The Tennessee Youngster

Chapter Five

 Strange Encounter

The time now was 11:15 PM and only minutes after the boys were asked to exit the car and go to their father. Tommy and Nick rounded the long hood of the car passing their mother who just looked at them. Tommy looked at his mother but all he could see was her looking back with concern in her eyes. The same for Nick too as he looked over at Tommy in hopes that they were on the same page of thinking. If the band of brotherhood was to prevail, this was the time.

Both boys would stick together like glue in order to avoid punishment walking towards their father as he stood there with his hands on his hips pacing back and forth on the dirt ground causing dust to take flight into the cold dark night. All Tommy and Nick could see was the breath coming out of his nose, like a bull ready to joust, which was enhanced by a light hanging outside one of the motel rooms on the exterior wall. Every time he turned to his side it would magnify the stream of breath. The more coming out of his nose would tell the boys how angry he is but the opposite was happening. Less would show as the boys stood there shivering. 

It seemed that the time has come as the father turned to face both of them and judgment was about to be dealt. Then all of a sudden, it happened. Stephen reached out his arms and hands towards the boys and called for them. To Tommy and Nick, it was the moment of truth, like a mallet being hammered by a judge, giving out his final sentence in slow motion.

"Come here guys."

Tommy and Nick just stood there with a look of shock on their faces and blinking their eyes as to amazement that they were being offered a sentence of love and compassion rather than a sentence of the belt to the behind. Strange as it was to both of them, it was a sure sign of relief as both boys ran towards Stephen and were engulfed into his arms.

"Listen, boys, I love you and so does your mother."

"But you two have got to get along. Enough bickering and show some love for one another."

Man all Tommy could think about was that he was not being spanked and could live with the fact that he needed to stop instigating towards his brother, well for at least this moment. Nick was just relieved that he wasn't facing another punishment that was caused by his younger brother. The band of brotherhood did prevail this time.

Tommy and Nick were so relieved as they stood there being hugged by their stepfather. In the past, it would have ended up with a good belt whipping to make rest assured him and his brother would get along. Quite a difference. Their projection of Stephen overall at that moment etched a mark in Tommy's heart that would forever say that having a stepfather isn't so bad after all. For Nick, it was a good sign but he still had his premonitions about accepting love and affection from his stepfather. They did not always see eye to eye, which would lead to arguing or even wrestling one another to the ground. Nick was strong headed, but like a stern right before being branded is always feisty, but afterward calm. That is how my brother always responded.

"Listen, boys. I just want you to know that I know it is difficult at your age to always get along, but you two really need to make an effort and try. Understand me?"

"Yes." Both boys looking at one another first then hastily responding to their father.

"Stephen I am so proud of you."

Tommy's mother joined in as she walked over to the three of them and wrapped her arms around them. This was a good sign that showed the first bonding with the boys since Stephen was introduced into the family.

"Ok, why don't we wrap it up here and go to our room and get some sleep."

"Yes, it is very late and well past your bedtime boys."