Bringing Home Danny (17 page)

“
He'll get over it,” TJ spat out defensively, praying it to be true.
 

“
After dinner send him downstairs. I have a few things I would like to discuss with him,” Mitch said calmly.
 

“
Please, Mitch, don't send him away,” TJ begged. “I know why he's acting this way. He's afraid he's going to have to leave, so he's pushing us away.”
 

“
Did I say I was sending him away?”
 

“
No, but what are you going to say to him?”
 

“
The boy needs to understand what behaviors are expected of him while he is here, and the consequences for disobeying them.”
 

“
But you said he was my responsibility. You're going to scare him away.”
 

“
I am aware of what I said, TJ. I wanted you to realize the seriousness of the choices you make. You
are
responsible for taking care of him. However, the boy lives in my house and he is ultimately my responsibility.”
 

“
It's Antonio's and my house, too,” TJ objected.
 

“
Yes, it is and we
all
need to take responsibility for him, but do not contradict me again.”
 

“
But...”
 

“
Thomas James, stop arguing with me, and do as I say!”
 

“
Yes, sir,” TJ mumbled.
 

After procrastinating through dinner, TJ headed upstairs to fetch Danny. He found the teen lying on his bed curled up with his arm covering his face. “Danny, Mitch wants to speak to you downstairs.”

“
Why?”
 

“
You'll have to ask him.”
 

“
Did you tell him what I did?”
 

TJ was amazed that Danny seemed more contrite than offended. He was positive Danny would still be angry with him.

“
Yes,” he said cautiously.
 

“
Why'd you tell on me?” Danny asked, sounding more like a young child than the young man he wanted to be.
 

“
Sorry, kid, but they asked, and I thought they should know.”
 

“
Why?” Danny whined.
 

“
Because we care about you, and we want you to be safe.”
 

“
Why?” Danny asked almost too quiet to hear.
 

TJ was used to his pattern of questioning, and was ready for it. “Why what?” he asked, a little too impatiently. Danny didn't respond, and TJ rephrased the question, “Why do we want you to be safe?”

Hiding his face into the bedcovers Danny asked, “Why do you care?”

“
I told you, I like you.”
 

“
I know, but why?”
 

It was obvious how difficult it was for Danny to ask the question, and TJ realized he truly didn't understand. He sat down on the bed forcing Danny to sit up and face him. “I don't know, I just do.”

Danny gave a wry little smile, and asked again, “But, why? I mean, you gave me a place to stay, you buy me stuff, you're always driving me around. I don't get it. What do you want from me? I can't give you anything.”

“
I don't want anything, just your friendship.”
 

“
But you have lots of friends, and two boyfriends...”
 

“
I know, but it's nice having you around. What's there not to like? You're cute,
you're funny, you're obnoxious. You’re the kid brother I always wanted.” He grinned and added, “Don't you know by now, I always get what I want.” TJ cupped his hand under Danny's chin resisting the urge to kiss him this time. “I love the way you blush. You're so easy to tease.”
 

Danny's heart skipped a beat. If he wasn't blushing before he certainly was now. He shook his face out of TJ’s grasp. “Why do you always say things like that?”

“
Sorry, I have five older sisters who spoiled me rotten. Besides, there must be something you like about me. I got you to come to New York, didn't I?”
 

“
I was desperate,” Danny teased back.
 

TJ gave a sultry laugh and said, “That's something else I like about you.” He bit his tongue not to say anything further, while reminding himself of Danny's age.

After taking time to absorb recent events, Danny spoke up again. “I can't believe you did that to me. I mean, I never want you to do that again.”

TJ was confident he was referring to the spanking. “Then don't ever defy your big brother again, and it won't have to happen.”

Danny wasn't sure that was how older brothers acted, and he knew his feelings for TJ was more than brotherly. Nevertheless, he liked the idea of having a brother, and any family was better than none. TJ could tell Danny was still digesting the last comment, and didn't want to give him too much time to think on it.

“
Come on,” he said, “Mitch wants to talk to you.”
 

Danny nervously followed TJ downstairs to the office where Mitch and Antonio were waiting for him. Upon entering the room, Mitch called him over to have a seat. “I think it would be beneficial to clear the air about a few things.” Danny glanced back at TJ before nodding his head in understanding. Mitch continued, “I realize that TJ has been keeping an eye on you, however, Antonio and I are head of this household, and from now on you will be following our rules, or you will be facing our consequences. Do you understand?” Danny blinked and nodded, and Mitch continued, “Rule number one. You are expected to treat Antonio and me with respect at all times. If we ask you a question, I would appreciate a verbal response, yes or no, followed by 'sir'.”

Mitch waited for Danny to comply with a little effort. “Yes, sir.”

“
Thank you. Rule number two. From now on you are not to leave this house or go anywhere without our permission.” Danny was annoyed at this new arrangement, but was wise enough to remain quiet about it. “Rule number three. You are not to engage in any unsafe or illegal activities such as, but not limited to, drinking alcohol or using drugs. Clear?”
 

“
Yes, sir.”
 

“
Good, because if you ever leave again without permission, to go somewhere you have no business being, I will personally make sure the spanking you received from TJ will seem like a fond memory.”
 

Danny's eyes went wide at Mitch's declaration then jetted down at his feet
. What the hell have I gotten myself into?
He could feel the blood rush to his face.
These people were crazy if they think I'd agree to let them spank me.
 

