Until Then

Chapter #9: Rumors

Tw; Abuse, Talk of Sexual Assault, slight sexual content

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That day Ross hadn't gone to school, instead his father brought them to the hospital and spent hours more of time they thought they would be spending there. Thankfully he did manage to get into the x-ray room to check out his arm, it was definitely not ok. The doctors had told him he had a displaced fracture in his forearm and he'd need surgery to fix the bones back in place and would need to keep it to minimal movement for 2-3 weeks after the surgery. Other than the cost Ross thought it was a win-win situation? His dad couldn't make him do so much work since his doctor told him not to.

"What do you think I'm made of? Fuckin money?" Chris asked, he was speeding down the street. "You think I have up to $2,000 to fix your stupid fuckin mistake?" He asked.

"I-.." *What?* Ross had been dazed looking out the window only now noticing his dad speeding down the citys main-road. "Dad-" he was cut off.

"I'm going to have to ask you're fuckin mother to give me money!" He yelled.

"I- w-we have insurance.. Don't we..?" He asked sheepishly.

"Of course we fuckin do."

"I-It covers at least 30 p-percent o-of the hospital bills.." Ross muttered looking down at his swollen broken arm.

"So? You still think I have that much money?" Chris at this point was just finding out a reason to yell at his son, he was stressed. He didn't know what to do, obviously taking it out on you're child is not what you do, but Chris was never taught otherwise.

"We-Well-... No.. B-But its significantly less than $2,000" Ross muttered "Around $750.." The boy had done quick mental math before getting shut down again.

"You should've been more fuckin careful. This shouldn't of happened in the first place."

"Yea.. You're right.." Ross muttered, eyebrows furrowed underneath his fluffy hair.

"Did you just talk back me?" Chris stomped on the break coming to a screeching stop Ross almost bashing his small body off the front dashboard. They were a few miles from home, Ross knew where they were. "Is that what I fuckin heard?"

"N-No..?" Ross uttered confused in hopes to cover his sassy attitude. "No- n-no- thats not what I-"

"I'm about to fuckin shave all that hair off so I can see your smug expressions. Fuck! You're insufferable. Get out!"

"Wh-What...?"

"Out! You get to fucking walk home!" Chris yelled louder slamming hus fists onto the horn making the young boy jump.

"No- dad.. Wait.. Please-"

"No! Now!" He ushered unlocking the car doors. "You know where you fucking are. Walk!"

"I-" Ross sighed. Giving up, he opened the car door and walked out watching his father zoom off in the car. Now abandoned downtown with a broken arm, no form of defense or even a way to call his father. Sure, he knew where he was.. But the walk was so far, further than his treehouse!... Wait- his treehouse! He could go there for a few hours. His dad won't be missing him or maybe he will be..? Agh, it doesn't matter. To the treehouse Ross started to walk.

"I wonder if I'll see Ross here today.." Arlen thought aloud as he sat in history class. He hadn't seen Ross that morning and he didn't look to be around right now. He sighed in disappointment and opened his book, he had English after the break so he may as well continue to read. He needed to write down about important events in the book he chose and soon needed to write an essay. He wasn't too worried about it at all as he was both a quick reader and writer.