Bringing Home Danny (10 page)

The harder Danny cried, the harder TJ held on. He began to rock him back and forth, repeating soothing words he realized Danny didn't hear. He said them anyways for his own benefit, to keep himself from getting caught up in the tsunami of grief that was pouring out of the boy. TJ knew he had never felt anything close to the depth of despair this boy was experiencing, and he wanted to take some of it in to lessen his pain.

Finally, Danny began to settle. His tears stopped falling. His throat was hoarse and achy. With his muscles sore and head throbbing, it slowly dawned on Danny that he was sitting on the floor of a stranger's bathroom, being rocked like a baby by someone he barely knew. Embarrassing and awkward were hardly adequate words to describe how he felt. Danny rubbed his tearstained eyes and wondered how to gracefully pull away and get up.

“
Shit,” he said in a weak attempt at humor, “I think my ride left.” As an afterthought intended mostly for himself, he said quietly, “I don't even have enough money for a taxi.”
 

Ignoring the bait to trivialize his situation, TJ informed Danny that there was no way in hell he was go anywhere near those assholes again. “I'll drive you home,” he insisted.

“
You don't understand,” Danny snorted caustically. He twisted away from TJ. “That
was
my home. I live with them.”
 

“
No, I mean your real home. I'll take you to your parents.”
 

Danny moved out of TJ's reach, slumped against the adjacent wall, and tightly wrapped his arms around himself. Offering the saddest little smile TJ had ever seen, Danny said, “Maybe you can give me a ride into town.”

TJ shook his head in frustration. “Any town in particular? Or should I drive slow, and you can jump out when the mood strikes?”

Danny was stung by the sarcasm. “Maybe it would be safer if I walked.”

“
Walk? Can you even stand?” Without waiting for an answer, TJ stood up. “Let's
first get out of the bathroom, I'm getting a bit cramped.”
 

Danny made a weary face towards the door. Fearing what laid ahead, he truthfully did not want to leave the safety of the bathroom. He was also overwhelmed with the knowledge that there were people outside that door, many of whom by now were probably aware of what happened to him. TJ caught the anxiety on his face and helped him to his feet.

“
Come on, let's get you a good night's sleep first. Then we'll figure things out in the morning.”
 

Danny didn't argue; he had little choice. TJ put a protective arm around Danny's shoulder and guided him out the door. He shielded him from curious onlookers and dodged intrusive questions. Danny tried to block out the numerous
is that him
and
what happened
questions that followed behind them. TJ brought him upstairs to the guestroom he was staying in. Danny relaxed slightly once the door was shut behind them. But when TJ handed him an extra toothbrush, the simple gift put a tear to his eye.

TJ inspected him thoughtfully, causing Danny to avert his eyes and ask, “Where should I sleep?”

“
Why don't you take the bed? I'll sleep on the couch downstairs once everybody leaves.”
 

Danny tried to say thank you, but couldn't find the right words to express his gratitude. So, he nodded, took off his shoes, and climbed on top of the bed covers. He closed his eyes with the unease of knowing he was being watched. Danny wished he could fall asleep and put the day behind him. Despite his fatigue, he could not settle his mind enough to succumb to unconsciousness. His over-sensitized body and mind fought the rest it sorely needed. Lying there he was acutely aware of his surroundings. He listened to the sounds of the party, of people coming and going. He was aware that TJ came into the room two times throughout the night to check on him. The third time TJ entered the room, Danny could feel him hesitate by the bed. Eventually, Danny turned over and opened his eyes.

“
Someone else is sleeping on the couch,” TJ explained.
 

Understanding his request, Danny nodded and rolled over to the other side of the bed. Without another word, TJ stripped down to his boxers, and crawled under the covers, requiring Danny to slip under the covers with him. Not wanting Danny to feel uncomfortable, TJ turned his back to him, and scooted as far as he could to the opposite side of the bed. To his surprise, having TJ in bed with him made Danny feel safer. He was finally able to calm his mind and fall asleep.
 

