...Continued
In Marc and Matt’s room Marc had found a pack of matches he sat on his bed lighting them. He would light one blow it out then light another.
Jaime and Dan were on their way back up from the basement when Joey came running Matt was right behind him.
“Jaime, Jaime!! Fire, fire! Joey cried
“Where?” Jaime shouted.
“In Marc and Matt’s room.” Joey told her.
“Where’s Marc?” She cried.
“He’s still up there.” Joey was crying.
“Dan take Matt, Joey and your rabbits and get out and stay out. Understand?”
Danny nodded. “Come on guys let’s get out!” He took a hand from each boy and headed for the back door. “You two stay here.” Danny ordered. Then he ran back into the house and grabbed his rabbits.
Jaime sped upstairs. Marc’s bed was in flames. But rather than getting out of his room, Marc seemed mesmerized by the flames. He just stood there staring at them. In fact he continued to light the matches and throw them into the fire.
“Marc!” Jaime called. She ran into the room and grabbed him she set him down in the hall. The she ran to the bed and threw the flaming mattress out the window. She almost hit Oscar who had just arrived home.
Jaime surveyed the room. Nothing else seemed to be effected. She grabbed Marc and ran out of the house with him.
Oscar was standing by the back door when they got outside. “What in blue blazes is going on?” He shrieked.
“You’ll have to ask Marc.” Jaime said standing him down on the ground.
“Marc, what happened?” Oscar demanded
Marc shrugged his shoulders and walked away from them.
Oscar grabbed him, “Don’t you ever turn you back on me when I’m talking to you again!!” He screamed. “I want you to tell me who set your mattress on fire and why.”
Marc turned toward Oscar, but wouldn’t look at him.
Oscar turned to Jaime. “Is it safe to go in the house?” He asked
“Yea I think so. It was only the mattress the fire didn’t damage anything else.”
“Well amen to that. Dan, I want you to put your rabbits back down the basement, Hey I thought you only had two. Anyway take Matt and Joey up to your room. Don’t come down till I call you down. Ok?”
“Yea sure dad.” He put a rabbit’s cage in each hand then led Matt and Joey into the kitchen. “You wait here for just a second. He took the rabbits back down to his office then he took Matt and Joey by the hand and led them upstairs to his room. They were back down in a matter of seconds. Danny was wheezing he sounded terrible.
“It smells bad up there.” Joey stated.
“Yea I guess it does. Jaime would you please run up to the bathroom. Dan’s inhaler is in the medicine cabinet.”
“Of course.” She took the steps two at a time to get up them.
“Just take it easy Dan. You’ll be fine.” Oscar reassured him. “I’m sorry I forgot there is probably still quite a bit of smoke up there.”
Dan nodded.
Jaime arrived with his inhaler and Dan quickly used it. In a matter of minutes he felt better.
“Feeling better?’ Oscar asked.
“Yea much better.
Dan nodded.” Maybe we better stay somewhere else for the next couple of nights dad at least till it clears out up there.”
“You may have a point there. Dan. I’ll get things ready in a few minutes. I want you to stay out of the upstairs I’ll pack your stuff. Maybe we can stay with Jaime and Steve.”
‘You don’t even have to ask Oscar of course you can.” Jaime told him.
“Well remember there is one more of us? Rudy lives here too.” Oscar reminded
“I know that. We have plenty of room”
“Then let’s get out of here that smell is starting to drift down stairs.” Oscar went up and grabbed clothes for everyone. They were loading everything into the trunk of Oscar’s car when Rudy pulled into the drive.
“We are going to stay at Steve and Jaime’s for a couple of nights Marc tried to set his room on fire. “ Oscar explained.
“I’ll go pack. I want to hear more about the fire I’ll meet you over there." Rudy said as he headed into the house. The smell almost knocked him over when he stepped inside.
“Marc, we have a lot of taking to do when we get there. I don’t want you to disappear on me. Got it?”
“Yes. “ Marc muttered.
‘It’s about time you answered me mister. Do you see the trouble you caused?”
“Yes sir.” Marc’s voice was just above a whisper but at least you could hear what he said.
Jaime had gone on ahead to let Steve know they were having company.
“What has gotten into that kid?” Steve asked sitting in his chair in the living room.
“I can truly say I don’t know.” Jaime started “Another thing, I don’t even know if I’m going to tell Oscar this one, I mean Marc is in enough trouble.”
