Chapter 7

• 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 Zephyr's residence.
• He hesitated, chewing on his bottom lips deliberating on whether he should just leave and come back later, but that would just make things worst for him.
• With slow steps Emerson forced his feet to move, dropping his keys by the kitchen counter, he walked up the stairs. Passed by Benjamin locked room and continued on. He could make out quiet murmuring coming from his room and the door squeaked loudly when pushed open.
• John, Emerson’s father stood with his wife Brenda engaged in hushed conversations and 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 the wall as he squeezed 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, slowly turned red as the vein in his head throb about ready to combust from the lack of air.
• “John…” Brenda placed her hand softly over her son’s, “Let him go, honey please,”
• John’s hands slowly left Emerson and he rubbed his throat, desperately drawing air into his lungs, while actively trying to blend into the wall.
• “Where have you been?” his father repeated. Emerson tried, he really did try to respond but the words were stuck in his throat. Seconds ticked by and Emerson was at stuck opening and closing his mouth.
• “Strip.” John ordered. If his son wasn’t forthcoming he was going to check for himself.
• Emerson almost choked on a sob, the prickling sensation behind his eyes growing, but he knew better than to cry. Men don’t cry, real men don’t cry. Emerson squeezed his eyes shut shook his head. “Dad,” He begged.
• “Don’t start with me boy, clothes off now!” his father barked.
• Emerson turned to his mother for help, but all she did was gave him was an apologetic smile, rubbing on her husband's arm. “Do what your father says, sweetie.”
• Emerson bit down hard on his lips, he felt trapped and frustrated.
• Slowly, he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped to the floor. His pants came off next, as then came the boxer, knowing the drill by heart. His father always inspected him whenever he was suspicious of his whereabouts.
• Emerson turned slowly, bearing his back to his father with tears filled eyes. His mind stuck on why his father couldn't just let him be himself and treat him with respect.
• Even now, standing under the scrutinizing eyes of his father, Emerson could still remember how good it had felt to be so close to William, how he shivered when William ran his hand along his abdomen.
• He recalled smell of lavender and sweet and…and… the feeling that course through his veins at being on top of William.
• “-erson”
• “Emerson!” His eyes flew open and he turned around 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.
• For the longest, they stare in silence, until John jaw’s tightened and he shove Emerson backwards. Emerson stumbled and watched as his father directed his wife out of his room, closing the behind them.
• Immediately they were out the door, Emerson legs gave out and he crumbled to the floor. He sat with his back to the wall, 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.
• Emerson didn't know how long he sat there, but a ding from his phone pulled from his thought. Emerson searched his discarded clothes 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 stared blanky at his phone for a few seconds, Mason must have given her after he left the party last night.
• He released a deep sigh and typed out a response to her, even when all he wanted to do was ignore her crawl into his bed and sleep.
• Emerson (5:38pm): Hello.
• Unknown (5:40pm): Oh, hi, I’m onto 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's 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 for a while, unsire of how to respond to her, what did Mason tell her? Luckily he didn't have to answer as another text came through.
• Unknown (5:46pm): Well, enjoy the rest of your weekend.
• Emerson (5:47pm):Yeah, you too.
• No sooner than he clicked off his phone and set it aside did his door crack open and Benjamin walked in. He noticed Emerson cloths on the floor and sat down next to him 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.” Emerson lied, a very obvious one.
• Benjamin only stared at his brother, he could clearly see bruises staring to form on Emerson’s neck and reached to touch them, but Emerson backed away brushed his hands off.
• “It’s nothing I can’t handle, don’t worry.” He whispered back to Benjamin. nudging his shoulder lightly. Then he forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
• “Emer–”
• “Now, tell me, what is up with you?” Emerson cut him off.
• Benjamin knew that look, although Emerson was smiling, his eyes said it all. He sighed and stared at the floor, when he faced his brother again his cheeks 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 and he nodded once.
• “Have you told her yet?”
• Benjamin shook his head. “Why not?” Emerson asked.
• “Well, she so pretty, and nice and sweet and…and when she laughs…I just…”
• “That bad huh?” Emerson chuckled, but Benjamin took on a serious face and. he whispered.
• “What if she does like me back? I don’t want to risk our friendship only for her not to feel the same way.”
• “Ben–”
• “It’s stupid.”
• “No, it’s not…look at me.” Emerson said, holding onto his brother's 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?”
• Benjamin searched Emerson’s eyes for a long time, before he released a deep breath. “Okay.” he whispered, nuzzling into Emerson's neck.
• Emerson succumbed to the embrace, he tightened his arm around Ben, letting all his thoughts float into nothingness.
• “And remember, whatever you decide to do, I’m here okay?”