Someone's Son Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

The doorbell rang loudly through Mr. Reynolds's house. This was followed by a 'knocking' that was persistent.

          "Who's there? Who is it?" Larry's voice asked through the door.

          "It's me, Sheldon."

          "Who?"

          "Sheldon, Mr. Reynolds. I'm sorry to bother you but I had to come. I'll only be a few minutes...I know it's late."

          Larry flung open the door.

          "Come in! Come in! Don't just stand there, Sheldon! We don't want to give the mosquitoes a chance to have a new address. Hurry up and get in!"

          Sheldon knew this wasn't going to be easy. He had rehearsed exactly what he planned to say.

          "Would you like a hot chocolate?" Larry asked, watching the boy standing like a scared rabbit.

          "Seems like you've got something on your mind?"

          "Wh-what?" Sheldon stammered. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

          The kitchen was tidy, with a variety of water-colored pictures hanging on the walls. The smell of a baking cake lingered in the air. He hadn’t visited here for a little while. But this time might not be such fun.

          "Hey. Sharp hat. Where did you get that Sheldon?"

          "It's a Blue Jay present from mom! Like it?"

          "Yes I do. Ann would like it too. She's not here right now. Come on in the kitchen and sit down. We'll get that hot chocolate." Larry showed Sheldon where to get everything.

          "There now; feel better? I see you still like cookies too. Thanks for making your own drink. Glad to see you haven't forgotten how."

          Sheldon stretched out his legs and tried not to stare at his friend.

          A sunflower cloth covered the dining room table. And every time the boy moved the chair or leaned against the table, the floor squeaked. This was a noisy old house.

          "Larry. You're always so nice to me...you take me fishing and..." Sheldon began.

          "And I enjoy it. But I wish your dad wouldn’t take you out, every Saturday."

          "Yes,...and...well I want to -- "

          "Come on. Out with it."

          "I think someone might try to do something -- to you."

          "Well now..." the older man started to say.

          But Sheldon interrupted him. "I have to go now. Thanks for the cookies and the drink, Larry. Be careful, Okay?"       

          The boy’s fearful expression looked back at his adult friend.

          "Are you warning me about something? What is it?" Larry asked.

          Sheldon felt like a trapped fawn, eyes searching. He sure needed a boost of encouragement right now.

          "There's someone I know who doesn't like you...and…"

          "And?" Larry repeated.

          Suddenly, as if on cue, a terrific crash exploded a few feet away. Shards of glass flew inward, flecks piercing skin. Blood dotted Sheldon's left forearm before he even had time to think.

          Larry pushed the startled boy to the floor. Sheldon was having a difficult time trying hard to ignore the hammer-beat of his heart. Larry lay amid pieces of glass and noticed a few spots of blood on his leg. A long piece of glass lay beside him. Its wicked gleam reflected the ceiling light.

          "My window!" Larry shouted, drawing strength from his outburst.

          Sheldon started to rise. "Keep down!" Larry shouted. Still in his slippers, he moved cautiously to the broken window, carefully avoiding bits of glass.

          "Who's out there?" Larry called. "I'm calling the Police. We're going to find out who's responsible."

          Sheldon looked around in a daze. This was unreal. Did Troy do this? Was his friend capable of such a mean act? It was terrible. He had to get out of here.

          "Hold on a moment," Larry insisted.

          Sheldon was looking into the blackness of the trees. And the outline of a familiar face glowered back at him. "Troy," his lips whispered." You could almost hear the clash of angry thoughts inside his head. What's going on? What's happening? Why did he do it? Questions wrestled each other to the floor. It didn't make sense.

          Larry doesn't deserve this. He's a great guy, Sheldon reasoned. Sheldon sat down on the kitchen chair. He rubbed sweaty hands on his hips, then placed both elbows on his knees, face resting in the palm of his hands. His normally neatly combed hair was limp with moisture.

          Sheldon began to sob, not caring as Larry watched.

 

"Mom?" Sheldon's voice had urgency about it. He had to talk about this terrible feeling he harbored in his chest all night.

          "Yes?"

          "May I ask you about something?"

          "Sure,” she said sipping her tea. “I hardly recognize your voice. Got a cold or something?"

          "No."

          "Well, what's up son?" She was sitting curled up on the sofa.

          "It's kind of important... and besides I think I'm in a lot of trouble."

          His mom could sense the worry in her son's voice. "Of course, come on and sit beside me. "I'm listening."