“What is it?” Steve begged her to tell him
“He fingered me.”
“Say what?”
“You know he flipped me the old bird.” Jaime explained.
“That doesn’t sound like Marc at all.” Steve speculated. “Are we sure Alexi is still in Russia?”
“It has to be Marc remember, he ripped the coloring book in half this afternoon?”
“Yea I remember. Here they are.” Steve stood up to greet his guests.
“Hi guys welcome come on in.” Steve held the door while everyone brought in, their suitcases.
“Thanks Steve I appreciate your letting us stay. We had a little mishap at our place.” Oscar said as he stepped in the front door.
“Jaime told me all about it. I just don’t understand what has gotten into Marc. Just all of the sudden.”
“It did seem to happen over night. Didn’t it? If he were in regular school I would wonder if something was happening there. But we don’t even have that.”
“Well let see if we can get you guys settled. Let see. We’ll put you in one room, Rudy can have my room I’ll sleep on the couch. The twins and Danny and Joey can share the two other guest rooms. I think that will take care of it.”
“I hate to put you out of your bed Steve” Rudy said. “I can sleep on the couch.”
“Absolutely not! Don’t worry Rudy it’s not that bad. It folds out into a bed.” Jaime admitted.
“Well in that case I won’t feel bad.” Rudy said. “The house smells something awful I hope it clears out over night.
“Don’t count on it. Listen we will go on our honeymoon, you guys just stay here.”
‘We’re going to go on our honeymoon, you guys just stay here’ Marc thought to himself
‘Then when you come back you won’t be my friend anymore. You’ll never want to do anything with me again.’ Marc went off upstairs to unpack
“Well now that the sleeping arrangements are handled, I’ll go get dinner started. I thought I’d make hamburger helper it’s fast and simple.”
“That sounds good Jaime need any help?” Oscar wondered.
“No just sit tight it will be ready in a jiffy.”
Jaime headed for the kitchen. “Marc!!” Oscar called “we still have to talk.”
Marc started downstairs. “Yea dad?”
“Come here and sit down son.” Steve pointed to the couch. “What is the matter? You know you can always talk to me?”
‘I used to be able to take to you?’ Marc thought
Outwardly he only shrugged.
“I don’t know what to do if you won’t tell us what’s wrong.” Oscar explained. “I know earlier you told us nothing was wrong and that you hated all of us. Do you still feel that way?”
Marc shook his head.
Oscar was at a loss “Well I don’t know what to say. If he won’t talk to us I guess that’s it. Marc, you are grounded for a month for setting fire to you bed. And the cost of the new mattress will come out of your allowance. Marc you could have been seriously hurt this afternoon.” Oscar explained. “Do you understand that?”
Marc nodded. “I’m sorry.” He whispered.
“You can go up to your room now.” Oscar dismissed him.
Marc went up to his room Matt was sitting on the bed.
“If you don’t tell them I will.”
Marc walked over to Matt and punched him in the nose. Matt’s nose began to gush blood. And Matt screamed.
Oscar went running up the stairs “What happened Matt.” He asked when he saw Matt’s nose and the blood smearing Matt’s pajama top. “Did Marc hit you?”
Matt shook his head “I banged into the door.” He lied.
“I don’t believe you but come down stairs and I’ll have Rudy help you with your nose.”
While Rudy was taking care of Marc’s nose Steve and Danny went back to the house to tend to Dan’s rabbits. They had been left home in the confusion.
“Are you going to bring them with us Dan?” Steve asked as he scooped up handful of rabbit pellets and put them in the cage.
“No, they have plenty of water and food they will be ok till morning. Smoke goes up not down.”
“I guess your right.” Steve turned to him “Dan I thought you had only two rabbits. Now there are three.
“Yea, well one of them had a baby I guess.”
“How did that happen? Steve asked as they headed for the car.
“Boy, do I ever feel sorry for Jaime.” Dan teased. “I mean if you don’t know…”
“I mean I thought you bought to females.”
“I did. Look I’m not ready to say anything just yet.” Dan finished.
“Well maybe one of these days huh? I have another question Dan. Do you have any idea what could be wrong with Marc?” Steve asked as they drove back to his house
“I wish I did Steve. Jaime asked me the same thing this afternoon. I think if we just let him work it out for himself, he’ll be ok. Although don’t quote me on that”
“I won’t.” Steve agreed.
