Chapter 12-1
Hear Me Roar
Part 2
Mom had rules about being dressed at the table at dinner time, but tonight she was breaking them more so because Mrs. Thomas wanted us to be comfortable. Not that it really mattered much, as they couldn't stop blushing whenever they noticed Dad and us boys' arousal. When we noticed the girl's breasts bouncing or moving, helping with the final things on the table. I knew Mr. Thomas was having a difficult time of it because his penis kept trying to escape his waist robe every time; he looked at Mom or one of my friend's sisters.
Mom asked if they would feel better if we least put on a robe, having her and husband shake their head stating. "No, it's just something we have to get used to, that's all." But Mom kindly asked us if we would put on a robe. Saying the chairs make our butts sweat is a polite but true lie. I watched as they started to relax a little more when we did—apologizing to us for making us feel uncomfortable. Being it is their first being in the open so exposed, saying it's a lot different from being in a bathhouse or skinny dipping as a family.
Mom said. "No apologies needed. It takes a bit of getting used to seeing other people naked for the first time. More so when you haven't been raised in it. My son Eric and his friends had the same problem for days before they had gotten used to it." I rolled my eyes as Dad and Mom launched into on my first time being naked when I met my three mermaids, and how terrified I was because they saw me aroused. Plus, me seeing them always naked. How I had such a hard time hugging her, or my sisters because they were naked.
I wanted to crawl under the table and hide. But Dad said. "Once he found out that it was just a pair of breasts and not something to be afraid of when he touched them. He soon discovered that it wasn't a big deal and learned what other men and boys had learned since Adam and Eve. That has been with a girl before. That is the most exciting part of a woman's body, well the second part of a woman's body."
Dad grinned, putting his arms around me and squeezing my shoulders. "Now all he wants to do is spend every waking moment having sex and stimulating each other." Having her husband clarify it as he whispered in her ear, watching her giggle and blush. Telling Mom and Dad she likes that word a lot better than saying the other.
Mom had me and my friends cleared the table and did up the dishes as she ran a bath for Adam's parents' only bathing experience. More so because the tub was only big enough for six people to sit comfortably, and it would give them a chance to get acquainted without kids listening in on adult conversations. Whatever that means. But that was more than ok with us boys and the girls because that meant we could enjoy ourselves a little more.
Dad told us before leaving that he was proud of us boys, and he's looking forward to seeing me kick butt tomorrow. Said he had taken the entire day off so he and Mom could be there to support me. Having Mr. Thomas informed him that the match had been moved to 4 p.m. because it's not a sectioned as a school activity or exercise activity during gym class. Since they are expecting a large turnout. That the teachers felt that to make it a real competition having other students compete against the other as if it was a grudge match to show off their skills.
Instead of three students, they duke it out. The top ten winners will fight for a spot of five spots on the wrestling team before the main event. Dad said. "That sounds fair, considering I really didn't like the idea of a school fight in the schoolyard concept." I had to admit Dad was right, it was like stating. 'You and me behind the schoolyard at three, you worthless loser.'
We rolled up the mat and I let the boys put it away. I still had a hard time with basements. It was worse after the sun had gone down, so I went to my room as the boys played a game of football in the backyard. Telling them I really needed to make an attempt at breaking down those receipt boxes. So, I could have something to show Stringham when I went to my mother's house. I never called it home because it was anything but. This was my home. Even though it wasn't my first choice, it was still home to me.
Sparky climbed on my bed making himself comfortable, as I picked up the first box. I gave a heavy sigh and pulled out the piles of paper and began organizing into manageable piles. Starting with sorting them out regarding if they were invoices of goods receivable, and goods purchased. Or if they were bills that needed to be paid or just a bill of sales.
Adam came in and shook his head and grabbed another box, asking if he could help. Telling me he helps his Mom all the time when she brings work home. I nodded and explained each pile as he made himself comfortable.
Soon after, my other friends came in, asking if they can help. Giving the excuse they were too tired to stand up any longer. I didn't say no. So, they each grabbed a box, and I repeated each of the piles and what they were looking for. Within an hour, with everyone's help, my four boxes were sorted, waiting for me to give them something else as if they were working for me.
It was a new experience being the one in charge of a task, as I learned how to delegate. I felt I was cheating Mr. Stringham by not doing all the work myself. But I didn't want my friends to think I hated them, and I was avoiding them. So, I set the next task to take each of the piles and reorganize them by date. So, when I put them in the books and recorded them it would be just entering the data. Once again, I could have killed for a computer with a spreadsheet.
