“Why would he do that?” Wanda asked.
“I can’t explain it to you Ma. It’s not mine to tell.” Wanda rolled her eyes.
“Everyone is so sensitive these days,” she muttered.
She stalked back up the driveway and into the house. Fred scraped his hands through his hair and down his face, balling them into tight fists. He closed his eyes, and he took some deep breaths. He jumped at the touch of a hand on his shoulder. When he opened his eyes, Jennifer stood there, looking up at him worriedly.
“What did she say?” she asked. Fred shook his head.
“Nothing,” he said. Jennifer stared at his face and saw he wouldn’t tell her anything more. It was fine, she knew she hadn’t done anything to earn his confidence.
With everyone, except Wanda, helping to bring in bags and boxes they finished unloading everything in just a few minutes. Wanda had slunk off to her bedroom when Fred began bringing things into the house and refused to leave while he remained there. He did his best to ignore the invisible hurt her actions raked across his heart. He’d have a lot to talk to his therapist about this week. It still bothered him that her jabs and abuses continued to hurt him so much.
After everything had been brought in, Jennifer grabbed a couple of beers and the siblings sat outside in the backyard sipping at them. The three boys played together in the yard while Fred and Jennifer sat together. They didn’t talk about much, just the logistics of her finding a job, a place to live. He hadn’t even gotten halfway through his beer before he stood and said he needed to get going.
Fred hugged each boy, planting kisses on their heads before Jennifer walked him out to his car. She stood awkwardly for a moment before speaking. She didn’t want him to leave, had hoped he would stay and help her figure things out. She knew she did not deserve it, didn’t deserve any of the kindnesses he was extending right now, after the way she had been behaving these past months.
“Thank you,” she sputtered finally. “For helping me figure out what to do.”
“You’re welcome,” he said quietly. “Keep the boys safe from him.”
“I will,” she said. “Are you…will you give me your address?” Fred turned his head and stared down the street.
“Yeah,” he said. “Give me your phone.” She handed it to him, and he opened the map app and typed in his and Aaron’s address.
“Don’t give this to her,” he said nudging his chin towards the house. “And do not let Russell know.” Jennifer shook her head.
“I’m going to get a restraining order today. Call the police and report him or whatever,” she said. Fred blinked. He hadn’t even thought of that.
“Oh,” he said. “That’s a good idea.” Jennifer nodded.
“Aaron… Aaron texted me while we were unloading the cars and gave me some legal advice. Said he would help me if I wanted. He won’t work on it himself, conflict of interest or something, but said he could refer me to someone in his firm. He did say a good first step would be reporting him and the whole incident, getting the restraining order,” Jennifer said quietly.
“That was nice of him,” Fred said, knowing it was the biggest understatement of the year.
“Considering how I treated him before and even today… it was extremely nice of him. I didn’t even know he had my number,” Jennifer said.
“He has both your and Ma’s numbers in his phone, just in case something happens to me. I told him not to bother, but he insisted,” Fred said. He knew the words were harsh, but he had no energy left to shield his sister from how wonderful Aaron had been and how awful they had been. Her eyes shone with tears.
“Oh,” Jennifer said in a small voice. “OK, well… thank you Fred. I’m serious. I don’t know what would have happened if it wasn’t for you. Aaron too, both of you.” Fred nodded. She reached out again tentatively, brushed a hand against his shoulder. Fred sighed and pulled his sister into a hug.
Jennifer was surprised, it was what she had wanted to do, had needed from him, but she didn’t want to overstep. After all the shitty things she’d done in the past months she wouldn’t put her need for warm safe physical contact above her brother’s comfort.
But he had picked up on it, throughout the day, Fred had noted the need in her. She was utterly lost, dealing with an abusive husband, a mother who wouldn’t acknowledge the hurt that husband was causing, Jennifer needed him. So, he chose to give her his support.
She quickly relaxed into the warm, secure embrace of her little brother, her arms tight around his torso. With her face buried in his shirt she allowed herself to break a little and Fred could feel the hot tears seep into the fabric of his shirt. He squeezed her tighter and kissed the side of her head.
“Take care of the boys, OK?” Fred said when her arms began to loosen. She pulled back and wiped at her tear-streaked cheeks nodding.
“OK,” she said.
“Call me if you need something,” Fred said thickly. “And get the boys out of here as quick as you can. She’s only marginally better than Russell.” Jennifer nodded again, knowing the truth of those words.
“I’ll start looking for a new place today,” she promised. Fred studied her face then nodded to himself and climbed into his car. Jennifer waved as he started up the car and drove off.
~~~~
“How’d it go?” Aaron asked when Fred walked into the house. Fred sighed, tossing his keys in the bowl by the front door.
“Ugh,” he muttered and scraped his hands down his face. Aaron noticed the redness of his eyes, but didn’t pry, knowing Fred would share when he was ready.
“That good huh?” Aaron walked to Fred and kissed him.
“Where’s Ben?” Fred asked.
“In his room. Finn is coming to pick him up in a few minutes,” Aaron said.
“What for?” Fred’s eyes narrowed.
“I didn’t ask Freddie. Probably to hang out with his boyfriend.” Aaron shrugged.
“Is that a good idea? Shouldn’t he rest?” Fred grumbled. He made his way to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
“He said he was feeling better. He let me check his back, it’s pretty bruised up. Mostly on his shoulders,” Aaron replied, following Fred to the kitchen and leaning against the counter.
“Should we take him to a doctor or something? I’m not even sure they’ve got insurance,” Fred muttered after gulping down half his water.
“I asked him if he wanted to go to a walk-in clinic or ER, but he said no that it’s already feeling better,” Aaron said. Fred paused, then refilled his now empty water glass.
“Should we make him go in somewhere?” he asked. Aaron sighed and stretched his shoulders.
“I think he’s fine. I don’t want to force him,” Aaron said.
“I don’t know if he should go out though,” Fred said.
“Let him be normal, don’t coddle him.” Aaron shrugged. “Is Jennifer going to call the police?” Fred nodded.
“She said she was,” Fred replied.
Before the two men could get too deep into that topic a loud rumbling started outside, growing louder until an earsplitting growl was just outside the front window.
“What the fuck?” Fred muttered. He and Aaron walked over to the windows that overlooked the driveway and peered out.
A motorcycle had pulled up into their small driveway and a skinny boy was putting down the kickstand as he switched off the grumbling motor. He unclasped his helmet and pulled it off revealing a mop of dark blue-black hair and piercing green eyes.