over and holding his, uh, holding himself and he looked in pain. For a minute I thought maybe Bo sent Bash and me on a wild goose chase as Scotty wasn’t anywhere around. I asked Toller what was wrong and if he was okay. He said that”—looking at Michelle, Billy hesitated.

“Uh, go on Billy, what did Toller say?” Michelle eagerly asked.

“Uh, well it was not something I think I can repeat,” Billy said blushing.

“William Farmer, for crying out loud, just say it. I’m sure I’ve heard it before. I have two older brothers you know.”

Continuing Billy went on to say, “Well he said that blankity-blank Tucker is a blankity-blank faggot. He then asked me to help him go find the blankity-blank faggot and teach him a lesson. He said we should break both his hands. That would teach the cock-. I mean, that would teach Scott a lesson. Well, he piss-, I mean he made me mad so I slugged him a couple of times. I was afraid I really hurt him ‘cause when fell to the ground he didn’t move. I thought I knocked him out. He was just stunned though, so I decided to take him to the locker room and go get Coach Hastinger to look at him in case I hurt him bad. I was really mad.” Billy concluded with,” I never did like him. He thinks he is better than everybody else.”

“As much as I am against violence, I can’t say I regret what you did Billy,” Scotty said.

Billy just bowed his head and said quietly, “You and Bash are my friends and I don’t care if…well you’re my friends.”

We talked a little more about it, but sensed Billy was uncomfortable so we began to talk about other things. Bobby related he was really looking forward to going to England and as I suggested to him, he did ask Scotty about places to see. Michelle said she was going to get a part time job for the summer to save up some money for things she’d need for college. Scotty mentioned perhaps he’d accept more performance offers for a year and then go to college. It is something he and I discussed, though we didn’t reveal that to all assembled at the table. Billy sheepishly said he wanted to become a veterinarian. Scotty and I both told him he’d be great. Scotty said teasingly, if he charged himself fees, he’d make a mint. Billy loved animals and was always picking up strays. He must have had at least three dogs, a half dozen cats and an assortment of other creatures at his house. I said that I thought Dr. William S. Farmer had a nice ring to it causing Billy to smile. As we were all getting ready to pay the bill and head home, Billy came up to Scotty and me and quietly asked if he could come by a little later as he wanted to talk to us privately. We invited him to come to my place around dinnertime, we’d order pizza, and then we could visit.

After we said our good-byes, Michelle lingered and asked to walk with us. Of course we didn’t object and welcomed her company. Something was on Michelle’s mind and being Michelle it didn’t take long for her to come out with it. “Do you think it’s realistic for Billy to want to be a vet?” She inquired. “Isn’t he setting his goals a little too high?”

“I’ll tell you what Michelle, if Billy is determined to be a vet, he’ll be one. Everyone thinks that because Billy is slow, that he’s stupid. I’ll have you know Billy maintained a B average the last two years. Yeah, it’ll be a challenge, especially studying more advanced English and writing, but Billy loves science and he grasps math pretty well. I swear if other students worked as hard and applied themselves half as much as Billy, we’d have a school full of Einsteins. And yeah, he’ll need help to keep up, as it does take him longer to grasp things, but I’ll tell you this, I’d bet any amount of money, if Billy says he’s going to be a vet; he’ll be one.”

“You think so Bash?”

“Yes”, Scotty and I said simultaneously.

“Well, I’ve always thought he was kind of cute, ah, well more handsome than cute,” Michelle commented.

“Well, if you haven’t noticed…Well, Scotty and I know he likes you Michelle. You should try to get to know him better. Heck, you’ve known him almost as long as you’ve known us.”

“Well, he’s never asked me out on a date, or for that matter, asked me to do anything with him,” Michelle remarked.

“Michelle, you hear how girls talk about him. They think he’s a big stupid lug. When actually he’s a very sensitive and sweet guy. Yeah, he’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s a wonderful person. Privately, he can be funny. And contrary to what most think, he actually can hold a conversation on relevant topics. It may take him some time to formulate his ideas and respond… Well, as I said, he’s no dummy. If you’re interested in Billy and want to go out with him, you’re going to have to make the first move. He’s shy. You’re a smart gal. I’m sure you can couch it in a way he’ll think he asked.”