By the time they got back to Steve’s everyone was ready for bed.
The next two days flew by. Soon it was Friday April 9th and everyone was getting ready for the wedding.
It was just going to be a simple ceremony with them in front of the justice of the peace. At least that is what Jaime thought. As a surprise Steve had arranged a church. He had gotten lucky. A couple who were planning a wedding suddenly had to cancel. So they would have a church wedding after all.
“Are you sure you won’t change your mind Oscar and let Marc come?” Steve asked as they headed out the door. I mean it just wouldn’t be the same without him
“Ok Steve, but only as a personal favor to you Oscar went up to the room Marc was using. “Ok Marc why don’t you come with us?” Oscar asked.
Marc just sat on the edge of the bed. He didn’t say a word. “Marc, do you want to come?” Oscar asked.
Marc shook his head and turned toward the window. “Steve would really like it if you came. In fact it’s as a favor to him that I’m asking you.”
Marc continued to stare blankly out the window.
“Well ok then. Minnie is down stairs if you want anything I’ll see you when we get back.
Marc only nodded.
Oscar came down stairs “Is he coming Oscar?”
Oscar shook his head. “No Steve he won’t even look at me. He’ll stay here with Minnie.”
Jaime was shocked when they pulled up in front of the church. “I thought we were just going to the court house.” She asked.
“Well I was able to book this at the last minute. I mean it’s just going to be us, but at least it will be in a church.” Steve pointed out.
“Oh I am so happy!!” Jaime proclaimed. “Oh Steve this is great.”
They all walked into the church. Steve stayed behind for just a moment. “I really feel bad. I hate leaving Marc out of this.”
“Don’t feel bad Steve the way he has acted lately he deserves it.” Oscar reminded.
“Well I still don’t like it very well.” Steve continued.
“Don’t let it bother you. Marc will be fine.” Oscar assured.
The wedding was great Joey dropped the ring only once on the way down the aisle. But other than that everything went great.
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
Oscar Rudy and the other kids arrived back at the house. “How has Marc been?” Oscar asked.
“He’s been very quiet. So did they get off on their honeymoon?’
“I don’t think they are going on a honeymoon. They said they had some errands to run and would be back here in a bit. “
”Oh I see.” Minnie replied. “Will you be going home tonight?”
“Just as soon as we can pack.” Oscar told her.
Steve and Jaime pulled up in front of the large brick building. The sign read county home for orphans.
They got out of their car and headed for the building. The director, Martha Mann, greeted them.
“So you to want to adopt a child. I see you were just married. Aren’t you moving a little fast?” the director asked.
“Look we can’t have children of our own. We have a large house a good income we want to give a home to a child that needs one.” Jaime explained.
“I suppose you want a baby?” Martha asked.
“Not necessarily” Steve told her.
“You would take an older child?” Martha asked.
“Yes we would.” Jaime told her.
“Well we may have a child for you. We have a little three-year-old boy his name is Brian he just arrived the other day. I’ll introduce you to him and if you hit it off, you can take him home with you in a week or so as soon as the paper work is finished I also think you need to think about it a little more.”
“That would be great!” Steve said.
An hour later they were in the car headed for Oscar’s house. “I can’t wait to tell everyone about Brian.” Jaime said.
Everyone was happy for them especially Joey, he wouldn’t be the baby anymore. “When will you bring him home?” Joey asked.
“As soon as the paper work is finished Joey.” Steve explained
Everyone was excited that is except Marc. He ran up to his room and slammed the door.
Steve started after him. “Steve let him work it out himself “ Oscar said. “I’ll go get him in a little bit.”
An hour latter Oscar went up to get Marc for dinner. Marc was nowhere to be seen…
“Oh no!” Oscar cried here we go again. He searched the room but Marc was not there. He ran down stairs “Steve, Marc ran away. Anyway that’s what I am assuming He’s not up in his room.
“Where do you suppose he went?” Steve wondered.
“I d don’t know w where h he w went b but I know why.” Matt offered.
“You’ve known what’s been bothering Marc all this time?” Oscar bellowed. “And you’ve let us go around wondering and worrying what the answer was!”
“Oscar, calm down.” Rudy told him. “Go ahead Matt.”
