IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT...

BUT OTHER THAN SOME CLAPS OF THUNDER, IT WAS THE FURTHEST THING FROM MY MIND.

IN THE MORNING I START A WHOLE NEW EXCITING CHAPTER OF MY LIFE.

AT 8:00 AM TOMORROW, MY BOYFRIEND AND I PICK UP THE KEYS TO OUR NEW APARTMENT. WE HAVE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT IT FOR YEARS AND HAVE BOTH BEEN WORKING OUT THE DETAILS FOR MONTHS.

WE HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT A KING SIZE BED, A 60 INCH TV, AND MOST OF ALL, TO BOTH OF US, WE ADOPTED A GOLDEN LAB PUPPY.

BUT TONIGHT, IT IS REALLY HITTING ME THAT THIS DARK AND STORMY NIGHT IS THE LAST TIME I WILL BE IN MY BED, MY BEDROOM, AND THE HOME I HAVE KNOWN ALL MY LIFE.

There’s a postscript to our holiday in Greece: a tragic one, I’m afraid. Although this memoir has concerned itself with my reflections on my father, a few passing references have been made to my sister, who, of course, was likewise grieving the loss of a parent.

My father had used a part of his redundancy money to buy Sis a horse. He was a thoroughbred, with the wonderful name Cadenza Fancy Pants - Fancy, for short - a handsome, sturdy fellow, bright-eyed, white-starred on his forehead, with a sheen on his chestnut coat that was electrifying to behold. My sister idolised him. In the months following Dad’s death, Fancy, I think, consoled her in a way that my mother was unable to do. I certainly couldn’t do it.

On our return from Crete, we were picked up from the airport by my uncle Colin; the same uncle who had imparted the news of my father’s death to me.

As we neared home, Sis became steadily more excited. She’d missed Fancy tremendously. Forget the unpacking: the first thing she was going to do, on getting home, was to run to the stable where she kept him, give him a good rub down, then take him for a ride.

A few hundred yards before we reached our destination, Uncle Colin abruptly pulled the car to one side. He turned his head around, looking grim-faced at my sister. He said, bluntly:

‘There’s no easy way to say this. A couple of nights ago, Fancy got out of the stable. He was running wild, stumbled…broke his leg. There was nothing that could be done. He had to be put down. I’m sorry.’

There was nothing more to be said. Turning round - no doubt tired of playing the part of Grim Reaper’s messenger - my uncle resumed the course of the journey. My mother was motionless in the front passenger seat. I sat in stunned silence, in the back, next to my sister. She too was silent, just for a moment. Then the howling began. She cried more bitterly, in those next five minutes, than I think she had ever done before: even on the day she woke to find Dad had passed away. This was a second sword piercing her soul. As long as she had her magnificent stallion, I think, she still had a part of our father with her. It had been his last great gift to her.

It was so fucking unfair.

Perfidious Poseidon, god of horses as well as oceans, had failed us. The Athenians had done well to cherish the goddess of wisdom before the capricious deity of the deeps.

Mum got my sister another horse. His name was Charlie. She loved him, of course.

He wasn’t Fancy.

How do you replace a beloved father? How do you replace the horse you adored, the noble steed who comforted you, who gave you solace, in your darkest days?

You don’t.

It was cool dark windy night in Shady Meadows . The moon was in full view and something was different in the air . It seemed like something afoot was going to happen . Kirk and Logan were out at the park together talking with each other at a picnic table when he heard screams coming from out of the woods what kinda scream they couldn't tell but it raised their attention . "What is that ungodly noise coming from woods is it human or animal" Kirk said nervously .

"I don't know but you think we should go looking for it in case someone needs help " said Logan with a worrisome voice .

The boys got up headed towards the screams and looked at each other with nervous looks .

"It's now or never " Kirk said with apprehension.

As they enter this section of the woods by the lake they breakup and start searching for the noises . Logan carefully enters an overgrown section of the woods while Kirk goes around less ominous section of woods but both plan to meet in the middle . They walk a good section for about hour and meet up with an entrance to a cave . "Haven't seen anything yet but sounds are coming from within the cave " Kirk says .

"Should we dare go in and look " says Logan with a gulp of his throat .

