"So cake for breakfast?" Karen laughed and walked around the island counter top.
"Gary's a chef and Johnny's a math wiz," he smiled broadly at her, "Ya done good Mom!"
"Oh you," she hit his arm with the back of her hand and pinched a piece of the chocolate cake off.
"Get your own!" Brad pulled it away.
She put the bite in her mouth and turned to the coffee pot, "Can't. That spaghetti last night was enough calories. I did two, Twenty Minute Workouts this morning."
"Oh Mom, you aren't fat," he scolded.
"And let's keep it that way," she nodded, put cream in her coffee and sipped it.
"Ha! No cake for you then!" he laughed and shoved in a big bite.
"Well, it WAS awful good last night," she put down her cup, "Maybe a small piece."
"No," he shoved the pan away from her reach, "You think you're fat. No cake for you," he laughed.
"Give me that!" she snapped and reached around him.
"No!" he raised his voice, "No! No!" he kept the pan back behind him as he held her back.
"Bradley!" she shoved against his chest, pushing him back against the counter.
"You!" she growled and tickled his ribs, causing him to cry out.
"Leave him alone!" a voice cried out with a sob.
Karen stopped and looked up, "Johnny?"
"Leave him alone!" he cried and turned around to run.
"It's alright," Gary caught him in his arms and hugged him. Johnny struggled to get free, but Gary held him to his chest. "It's not the same," he said softly near his ear, as Johnny wilted in Gary's arms.
"We were just playing," Brad moved out from under his mother and slowly came around the counter.
"Gary?" Karen whispered, "I'd never hurt...."
"It's okay," Gary smiled as he stroked the back of Johnny's head. Brad could see the white knuckled grip Johnny had on Gary's leather jacket. "It's okay," Gary said near Johnny's ear.
Johnny raised his head up and stared at his hands. He slowly let go of Gary's jacket, "Now I feel like a fool."
"Don't worry," Gary leaned down so he could look into Johnny's eyes, "No one here will laugh at you."
"Okay," he sighed.
"Bathroom's across the hall," he slapped Johnny's shoulder. Johnny nodded and left the room quickly without looking back.
"What was that?" Karen walked over to Brad.
Gary sighed heavily and waved his hand, "It's okay."
"You keep saying that, but it's not," Brad frowned, "What's up?"
He looked down at Brad and said softly, "Johnny was abused by his real family. The kid's seen a lot of violence and survived a lot of violence."
"I thought he was your step son," Karen asked.
He shook his head, "Susan and I adopted Johnny when he was ten."
"Oh," she looked at Brad, then at Gary, "I'd never hurt Brad OR Johnny."
"I know that, Baby," he touched her arm, "He's just unsure of new people."
"I heard he's shy in school," Brad said, "I thought it was because he was new."
Gary shook his head, "I just can't get him to talk. Susan tried taking him to therapists, but all he did was sit there."
"He's sixteen," Karen whispered.
Gary shook his head and shrugged, "I just can't break through. He doesn't let anyone in." Brad noticed Gary's eyes sparkled with tears. "I can't help....," he closed his lips tight and looked away.
"You're both suffering," Karen sighed and put her arm around his waist. Gary couldn't speak, he only held her to his side and kissed the top of her head.
Brad left the room and looked into the bathroom. He had snuck out. He went down the hallway and looked in the living room. He wasn't there either. He went to the front door. He sighed, "Here you are." He opened the screen and walked out on the porch. Brad went to the steps and sat on the second step. They both sat quietly and watched the cars go by. "I'm lucky to have a cool Mom," Brad said softly and Johnny took in a shakey breath. Brad stared at the road, "I sometimes think she's a bigger kid than me." Johnny laughed once. Brad looked up at him, "Sorry John."
He shook his head and leaned his face in his hand, "It's me. Just stupid, I guess."
"If you wanna talk, I'm right here," Brad said softly. Johnny looked into Brad's blue eyes without blinking and Brad only stared back. Brad could feel the boys torment and his insecurity. He tried to look past Johnny's black eyes and read what was wrong, but he couldn't see anything. The boy was locked up tight.
"You guys ready for school?" Gary said as he stepped out onto the porch.
"Gotta get my backpack," Brad jumped up and ran into the house.