Matt looked at the grownups around him. “Well you see it all started when Steve and Jaime said they were getting married. Marc was real upset. I asked him why he wasn’t happy. He tried to tell me he was. But I knew. I knew he wasn’t happy at all.” Matt stopped he looked at Steve.
“Go on son, what else did Marc tell you?” Oscar questioned.
“He never really told me anything.” Matt told them.
“You read his thoughts Matt?” Rudy asked.
Matt nodded.
“Can you read them now do you know where he is.” Steve pressed.
“No he won’t tell me. But he didn’t think you were going to be his friend anymore after you got married. And now you’re going to bring this Brian home.” Matt stated crying.
“I’ll find him.” Steve said as he went out the door. “I’ll try and call every half hour to see if he has either returned or at least told Matt where he is.”
Just as he started out the sky opened up and it began to rain hard. “I’ve got to find him. “ Steve said to himself as he started out.
Steve started out by searching the entire area around the house with his infrared vision. But he didn’t see Marc anywhere.
He set out in search of the boy. He is furious with himself for not figuring out why Marc was so upset. And now they were going to Brian in to the picture. ‘I guess he just isn’t stable enough yet.’ Steve observed as he continued to search. ‘I just didn’t realize how fragile he still was emotionally. If any thing happens to him, I’ll never forgive myself.’
“I feel terrible about this whole thing.” Oscar said. “We should have figured it out. We were just so excited about the two of you getting married that we didn’t notice Marc.”
“We noticed all right.” Rudy added. “We just assumed he was well to be real frank being a little brat. No offence Oscar.”
“None taken Rudy. I’ve been just as upset with him. I just hope Steve can find him”
“Joey, Matt. Do me a favor, go on up to your rooms and play. We’ll let you know if anything happens.
“Sure J Jaime.” Matt said. “L let m me know w when you f find out about M Marc.”
“I will sweetie.” Jaime assured him. “And you let us know if he contacts you.”
“I will.” Marc called back as he and Joey went upstairs. “I don’t know, I don’t know if we are going to be able to take Brian now or not. Maybe we need to hold things off till Marc is more stable emotionally. I didn’t realize he still had such an attachment to Steve.”
“Well before you jump to anything rash discuss it with Steve first.” Rudy suggested.
“I will” Jaime said. “I mean I’m not going to do anything tonight, anyway I don’t think so. But I really don’t think in view if what’s going on with Marc that we can take him”
“I’m afraid I have to agree with Jaime on this one. Look Rudy I would like nothing more than Jaime and Steve to be parents. But I have my own son to think about. Marc still needs Steve and right now, Marc doesn’t feel that Steve can divide his love between both.”
“I guess I agree.” Rudy stated. “I feel like they are our kids too. I really think they should hold off on Brian.”
“I don’t know maybe I should call and tell them that we are going to have to wait.”
“Well then talk to Steve when he gets back Rudy agreed.
“I wish Steve were here I would call them right now.” Jaime was getting nervous.
“If Steve agrees you can call first thing in the morning.” Oscar offered. “But right now my concern is for my own son. I wonder if Steve found him yet.”
Steve had been searching for a half hour already. He had seen no trace of Marc. “A pay phone let me call and see if he’s back home.”
Steve put a coin in and dialed. Oscar picked up the phone on the first ring. “Steve, did you find him?”
“I take it he’s not home yet then.” Steve said.
“No. Just a minute Jaime wants to talk to you.”
Jaime took the phone. “Steve I know you need to look for Marc but I don’t think we are going to be able to take Brian. If it’s ok with you I think I’ll call the children’s home and tell them to find Brian other parents.”
“I was thinking the same thing myself.” Steve agreed.
“Steve I want to call her. Right now.”
“Whatever you feel is best. I’ll back you I just need to find Marc, I’ll call back in a half hour again.”
“Ok Oscar is sitting on top of the phone.” Jaime said.
“Ok. Tell him I’ll call in a half hour regardless.”
“Ok honey, I’m going to go talk to them in person. I feel that would be best.”
“If you think that is best. I guess Marc still needs me. We should have let him get used to us being married first.”
“Then you don’t mind that we don’t take Brian?”
“No at all. Listen I need to go. I have to keep looking for Marc”
“Bye honey.” She hung up. “Steve told me to do what I thought was best. I’m going to go tell them in person I think that would be the best.”