They both agree to enter into this cave in case someone is hurt they want to help this person out . Slowly, with hesitation they both walk in with the sounds echoing of creepy scream sand moan almost . They decide not to split up this time and continue searching . Something flashes by then making laughing sound hehehe oooooo . Suddenly they hear a voice whisper "that's it keep coming". The boys look scared now "what the hell was that "Logan ask.

"I don't know but I'm getting a bad feeling about this "Kirk said .

They keep heading to the strange sound .feeling like there being watched sounds are getting creepier as u go deeper into cave .

Without a blink Logan just vanishes now Kirk becomes really scared shouts out for Logan "where are you where you go Logan this isn't funny anymore ".

Now Kirk decides to head back for entrance but can't see as a mist or fog develops . "I can't see where anything is im lost and alone whatever grabbed my friend is lurking about " Kirk says to him suddenly a cackle and laughing echos then voice calls out " come here little boy your all mine now . Your never getting outta here ever again" .

Scared crazy Kirk starts running but bangs his head and is knocked down . Slightly cut head is bleeding now and he's terrified can't move . "Why you doing this to me I wanna go home . Please stop !" Kirk yells out help but sadly no one can hear him . He sees shadow of figure go back forth hearing laughter and heavy breathing it was all he could do to just lay there . Gripped by fear and his head wound Kirk passes out . When he comes to he sees Logan's body motionless and tied up and so he tries to stand up but can't as his legs are bound . Deep despair hits Kirk as he can do nothing "help please let me go please I'm to young to die ".

A set of glowing eyes and voice shouts out "don't cry and don't despair I'll take good care of you for rest of your life your mine now forever ".

Weak and tired bound up all Kirk could do was cry and think why they went looking for screams and if anybody would come looking for them ever ! Sadness overcame him and he just sat there wondering what had captured him for eternity . What does this thing want from me anyways ? Guess Kirk and Logan will find out eventually but if you hear sounds in the woods you don't know don't go looking but you may never come back ever .

Mike gets going and decides to hurry down for breakfast as he has a lot to get done today . He has him a hearty breakfast which consist off four eggs a package of bacon , hash browns, biscuits and gravy and top it off with four pancakes soaked in melted butter and syrup . He finishes it off wipes face with napkin and darts out the door.

First he starts feeding the animals and talks to his friends . He milks the cows and then gathers eggs in hen house . He sings them a song and thanks them for sharing eggs . Now he moves onto the hogs he wets pen down good so they can have a good mud bath.

It is now time to feed goats and llamas . He laughs and plays with his favorite goat and looks at his phone and says to himself I'm making good time today but time to groom and feed the horses . It being mid morning now he has some fencing to fix and boy it's time consuming .

He rides over to spot where the fencing has been broken after he loaded up back of his red ford king cab truck. To his surprise he sees one of the triplets waiting for him to which one he has no clue who it is but he guesses its Scott .

He gets out of his truck takes his cowboy hat off tips it and says "morning " with a big smile "I don't know which one of you you are but nice that you greeted me here ".

"I came to help you and talk to you this morning and spend some time with you today plus my dad said need to learn from you on how to keep a farm going strong so here I am good morning ".

"Well that's mighty nice of you to come help and I'll do my best to teach you " said Mike.

They unload off the truck everything and as Mike is lifting a lot at time his strong muscles pop out and whichever triplet stared at Mike was totally lost in seeing how strong and handsome he was . "My how did you get so strong Mike your able to lift all that at one time and I can only lift one or two at most dang ".

"You will get better at it and build strength as you learn and do more on your farm , I had to do more when I lost my dad and decided that day I'd do what it took to help keep this farm going ".

"Well I can only hope I can do as good as you one day. Don't you ever have off day when you can just do nothing and relax"? Said whomever this was .

"Now I'm sorry first off but which one of you are you , I still can't tell you three guys apart "? Said Mike

"Oh I'm Scott silly lol and it's ok but let make it clearer for you who I am " Scott said as he leans in and kisses Mike on his cheek "now from now on if you get a kiss on the cheek you will know who I am" said Scott.

"Well already then . Your just a sweet friend I guess ok I'll remember that" says Mike.

