Bubba slept soundly that morning, while his grandmother caressed his face and hair. The day was going to be hard, sober. One of those we never want to have. While the grandmother was kissing her grandson goodbye, Mrs. Kelley called his school to report his absence in the coming days. After that the two went out together to solve the relevant paperwork to the deaths of Mrs Lewis son and daughter in law.
******
It was almost lunchtime when Bubba finally woke up. He wore the clothes of the day before, and his shoes were under the bed where he slept. Once he put them on, he came out of the room bewildered, without recognizing the place. He saw a stairway in the middle of the hall, and went for it without even thinking. And he was on the way to the front door of the house, when Mark saw and ran to stop him.
- Hey, newbie! You're not even quite here and already wanting to leave us?
Bubba did not recognize the boy with generous blond hair and easy smile. So he did not answer him.
- You do not remember anything anyway, right? Well, Mrs. Kelley warned us that it would be like this...
- Mrs. Kelley? - the newbie asked, with his face lighting up in recognition of that name.
- You remember that you went to the hospital, don't you?
Mark was trying to organize the chronology of the events of the previous day, so that Bubba would remember he haven't been forced to be there. And received a nod in response, without a word.
- Well, then you came here from the hospital. Your grandmother accepted the invitation to stay overnight with you. Actually, I think you'll stay a few days ...
Suddenly there was an uncomfortable silence. Mark did not know if Bubba remembered hir parents' death. And didn't know if he should talk about it. He resolved, finally, skip this section and continue the conversation with trivialities.
- You must be hungry! Let's get to the kitchen. You can get away from us later with the stomach full.
 |
| Markell 'Mark' |
Bubba was still not at ease. But Mark seemed to know what he was doing, and at this point he was already finding it better to wait for his grandmother there. He did not know how to lead his own life without the guidance of his parents. At that moment he would do whatever he was told.
Already in the kitchen, still silent, Bubba followed the movements of his host, who tried to break the ice.
- Did I mention that my name is Mark yet?
With a nod he got a negative response. Still could not hear the voice of that boy, and thought that maybe he needed to ask a question that could not be answered with yes or no. But he had to create the environment first.
- Markell, actually. Bubba is a nickname, right?
Another nod, this time positive in response. Mark realized he was not being very smart. But he kept trying.
- If Bubba is a nickname, what's your name?
At the end of the inquiry the host gave a slight smile. At that point it looked more like a competition. And he felt that he was finally going to win. Bubba would have to talk! Then she thought to himself that it would be very unlucky if the boy was called 'Yes' or 'No'... But he waited patiently for a response from the new friend.
- Thomas...
- What?
-My name... My Name is Thomas.'
- Ok, now I'm confused. What does it have to do with Bubba?'
- Nothing! It's just a nickname, not to confuse me with my father...
And it was at this point that the reality was present. All feelings anesthetized reappeared. Bubba suddenly felt a bitterness in his mouth, while his eyes watered. And immediately he began to feel sick. His belly ached, his vision became blurred because of the tears, and the blood pressure was rising. And when Joey came to the door, Bubba vomited at his feet.
- I always cause this effect on people! Are you okay, newbie?
 |
| Joey |
Joey was a tall and lanky boy. He looked like a sheet of paper. And he had a sarcastic way of talking. It was less inviting than Mark's. But Bubba did not notice anything. He just had time to apologize before falling off the chair. He just did not reach the ground because he was supported by the two boys who were there. He was then taken to the visitroom where he was placed in the comfort of the couch, and bailed. While Joey sat beside him to ensure that he would not fall again, Mark ran to fetch a glass of water.
The two boys were about the same age as Bubba. Mrs. Kelley - she ran a temporary home for children and adolescents - was a temporary guardian. Both came from homes broken by addictions. And they could not attend school because of the threats suffered by creditors of their relatives. They were charged in an incisive way, even though they were no longer living with the debtors. When Bubba came to himself again, this was the explanation he received on why, on a weekday, they were both at home.