“Good idea. We’ll be here unless Steve calls back and has found Marc.” Oscar said as she went out the door.
She drove all the way back to the children’s home.
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm “Dad? “ Danny asked why are Jaime and Steve adopting in the first place?”
“You want to field that one Rudy?” Oscar continued to stare at the phone waiting for Steve to call.
“Dan they can’t have children of their own. When Steve was a young adult he caught the mumps.”
“Oh I see. “ Danny thought for a moment. “Will you excuse me? I’ll be down in my office.”
“Ok Dan” Oscar gave him a slight wave.
Rudy stopped him. “What are you up to?” He asked.
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know. I have to check on a couple of things first.” Danny said as he headed for the kitchen.
“Hey this time wait before you start something.” Rudy called after him.
“Yea, yea.” Dan responded.
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
Jaime arrived at the children’s home “Mrs. Austin what is going on?” The director asked
“My husband and I acted to fast today. We’re not ready for children yet. And nothing was final when we left here today.”
“You’re right. We will find another home for Brian.” Martha sighed.
“Thank you. Maybe later we’ll be ready.”
“I understand adopting a child is harder than it seems.” Martha explained.
“Well thanks for everything anyway.” Jaime turned to leave. “Thank you for all your help anyway.” ‘Hopefully I can get back before Steve calls again. Maybe he could use my help.’
Jaime raced back to Oscar’s house.
After receiving Steve’s second call Oscar told him Jaime had gone to talk to the director of the Children’s home. “Give me your location, Jaime might want to help.”
Steve told Oscar what area of the City he was covering Yes he wanted Jaime to join him.
“Tell her to meet me in Garrett Park that’s where I’m headed now.”
“Steve, you have to find him.” Oscar cried.
“I’ll find him pal don’t worry, I’ll find him Just have Jaime meet me there the park is a big place two of us can cover it faster. Have Rudy standing by, just in case.”
“I’ll tell him to go straight to the lab. I think he’s in the basement with Danny.”
Rudy had followed Danny down to his office. “What’s going through that head of yours?” Rudy asked.
“I don’t know yet.” Danny replied.
“Does it have something to do with Steve and Jaime and having a baby?” Rudy probed.
“Maybe. In fact it may be a strong possibility." Dan picked up a notebook and started reading notes he had already written. Then He turned to the rabbits in the cage. He began to write things down.
"Dan You know anything you work on has to be cleared with your father and I first.
"Yea I know. Hi dad.”
“Dan bed time ok. Rudy, Steve said he wants you standing by, just in case” Oscar relayed the message
“I’m on my way, next time he calls, tell him I’m in the lab.”
“I’ll do that Jaime is on her way to help him.” Oscar informed him.
“That’s good they can cover more ground that way. I’m surprised they haven’t found him yet.”
“Yea.” Oscar agreed as they started up the steps “I thought that Steve would have found him by now.”
smdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdmsmdm
Jaime joined Steve. “How did it go with the children’s home?” Steve asked,
“It went great. They said they would have no trouble finding a home for Brian. What ground do you want me to cover?”
“You take from here to the south entrance I’ll cover the rest.”
Steve started his search area. He kept looking with his eye to see if he could see Marc. He had been searching all night. It was starting to get light. Just when Steve was about to give up fearing someone had taken the child He thought he saw something in the baseball dugout. Steve raced over to the motionless object lying on the ground.
“Jaime, Meet me at the main entrance I found him. I need to get him to Rudy as quickly as I can!!!”
Jaime raced for the main entrance. She got in the car and started it.
Steve reached down and picked up the seemingly lifeless body of Marc. He gently carried him to where he had told Jaime to meet him.
Jaime spotted a pay phone. She jumped out of the car and called Oscar’s house.
Oscar picked it up before the first ring ended “Steve. Anything?”
“Its Jaime Steve found him call Rudy tell him we are on our way.”
“I’ll do that and meet you there.” Oscar hung up he quickly dialed Rudy. “Rudy. It’s Oscar they on their way. “I’ll be right there!”
Oscar and Dan got the younger kids ready and they all jumped into the car “Dan if you want to come with us and not go to school. I’ll understand.”
“I really can’t dad. I shouldn’t miss. I’ll come as soon as school is out though.”
“Ok I’ll drop you then.” Oscar pulled up the curb outside Dan’s school. “See you later then son.”