They must have worked on that fence all afternoon together tearing out old rotted wood digging new holes and time flew until Scotts alarm goes off .

"I gotta head home for a bit but I'll come over later and we can relax talk more. See you a little later ". As Scott walks off he thinks to himself Haha my plan is already working he thinks I'm Scott and now I have gotten an in with him the fun is just beginning and I cannot hardly wait to put more of my plan into action . Evan proudly continues his way home happy with his accomplishments so far .

Mike is working hard but thinks about Scott and how nice it was to have help today and enjoyed Scott's company today . Sweaty and tired and starving because he skipped lunch today Mike loads his equipment back up into the truck and heads back to farmhouse . Mike turns radio up high and starts singing old town road as loud as he can it helps him unwind some from his day . He gets home leaves radio playing and and is doing dance to the music working those cowboy boots and shaking his hips . He's in a really happy mood tonight and is interrupted with a laugh from his mother "well someone's in great mood today " said his mom .

"Oh hi mom got a lot down today I'm just happy I'm almost done for the day I'm famished what's for dinner tonight ?" Said Mike.

"Meatloaf and mashed potatoes and I made you a nice pot of my famous pinto beans and ham hocks " .

" Yum yum I can't hardly wait " Mike says as he picks his mom up hugs her tight .

"I have to take care of my friends get them all safe and sound ma and then I'll be in " says Mike "be inside in just a little bit ".

Mike sees another triplet coming over to the barn is it Scott Peter or Evan I'm so last he thinks . With a tip of his hat "good evening " .

"Hi there Mike " a kiss on cheek and hug " Scott says .

"Hi Scott what's up this early evening ?"

"Look at you yes I'm Scott glad you could tell the difference ".

"Can't chat right now Scott I'm finishing up so I can go eat and shower for the day " said Mike .

"It's ok just thought I'd see how your day was . We can talk more tomorrow hopefully " Scott says as he leaves heads back home .

Mike continued saying goodnight to his friends on farm and as he enters the barn to put up equipment he used on the fence today he's startled by another voice in the silence .

"Howdy partner what's up tonight ? "

Peter said with a big smile .

"Good evening wow you startled me " with a tip of his hat "as I told Scott I don't have time to chat I have to hurry up I'm starving and hot sweaty tonight so good and good shower are calling me ".

"Oh well tell me what you have left I'll do it so you can eat " Peter says happily .

"No I have to put horses in there stalls first and say goodnight to them you can come over tomorrow and help me around here if you want to Peter ".

"Alright I'll bid you a goodnight see you tomorrow " Peter says as he hugs Mike and leaves .

Wow those boys are so nice and I love there trying to be my friend. Friendly ones hugs and kisses I didn't know guys could be that affectionate to a friend mike thinks to hisself as he finishes loving on Gertrude and shuts the barn now time for some food . He dances a little jig and heads inside .

The table is set and Mike digs into supper piling his plate up he begins to devour his food .

"If I wasn't your mom I'd think you were a pudgy young man the way you put away food but your not at all . It must just be all the hard work you do here " his mom tells him.

"Supper was so good mom thank you for such good meal , do you need my help cleaning up ?"

"No honey you do enough hard work all day I got this . You go get cleaned up and do your schooling I setup on your computer today " his mom says .

"Thanks mom " Mike says as he heads upstairs into his room .

Mike sits down and gets busy on the school work today and within a few hours he was done and relieved look at that it's only 7:45 now I made good time with that . He stretches and gets undressed for his shower turns water on and then puts on his music . Now I'm ready for a good shower and starts singing and dancing again "it sure feels refreshing after a long day. He starts shampooing his hair and lathering up when music stops and he hears a voice again .

"Hey there buddy your mom let me come up and say hi "Evan said with big grin as he looks in shower and sees Mike outline .

"Oh I'll be out in few Okay just make yourself comfortable " Mike exclaims shyly . "We have to stop meeting this way ".

"Oh no I don't mind really it's my pleasure to wait on you since I'm the one intruding on you " Evan says as he is peaking through the door . Evan thinks to himself how hot Mike looked all wet and smooth and very sexy .

Mike puts towel around him and steps out into the room "hey I think you should go home you were not nice to me the other night ".