*****

Danny woke several hours later to the view of TJ's back.  For a brief moment, he lost track of time and space thinking he was ten years old, and staying at his best friend Brian's house. When Danny was a child he had spent many days and nights at his neighbor's house. During that time he got an up close glimpse of what a normal family was like. He having spent so much time there, he was no longer considered a guest, and was treated as one of the kids. It was then that Danny felt most at peace. He was devastated when his mother sold their small condo to move them in with her boyfriend. Young Danny had secretly hoped that the Davis family would want to keep him. With those old memories turning in his head, Danny fell back to sleep.

By late morning, TJ peered over at the young man curled up beside him in bed, and wondered what he was supposed to do with him now. Guessing he had to be exhausted, and assuming correctly that he had gotten little sleep during night, he decided to let him sleep. He checked to make sure he was still breathing before dressing quietly and heading downstairs to see about breakfast. TJ wanted to get an early start so he could make, or rather change, his plans for the day.

Feeling TJ’s absence in bed, Danny awoke. Queasy and restless, he wondered what he was going to do for a place stay, and a means of making a living. Plagued with those all too familiar questions, Danny made his awkward journey downstairs. After getting intoxicated, assaulted, and sick in a stranger’s house, he wasn't sure if he should graciously say thank you for the hospitality, or slip out unnoticed. The more Danny's head began to clear, the more embarrassed he became. Memories from the night began to mercilessly invade his mind. He opted to seek out a back door to sneak out of. He soon decided the front door was the better option when he overheard a conversation going on in kitchen located closer to the back of the house.

“
He's still in bed. I thought it best to let him sleep in. He didn't look too good. Once he wakes up, I'll see about what to do with him. There has to be someplace he can go that's better than where he was.”
 

“
Maybe he has a brother or a friend, or some other family that can take him in.”
 

“
I doubt it. He must have been pretty desperate to be living with those bastards.”
 

“
Possibly, but as young as he is, it might have been only bad judgment on his part.”
 

“
Hopefully. We'll see.”
 

“
Listen, TJ, I know he's really cute and all, but he's not your responsibility,” his buddy reminded him.
 

“
I know, but I like the kid, and someone has to keep him out of harms way.”
 

“
You don't even know the kid.”
 

“
I know he needs help, and I'm not leaving him to the mercy of those rapists.”
 

“
That's a strong accusation, TJ.”
 

“
You saw what I saw. You know perfectly well what would have happened if we hadn't shown up when we did.”
 

Danny had heard enough. His ears were burning and his stomach clenched in shame. He quickly headed for the door not wanting to be seen, or to have to think back on last night again.

“
You’re right, I'm sorry. Let me know what you want me to do to help.”
 

“
Thanks, Emmett. I'll figure something out.”
 

“
Well, you better move fast if you're intent on rescuing the kid,” Emmett said, preening out the window, “because there he goes.”
 

TJ got up to peer over his shoulder, and could see Danny making haste down the driveway. Without hesitating, he ran out the side door and yelled, “Hey, wait up!”

Danny hoped to get away with pretending he couldn't hear him. TJ wasn't fooled, and was determined to stop him. “Hey!” he yelled again, as he ran after him.  With a little effort, he caught up to him, and was able to clutch him by the arm before he got away. “Where the hell do you think you're going?” he demanded to know, after catching his breath.

Danny glared at him. Seeing the concern on TJ's face, he suddenly felt guilty, like an ungracious child running away from home. He scratched the back of his neck stalling for an answer. “Uh, I thought I'd head out early. I didn't want to get in anybody's way.”

“
You're not in anybody's way. I told you I'd help get you to wherever you need go.”
 

“
I appreciate it, but you don't have to. I'm used to walking.”
 

TJ sighed in frustration. “Do you even have any idea where you are or where you're going?”

“
I'll figure it out.”
 

