Chapter 2
Our Lips Are Sealed
Part 1
Brother Niles asked me if it was alright if he had a word with Mrs. Rothwell. To say I was terrified as I said it was ok. I almost said no, considering he now knows everything and right now, even more than my Bishop. Yet when I shook his hand earlier, I had to believe that he would not expose the lie. Where was Jeff when I needed him to look inside a person's soul to see whether I could trust this person? My gut tells me I can, but it had been wrong before.
All I could do was watch as he led her just outside my room, leaving the door open. Not that it would matter. I still couldn't hear their conversation under hushed voices. While I waited for the hammer of doom to fall on my head when he told her he knew that wasn't a skateboard accident and he knew the actual truth behind it all. Worst of all that I had seen my grandmother, and she was still here; I thought thinking, telling someone all my dark secrets was a mistake. Especially to someone I didn't know that well and only lives down the street from me.
Mom came back into the room taking the chair by my bed while brother Nile's left us alone telling us he needed to run some errands. I nodded and said I would be fine until he came back. Mom frightened me, but it was worse if we were around a tub full of water. Even today I still can't get the memories of it out of my head. Even so, wake up in the middle of the night drenched with sweat, reliving the nightmare. Mom leaned back to check if he had really left and sighed with a heavy sigh of relief. Taking her hand and grabbing my chin hard enough to let me know she was still angry. Then quickly letting it fall seeing the red marks she had left nodding she was satisfied.
I knew she wanted to punish me if she could; her fists clenched tightly at her sides. The situation was risky, but I found solace because she and her husband were under heightened scrutiny. Somehow, it didn't make me feel any better knowing the shoe was on the other foot. If it wasn't for the nurses checking in on me every few minutes either to place clean towels and supplies or checking to see if Mom needed anything or I would have been more terrified.
Mom took a seat close enough to see the door and still be close enough so we could talk privately without being disturbed. She would start off with small talk as she watched the door and me. Asking how I was doing, and if I'd been reading my scriptures. Thumbing through them seeing my bookmark; stating that I was a quick reader. I said. "It was easy when you have nothing else to do." Trying hard not to sound as if I had a smart mouth quickly said, "I'd had always been a quick reader; reading several novels in a week."
She nodded, saying, "She will remember that in the future."
Mom leaned in closer. "So, I understand you have told no one what really happened?" I shook my head no. That I never plan on telling anyone. She stared at me for a moment before she nodded and said it would be best if I didn't. And they had enough trouble explaining the missing boy, but apparently, they found him and placed him in a home for boys. Said it should be a warning to me if I ever caused them this much trouble again. I nodded that I understood.
Mom could be mean and cruel when she wanted to, but she also could be a caring mother as well when she had so much to gain from it. Knowing that I wasn't another Arthur or a bad kid like so many others, they had taken in. Yet I needed to earn her trust and Dad's if I was ever going to live long enough to escape my prison. I didn't have Aunty M to help me. I didn't have Jeff either. So, I told her I would never mention what happened to anyone. If she had promised me, it would never happen again. I took her hand and looked her in the eye as we shook hands, sealing the deal. When she broke contact first, I knew she wouldn't keep her end of the bargain.
In some ways, it was a relief because I had already told Brother Niles and my Grandmother, and we had all agreed to keep it to ourselves until we could use it against them. I had told them we needed to make sure that this never happened to another foster kid. They made sure that I would be the last one ever put in this home. Brother Niles would be close enough to keep an eye on me and have the Rothwells committed to scouting and mutual. My grandma was grateful for and pleased that I had the chance to earn my Eagle being the only member of her family that had.
Mom conveyed her disappointment about my unavailability on Friday and expressed her regret regarding Dad's prohibition on anyone visiting me. In hope, it gave me time to think about my actions. But has reinstated them since neither my caseworker nor Bishop Lanwall has said that I had told them any differently and only has the same suspicions as the nurses and my doctor. "Who wouldn't" Mom grumbled. "Even I could see it wasn't from a skateboard accident."
I was told to expect Shane around eight tonight and Kerry in the morning, and so on. Dad would stop by most likely over the weekend since I wouldn't be coming home. She did not know what to do because of school having it start on Monday, so visits would be sporadic. That's when Bishop Lanwall and Brother Niles walked into the room together, overhearing the last parts of the conversation.
Mom stood quickly as he shook his hand and said. "Thank you for taking the time out of his busy schedule to see him." Restating that everyone at home was getting ready for school, having to register for classes, and buying school clothes and supplies; Bishop Lanwall and brother Niles played it as cool as a cucumber. Knowing very well that she was lying. I was more concerned about where my grandmother was. Praying she had sense enough to stay out of sight, but instead, she came into the room with one nurse dressed as one of them wearing a fake name tag. Told us she would be my nurse for the night and if I needed anything to just push the button. When Mom turned her back, she gestured with her fingers across her lips, signaling us to play along.
Mom looked at the clock and said she soon needed to get back and start dinner before my Dad came home. Pretending to be my caring mother, giving me two kisses one on the cheek and one on the forehead stating to "my nurse" I was running hot. Watching grandma stick the thermometer in my mouth and take my blood pressure like an old pro, giving me a quick wink. Stating that Mom was right, that it was spiking again at 101 and climbing. Making a note in the chart and asking if I needed help in the bathroom. I said. "Yes, ma'am but I could wait until my Mom left." She agreed, but Mom wasn't leaving saying she would like to see how my wounds were coming along for herself and said she wasn't going to leave until then.
