Chapter 16
Finding The Truth
As always, Mom has a thing about us, being modestly dressed for dinner, requiring us boys too least put on a shirt, full robe or waist robe, or pair of shorts and a shirt. I wasn't surprised by the fact Mom had already picked up Jake's clothes. She hated clothes lying around our rooms unless they were hung up in the closet.
However, she had left one of Dad's robes for Jake, informing him his parents called, telling them they wanted him to spend the night and possibly the weekend, but they would discuss that over dinner. Mom asked if Adam and I had everything we were going to need for our weekend at my mother's house. Telling us to change into a pair of shorts and put on a shirt and socks so all we had to do was pick up our backpacks and put on our shoes. Instead of running around like crazy when she arrived, because of the late hour when she would arrive.
Yet, Mom and Dad didn't tell him or us everything until Dad dropped the bomb at the table. The second, he signed the contracts. He calmly said, passing him the whole wheat rolls and the butter. "I was thinking it might be best if you left town for a few days, Jake. I talked it over with your parents and they agreed, because of the danger you are in, and they are in.
"That it would be best if you weren't home roaming the neighborhood going on a manhunt for the people that had done this to your family and your brother. In fact, they themselves are going to be going to visit your aunt in Salt Lake over the weekend. Hoping this would blow over quickly."
Mom looked at Dad and the way they looked at each other said something had already happened. I got goosebumps because I knew those faces. It was the same faces they had given me when something really bad had happened.
Jake said. "So where do you think I should go? I don't have any other relatives other than my aunt in Salt Lake. I have no money for a hotel or transportation to get there, sir."
I could feel my stomach as it started to turn quizzy because Dad had just about spelled it out. I waited as I looked at the clock, noticing it was almost 7 p.m. and my mother was most likely on her way. Dad said. "We thought you could go with Adam and Eric to his mother's house until we―" I heard someone pounding on the front door, screaming hysterically. Dad and Mom ran to the door. I could hear fire engines coming down the street and someone's mother crying and a little boy.
Mom rushed them inside, telling me and Adam to bring some towels and a bucket of warm water, and lots of washrags, and the girls to take my brothers into the family room. Jake and I gasped, seeing the burnt, wet clothing and all of them covered in blood. I heard a dog barking outside, and it wasn't Sparky, because he was inside and was by my side, whining because of the noise of the fire trucks.
Jake rushed to them and took his mother and brother in his arms who weren't any older than Jared, if that being closer to Jason's age. His mother said. "Jake it's all gone, we barely escaped with our lives." Someone else pounded on the door and Dad quickly opened it, finding Jake's Dad holding on to their small dog and cat inside a pet carrier and a parrot in a birdcage. I could smell the smoke even though I couldn't see the fire where I was standing.
Dad brought them all inside as Sparky went nuts, seeing the cat and the other dog. Forcing me to pick him up and put him inside my room. The house was already in pandemonium as everyone was running around with their heads cut off. Mom yelling to the girls too please keep the boys inside the family room. After seeing them all standing there gasping. The only good thing was, like me, they were all modest.
Mom had them take a seat not caring about the carpet or the furniture seeing the blood dripping onto the carpet and soot and dirt shoe footprints. Mom had me, Adam, and Jake take care of his little brother and take the animals, and put them in the family room for now.
Mom literally had to pry Jake's little brother out of his mother's arms as he screamed and clung to her. Jake quickly kneeled at his side and said, "Billy, it's ok, no one's going to hurt you here."
I watched as he flung his little arms around his big brother as Jake picked him up in his arms. It reminded me of Aaron and how frightened he was around strangers, fearing they would beat him as our parents did at the time. Adam followed him down to the bathroom so he could help Jake as I took the dog and the cat from his Dad who was covered with soot and blood like everyone else, having Dad carry the birdcage.
I soon understood where Jake got his size from, seeing him and his Dad had the same Hulk-built body, having the same wide shoulders, and as tall as he was. His mother was a small woman in comparison with long brown hair cut short almost into a bob; she had to be at least the same height as me five foot six compared to his Dad's seven feet five inches.