- But there is no lazing. We have a tutor who teaches the same here at home. We were with her when we saw you on the stairs ... - Said Mark, proud of himself.
- And I disturbed! Sorry ...
- It is the second apology I hear from you in less than ten minutes. More than I heard from my drunken father in a lifetime! Will we build a relationship on guilt?
- Which reminds me that someone has to clean the kitchen floor. - Mark pointed, already running to do the job. Bubba tried to stop him. But he paid no attention. And Joey dissuaded the newbie.
- Let him go. Mark is good at it. His mother forced him to do all the housework when they lived together. He does not mind doing it one time or another.
And so the morning was gone. The boys distracted the guest the best they could, knowing that what he had to think, if they let him still, was not the best of thoughts.
******
It was mid-afternoon when Mrs. Lewis returned. She had a sad countenance, looked tired ... And did not know how to approach her grandson. But she needed.
- The wake is tomorrow.
- Are we going to come back with them to Statesboro?
- No...
- Aren't we going to the funeral?
- Yes .. They will be buried in Wallaston.
- Grandma, this is not right! Why are we not going back?
- Son, there are a lot of things that you just don't know.
Bubba was outraged. He started to argue with her grandmother, but he remembered the day before, the fight with his mother, and how he regretted that the last thing he told her was in anger. Then he took a deep breath, wiped the tears, and then asked, calmly:
- What don't I know?
- Son...
- Don't give me that, grandma... Please just answer my question. It's time for me to know whatever has been interfering so much with my life. I crossed half the country, now I'm living in this cold city, I lost my parents, and you are telling I can't go back home. I just need to know why?
Ms. Lewis wanted to spare him from a few things, as it has been happening since everything occured. But she could no longer hide the facts of the boy. He was right; he needed to know. She took a deep breath and began to tell why the family had moved from Statesboro.
 |
| Statesboro City Hall |
To understand the story, we must go back a little more than Bubba's grandmother did in time. The boy's father was a small farmer in the town of Statesboro, Georgia. Had inherited from his father, very early, the land. And lived happily there with his mother. He didn't neglect the studies though. Had a grade in Biology. And knew how to talk to all kinds of people. Due to this ability, and his honesty, in a short time he was chosen as the representative of the small farmers to the city council. And so he approached a different universe, where people were less honest, and less concerned with the welfare of each other. In the middle of it all there was Melaine, daughter of one of the counselors. She was different from it all. She was studying dance, and did not want to follow his father's footsteps. The two were soon in love.
The wedding was a natural progression, and it happened about two years after they met. The years went out well, with Thomas doing double shifts, and Melaine, after Bubba was born, working as a dance teacher at a gym. And they were so happy. But the country's financial crisis, years later, came to complicate things. Thomas ended up accepting a job at the office of one of the city councilors, thanks to his father-in-law, who controlled the local political scene. In this position Bubba's father saw a lot happenning. Including irregularities. It was one of those dirty tricks that caught his attention. The council was trying to pass a state law creating a list of prices for the products of small farms. Such a maneuver would be extremely harmful to workers. But the purpose was to favor a large food factory, that bought the production, and was situated in the city. All this maneuvering would be made at a smaller meeting of the board, little advertized, so that there were no impediments to voting the law. Investigating a little further, Thomas found that to approve such amendment, all counselors were receiving monetary incentives. The word corruption would not leave his head after that. And knowing it all, he could not remain silent. But before reporting the scheme, provided by the evidence that he had achieved in his work, he talked a lot with his wife. The complaints led to her father as well. And he needed to know if she would agree to this family quarrel.
Melanie thought as her husband, and did not oppose to the complaint that he decided to do. What neither of them had any idea is that there was a criminal organization behind it all. And the first act of retaliation was to reverse the situation so that the whole city, including small farmers, have turned against Lewis. After the complaint was made, the negative propaganda was made on the basis of a possible closing of the factory. And the city depended heavily of the direct and indirect jobs it provided. Suddenly the Lewis were responsible for not allowing a law that would keep the factory open to be approved.