"That's why I came over tonight I needed to apologize for my behavior I had no excuse to treat you that way it had been a very rough day and I'm under a lot of pressure because I have to figure out how to do stuff I've never done before . I lashed out at you because I was jealous of you so I'm very very sorry " Evan says with a tear in his eye . "Can you forgive me and try be good friends ?

"Why sure Evan I figure you and want to be your good friend" Mike says as he puts on a pair of boxers .

"Thanks Mike that means a lot to me ".

"Now can I please finish getting ready for bed ? I'm going to say goodnight "Mike says as he walks Evan to his door . "Night Mike talk to you sometime tomorrow "Evan says as he walks down the stairs .

Evan is happy his plan is working so far and he thinks about what he will do tomorrow as he walks home .

Every year this pumpkin patch has many many visitors .

They come from all over the region looking for the best pumpkin around .

The kids enjoy the face paintings and balloon animals .

The adults enjoy warm apple cider and cider donuts .

Everyone enjoys the hayrides and haunted mazes .

But this pumpkin has something special.

The kids wonder the patch looking for the best Orange pumpkin it has to offer .

A very nice couple a man and wife who gladly help the youngster out .

Many have spoken of these two wonderful people Bob and Emily .

Bob helps get some of the biggest and beautiful pumpkins

Emily gets unique looking pumpkins for the children .

The only problem with this is that the pumpkin patch doesn't have a bob or Emily working there .

Each child tells of there experience no adults have ever seen any workers.

The parents just say there kids were talking to imaginary people .

So this year when you visit your pumpkin patch say hello to bob and Emily . Those imaginary friends your children are talking to might be two of the nicest spirits you meet . Boo !

Freewill hurried quietly looking for Trent to find out the origin of the smell and ask why He suddenly have strong urge for human blood .

"There you are Trent I need to find out why I have an intense smell of human and what the blood so badly "

said Will.

"Oh no we must hide and fast it is what we call a vampire hunter , there only job is to find and eliminate as many of us as they can . You have sudden urge for blood huh , lol you must be attracted to this vampire hunter nah the use extra pheromones to attract vampires and my guess u sense that . I wonder which one it is , sometimes they go to our blood banks because they know we have a need for blood " Trent tells Will more about these vampire hunters and warns him of there dirty tricks they use .

The both of them fly up off to very dark corner of room in the rafters and silently watch as the vampire hunter walks around the place .Freewill looks closely and sees what to him is a very handsome teen that's very athletic and smells like has awesome blood pulsing through his body . It is all Will can do to fight the urge to fly down and say hello drink his blood and turn him to his side . What seemed like an hour passed and finally the vampire hunter exits the building . "Whew good job Will fighting your urges that was close "said Trent.

"It was all I could do to not go down there bite him and turn him to our side .Are there many like him "Will ask.

"Unfortunately there are. They won't hesitate to kill you Will so please remember you can't trust any of them ever "Trent says emphatically .

"I guess I need to always fight my urges then " says Will back to Trent .

Now Will has started to wonder was I attracted to him because I want him to kill me or was it the pheromones that got him excited who knows . But could it be I was attracted to him and wanted him as his companion and mate hmmmm I like Trent and think he's cute but I can't trust him either . Now pull yourself together and let's get going Will thinks to himself .

"Hey so you think I'm cute that's so sweet and as for trusting me you should because if I had bad intentions I would have let the vampire hunter catch you , now let's get going it's finally dark out and we can continue to travel"Trent says.

"What the hell ? How did you know what I was thinking ? Get out of my head ! Says Will.

"I can hear your thoughts and read your mind ,we all can . We have that sense and if you want I'll teach you that . The only one you can't do that to is the one that turned you . " Trent explains this more in depth to Will .

The two start on there journey as Will tries hard to read Trent's mind but nothing is coming to him . As they make there way into another city they stop and look around in this new town .

"Were taking a break lets grab soda and some snacks " says Trent.

"At least we can still enjoy some things from our human life " Will says smiling.

The two boys decide to pop into a quick mart . They start grabbing some candy bars and potato chips and head to back of store for sodas when suddenly out nowhere two men with mask and guns enter and they hear the clerk screaming as the the men say get on the ground or we will kill you .