His mother spoke with a strange foreign Scottish accent compared to her son Jake and his Dad speaking more like us basic Utah English. Jake must have inherited the same blue steely eyes because his mothers were green and so was his brother Billy.
No one needed to ask what happened or who was responsible. We knew what had happened and who to blame, seeing the animal blood all over them, but the fire was a whole different matter. It said that they wanted them dead or gone and they didn't care which. I also knew it was all our fault or mostly mine because I had taken Jake under my wing the moment he had decided to sit by me at lunch and hang around my friends and me at school. Even worse, we had invited them into our home.
It said that if you fraternize with the enemy, be prepared to suffer the consequences. This was a step up from trashing someone's home and humiliating them. It said the message sent earlier was just a warning to anyone that dared cross over the enemy lines, that this could be you if you even think about it. Adam had already told us that he and his family were in danger because he had, and his family. Had found out the truth regarding what was really going on here in our neighborhood and have been asking questions. As I have said before, small-town rumors are told faster than the wind.
I quickly went inside my room, telling Sparky to stay. He winced, then barked, telling me he wanted nothing to do with that as he headed for the door. Scratching it whining and barking hearing the other dog somewhere in the house. I never once hit my dog like some people do when they disobey. I picked him up and sat him on my bed and told him in a firm voice to stay. He did what he was told, as I quickly grabbed some of Jared's clothes and closed my door behind me, and grabbed some of Jason's clothes not knowing what sizes would fit best.
I opened the bathroom door, having his brother scream and hugging tight to Jake. Begging me not to hurt him. I placed the clothes on the counter, telling Jake that he was more than welcome to borrow them. He thanked me and I told him if he wanted to use the tub; he was more than welcome. I turned on the water and brought him more clean towels and everything he would need to bath his brother.
I picked up his brother's ruined clothes and took them with me, asking Adam if he wouldn't mind helping me in the kitchen. I knew if Billy wasn't my brother; he didn't want strangers; he wanted his brother. I told Mom what I had done, and she thanked me and so did his parents. I asked if there was anything else I could do. Mom said. "If you could show Jake's Dad where he could take a hot shower and go to her room and bring them each a robe from their closet. Until I can find them some clothes to wear unless you would prefer a hot bath. I can have my son run one for you. You'll have the room all to yourselves. Then I will fix you a nice hot meal and talk about what we're going to do next." They nodded.
Jake's mother said. "The shower would be fine Mrs. Rothwell, just as long as we can get this animal blood off us and the soot from the fire. I don't know how we can ever repay you for your kindness. I know we don't deserve it for the way we have treated you and your family."
Mom said. "Not a problem. We have put that behind us, and there is no need to repay us. It's the least we can do. After all, we are not the heathen monsters people say we are … We are all God's children. Just because we are nudists doesn't mean we aren't good Christians doing God's work when people like yours are in need of our help."
I quickly showed Jake's Mom where the shower was and placed a robe for and her husband and lots of clean towels. Having her quickly in embrace me nearly squeezing me to death. For a small woman, she certainly had a grip. Like Mom and Dad, I didn't care about ruining my clothes or the fact they were making a big mess. Clothes can be easily replaced, and a mess is just a mess and can be cleaned up as good as new. It was the people that mattered most.
She said. "I want to thank you for forgiving my boy. He doesn't make friends easily, because people are afraid of him because of how big he is. I don't know why you did it after the way he treated you and your friends, but me and my husband are in yours and your family's debt. I never thought our friends and neighbors would turn on us like this When it was them who did all those horrible things and tried to get my boys involved in drugs and child prostitution and other unspeakable things that would give me nightmares for the rest of our lives.
"Now our house is gone, and we have nowhere to go. Not even our relatives are willing to take us in. We don't want Jake or Billy to know that we were planning to spend the time at a hotel. Until we could decide what to do. Since our aunt refused us because we told her that our little boy was raped, and she was afraid that he and Jake would rape their children."