Taunted by everyone, and fearing that neighbors that were friends before, would end up hurting his son, Thomas began to think about moving to another city. And this idea crystallized after Bubba was almost kidnapped at the school gate. Threatened by anonymous, persecuted by the citizens, and frightened by strangers lurking around the home, the Lewis fled to Savannah. Thomas still wanted to go back to Statesboro, and follow up to what he felt was right. But, he had to preserve the family. The plan was to stay in Savannah until the end of Bubba's school year, since the vacancy in the public school was guaranteed. After that they would return to Stateboro. Thomas would clarify everything. Their complaints were already bringing results. Corrupt people were being arrested. Unfortunately that included some of Melaine's relatives. And they were no longer welcome at family gatherings.
 |
| Savannah! |
But in Savannah things were not better. Melanie was almost criminally hit by a car, Bubba was followed by strangers all the time, and Thomas received anonymous threats by phone. They remained at risk. State police suggested a major change. And Thomas, afraid of what might happen if he stayed in Georgia, took the advice. The family, in the middle of summer, moved to Boston.
After hearing the story that his grandmother told, Bubba did not know what to think. He no longer belonged to Statesboro. He did not feel part of Boston. Now he knew there was no family waiting for him in Georgia. Those who were not arrested were pretty upset with her parents, and consequently with him. No parents, no prospects, Bubba gave in again to the sentimental pressure, and began to cry. Stood up and headed towards the exit door. His grandmother grabbed him by the arm.
- They are arranging the funeral at our house. In and out of flowers, and chairs and all things ... Better stay here!
- Are my parents there already?
- Closed caskets... Too many bruises...
Bubba tried to wipe the tears. But they did not stop to sprout. Desperate and needing to be alone, he climbed the stairs of the house running, and took shelter in the same room where he woke up earlier that morning. The bed he slept in was Joey's. But he did not know that. And the friend would not mind if he stayed there a little longer. Bubba cried hugging the pillow for hours. The fatigue finally overcame him when the night has came, and he fell asleep.
******
The funeral was taking place when Bubba woke up in the middle of the night. There were three other boys in the room, each in their beds. There were two bunk beds in that room. The guest went downstairs quietly, already starting to cry. He passed by Joey, who was sleeping on the couch, and then assumed that he was occupying the boy's place. He then came close to the new friend, and whispered, with a bit of shame to wake him:
- Joey? Joey?
The sleeper woke slowly, rubbed his eyes and sighed.
- There's a funeral going on in your house. Why are you not there? Don't you want to say goodbye to your parents?
- Nobody called me ... And, to be honest, no, I do not want to say goodbye to my parents. But I have no choice. Or do I have?
- Yeah, you don't... That sucks!
Joey sighed again, and was hoping that Bubba would take some attitude. But the silence and lack of action disturbed him.
- Do you want me to go with you?
- Would you?
- Normally, NO!!! I don't know the deceased! But, what the hell. I'm already awake, and you are here with this doggy face... Okay... Let me wash this face and put some clothes on. I'll go with you. You owe me!! Big!!! I hope you don't forget that.
Mark seemed to be tuned with Joey. While one washed the face, another appeared at the foot of the stairs, his hair all messed up, his face all wrinkled, but already in clothes to go out.
- You are not alone, buddy!
- Thank you, Mark...
- Don't mention it. I would like the same from you if it was my parents there. How are you holding?
- Don't know. Feeling kinda lost right now.
- Hum... Grab my arm, I'm not a sissy. I'm just a caring guy. But I like girls.
At that moment, Joey was already there two, and they kept on talking, making fun of silly things, and making sure the walk to the funeral would be less traumatic. The three went out the door together, not knowing what they would find.
Continue...
SBogus
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