"Give me all of the money out of register and safe now "says masked guy number one .

The second guy goes up down the isles making sure there alone . The two boys had flown up into ceiling in dimly lit area .

"We have to help the clerk I can't just watch them kill her "says Will to Trent .

"Don't get involved Will just let things play out " Trent whispers back .

"I'm not letting this happen to that clerk so deal with it Trent your either going to help me or watch me because they will not get away with this " Will says angrily .

"Okay I will get masked guy number one and you will handle number one when I say go but with heroics comes a consequence ready one.two..three go".

Suddenly at the same time Trent and Will swoop down on top of the masked men shots are fired . The two young vampires make quick work of the two masked men until they were unconscious. The two boys tie up the would be robbers .

"Awesome now what's next , check on the clerk " Will is happy but feels pain I'm bleeding as he checks on the clerk .

"She's unconscious behind register but will be okay " says Trent .

"I been shot and bleeding " says Will

"Give it a minute you will heal up and not even have a scar"says Trent .

This was shocking to Will he thought with amazement and for the first time was happy he was a vampire .

"Now get our snacks and get the hell out of here " says Trent .

The two make there way about twenty miles from where all this took place and stop in a heavily wooded cave to rest . They ate some chips and candy bars and lounges around after checking area really good .

"Let's take a look at where you were shot " says Trent . "Not a mark on you and where you were bleeding no blood ".

"This is so cool so nothing can hurt me . That is gnarly dude " says Will.

"Not true garlic and any holy water and sunlight can hurt you bad also a stake to the heart or a good blade to take off your head and if you lose any appendages there gone forever like arm or leg unless u can reconnect them in time " Trent explains.

"Well alrighty then I will make sure if that happens I can reconnect them fast so we setting up here it's going to be daylight soon " says Will .

"Why yes we can stay here tonight " says Trent.

Okay then Trent calls Raul and tells him what's going on and there progress and Freewill lays back looks at his pictures in his wallet of his family . Mom and dads picture caused him to tear up and thinking of all the memories he had with them . As he looks at his two brothers pictures he gets Sadder and at same time angry . He trembles and gets angry again at the vampire that has his brothers and wonders if they are full blooded human killers yet drinking blood of other humans . He wonders if they will remember him and if he can ever bring them back to reality and why this leader chose them of all people to be vampires .Trent notices Will sobbing and goes over to check on him .

"It gets better Will with time that I can promise you and your feelings kinda just fade away you will become numb to it all " Trent says as he puts an arm around Will to console him "now let's just lay here relax until our new day can start ".

Will and Trent snuggle together as it is cold out today and fall asleep together .

There was a very tiny little worm that tried so hard to be a big worm like the others but could not keep up .

"Hey look at pip squeak haha he can't even crawl right "Rufus said to other worms .

"We should just leave him behind we have all the muscles and can crawl supper fast lol let's go he will have to find his way home alone , we can leave him "Paul said .

"Guys wait up please , I need to warn you guys . Guys your headed for a trap I can sense it and feel the danger ahead . Stop "! Little old whirly said.

The worms all crawled there way to area that rich moist and cool . For the worms it was the absolute best place to be . " this is the life now that we left little old whirly behind us we can get more stuff done " Rufus said .

Little old whirly tried to catch up but it's taking forever seeing he can't stretch his body like the other much bigger and faster worms. "I'm so tired and nobody seems to care about me I'm the smallest worm ever I have to keep pushing myself forward to warn the guys but I'm so slow ".little whirly says.

Up ahead Paul and Rufus dig tunnels all in the soil with the rest of the guys in group "amazing we are getting so much done without pip squad we should have left him way before we did he's worthless "Paul says happily .

Well let's go up take a peek we should be by the apple trees and feed on ones that have fallen to the ground let's go look everybody " Rufus exclaims .

Unbeknownst to Rufus the birds had laid a trap as they were all hungry themselves . They knocked apples all over the ground so when worms popped out they could feed on them .

About the time when Rufus and Paul and group were about to pop out of ground "Stop Please ! Listen it's trap I can sense it if you go up there the birds will eat you all alive " little whirly implores out of breath "please no don't go up there please !

"Shut up you don't know anything your to slow and dumb to tell us anything . We're hungry and apples taste so good "Rufus says .