“
Stop messing around and get inside,” TJ said, little more forcefully.
 

Danny bristled at being scolded like a child. “Look, I appreciate all your help, but I can manage on my own.”

“
Really? What's your plan beyond walking?”
 

Danny shrugged. “Something will come up.”

TJ was losing his patience with the stubborn brat. “If you don't turn around and get back in the house, I'm going to get into a car and follow you to wherever you think you're going. That way I can see for myself where you end up.”

“
Don't you have anything better to do?”
 

“
No, as a matter of fact, I don't.”
 

Danny realized he was being unreasonable, but he didn't like being coerced. He glanced back at the house in trepidation. It held too many humiliating memories that he didn't want to face. But, despite himself, he liked TJ, and didn't want to upset him.

TJ read the conflicting expressions on Danny's face and softened. “Come on, kid, come back inside. You're making me look pathetic out here.” Sensing Danny was about to cave, TJ continued to plea, “Come on, nobody has ever made me beg before.”

Danny almost smiled. “Sorry if I'm ruining your image, but I got shit I have to do. Like finding a job and a place to live.”

TJ had a new appreciation for the role of a Dominant, and completely understood the appeal of a discipline relationship beyond the sexual turn on. He wanted nothing more than to spank some sense into this kid; and if he couldn't accomplish that, then just some damn cooperation. TJ crossed his arms and reminded himself a little too much of Mitch. He channeled his energy and threatened, “You have two options. You can either walk back inside with me, or you can continue to be obstinate until I tackle your ass, and drag you back inside. It's your decision. What's it going to be?”

Danny stared at him, unsure of what his next move should be. He was trying to figure out if TJ was for real when Emmett yelled from the doorstep, effectively breaking the standoff. “Are you two going to stay out there all day? Our breakfast is getting cold!”

The lighthearted reprimand from Emmett put Danny at ease. TJ saw Danny sigh and visibly relax. He took advantage of the moment, and further disarmed him by casually swinging an arm over his shoulder and saying, “We're coming.”

Walking under his arm back to the house, Danny's defenses broke, and he experienced an unexpected wave of relief as he gave up control to the bossy man. Once inside, TJ attempted to get the necessary information regarding Danny's living situation. He found pulling answers from the kid was just as difficult as it was watching him eat. Danny thought he was being discreet even though he visibly winced and practically gagged every time he swallowed a forkful of scrambled eggs.

“
You don't understand,” Danny explained, “everything I own is in that apartment.”
 

“
You
don't understand. You're not going back there, not alone.”
 

“
They're not going to do anything to me, they were drunk,” Danny said feebly.
 

TJ rolled his eyes at Danny's naivety, and turned to his friend for support. Emmett remained silently noncommittal.

“
They weren't
that
drunk, Danny. They knew what they were doing.”
 

Danny didn't know why he was arguing with TJ. He had no intention of going back to that apartment or facing his old roommates again. But the condescending tone irked him, and he spat out, “How would you know? And stop calling me Danny! I'm not some dumb little kid!”

“
Why do you think they were giving you drinks all night? Did it ever occur to you that they could have slipped you something? Think about it,
Dan
,” TJ said, with exaggerated emphasis on his shortened name.
 

TJ wanted to impress upon Danny how vulnerable he was so he would accept his help. After seeing his head dip in shame, TJ felt like a heel. He instantly regretted his bluntness. Danny suddenly appeared all of twelve years old, and completely lost.

Sadly, the thought hadn't occurred to him. He thought those things only happened to girls. He wanted to forget about last night and he minimized it in his mind because it made him feel weak. Ever since he left home, he has been trying not to be afraid. As long as he didn't think about it, didn't admit to it, he would be safe. Now he just felt stupid. Of course he was slipped something. That would explain the strange way his mind was working, the way his body wouldn't do what his brain was telling it. It was obvious to everyone but him. He hated being so young and gullible.