The work went quickly with all the help, as I placed them into folders and used the boxes as a filing system. Having someone take over that task as I began sitting at my desk, entering the data collected. Which was the hardest part because I had to make it easy to read. Each book was marked for each separate invoice. The task was simple, but hard because of my bad handwriting, having to erase and rewrite it so it was easy to read.
Fran and Christy watched what I was doing after finishing the tasks I had given them. Said. "We could do that," after watching me, Asking me to let them try it, I cringed, but I nodded as they took one of the books and began entering the data as I watched making sure it was done the right way. I had to admit their handwriting was a lot better than mine. Even Adams was far better than mine.
The work went quickly as I worked on the next task, adding the totals of each column. Plugging in my adding machine as I added up the totals of each invoice and wrote down the numbers on each on a card. So, I could put them in the main book that holds everything of the sales and the money spent. It was the only thing I couldn't task out because it was my ass on the line if the figures didn't match up. So, I thanked them and said. "I really appreciate the help." Saying I was done when I really wasn't.
I hadn't realized Mom and Dad, as well as Adam's parents, were watching me until Mom said. "The tub is all yours. I promised your parents that you would be home by nine so you could have plenty of time to do your homework and get a good night's sleep. So, make the best of it."
I waited for everyone to leave before I went back to my desk and started to work again. Mom and Dad looked over my shoulder and Dad said. "Remember what we said about balance, son? You have done enough work for one day." Closing my book and unplugging my adding machine. I gave a heavy sigh as Mom pushed me towards the tub room, and Dad opened the tub room door and said. "Girls, he's all yours." Having them come get me.
I had to admit Mom and Dad were right. The moment I stepped inside the tub as the girls bathed each of us boys, stimulating us until we were all completely spent and very clean. I hated to see them go, as they gave me each a breathtaking kiss. Mom and Dad told Jared and me to get ready for bed and they would be right in to give us each a massage. Considering my other brothers had theirs while we bathed and were in bed asleep after a long, hard day.
It hadn't been over two hours before the phone rang as Mom picked up. Mom's words seemed shaken when she said. "You got to be kidding me. Do you know who did it? Of course, you can stay here." Mom hung up the phone and said. "Someone broke into the Thomas' house and vandalized it because they were seen with us."
Dad said. "I'll go see how bad it is and if there is anything I can do." Dad quickly dressed, and I asked Mom if I could go help Dad. Dad said. "Absolutely not. This is between me and whoever is targeting our friends and family."
Dad picked up the phone and called Bishop Sakes to meet him at the Thomas's house, explaining what had happened. Telling him to bring as many guys as possible as he can manage at this hour. Dad placed his hand on my shoulder and said. "I am sorry, son, but I think it's more important if you stay here so you can be with Adam and his sisters. They don't deserve this when all they did was decide to be our friends." Mom and Dad didn't say who did it, but I had a pretty good idea, and his name was Crawford. I knew it was serious as Dad unlocked the gun cabinet and took out his shotgun. He hated the idea of having a gun in the house, but after we had been vandalized twice, he decided it was for our protection.
Mom waited by the living room door waiting for the Thomas's, pacing back and forth with worry. I put my arms around her and hugged her. Telling her it's going to be ok, knowing it would never be ok as long as Crawford was allowed to get away with it. Mom sighed when their car pulled into our driveway and parked. Seeing them in tears covered in blood, feathers and as they got closer, they smelled as if someone threw them in a sewer.
Mom didn't care about our clothes getting ruined as she took Mrs. Thomas in her arms, letting her cry on her shoulder as she told us what had happened and said. The moment they got to the door, six men wearing ski masks accosted them and covered them in blood and human waste. Then ran when a neighbor heard them scream. Telling them he was calling the cops. Telling him to mind his own business or he and his family would be next. She cried. "My beautiful house is ruined, and we didn't have anywhere else to go, or know who to call."
Mom shushed her, telling Jared to run the tub as Mom and I helped clean them up the best we could. My blood boiled as I looked at them. I wanted to kill the people that were responsible. Their clothes were ruined as Mom had to cut most of them off as we stuffed them and ours inside a garbage bag. Mom kept calm as a cucumber as she held her in her arms. Their Dad held tight to his two girls, telling them. "It's just things, nothing more. The only thing that mattered was their family."