"Shut up nerd slowpoke we got this u be a coward wait down here". Paul said mockingly .

As they went out as group slowly one by one the group disappeared fast out of ground.

Whirly grabbed Paul by the the tail to hold him back with all his might making Paul very angry .

"You stupid imbecile you little pip squeak I'll get you back " Paul yells.

As they argue Rufus laughs "see I'm getting the best apple ". "Ouch something has got me ouch "Rufus says as he disappears from ground.

"Rufus no no "Paul cries out.

Whirly cries because none of this should happen "I tried to warn everyone I may not be fast but I do have abilities I'm small to " why wouldn't y'all listen to me instead of being so mean ".

"I don't know what to say but we lost a lot of good friends including Rufus and it's all your fault whirly"Paul says

" I'll just leave you here for now to mourn I'm peaking up above just to see if anyone made it ok "whirly says .

He so small tiny birds don't see him to his surprise Rufus is still alive just injured "psst Rufus in coming " whirly whispers .

Whirly tunnels up grabs hooks his little tail to Rufus with all his might he pulls Rufus back down into dirt .

"I'll be back in few " he tunnels back to Paul "help me get Rufus he's alive but hurt " Whirly tells Paul.

"What he's alive how and what "?

Paul hurried up and pulls Rufus down deeper and let's Rufus relax a bit .

"Thank you whirly but why did you come back for me when I said such means things to you " Rufus asks.

"Well we are a group and your my leader and friend whether or not your nice to me or not and friends don't leave friends behind "whirly exclaims proudly .

"Well thank you for saving me and you might be the smallest and slowest worm alive but you have the biggest heart of all of us". Rufus say.

Yes, they smile at you

But then, so do piranhas

The gaze of the dead.

They listen to you

But you might as well not speak

For all it achieves.

You shake proffered hands

But there is no tenderness

In their icy clasp.

You wonder what thoughts

Pass through minds so alien

You want to ‘phone home’:

Like E.T., you feel

Surrounded by a strangeness

You don’t understand.

What seems important

To them means little to you.

The converse is true.

You speak English, too,

Yet you can’t communicate

With humour and love:

Not how you want to.

Instead you offend, it seems -

Their backs are put up.

But you’re not the first

There was One who deserved it

Far less than you do.

One who merited

Not a single sneer or curse

Still they came His way.

One who was blameless

(Which cannot be said of you

Or, of course, of them).

The Pharisees smiled

Just like piranha fish do

The gaze of the dead.

And like piranhas

They know how best to draw blood

Back then, and right now.

Yet He came that we

Might have life, in abundance.

For them - and for you.

Commentary: I wrote this poem in early 2018. The previous few years had been difficult ones for me professionally; unresolved tensions in my workplace were getting worse; and this poem expresses much of my frustration with certain work colleagues. Yes, comparing them to Pharisees (and myself to the persecuted Christ) is somewhat OTT. But describing my detractors as piranhas - that certainly felt (and still feels) accurate. If any of you have ever had a tough time in the work place - or at school - you might identify with this. Anyway, it all came to a head soon after I penned this. I gave notice of my intention to quit, and in June 2018, bade farewell to my job of the previous twenty-two years. Fifteen months later, I have no regrets.

"Why is there always two kids hanging around the Chinese place Billy and why do they only have one shoe there about our age and we never see them in school" ? Zack ask.

"I dunno but don't they look ridiculous and always dirty and filthy and then you can see them by the city lake at night headed towards the woods "Billy retorts .

"Who knows but nobody ever talks to them all they do is laughs at them I feel bad for them " zach says .

"Well they get what's coming to them for dressing the way they do and grabbing people's leftovers they throw in the trash . I mean we are even civil and don't go doing that " Billy exclaims .

"Lets go talk to them and be nice to them Billy I mean it " Zack pleads.

"No way I'm not being seen with those losers , I'm gonna go to arcade and wait on you I want no part in it there clowns Zack and you don't need to waste your time with them. See you in little bit "Billy says as he leaves.

Zack watches the two boys for few minutes and decides to go inside buy them two full hot meals and heads back out to greet them .

As zach approaches them the first boy throws up his hands "don't hurt us please I don't mean you no harm ".