“Yea dad you can call the office and tell them to let me know how Marc is doing.” Dan closed the car door.
“I will Dan.” Oscar sped to the OSI building and they raced up to Rudy’s office.
Steve and Jaime were waiting for him. “Rudy is still examining him Oscar. He hadn’t regained conciseness by the time we got here.” Steve informed him.
“Still unconscious? What’s wrong with him?”
“Rudy hasn’t told us yet.” Jaime said. “Where is Dan?”
“I dropped him at school. He really didn’t want to go. But since he took on the double load he feels he can’t miss.”
“I still say that boy took on more than he can handle.” Steve said.
Oscar turned to Jaime “You never did tell me what happened last night. What did they say when you told them you and Steve won’t be adopting Brian?”
“Like I told Steve last night, they almost expected it.” They all turned the attention the door to Rudy’s office slowly opened.
Oscar pushed past Steve and Jaime. “Rudy? How his he?”
“He was out last night for sometime before Steve found him.” Rudy began. “He got caught in the rain storm we had.”
“How is he Rudy?” Oscar sounded agitated.
“Oscar, he has pneumonia it’s pretty bad too. The worst part of it is he won’t fight. I don’t understand why, but he just won’t help himself.”
“Can I see him Rudy?” Steve headed for the door.
Rudy stopped him. “I don’t know how to tell you this Steve, but right now, you’re the last person he wants to see.”
Steve looked at him in shock. “What do you mean? Is he conscious?”
“Barely he came to about ten minutes. I asked if he wanted to see you he said no way.”
“He feels I betrayed him. Rudy you have to let me see him.” Steve pleaded.
“It’s not up to me. It’s up to his father. Oscar?”
“Yea Steve, go ahead. Maybe if he sees you’re with him it might help.” Oscar said
Rudy opened the door to let him in. “Only a couple of minutes Steve. He really needs his rest.”
“Ok Rudy.” Steve stepped into the room. He was shocked at the sight of Marc. Rudy had put Marc under an oxygen tent. ‘Of course he was barely breathing when I brought him in.’ Steve said to himself.
Steve walked over to him. “Marc. Marc” He called. “Come on Marc please open your eyes.”
Marc’s eyes slowly opened. They saw Steve and then turned away. “Go away.” Marc whispered.
Dejected Steve looked one more time at Marc then slowly left the room. “I’ve lost him.”
Steve said.
“What do you mean by that?” Oscar demanded.
“I’m sorry Oscar I mean I’ve lost his trust. And if he doesn’t trust Rudy we could be in big trouble. At least we could count on Marc telling me something was wrong. Now I don’t even think we have that.”
“Rudy can I go in?” Oscar asked.
“Yea, come on I’ll take you in. I have him under oxygen tent right now. It’s just to help his breathing.” Rudy informed him.
Oscar walked over to Marc’s bed. “Marc. Son.” Oscar started. “Hey sport it’s dad.”
Marc turned toward him. He looked at Oscar for a moment then turned away. Oscar sat down beside him. “Marc, Rudy says you don’t want to get better. I told him that’s not true. Now your not going to make a liar out of your old dad, are you?
Marc’s response was the heart monitor Rudy had him hooked to, went flat line!
Rudy was alerted and dashed in. He shoved Oscar out of the room.
Rudy appeared a couple of moments later. “He’s all right for the moment. I don’t think any of you should go in for a while. Marc has it in his head that none of you like him or have any time for him.
“Rudy?”
Everyone turned to Matt. “Yes Matt?” Rudy replied
“Can I see Marc?” He had tears in his eyes.
Rudy looked over at Oscar. “It’s up to you.”
Matt turned to his dad. “Please dad.”
Oscar nodded “If Rudy says it’s ok.”
Everyone turned to Rudy. “Come on Matt I’ll take you in.” Rudy took Matt’s hand and led him into the room
When Matt saw Marc he almost screamed.
“It’s ok Matt. This is called an oxygen tent. It looks scary, but it helps him breathe. Ok?”
Matt slowly nodded.
“I’ll be right over here why don’t you talk to Matt He’s asleep right now but maybe he’ll hear you. Try and tell him that we are all on his side. That Steve is still his friend. Can you do that?”
Again Matt nodded He walked over to his brother’s bed.
‘ Marc, Marc I know you can hear me?’