Adam was doing his best to stay strong, but I knew just by looking at him he was anything but strong. The moment I put my arms around him he broke down and started shaking in my arms in great big sobs. Telling us about how bad things were inside the house. Dead animals nailed to the wall, blood everywhere. Telling them they are not wanted here, and to stay away from us and our friends. All their furniture was slashed to ribbons, their beds were filled with waste and animal blood. All their clothes were ruined. It was a walking nightmare. I cringed as I looked at the tub and the water turned red. It took two complete baths before they looked human again. Mom and I made some hot soup and grilled cheese sandwiches as we waited for Dad to come home.
It was nearly midnight when Dad came home, he was angry and he was tired, but the moment he saw the Thomas' his attitude changed, and was covered in blood and waste as we watched him remove the rest of his clothes and put them into another garbage bag. He quickly said. "With a little elbow grease and some fresh paint, everything will be as good as new."
Mom, Jared, and I knew it was a lie, but I dug deep and said. "You bet, my Dad's right. I bet within a week it will be just like it never happened." Dad grabbed a quick shower to wash off the stench while Mom made the sleeping arrangements.
Mom and Dad gave up their room for the night as Dad and I pulled out my mattress from Shane's truck for him, and Mom and put the two girls in Jason's and Jonathan's room. While we boys all slept in my bed. Mom scoured our closets and old clothing they had kept from Jody, Shane, and Kerry leftover clothes they didn't take with them. So, they would have at least something to wear to bed. Like overgrown shirts for the girls and clean panties for the girls and being a bigger woman than Mom or her two daughters. Dad's old PJs worked just fine for Mrs. Thomas and a pair of bottoms for her husband. True, they all could have slept in the nude but wasn't their lifestyle.
Mom emptied her closet of clothes and with some of Jody's as well as some of Kerry's. They were able to put together an outfit they could wear to school in the morning. You would think that should have been the last thing on everyone's mind. But Mom said normalcy helps a lot more than sitting around thinking about what has happened. When there is very little you can do about it in the first place. Either let it bring you down or strengthen you. Showing those bastards that we intend to fight back, not cower in a corner like a frightened mouse.
The only clothes Mom didn't have on hand were clothes that would fit Mrs. and Mr. Thomas, as Mom picked up the phone and started dialing. It didn't matter that it was 2 a.m. or 3 A.M. When any of our friends were in trouble, everyone rallied around them. They came the second they were called.
Dad still had many friends that he had worked with when he worked for the prison, Taking time off just to help wherever they needed it. I wish I could say we didn't need them, but we did.
When we learned not only was the Thomas's house vandalized, but so were many of our friends. Windows had been broken with bricks tied with hateful notes, rotten eggs, broken beer bottles, and toilet paper covering their yards and houses. Graffiti sprayed and blood was painted on their doors and on the sides of their houses. The list went on with cruelty. Yet they still came. Leaving their troubles at the door as they entered our house, putting their arms around them to comfort them. In so much, it overwhelmed them and us bringing us all even closer together rather than tearing each other apart.
Dad and Bishop Sakes took charge of organizing a cleanup crew that would go from house to house at first light. Dad's old prison buddies walked the streets and cars patrolled or stayed parked. Stating you wanted a war, come, and get some, you punk. Bishop Sakes borrowed every truck he could get his hands on and every man and able body that was willing to come. The word was out, and they came as our road was filled with trucks and volunteers, waiting on the word "go."
The women took over the babysitting so the mothers could be free to help where they could as our house became central station. Setting up quiet rooms for the kids and parents to sleep. My room housed all the boys, from the bed to the floor, covered in sleeping bags. Jason and Jonathan's room housed all the girls. Everyone's room was needed for something or someone. I could easily imagine what those people who hated us thought when they saw and watched their message being unheard and ignored. All their hard work is wasted because we wouldn't bow down or back down when someone is in trouble.
It was very hard to sleep with the anger boiling inside of me, but Mom and Dad refused to let me help other than be a friend and comfort to my friends. So, in a sense, I was confined to my room and in bed. Lying there, thinking of the many ways I wanted to rip my enemies to pieces.
Until Mom and Dad freed me from my cage, as I quickly got in line for a shower and got into a very long line for breakfast outside on the back lawn. That looked nothing more than a mess hall filled with people and long tables. Shawn and Arthur weren't the only ones with bags under their eyes, but at least they participated. Even though it was forced upon them, as Mom and Dad rode them hard. Until it was their turn to get ready for school. Again, that seemed so pointless, but being a kid, you were told to obey.