I nodded promised and said. "Everything will be fine. I trust my Mom and Dad and if they say everything will be fine and ok, then it will be." I did my best to make it sound believable, even though I knew it would never be fine or ok again.
I closed the door as Dad had just hung up the phone. Dad was about to say something when my mother walked in from the living room, and she wasn't alone. My mother's first words were. "What in the hell is going on? I had a hard time getting here with the street being blocked off."
Dad and I were about to answer her when Jake's Dad called for help from the bathroom where his wife was taking a shower. Dad and I quickly rushed in finding Jake's Mom on the floor and he stripped down to his boxers with a robe around him and his wife naked on the floor, he was either too shocked worried about us seeing his wife naked, or didn't care. I think it was the latter because he blushed when he saw me and Dad standing in the room over his wife. Quickly covered her with his robe and said. "I walked in and found her lying on the floor and I can't get her to wake up."
Dad quickly took her pulse and said. "She just fainted most likely from all the excitement." Dad picked her up and carried her in his arms and placed her on the bed then covered her when he realized that she was naked seeing the fallen robe on the floor by the door and was starting to come around. I quickly ran to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water, telling Dad that Bishop Sakes was here and some of the ladies from the ward.
Dad nodded said. "Tell him I'll be there in a minute." Only to have him come into the room with a couple of the ladies.
He said. "Well, this is a fine kettle of fish we got ourselves into." He said. "I am Bishop Sakes, your Mr. Olson if I am not mistaken."
He offered his hand, but Mr. Olsen didn't respond as he quickly sat on the bed and said. "Dotty, are you ok? You gave me a little scare darling." Helping her raise her head and so she could drink the water. She blinked, then jolted up, noticing everyone in her room and she was naked, pulling the covers closer.
Dad said. "It's ok you're among friends, but if you need anything, just let us know." Dad had me and Bishop Sakes leave the room so the ladies could attend to her and her husband. Just because they were nudists didn't give us the right to see someone naked, unless it was their choice and had given their permission.
Dad closed the door giving a heavy, tired sigh. Having Bishop Sakes take a seat in the living room. My adoptive Mom was busy explaining to my mother what was going on and her guests. I didn't know what else to do, so I took a seat in the living room.
Time seemed to be in slow motion from the moment the front door was opened, finding Jake's family behind it. The dining room table was still set as if we were still eating and confirmed it when my stomach growled. I asked my mother if it might be best if we canceled our weekend, having Mom and Dad say almost at the same time.
"Absolutely not!"
Dad said. "There is very little you boys can do other than mope around here or go house to house looking for those responsible. The best thing you boys can do is get as far away as possible, not end up in jail for getting revenge."
Bishop Sakes took a seat next to me after he hung up the phone. As we waited for the aftermath of the events to stop spinning out of control, knowing when it was time to take a breather, when to act, and when to plan our next move. Even though I never learned how to play chess, I could see the pieces moving all the same, and it was our turn to make our first move, as I looked at my mother's guests doing their best to blend into the background until called upon.
All except for one who wanted to be heard? His name is Paul Cranny. Mom had brought him and his family here to meet the Rothwells. I sensed more was behind it, knowing my mother and it was more than a curiosity. Somehow, my mother had forgotten to read the small print regarding inviting a guest into our home without asking us first. Then again, I was just as guilty of it inviting Jake and Adam into our mists, but I had pre-warned them regarding my family's lifestyle of being raised as a nudist.
Paul had the same build as Dad big and strong like a football quarterback, yet he wasn't as tall as Jake's Dad or my Dad being a head shorter or a little under six foot seven. He had these wolf-like eyes, light green that turned gold in the dark when the light dimmed around them. His face seemed chiseled out of stone. For it barely, if at all, showed any emotion and squared off like the sculpture had forgotten to round off the edges. He wasn't handsome by any means. Then again, I wasn't really into guys. I didn't even find his wife Jennie all that pretty compared to my adoptive Mom or Adam's Mom or any of my friend's Moms.
