CHAPTER SIX

It was late afternoon when Emerson finally arrived home, the instant Emerson stepped foot into the living area he knew there something was wrong. The house was quiet, too quiet for the typical Saturday at the Scott's resident. He hesitated, chewing on his bottom lips deliberating on whether he should just leave and come back later.

With slow steps Emerson forced his feet to move, dropping his keys by the kitchen counter, he passed by Benjamin room but his doors were sealed shut. As he continued, he could make out quiet murmuring coming from his room, the door squeak loudly when pushed open. John stood with his wife Brenda surveying their son’s room, immediately he set eyes on Emerson, his gaze darken, anger fueled his movement and in the blink of an eye he was gripping Emerson by his shirt, roughly dragging him into the room and pinning him by the neck against his wardrobe, squeezing the living day light out of him.  

“Where have you been?” he asked, enraged.

Emerson choked, trying and failing miserably to pry his father’s hands off his  neck. His face was red, the vein in his head throb about ready to combust from the lack on air.

“John…” Brenda placed her hand softly over her son’s, voice soothing. “let him go…honey…please, please.” The hands that barricade Emerson’s breathing moved ever so slowly, Emerson rubbed his throat hacking up his lungs all the while trying to blend in with his wardrobe.

“Where have you been?” John repeated. Emerson tried, he really did try to respond but the words were stuck in his throat, no matter how hard he tried.

“Strip.” He ordered. If his son wasn’t forth coming he was going to check for himself.

Emerson almost choke on a sob, the prickling behind his eyes ever growing, but he knew better than to cry, men don’t cry, real men don’t cry. Emerson squeezed his eyes shut shaking his head. “Dad.” He begged.

“Don’t start with me boy, clothes off now!” his father barked.

Emerson whirled to his mother for help, but all she gave him was an apologetic smile, rubbing on her husband arm. “Do what your father says sweetie.”

Emerson bit down hard on his lips, he knew better than to defile his father, he felt trapped, he was frustrated.

Slowly, he pulled his shirt over his head, his pants came off next, knowing the drill by heart–his father always inspected him whenever he was suspicious of his whereabouts.

He turned slowly bearing his back to his father with tears filled eyes, he pondered on why his father treated him this way, why he never gave him a chance to be himself and why he couldn’t keep William out of him mind.

 He tried not to remember how good it had felt to be so close to William, how he shivered when William ran his hand along his abdomen, to recall the smell of lavender and sweet and…and… the feeling that course through his veins at being on top the smaller boy

“-erson”

“Emerson!” At his name Emerson eye flew open, staring unblinkingly at his father.

“You better be telling the truth, and keeping away from those your sinful habits.”  John bit out invading his personal space. It took everything Emerson had to hold his father’s gaze.

With that John directed his wife out of there son's room, door clicking shut behind them.

Emerson crumbled to the floor, he sat with his back to the wall beside his bedroom door, head buried between his knees. His nails dug into his skin, now this would certainly leave marks but he couldn’t bring himself to care, what was the use? His father would always see him as loathsome , and it hurts-much more than he allowed himself to acknowledge.

A ding pulled Emerson from his thoughts, he searched his discarded cloths for his phone. A series of dings followed the first that when Emerson finally got hands on his phone he had three unread messages from an unknown number.

Unknown (5:34pm): Hi.

Unknown (5:35pm):  I hope this isn’t weird but I got your number from Mason.

Unknown (5:35pm): It’s Emma…Emma Orte, from school.

Emerson was surprised at the message, he remembered Mason going to talk to her after their game on Friday, it never occurred to him that Mason would go as far as to give her his number.

Emerson (5:38pm): Hello.

Emerson’s reply was slow, he thought of ignoring her but decided to hear what she had to say.

Unknown (5:40pm):Oh, hi. Am on to Emerson right?

Emerson (5:40pm):Yes

Unknown (5:42pm):Cool, I thought you wouldn’t reply

Hope this is really okay? I mean Mason did give me your number and I just wanted to say hello.

Emerson (5:44pm):It okay.

He replied, then added as an after thought.

Emerson (5:44pm): How are you?

Unknown (5:44pm):I’m alright. Looking forward to meeting you on Monday.

Emerson stared at the message, puzzled on what his friend told Emma.

Unknown (5:46pm):Well, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Emerson (5:47pm):Yeah, you too.

No sooner than he clicked off his phone did his door crack open and Benjamin stepped in mimicking his brother’s position on the floor. His head slumped on Emerson’s shoulder.

“I hate that he does this to you.” Benjamin whispered.

“He didn’t do anything.” A lie, a very obvious one.

Benjamin only stare at his brother, he could clearly see bruises on Emerson’s neck, he reached to touch them but Emerson backed away and brushed his hands off. “It’s nothing I can’t handle, don’t worry.” He nudge Benjamin shoulder lightly, putting on a smile. “I’m fine.”

“Emer–”

“Now, tell me, what is up with you?

Benjamin knew that look, although Emerson was smiling, his eyes said it all. He sighed and stare at the floor, when he faced his brother again his cheek were colored. “Well, there is this girl…”

“Who is she?, Do I know her?” Emerson interrupted.

Ben laughed, rubbing his neck, eyes still fixated on the floor.

“No, you don’t... But I really like her.”

“A crush.”

Benjamin cheeks took on more colours. He nodded.

“Have you told her?”

A shake of his head in the negative.

“Why not?” Emerson exclaimed

“Well, she so pretty, and nice and sweet and…and when she laughs…I just…I..I..I”

“That bad huh?” Emerson chuckled, But Benjamin took on a serious countenance he but whispered.

“What if she does like me back?”

“Ben–”

“It’s stupid.”

“Not it’s not…look at me.” Emerson said, holding unto his brother face. “No rush okay…when you feel you’re ready, you make your move and if she doesn’t like you back? So what? that’s her lost…okay?”

“Okay.” Benjamin whispered, nuzzling Emerson neck. Emerson succumb to the embrace, he tighten his arm around Ben, letting all his thoughts float into nothingness.

“And remember what ever you decide to do, I’m here okay?”