It was the first time I had ever seen a school bus pull up to our house and take us all to school personally. Normally, I would have had to go up to the top of the street when I attended Lehi High School.
Even the kids that went to American Fork caught the bus at the top of our street or further up, or they hitched a ride with their parents or brother or sister. But today we had our own private bus. Because every truck and car was needed that they could scrounge up for the cleanup crew and shopping trips to and from the stores. I wasn't in the mood for school. I wanted to help, not sit in class twiddling my thumbs as Mom kissed me and my brothers on the head, telling us to have a good day.
Yet I was a kid. I wasn't allowed to make my own decisions. Yet I felt like one minute they treated me like an adult and the next minute I was a kid again. Mom waved, yelling that she loved us. Waiting for the other kids to say. "Oh, how cute, little Eric is a momma's boy." Yet none of them said a word about it as they waved to their parents, telling them they loved them too.
The moment I walked into school the world was waiting for me as they cheered or booed my name because I showed up. Many were hoping I would have stayed home and played sick. I quickly took my seat with my friends as Adam flanked my right side and Stan flanked my left and everyone else sat around me as if they were my permanent bodyguards.
I felt like the world was on my shoulders the moment Mrs. Hothner called the roll, wanting to hide in some hole. When she made a class announcement and said reading a prepared announcement. "Because of the tragedy that has taken place among you. The school board and its teachers have decided that there will be no classes taught during the last portion of today's classes … instead of the classes. We will, as a student body and its staff will be organizing today's fund-raisers. To help raise funds for those families that have been hit hard last night. By showing our school spirit as we decorate our halls and gym and collecting donations. All winning proceeds of the wrestling matches will be given to help those families in need."
She put down the announcement and stood before the class and said as she looked everyone in the eye. "As a teacher and a parent. I am appalled because people in our community and our town. Think they may judge a person because of their lifestyle. I am angered by their cruelty. I am angered by their choices, thinking they have the right to take their freedoms away. That our forefathers of this nation have died for so we may be free to live, free to choose how we want to live. Regardless of our nationality, regardless of our religion, regardless of the color of our skin. And because of that, I am adding an assignment worth thirty-five percent of your grade."
Mrs. Hothner walked over to her desk and picked up a pile of papers and started to hand them out. Individually, she continued and said. "The topic I have chosen is 'What does freedom mean to me?' If you noticed on the handout, It is to be five pages minimum, typed double-spaced, see the back for example for those that need it. Signed by your parents that you did the work, not them or anyone else's.
The school library will be open during the Labor Day weekend and so will the type-class for those who need access to a typewriter and need further instructions. It will be due next Wednesday to give you time to think about it. It will be read in front of the class."
I could hear the groaning as the assignment was handed out. When she got to me and my friends, she placed a blank piece of paper on our desk and smiled. When we turned it was there was nothing, but the grade earned an " A " and the assignment was complete. She asked me and my friends as if she was asking for the rest of the class. "Are there any questions? If not, we will continue where we left off on Monday. I must say I am disappointed so far in the papers that you have already turned in except for this one. Notice that it is typed, packaged, and easy to read. I have been given permission to use it as an example for the rest of you. That from now on, this is what I am expecting. Anything else will not be graded.
She called my name and had me stand up. Asking me what I am doing sitting here? Did she not tell me to report to the gym? Then smiled and said, "I am counting on you boy to win us a victory. Not sitting in class listening to a bunch of students that tell me how their life sucked over their wasted summer. Now, report to Mr. Brady for further instructions." I nodded and picked up my stuff and stopped at her desk, placing my completed homework on her desk. She looked at me and said. "Son, this isn't due till Friday."
I shrugged my shoulders. I told her I had some free time last night, which was a sort of true. Mom and Dad may have confined me and my friends to my room. They said nothing about me not doing homework. She said, "You are going to spoil me, aren't you?"
I said. "I don't believe in giving teacher's apples that sit on the desk and rot, or when you bite into them finding a worm."
She turned me around and swatted my bottom said. "Gym now."
Hearing the boys, my challengers complain. "What about us, Mrs. Hothner?"
She growled. "What about you? Have you turned in or your read your papers, have turned in your homework for the week?" Hearing them growl angrily no. She looked at me standing in the doorway as I watched her walk towards the door and close It. said as she stood there smiling. "Now where are we? Oh yes," calling forward to the next student on the list.