Yet, she had this way about her that I found lovable and playful. As Ma and Pa had taught me 'never judge someone like a book, it was what was inside that counts.' Jennie was more built like my mother both being big-boned and leaning more on the heavy side. Meaning neither was and nor would be supermodels, both having the same boyish haircut style cropped short at the base of their neck.
Whereas unlike her husband Paul, her eyes were blue almost brown, depending on the light when you looked at them. Her face was softer than her husband, having a round chin and a more curvature around her nose and mouth. Unlike most women I have seen, she wore very little, if any makeup.
And just like her, and her four children of three boys and one girl, Robert who was fourteen, Michael thirteen, and her youngest boy Christopher who was five and her daughter Tabitha who is nine.
All have the general mix of both parents being soft in some areas and chiseled like a stone in other areas like their nose or chin or cheekbones; all of them have the same eye coloring as their mother except for one of their sons Michael. All doing their best not to be seen other than watching everyone with silent curiosity as they glanced at me and my Rothwell family.
It was killing Paul as he made the comment. "Linda, I thought you said everyone here are nudist?" Having his wife punch him hard against his right arm, telling him to not to embarrass us, or he could go out and wait in the van until we were ready to go. He said. "I am just asking dear if they are, or not?"
My mother was about to answer when my Adoptive Mom said. "We are, and were not, but as you can see. This is not the time to be discussing the logistics of our lifestyle. So, forgive us for our choices not to be, for it is neither appropriate nor time for us to be so with everything that has happened. Now either settle yourself or I'll have my husband settle you for me." I watched as his mouth gasped open like a fish, having my adoptive Mom being a little more forceful or abrasive than he expected. He had chosen to sit quietly.
Dad asked. "Have you folks eaten yet? Because if not, I could have my son Eric and his friends reset the table and the girls warm up our dinner. We were about to sit down too before all this mess happened."
My mother said. "No, they hadn't and were planning to stop and McDonald's or somewhere on the way home."
Dad nodded as I quickly did what I was told, having Dad to tell me. "It might be best if you changed your clothes, first son." I looked down at my shirt covered in blood and soot. Even my socks were wet and black on the bottoms of my feet, seeing my footprints on the carpet. I nodded and quickly took off my shirt and socks off right there to stop it from getting on the floor anymore dirtier than it was already.
I cringed when I realized what I had just done and was about to apologize, but there was nothing for me to apologize for. For this was my home and not theirs. I was still decent enough, so I left the room and tossed my clothes into the washroom and put on a clean shirt and na ew pair of shorts that had been washed and folded in my box in the washroom. And decided to go barefoot rather than ruin another pair of socks.
The moment I opened the family room door the little dog escaped and the family cat, as well as my brothers, chased after it. The girls called them back, but it was no use, so I told the girls and Adam who was with them what Dad wanted us to do. Considering it wasn't like Jake's family, pets could really go anywhere without being trapped inside the house. I could hear Sparky barking and their little dog scratching at my bedroom door, trying to get at each other.
Jared quickly re-leashed their dog as Jason and Jonathan quickly cornered the cat and brought them back into the family room for safekeeping. Noting they too had changed into some shorts, but they were shirtless and barefoot, but at least they were decent, as Adam sisters too had chosen to do likewise because of our guests. Personally, I wanted to see Paul's and his family's reaction when they discovered my mother was telling the truth.
Dad had me Adam set up the big table from the garage and take both the tables and reset them in the family room, instead of outside on the back lawn because of the smoke in the air, which required us to put Jake's family pets inside my brother's room for now until we came up with a better solution.
It also required us to take the couch and most of the furniture out of the family room and collect every chair in the house and put them around the table. Due to of what had happened and knowing our small animals were not safe to be outside other than our horses and even they were being watched by people around the neighborhood whenever this happened, which seemed to be more frequent than not. Man, I was glad I hadn't chosen to replace the animals that had been sensually slaughtered to make a point or send a message that we weren't welcomed here.