Lyira Abell

“And then she said, Why did the scarecrow win a Nobel Prize? And I said “Why?” “Because he was outstanding in his field. Isn't that the cutest?” "Yes, Lyira that is pretty cute, I take it her treatment is going well?" “I don't know Maudie, it's still undecided if she'll make it through or not but she was more perky then the last few treatments.”

 “Well at least she's in a good mood, that can help patients make it through treatment. Unlike mine who are asleep, I lost another one in surgery today he was only twenty-six.” Eric said miserably.

 “I'm sorry, if you need anything let me know” I tell him. “The only thing I really need is sleep, today was a twelve hour shift and I’m beat.” Eric yawned as if to prove his point. Slam! “Oh Ansel must be home from getting groceries.” Maudie said. “Oh I want to tell him this joke." I got up and started to walk to the living room but right before I walked in, he yelled at me “Stop don't come in, dont’ look at me.” 

Ansel's voice was trembling, “That's not how it works” I say and walk in the living room. Maudie and Eric are behind me most likely because of the way Ansel had reacted to me coming in the living room. When I walked in the room I saw Ansel’s head behind the big couch in front of the entryway. “Ansel you have five seconds to tell me why you are hiding or come out ok. One, two , three, my voice became threatening, four, you had better come out young man, five”. 

“Ok i'm coming over.” I tell him and walk over. “No don't! Please just leave me alone." He pleaded with me. I ignored him I saw the look of fear in his eyes and it concerned me that he looked with fear at me. Someone who acted like a parent to him. I walked around the edge of the coffee table and then the couch. I looked at Ansel and instantly felt sick not because of what the words implied but because he had obviously been beaten, marked and possibly more. 

He looked at me and started to cry. “I'm sorry I don't want you to see me like this, I'm sorry.” I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him holding, cradling him like how I used to cradle my child. “What are you apologizing for? You have done nothing wrong” I told him. “Then why do they always pick on me, and hurt me, and call me names?” “I don't know” I told him. 

At this point Maudie and Eric had seen what had happened had see what had happened and were standing nearby watching. “Maudie can we use your bathroom?” Of course, use some of the scented candles too. She replied. I nodded then turned to Eric. can you get him some new clothes from his dresser. Eric nodded and headed up the stairs. 

Then I turned back to Maudie. “Maybe could you start hot water for tea or maybe hot chocolate?” I asked. Of course she responded and immediately left to get to work.

 I turned to Ansel, “Come to the bathroom with me, i'm going to help you get those ugly marks off you” I said. I pulled him up with me and he did not resist me. I gently pulled him in the hallway to Maudie's room and then the bathroom and pointed at the tub, “Take your shirt off and get in.” He stared at me “But you’re here.” “Honey I have seen everything there is to see, nothing is new to me, now take your shirt off.” I ordered him again. 

Slowly he stripped himself down to his boxers. While he did this I lit a couple candles and filled the bath with warm water along with some lavender oil. When Ansel was done stripping down to his boxers I pointed at the tub and he got in. now that his shirt was off I saw other words, but I could tell the worst one was most likely the one he was trying to cover with his arms.

 I went to the towel cabinet and grabbed a washcloth and knelt next to him outside the tub. “Can you turn your back to me? I'm going to try to scrub some of this off ok? Let me know if I push too hard. He nodded. I gently put my hand on his back and began. I could see the beginning of many different bruises, the worst being on his jaw and stomach along with a cut above his eye. It made me sick to think what he went through. “Ow! You’re scrubbing too hard”, Ansel told me. I realized I had been so angry I had taken it out on him unintentionally, “Sorry I apologize.” “Just be more gentle especially by my ribs and stomach.” he mumbled. 

I worked for a good five minutes on his back till the words had faded quite a bit. It was the best I could do for now. “ Ok turn around, I'm going to work on your front.” He did still covering the upper part of his chest. “Ansel you have to move your arms.” His eyes filled with fear, “I… I, do I have to?” “Yes” I said. He removed his hands and under was the word fag written in big bold letters. I just started, then was filled with anger. 

“Who did this to you?” I demanded. Ansel looked away from my gaze, “I can't tell you. If I do he’ll kill me”. He was trembling as he said this and it broke my heart. I started to get the words off of his chest and stomach. “Is it someone at school?” I asked. He nodded his head. What if I talk to your teacher and see if they know who it is. And if they do I can tell them what happened and say someone anonymous turned him in?”

 “No!” he blurted out. “He’ll know it was me”. I was almost done now with his front. That's the best I can do” I told him putting my rag down. Ansel looked down the words were still visible but they were a lot better and harder to see than before. I could tell some would be gone sooner than others. I walked over and found some rose and thyme shampoo of Maudie's. I picked it up and walked back to Ansel. Just as I was getting ready to put it in his hair there was a knock on the door. 

