The melody to my songs

Chapter 16 : James

Chapter theme song : Looking too closely by Fink

As we settled down on the sofa, Olivia brought a glass of water for the little boy who turms out to be Ishmael.

I was filled with curiosity the very man who did everything in his power to never let Liv meet Ishmael, had somehow left him with her in a very bad condition. As he raised his hand to grab the glass his oversized sleeve rolled down, he had bruises all over him, he was being abused. He noticed me staring at his wounds and quickly covered them. I glanced at Liv, she was on the verge of crying. What happened?

Before I could utter these words out, May and Harry entered the house, they seemed happy and lively but the expressions on their faces didn't last long, as soon as they glanced at Liv, Ishmael and me. Their eyes got stuck at Ishmael.

"Is this— " May tried to speak but couldn't seem to.
"Yes, this is Ishmael" Liv answered.

Harry and May took their seats and looked at me for an explanation, I shrugged my shoulders in response. Liv noticed us and said.

"I will explain everything." She turned to Ishmael and said, "you can go rest in the room to the left upstairs."

He looked upto her, he had the same blue eyes as Liv, I didn't like the pain in them. It reminds me of all the times Liv had that look. He calmly said, "I don't want to be alone right now, can I stay here with you guys?" Liv nodded in response.

She took a seat between him and me and started.

"I received a message from my mother few days back saying that she wanted to meet. I didn't reply well I couldn't get myself to. Today I received a call from a unknown caller while both of you were out. The caller turned out to be John saying that he will be here in 5 minutes and wanted to talk to May before I could tell him that you weren't home, he ended the call. He sounded frustrated and full of rage, so I waited for him outside I didn't want to let him in.
As he arrived I noticed Ishmael with him but he was crying badly, John dragged him here and told me that Ishmael will be staying here, or you can do whatever you want to him. He is no longer his son and he doesn't want to see him ever again. Upon asking why is that he said that Ishmael was-"

She glanced at Ishmael as if she was asking for his permission to continue and he nodded at her. Liv continued.

"Ishmael is gay. And to John this is not acceptable, he is one of those dickheads who consider being gay as a disease or a abomination. He said that he can not accept Ishmael as his son if he continues being gay.
That's when I snapped at him, when I got to know about James I promised myself that I will not let that happen to someone else."

She glanced at me and found me already looking at her, I smiled at her with my eyes gleaming with pride.

"So I argued with John that he was being a asshole and he cannot do this to his son, being gay is not a crime it is natural. Thats when he lost it and raised his hand at me."

Harry stood up in anger and roared, "That fucker hurt you, the next word he will speak will be at a police station."

Liv and Ishmael let out a chuckle and Harry and May stared at them in confusion.

"He didn't hurt me, more like he couldn't. Because James saved me," liv said looking at me with a heartwarming smile.
"Yeah, he was so awesome, he emerged suddenly like falcon and saved her."
I turned to him grinned and said, "I would prefer being called Thor."
"Nah, you ain't got the looks for it." He chuckled.
"Heyyyy !!" I responded being all defensive.

Everyone burst into laughter and Harry gave me a back pat as a sign of saying he was proud of me.

Ishmael's voice cracked as he said, "I am sorry you guys had to go through this because of me, I will go and live at my friend's place for a few days and try to find a job at a cafe or someplace. I will take care of myself, thankyou Olivia for defending me even though I know how much you hate me."

Hearing his words my heart sank and Olivia started sobbing, May accompanied her to the kitchen and tried to console her. Harry was clueless about what to do.

I turned to Ishmael hugged him lightly keeping his wounds in mind and told him.

"Hey, kiddo you didn't do anything, you are in the right. Your parents are assholes, I know I shouldn't say this to someone's kid but I can't help it its the truth. You don't have to find a job, no kid your age should have to. I know you can take care of yourself but I will not let you, I can't let you.
You know how Liv mentioned what I went through, well I don't know how bad you have it and I am not gonna compare you with me but just know that I went through something similar and no way in hell I am leaving you alone. You are going to live with me and thats not negotiable.
And about Olivia, she doesn't hate you its quite the opposite really, she loves you Ishmael. She misses you so much, it physically hurts her sometimes."

He was crying hearing my words, he didn't look in my eyes and said, "Then didn't she ever visit me."

I looked at the boy, I could feel his pain. "She wanted to, but your father didn't let her. She didn't even know you existed until you were admitted to her school but John made her switch schools so that she never meets you. She tried so many times to just let them talk to you through a call or even text but they refused and treated her very harshly."

Liv and May were standing at the kitchen door, Ishmael looked at her and said, "I am so sorry Olive, can I call you that?" He said with a smile wiping his tears. Liv nodded and smiled back at him.

He turned back to me and I said, "well there is one condition in my house, the music is always playing."
He chuckled and said, "well that's a win-win because I love music, I wasn't allowed to listen to music without headphones so yeah it's gonna be great."

*

Ishmael was asleep on the couch, May covered him a blanket and we moved to the dining table to talk. We talked for about 2 hours about everything the boy must have been through.

We all wanted to help him and it was already decided that he will be living with me. Harry offered that Ishmael can stay here but I didn't oblige, I wanted him there.
Olivia said that she will come too. I was shocked, I was happy but shocked.

"Umm..oh.. yeah sure... it is your house Liv. Thanks."
She smiled and said, "but we won't be anything more than friends James. I am coming for Ishmael not us."

My heart sank, May looked at me symbolically but I understood ad nodded at Liv in response. I should be happy with the fact that Liv will be living in our house, she will be there, I will get to see her every day. And of course Ishmael will be there.

Its gonna be different  but at least she will be present.
I should be content with it for now.