          Sheldon wasn't quite sure how to begin. "Mom, I'm sorry to bother you," he started. The boy looked so lost sitting beside her. He could feel himself shrinking with heavy burdens on his shoulders.

          "Listen son, you sound like this is really important. Now go ahead."

          His hands fidgeted at his sides. He bit down on a thumbnail. Sheldon started slowly, then a flurry of words blurted out. He told about the rock-throwing incident the other night at Larry's house. “I’m really ashamed about what Troy has done,” he said. But at the same time felt better because mom now knew what was bothering him. He felt a little like a traitor though.

          She listened attentively.

          "Is Troy a juvenile delinquent?" He asked.

          "No. At least I don't think so," she answered.

          "Well -- Troy said he overheard Larry tell someone he was one," Sheldon stammered. "And I think he wants to act like one!" he shouted. An anger and hurt arose at the same time from deep within.

          "What Troy did was mean and stupid,” his mom said. “And if it's not repeated, he can go back to being the kind of friend you want. I know you're worried about him," mom added softly. "And don't be too hard on Larry," she added.

          She wished she could comfort her son by wrapping her arms around him. But she held back. He was growing up so quickly.

          "What should I do? He's my best friend." A hurt expression crossed Sheldon's face. He worried that mom might want to cancel their friendship.

          "Sheldon, take it easy,” she said. “I'm really glad you felt comfortable coming to talk to me. It means you respect my opinion. I can only help you properly, if I can be honest with you."

          It seemed reasonable enough to Sheldon. He shifted his weight on the couch. The circulation in his legs felt sluggish, as his long legs dangled impatiently over the hassock.

          He studied the expression on his mom's face. Did she really care about his feelings? Why did he ask if he didn't want her advice? OK Sheldon, take a deep breath. Relax. Mom wants to help, so shut up and listen.

          But it wasn't easy trying to do the right thing without falling into the soup. Gears were changing in Sheldon's head the same way they did after coming home from the incident at Larry's. He felt so confused. It was awful baring your soul even though it was to his mom.

          Negative thoughts bounced back and forth. As if a tug of war was trying to influence him.

          "Sheldon, Mr. Reynolds is an older friend who cares a lot about you," she said looking down at his sneakers. They had mud flecks on them. "He has feelings too, Sheldon. You should give him a call and see how he's doing. What Troy did should be reported to the police. Suppose he does it again?"

          "I know but that's not what I mean. Troy doesn't have any friends except me. What does it matter if nobody finds out what he did?"

          "It matters more than you realize," his mom said. "You proved it by going to warn Larry, and now you're talking to me."

          He was listening carefully but his head looked away as if distracted by the crow caw-calling.

          "When I was angry last week I felt like smashing up all my things. So why is it really bad Troy broke Larry's window? Isn't it better than him hitting somebody or something?"

          "Well you sure have a different kind of reasoning." His mom answered. "For such a smart young fellow you should figure things out for yourself and not protect your friend so much! Just remember that you and Larry could have got much more than a few cuts."

          Sheldon’s bond of friendship with Troy meant never to snitch on each other. He felt dirty sitting here and telling behind Troy's back. Mom was getting in a real grouchy mood. Did he make a mistake talking to her?

          Maybe what Troy did wasn't really that bad. What if Troy found out he'd told? The thought churned like a stick in his gut. He could feel the pounding of Troy's fist in his stomach already. He didn't feel so good right now.

          "I came here because I wanted someone to talk to," Sheldon said.

          "No, you didn't. You just wanted support for your buddy. Good ole mom will understand. Then everything can go back as if it never happened," his mother fumed. "I'm getting so upset I feel like grounding you for a week...you deserve it. Maybe even a month!"

          Sheldon jumped to his feet. He had never seen his mom so upset. What was she so angry about? Here we were talking and all of a sudden mom is getting all worked up, like an alligator loose in the swamp.

          "Well I guess I'd better go then. I thought you wanted to listen." Sheldon looked away.

          "I did," his mother shot back. "Here you are asking for my opinion. I told you before. Maybe you should stay away from that kid. Do you? No. You're stubborn. That's what. He's trouble for you, and you're always trying to protect him! When are you going to wake up?"     

          "You're just like Larry, he's always nagging me about it too. All I want is for you to see my side. I'm outta here." He jumped to his feet and tore out of the living room.

          Sheldon went outside and leaped on his bike. He pedaled furiously away, mountain bike wheels kicking up a flurry of stones and dust. Sheldon didn't even look back. It was hard to think good things, right now.

          But he had to, since tomorrow was Saturday.