“
Look at me when I am speaking to you, Danny.”
 

Reluctantly, Danny peered back up at Mitch. It was as if he was seeing him for the first time. The man wasn't only big; he had a way of filling a room that made everything else pale in comparison.

“
As of now, consider yourself grounded. That means for the next two weeks you are not to leave the house other than to go to work. You are expected to return straight home, or you will be losing your working privileges.” Danny glared at him in shock and misery. Mitch concluded, “You don't have to like it, because as of right now, you don't have a choice. You are in our care. Trust me, you do not want to find out what will
happen if you disobey. Starting tonight, you are to be in your room no later than ten o'clock, so I suggest you wash up and get ready for bed.”
 

Danny couldn't believe his ears. He sat waiting for his mind to register what was being told to him.
Am I really being given a bedtime?
He turned to Antonio who only nodded in agreement.

“
Was there something I said that was confusing to you?”
 

Danny wanted to tell Mitch to fuck off, but thought better of it. He'll decide what do tomorrow. “No, sir,” he said, with not enough attitude to be called on it.

“
Then our discussion is over. You may go.”
 

What the hell was that all about?
Danny thought on his way back to his room. He reconfirmed his earlier suspicions that these people were crazy, and he had to get the fuck out of there. On his way up the stairs his anger wavered, and then dissipated as his shoulders slumped. He assumed they were still talking about him. At first it made him feel exposed and violated. Once his outrage had no cause to hold on to, he started to feel drained. He was tired, overtired, and had been for as long as he could remember. Even though it was only 9:30 at night, the thought of climbing into bed was appealing. The words, 'You're in our care' echoed through his mind, and it felt...well, he didn't recognize the feeling.
What was it? Comforting? Safe?
It felt suffocating, like he belonged to them...
belonged
.

Danny shook his head. W
ho the hell did Mitch think he was?
I don't belong to anybody! He can't dismiss me like a little kid
. He wanted to be respectful out of appreciation for being given a place to stay. He was thankful for all they had done for him, but he resented being told to obey them. He wasn't going to respect them out of fear of being punished. He wasn't a child despite what they thought. He laid his heavy head on his pillow, and closed his eyes to his conflicting thoughts and feelings. There were benefits to being treated as a child. He wouldn't have to make difficult decisions on his own. Yes, he would be restricted and punished, but he wouldn't be kicked out. If he accepted being grounded, then he wouldn't have to worry for the next two weeks about where he was going or what he was going to do. He decided to stop thinking about it, and went to sleep.

Being grounded for the first time in his life wasn't completely an unpleasant experience. It wasn't fun; he was bored a lot, but there was security in it – to give up control to someone else. Being around so much, Danny got to know everyone a little better, and the more time he spent with them, the more he liked them. He even began to feel comfortable around Mitch. He was still overbearing at times, but Danny was developing a compelling need to please him. He hoped that he could
.
 

Chapter Three

A Decision is Made

“
The PI called,” Mitch informed Antonio in a private conversation, once he was sure the boys were out of earshot.
 

“
Oh?”
 

“
He located Danny's mother.”
 

Antonio went silent.

“
He said she was interested in speaking to her son. He gave me her number.”
 

“
Have you told Danny?”
 

“
No. I thought I'd call her first to get a sense of what she wants. Why risk setting him off if there's no point?”
 

“
He's growing on you isn't he?”
 

“
I never said I didn't like him. I only said we're not a home for runaways.”
 

“
He's really starting to settle in here. He's been opening up more, and he's very helpful around the house.”
 

Mitch pinched the bridge of his nose. “What are you trying to say, Antonio? You want us to adopt him?”

“
No, Mitch. Don't be absurd. He's a little too old for that. I'm just saying if it doesn't work out with his mother, we should consider letting him stay with us for a while.”
 

“
Do you know what you're asking?”
 

“
I like having him here, and he'll be eighteen soon enough.”
 

“
I got used to having him around, too, but that doesn't mean we're what's best for him. Think about the nature of our relationship, Antonio.”
 

“
There is nothing wrong with the way we choose to love each other.”
 

“
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply there was. I’m only saying we're not in the ideal situation to be raising a teenager.”
 

“
Well, I don't exactly see any ideal offers out there for him. It will be a year and a half until he is an adult in the eyes of the law. He's not ready to be on his own. He's certainly better off here than where he came from.”
 

“
We don’t know that for sure. First things first, let's give his mother a call.”
 

Mitch went off to the office to make the call to Danny's mother. Although he was not overly optimistic, he was hoping things were not as bleak as Danny made them out to be. Either way, he needed to find out if reconciliation would be an option, or if alternative living arrangements needed to be considered. After speaking with his mother, Mitch wasn't any more certain about what to do with the boy. His mother sounded sincere about getting back in touch with him. On the other hand, she didn't seem to be very concerned about where he has been, or whom he has been spending his time with. Initially, Mitch assumed he would have to defend the fact that Danny was staying with him in another state. When she did not sound alarmed, he had to contain his irritation at her cavalier attitude towards her son.

However, she accepted his offer to buy her a round trip ticket to New York, and to discuss whether or not Danny would be going back with her. She agreed to call him later with a time and date that she would be available to come. That was the easy part. Now the only thing left to do was to discuss it with Danny.