The second boy instantly says "go ahead laugh at us we know we r losers everybody tells us everyday ".

Zach hurried up and says "no! You have it all wrong I bought you two guys hot dinner so you don't have to eat out of trash tonight . Please take itI want to talk to talk to you a minute".

"We can't take that from you we don't expect anybody to help us " boy one says .

"Here it's totally paid for and it is freely given what's galls name I'm Zack ".

"Well my name is Chris nobody ever ask our name and I am starving ".

"Thank you Zack we accept my name is Roger".

"Here please take my shoes and I'll bring you another pair I have several at home you are about my size it looks like and your foot has sores all over them please let's go across street sit down so you can eat " Zach tells Chris and Roger . They cross the street and sit down and both boys eat food fast . "Thank you so much Zach you have helped me so much feels great to eat hot meal your socks and shoes feel so good on my feet " Chris says with mouthful.

"So where do you guys live at and why don't you eat food at home ?" Zack asks quizingly .

"We don't have a home to go to any more we have made a shelter with tarps in the woods to stay , you see I got kicked out of my home by my parents at 14 I'm 15 now and I wondered around town and met Roger he will tell you he got kicked out of his house two " Chris exclaims .

"I don't understand why your parents just kicked you out were you doing something wrong ?" Zach asked.

"You see I fell in love with another boy in my neighborhood and they caught me kissing him outside one day and said I was an embarrassment and to get out of the house and never come back and I did the next week I came back and they moved" Chris explains " I looked for them but there was no sign of my brothers or sister so I rough it now and people laugh at me tease me now " Chris stops talking and is crying Roger consoles him .

Roger starts talking " I got kicked out of house because I had trouble learning in school with my dyslexia and add I couldn't understand teachers very well I come from smart family and my dad called me idiot and stupid all the time and was told if I didn't make all A's on report card I was getting kicked out because he wasn't raising a dumb and stupid kid well report cards came out I made all c's so all my stuff was thrown out and I was told leave never come back well that's what I did ".

"This is so hard for me to conceive isn't a parent supposed to love you no matter what ? I'm so sorry guys I don't know what today" Zach says.

They chat about life a bit and not boys say they need to head to there home in the woods . "Roger meet me here tomorrow same time I'll have you some shoes and other things and I'll have you follow me to my house if you like and let you both get a good shower if you like I have clothes and blankets and few other things ok it is such a pleasure meeting you guys my new friends ".

"Why you being so nice to us and it's been awhile since anyone else has called us friends " Roger exclaims.

"You guys are my age and no matter what your a person first and foremost and I wanted to find out more about you two because y'all never bother anybody " Zack says.

"Well thank you very very much Zach I think we might become good friends "Chris says as the boys walk away. They turn back and wave at Zach and he waves back . He then heads to arcade to meet up with Billie and walks up to him playing game . "Hi Billie they are very awesome guys and we will hang out with them tomorrow night I want to introduce you to them ".

"Uh no way Jose I'm not gonna be any part of them there homeless bums and I'm not going to be friends with there kind ever " Billie says

"I guess if you feel that way I'm gonna leave and see what I can find out to help them out online " Zack says. He leaves and heads home thinking about a lot of what they said to him. He runs upstairs logs onto the computer and finds a site Trevor project that helps teens in need and researches topics and decides to call them and ask if they might could help his new friends . After about forty five minutes he hangs up and runs downstairs to talk with his parents about his new friends . His parents explain that schools are required to make special accommodations for children with learning disabilities and it's not his friends fault for having problems . This had Zach all excited he even asked his parents if they could stay in the extra room nobody use and they said they would think about it . Back in his room Zach is very excited about everything he learned and lays in bed thinking how lucky he has it to have loving supportive family . We will see what happens next hopefully Roger and Chris will have a new chance on a teenage life and be happy once again . Zach drifts off to sleep with a smile tonight .

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On a side note for this story 1in every three teenagers kicked out on street will commit suicide we need to get the word out about Trevor Project they help many teens that are LGBT and will help get them to the places they need if not able to assist them for different circumstances . Trevor Project goes on donations . Read more about this foundation .hope you enjoyed my short story may write more as a followup soon.