Grandma nearly growled but caught herself told us. "If the menfolk could give us the room that would be great. No need to expose the boy to the entire world." Apparently, Grandma wanted to have words with her "alone." I prayed that she wouldn't put me in more danger than I was already in. I had far worse to worry about other than modesty, considering Grandma knew every inch of me better than I did. It was just easier to play along, even though I hated the tub even more so with Mom being so near it with me in it.
Grandma closed the door as the "men folk" waited outside my room. I knew I wasn't in any danger and trusted Grandma with my life. So, I let them walk me to the bathroom and undress me, which wasn't much just a simple hospital gown. Grandma turned to Mom, telling her what a fine well behave, lad I was. Letting me climb into the tub and let her drench me with cold water. I shivered because it was cold yet felt good as cold water went over my feverish skin. Mom would smile at me helping the "nurse "bathe me, using the soap and washrag as if I were one of her small children.
I didn't dare tell her I could do it myself even though Grandma would never allow her to harm me in her presence. So, I let her. Some things are not worth the fight, and this was one of them. Grandma had me bend forward so she could remove the wet bandages. I stifled a scream when they stuck to the skin. Letting the soft tears fall on my cheeks. Mom watched, taking a good look, grimacing that some were still quite bad and infected.
Grandma stated that the doctor has increased the number of times to change them from two to four times daily and increased the antibiotics. Grandma stated that the damage was quite extensive, a lot more than a simple "skateboard accident," and said that the boy's back looked like someone tore it to pieces with some sort of whip or belt.
Mom's face paled asking. "Why would anyone think that?" Grandma stated that it was not the first time she or the other nurses had seen something like this.
If it was up to them, they would call Child Services to investigate, telling her if it happened again and the boy still refused to tell them, they would. Grandma made her point very clear. Having me stand so Mom could see the damage clear as day from my shoulders all the way down to my butt. Even there was bruising from the night Dad took his belt to me, asking her point blank to say differently.
I stood there shaking from the cold as Grandma dried me off and slipped the new gown over my shoulders and tied it loosely. Asking me if I needed a few minutes to do my business while she changed my bed. Closing the door so I could have my privacy; when I was done, she helped me walk back and had me roll on my stomach, pulling the warm blankets up to my shoulders saying they would be back in to replace the bandages and give me something for the pain.
There is only so much Grandma could do. Not being an actual nurse anymore, she could get away with like bathing and feeding her grandson or checking my temperature or blood pressure; something any mother could do at home other than basic first aid. Mom didn't need to know as I smiled, saying thank you using the name tag grandma was using. Grandma telling me to be a good boy and she'll bring me in a treat. I nodded as Mom took her chair by my bed and held my hand.
Grandma let the menfolk back into the room and told them. To give them a few minutes alone. Mom was wiping the tears from her eyes as she lifted the blanket to see my back and tucked them back into place. Promising me that Dad would never, ever do it again and to please give them another chance to prove themselves to me. I nodded that I would if they kept the bargain and as long as she held her end. She whispered she would and kissed my cheek, asking if there was anything I wanted from home. I said. "Boxers would be nice, and more books to read."
Mom left soon after, telling me Shane would be by after dinner to watch over me. I nodded and watched her leave the room. Grandma soon came in with the other nurse and with two cans of soda and a couple of candy bars from the vending machine as promised. It still hurt when they dabbed my back with disinfectant, but I could lie on my back slowly, letting the pain medicine kick in. I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Grandma had somehow fooled Mrs. Rothwell. I didn't have to introduce her to Bishop Lanwall, considering they had done so in the hall.
I had learned that brother Niles had set her up in a hotel down the road from the hospital so she could remain close and have a place to stay without being noticed. Grandma felt quite pleased with herself for not strangling Mom with her bare hands. Thinking she could play the role well because of her training but leaving the principal duties to the actual nurses. Things have changed over the years that would make this seem an impossibility. It is all about who you know and the palms you can grease along the way; what the law doesn't know won't kill them. After all, they have done nothing to prevent my parents or others from abusing their own children in our eyes. I only wish the laws that are in place today would have helped me back then.
It was more like passing the baton in a foot race or the change of the guard. Saying goodbye to Brother Niles and hello to Bishop Lanwall taking his place as he and my Grandmother stayed to get to know each other. I really didn't need all the protection, but I was glad to have it. Grandma didn't leave my side making sure that I had everything within reason a boy could want, and making sure I had a good size dinner. She wiped my chin, having me read to her one of my novels. It was nice not having to be forced to pray. Letting the bishop say the prayer as we all had supper together. Yet time was getting away from us as we waited for Shane to arrive, and we worried if we could still pull it off.
Bishop Lanwall said he felt comfortable letting my Grandma watch over me, but he wanted to discuss some things alone with Shane before leaving them both in my care. In hopes, he could pry a few of those dark secrets out of him about what was really going on in that home and in the basement. Grandma and I feared what truths we uncover in the near future, but if we could avoid it, we would.
Either way, brother Niles would be close enough to extract me if he needed to or until Grandma and I could contact the Downings and smuggle me out of the country. There was no way in hell would she or they have me end up in another foster home or a home for boys; even worse going back to live with my parents. Until we could make other concrete arrangements, we may not like the Rothwells. I would remain in that home. I told them Mom had promised me that Dad would never do it again, but I had my doubts that she would keep it.
Bishop Lanwall said he would arrange something where they could keep a close eye on me, making sure they won't try it again. If he had to examine me himself weekly, but guaranteed that if they did, and if I ended back in here. He'd have child services on them so fast they'd spin from whiplash. He told me not to worry about Jeff, told me he had charged him with my care. That not having him with me would strengthen me. Strengthen me for what was my question?