‘Matt, I don’t think you should be here. I want you to leave.’
‘Why? So you can get sicker?”
Marc opened his eyes and looked at Matt. ‘Nobody wants me around, including Steve.' There were tears in his eyes.
‘Marc we all want you around, especially Steve. If you would have told everyone how you felt to begin with. Maybe Steve and Jaime wouldn’t have acted so quickly in going to that ole children’s home and planning to adopt Brian.’
Marc closed his eyes again at the mention of the little boy Steve and Jaime had said they were bringing into their home.
‘Marc, they aren’t going to adopt Brian. Jaime went last night and told them to find a different home for him. Steve wants to spend time with you. He told me so. He is really upset that you don’t like him anymore.' Matt told him.
Again Marc opened his eyes and looked right at Matt. ‘Really?'
‘Yea, really can I tell Rudy to send him in?’ Matt asked.
‘I’ll think about it.’ Marc replied
Rudy had been watching Matt and Marc ‘Why doesn’t he say something to his brother?’ He thought to himself. ‘Oh that’s right he is talking to him.’
‘Marc, he really wants to see you He looked for you all night.’ Matt informed him
‘He did?’ Marc questioned.
‘Yea he did. He is blaming himself for your getting sick. Marc, you really need to talk to him. He helped you. And he still wants to help you if only you’ll let him. He feels really bad that you ran away. He thinks it’s his fault” Matt explained.
‘But it’s not.’ Marc said.
‘Maybe you should tell him.” Matt told him
‘Ok I’ll talk to him.’ Marc agreed.
‘I’ll tell Rudy to send him in then.’
Matt turned to Rudy. “Rudy? Marc wants to talk to Steve.”
Rudy had been watching and ‘listening’ closely He had been listening to the steady beep of the heart monitor he had hooked to Marc. He had listened as it steadily grown stronger. And Marc seemed to be breathing on his own. ‘What did the two of them talked about?’ Rudy wondered to himself. ‘Oh well, what does it matter. It seems like Marc it going to be just fine. I would keep him here, but since I live with them. I won’t need to.’ Rudy said to himself.
He turned to Matt. “I don’t know what you told him but what ever it was it worked. I’ll go get Steve.”
Out in the hall Steve, Jaime and Oscar were talking. “I just wish we hadn’t even attempted to adopt anybody. Oscar if I would have known that Marc was still that unstable emotionally I would have been more sensitive to his needs.”
“Well I don’t think Marc will fully come to terms with everything until he’s an adult.” Oscar observed.
“You may be right. I just wish…”
They all turned to Rudy when he stepped out of the room with Matt. “Steve, Marc wants to see you.”
“Steve smiled “Really? He wants to see me?”
‘Yea, go on in. Only not for to long, he’s very weak and needs his rest.” Rudy explained.
Steve went into Marc’s room.
Oscar turned to Rudy. “How is he Rudy?”
“He is doing better. He and Matt had a ‘conversation’ and he seems better.”
“What did they talk about?” Oscar wanted to know.
“How would I know? They talk to each other in their heads.”
O
scar smiled “I keep forgetting they can do that.”
“Dad?” Danny called. “How is Marc? I didn’t hear from you all day.”
“I’m sorry Dan. I have been so worried about Marc I didn’t even think.” Oscar apologized
In Marc’s room Steve again walked over to Marc’s bed. “Marc. How you doing little partner?”
Marc looked up at him and smiled. “I’m doing ok Steve. I’m sorry I’ve been such a little stinker lately.”
“No Marc, it’s my fault. Did you hear me? My fault. I’m sorry I didn’t consider your feelings. Just because Jaime and I are married doesn’t mean the way I feel about you has changed. I love you Marc. I wish you were my son.”
Marc smiled even bigger “I love you to Steve.”
“Now Marc someday Jaime and I want to adopt a child but only when you’re ready. And you will always be my favorite little partner.
“Ok Steve. I’m really tired. Will you stay with me?”
“I sure will.”
Friday April 16, 1976
Marc had been home for a day. Rudy had allowed him to go home the day before so he would be home in time for Joey’s fifth birthday party.
He and Matt were reading quietly. Since they were so far ahead in their studies Jaime had given them the week off so Marc could coud recover from his illness
Rudy had decided to take some time off so someone would be with the kids during the day. That way Steve and Jaime could at least have some time alone.
...Continued