Michelle cocked an eyebrow, and responded, “Well, I just might do that.”

“If you want, we can drop a hint that you’re interested. Then maybe if you pay a little attention to him, just maybe he’ll make an awkward attempt to ask you out. As I said, you’re smart. You can help make it easier for him to do.”

As we approached the street where we’d go in different directions, we said good bye to Michelle and headed to my place. We did tell her Billy was coming by and we’d drop a bug in his ear about her. She smiled and said okay. Along with the smile, she had a girlish lightness to her step as she walked away.

As soon as we got home, I reminded Scotty he had to ice his hand and he needed to take some aspirin. “Are you sure you’re not a woman with a penis?” Scotty teased.

“What da’ ya’ mean by that?”

“You’re so, ah how do I say this? You’re so motherly—sometimes.”

“Well, that’s because you’re such a brat and need to be watched over. You know if I hadn’t said anything, you wouldn’t have taken your aspirin or put ice on your hand.” I retorted.

“I didn’t say being motherly was a bad thing,” he responded with a smile. “It’s kinda’ cute—sometimes.”

Iced and aspirined, Scotty and I cuddled on the couch to watch some TV. Eventually, Scotty dozed off, his head in my lap, as I mindlessly ran my fingers through his hair: thankful he was okay.

***[ ]***

“Uh, so I guess you guys aren’t gonna’ be around too much this summer,” Billy said, taking a bite of his pizza. There was a tone of worry in his voice.

“It doesn’t seem like we’ll be: just the remainder of this month and a few weeks of July. Then we’ll be gone again for a week in late August. We’ll be back for a few weeks in September than off to Australia for almost two weeks. Uh, what’s up Billy?”

“Uh, well, college is gonna’ be tough, and well, uh well, I’m kinda’ scared. I looked up the course study and the books I’ll need. Boy, it’s not gonna’ be easy, and uh, you two will be gone…”

“Billy?”

“Yeah, Bash?”

“Why don’t you give Michelle a call? She doesn’t plan to go anywhere this summer. Besides, she has the hots for you. I’m sure she’d be glad to give you some help.”

“What?” Billy incredulously exclaimed.

“Well, ya’ big oaf, Michelle likes you. She said to us that you never asked her out or anything so just figured you didn’t like her—at least not as dating material,” Scotty said.

“Uh, really? She really said that? You saying she’d like to go out with me—really?”

Scotty and I looked at one another and I said, “Ya’ know Scotty, this guy’s smarter than he looks.” Addressing Billy, “Why wouldn’t she like to go out with you? Is there something wrong with you we don’t know about? That Hulk-like body is just to disguise your true space alien form?”

“Well, you know…Most girls think I’m uh stu…”

“Yeah, well, Billy, most girls are wrong then,” I interrupted. “Anyway, you could use needing a little help with your studying to ask Michelle to give you a hand. Then from there, well you can both get to know each other better and see where it goes. Can’t hurt.”

We could hear the gears grinding in Billy’s head. It would take him a while, but he’d figure out something. He finally broke the silence and asked, “Uh, can I ask you two guys somethin’?”

“Sure, Billy, what’s on your mind?” Scotty replied.

“Well, not that it’s any of my business, and uh, if ya’ don’t wanna’ answer, uh that’s okay, but are you really a, I mean, are you really gay, Scott?”

“Would it bother you if I was, Billy?”

“Not really, and to be honest, I think I kinda’ figured you were. It just never…Well, you and Bash have always been there for me and if it wasn’t for you two, well, you know, I probably wouldn’t have done as good in school. I hope we’ll always be friends. I don’t care what other people think and I’m not ashamed to call you my friend either.”

“Thanks, Billy, I consider you a great friend too,” Scotty said. “And yeah, I am.”

“Uh, Billy,” I said.

“Yeah, Bash?”

“There is something else you should know. I’m gay too. Scotty and I have been friends all our lives and we’ve been together as boyfriends for almost two years.”

With a little smile, Billy responded, “Kinda’ figured that too. Thanks for telling me, though it still doesn’t change how I feel about you either. Just hope when I’m around ya’ don’t start singin’ a lot of show tunes,” he added jokingly.

“Scotty, Billy made a funny!” I exclaimed, as we both jumped up and started to give this gentle, warm-hearted giant noogies.