The rest of the drive is quiet and when we arrive home and Guy makes it inside my daughters are the first to hug him and welcome him back. Everything looks really good from where I'm standing as Guy is talking civilly and even seems a little happy that he is home and with family. I'd hate to think that torture was what he needed to get past some of his problems after years of neglect and abuse but as scary as it sounds it just might have done us some good. Mark and Guy immediately have a laugh at his clothes and Mark takes him upstairs so Guy can change into something more comfortable while Loretta busies herself in the kitchen with dinner. Dinner goes well except for Guy's reaction to finding out his case was lost because of his abduction but I have some good news on that front.
"After everything that happened I have it set with the school board to reconvene the hearing so that you get your chance to say your piece about Hayes, Copeland and the football team," I tell him and he shakes his head.
"It's alright, things will work out in the end but thank you for thinking of me," Guy thanks me for taking up the matter for him and now everyone is confused.
"Bro, you can't let them get away with what happened," my oldest remarks and Guy just shakes his head.
"Everything will be fine Bro, I'm here, I'm home and I'm feeling good for the first time in a week," Guy says everything with a smile and my family returns to eating dinner.
My family dinner finishes and everyone returns to their lives save for Guy who is walking around the home just looking at things and I believe humming to himself some song he must have heard. Mark offers to take him out to the gym tomorrow and Guy agrees but stops me for a moment.
"Mr. D, you've always told me that I had a place here and I know I've been tough to deal with but I have to ask you for something and I think it will cost a bit of money," Guy is asking me for things, must check to see if the world stopped turning.
"Alright I'll consider it but what is it you want," I counter as Loretta looks on.
"Clothes, I need new clothes," Guy responds with a simple answer.
"Honey I can take you shopping tomorrow if you like," Loretta offers but Guy simply smiles and shakes his head at her.
"Not regular clothes Mom, I need suits," Guy's clarification has me intrigued.
"Why do you want me to take you to get suits," I ask and he smiles.
"I just want to dress better and you dress better than most men I've seen. You don't put on a polo shirt and slacks to go to work. You dress for success and I want to start to emulate that when I head back to school," Guy explains and now Loretta is concerned.
"Honey I don't know if school is the best thing for you," my wife informs her son and he still smiles at her.
"I need to graduate and I need to show people who I am," Guy replies to his mother and she is worried but nods in agreement.
I make arrangements in my schedule to take a day and go suit shopping with Guy, Loretta is cautious but it's justified. I quietly pull my children aside and ask them to keep an eye on Guy, see how he reacts to things and if anything is wrong that we're not seeing and immediately Mark is not happy.
"Dad, you're telling us to spy on Guy, he's our brother. Family can't do that to each other," Mark is right to an extent.
"Mark Dad isn't saying spy on Guy but we need to watch him. He's been hurt over and over and every time he has withdrawn and hid. Now look at him," Beth argues, taking control of the conversation," He's not running and I'm not a doctor but that doesn't happen in a week. Something could be very wrong with him and we need to watch out."
"Why because he's dangerous? Because he's going to hurt us," Mark is leaping to conclusions.
"No Mark, because he might need our help. We didn't watch and pay attention and he suffered. Now he is back home and he's happy or he seems to be but something is… off putting about his demeanor. We need to know if something is wrong so we can be there to help," I explain but Mark while nodding is skeptical.
My children leave and the one that worries me in the situation is Abigail. She didn't speak at all when I was talking to her siblings and she has been the first one to jump towards helping Guy when he was down.
"Abby, what is it," I ask as she reaches the door.
"Dad I don't know, that's just not Guy," she says and I wait for clarification," he's different… Dad I can't really talk about it with you."
"Why not, Abigail, you know that no matter what I'll never think any less of you and if you have some new insight as to Guy's change in demeanor," I state my observations and she sighs," Honey go ahead and tell me."
But my daughter shakes her head and has nothing to help my thoughts on the matter. The next two days are quiet as work and home keep my focus. I get minor reports from my daughters and nothing from my son concerning Guy. Worse when I speak to Loretta she just smiles and says that he's home and he's happy. The day finally comes where Guy and I are to go suit shopping and I find myself with an entirely different person. He talks about things like where would I like to see him take his education, what fields of study do I think would suit him best and most curious he asks about my time in college. I share a few academic stories and he listens intently as we spend our day at four different shops and two tailors buying a grand total of twelve suits. Some business but most casual suits without ties. We're heading home instead of eating because Guy knows his mother wishes to see his clothes soon and will make a good lunch for it when I'm caught off guard.
"Why is everyone afraid of me," he asks and I almost stop the car.
"We're not afraid of you Guy, we're worried," I state and he nods.
"Is that why everyone is watching me and whispering in the dark," he asks and I have to think.
"Guys horrible things have happened to you, things you should have never suffered and now you have completely changed your entire manner, it's almost like you are a completely different person. I see it's you, I hear your voice but you don't act like you," I explain and his face shows me a cold expression I've never seen.
"Then maybe you should kick me out," Guy says and I almost stop the car," If you are afraid of me then make me leave. I'll go if that helps you and the others feel safe."
"Guys we don't need you to leave, nobody wants that but we're all concerned," I explain and he nods but the cold expression hasn't changed.
"I'm grateful that everyone cares about me and I'm not saying what happened to me wasn't horrible but who I am now I choose to be. Not a crying, bleeding child on the ground begging people to stop. I will be what I want and that… well that will be something special," Guy tells me with a smile.
He is very off putting with his calm demeanor and I feel like I should talk to Loretta privately and see if she thinks we need to bring Dr. Hill in to speak with Guy. We unload the suits and accessories from the car and once they're put away Guy immediately asks Mark if he wants to head to the gym. Mark is almost unsure of what to do but they leave and with my daughters not home I have a chance to speak with Loretta who is in the TV room.
"How was shopping," she asks, looking away from her show.
"We bought suits and I'm fairly certain that he needs some help," I tell my wife who frowns a little," I know you want him here and I'm not saying anything that isn't being thought of by the rest of the family Lori. He's different and I can't tell if it is a good thing or what it is."
"I know he's a little different but he's here and he wants to be. He and I have talked over the past few days and while he wants to be this new 'person' he's actually worried about you removing him from the house," my wife informs me and I have to sit down opposite her on the couch.
"He offered to leave if we didn't feel safe. It's not safe but I'm just not sure who I'm looking at anymore," I express my concern and Loretta nods.
"He's new, I think something finally turned the child into a man but if you want I'll talk with him about sitting down with a professional," Lori offers but I'm quick to add.
"Dr. Hill, I can have her here before he returns to school," I state and my wife has a sour look.
"I don't like that woman, she continually backs him into a corner with questions and he has stated numerous times that he doesn't like her," Loretta informs me of facts I already know.
"She knows Guy and it'll be better for him to at least talk to someone he knows as opposed to bringing a complete stranger in and having him learn about Guy from a file," I state my case and she relents but has personal issues.