“Can I come in?” Eric called through the door. “Come in” I replied. He opened the door and glanced at Ansel before looking away and setting down the clothes he had brought down. “I grabbed you a t-shirt and jeans. Plus underwear, socks, and one of my old sweatshirts.” he told Ansel looking at him. “Thank you” Ansel said as he rinsed out the shampoo that I had just massaged into his hair. 

“OK… I'll be in the kitchen if you need me” and with that Eric left the bathroom. I turned and saw Ansel’s face was flushed. “I want to ask you a couple more things, but you can get changed first. I'll be in the kitchen.” I started to walk out but stopped at the door. You know, nobody's going to judge who you are. I know most of those words are not true but if any of them are… I bit my lip. I hope you can trust me, Maudie, and Eric enough to tell us because no matter what happens, we will always love you.” Then I walked out the door.

I was talking with Eric and Maudie when Ansel walked in. He was wearing Eric's old University of Yale sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. He walked in and sat down at the table. “Do you want some tea or cocoa?” Maudie asked. “Tea please, can I have the chai one?" “Sure.” Maudie got up to make the tea. 

We all just sat at the table awkwardly waiting for Maudie to finish. When she had finished putting the tea leaves and spices in a bag and poured hot water in a mug. The tension at the table could almost be cut by a knife. Maudie set down the mug in front of Ansel and went to sit in her chair at the table. “Alright so what is it?” Ansel just stared at her. “I'm assuming you have something to say or talk about otherwise you would be in your room right now correct?” Maudie declared.

 Ansel took a deep breath and turned to look at me. “Ok, You're right I have something, I’ve been hiding something from you guys because I was afraid of how you might react.” Maudie let out a huff of a laugh. “A few.” Ansel glowered at her and continued, “ You see, first, I have been bullied by a boy named Jacob since I was in third grade. He has always liked to pick on me and it never got physical until about a year ago. He calls me names, humiliates me, and occasionally he beats me up.” I watched him and the way his eyes showed that it was very painful to be bullied by this, although I could tell that by the words that covered his body and the bruises that were so abundant on his skin it was like polka dots.

 “It's good you're telling this so we can report it, but this is not what you’re really here to talk about is it?” said Maudie. Eric was still sitting at his chair listening to what was being said. His brown hair smoothed back but his curls were starting to show in little wavy bits around his face. I turned back to Ansel who was shifting in his seat his hands clasped together so hard his knuckles were turning white. “Promise you'll still take care of mom if I tell you” Ansel seemed to plead to Maudie.

 “Oh come on, tell us what it is you’re wanting to say. Stop stressing yourself out and spit it out.” Eric had finally spoken. I spun my head to him, his words had seemed harsh but I could tell from the look on his face he just wanted Ansel to stop putting off what he was so worried about so he would feel better. Ansel stared at him and then seemed to snap out of it and took a sip of his tea sat back in his seat and looked down at his hands. “Ok fine you just want me to spit it out, I’m gay and I have been gay my whole life. That does not mean i'm any different from how I was yesterday, now or even tomorrow. And no, just because i'm gay doesn't mean I like every boy I see. I understand if you are disgusted and don't want me to stay here anymore just please take care of Mom. He bowed his head as he said that last part. 

We all sat there for a couple seconds before Maudie laughed. She started just chuckling to full blown laughter. “I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to tell us or just keep it to yourself forever” she said chuckling. Ansel stared at her mortified no doubt. “What?” he stammered. “I could tell from the moment I met you, you were most likely hiding your sexuality, and no it was not that obvious. You see,” she said, leaning forward eyes gleaming, I was a lot like you before I admitted my sexuality too.”

 Ansel started, “Wait, what, you’re, how” he stuttered. “I am a lesbian” Maudie said grinning. I turned to Ansel “It's true, she bought this house with her former lover. Anyway I want you to know that everyone in this house it totally accepting of LGBT people and that will never change. This is a safe haven for people like you and Maudie and for people like me from my past." 

 He looked like he was about to cry from relief. “Thank you all so much” he said, “I love all of you.” “I'm happy you finally came out but I just want you to know, that you will still have talks with us about how to be safe and I swear if I ever hear anything from my room there will be consequences” Eric said a dry humor in his voice. “That's true” I said, “Just because you finally told us does not mean you can do whatever you want, although I don't know if you would be able to handle a boyfriend right now” I joked. His face turned red “ You guys are the worst!” he said and quickly walked out of the room with me, Maudie, and Eric’s laughs following him.