by Bradon Nave
“That’s why my mom took my brother away. Uncle Doug came to see him once, and the next day they left, just disappeared.”
“So, Johnny, are you willing to testify to that in an open court?”
“You mean just tell ’em what I just told you? I can do that,” the boy said as Boudreaux began to smile, as well.
“I know you can, son, I have no doubt about it. When this is all over you’re gonna have no regrets about putting that nasty-ass piece of garbage behind bars for good. You know what happens to men like him in prison, don’t ya, Johnny?” Johnny looked at Boudreaux with an intrigued look on his face. “They get everything given right back to ’em, and they usually don’t last too long, my friend.”
“Can you burn ’em?” the boy asked randomly.
“The pictures? No, son, they go logged into evidence, but I assure you, you won’t have to see any of ’em again after this is all over.”
Johnny shook his head slightly as the agent finished his sentence. “Not the pictures, my dad, can you burn my dad? They burned my grandma when she died and let my aunt dump her ashes out on her land,” the boy said happily. The thought of his father’s body going up in flames brought great pleasure to the boy.
“That’s not my department there, son. But I promise you this, come hell or high water, we’ll get you your dad’s ashes.” The agent looked at Johnny for a few seconds and then rose from his seat. “Johnny, there’s something else we need to talk about, and I feel it would be best if you take a small break, grab a soda or something, and I’m going to bring in Brian to sit with us, okay?”
Chapter Forty-One
Tarnished
Graye
Graye found the office to be uncomfortably small and cramped, and the air was stuffy and stagnant with the Everetts, Brian, and Officer Stevenson all crammed in the tiny quarters.
“It’s worthwhile what y’all have done, but the reality is that you don’t gotta clue what you’re doing. You act like you rescued this boy from the brink and that’s final, like there’s nothing else to it,” Officer Stevenson proclaimed confidently.
Graye’s face was bright red, partially from anger, partially from the claustrophobic surroundings she was in. She felt the urge to reach across the desk and slap the shit out of the young officer. “How dare you assume to know what we do and do not know,” Graye snapped hatefully as she felt her husband place his hand upon her thigh. The three chairs on the opposite side of the officer’s desk were so tightly packed into the office that there was little elbow room at all.
“I’ve seen these kids, a good deal of ’em pop a round off in their own head by the time they’re twenty-one,” Officer Stevenson said as he reclined back in his comfortable office chair.
“Excuse me, do you have any specific evidence or data reflecting suicide rates among victimized teenage boys that were linked primarily to you or this agency? Because if you do then you certainly cannot exclude yourself from the equation, my young friend,” Brian said in a condescending manner as the door to the office opened slightly.
“Dr. Mulberry, I believe I could use you in the next room,” Boudreaux said politely with a smile.
“Is everything okay?” a concerned Graye asked as she leaned over to see the agent.
“Everything is going better than expected. That’s a fine young man in that room, and I commend his bravery,” Boudreaux replied as Graye looked directly at Officer Stevenson, smiling as she gave him a glare.
She watched as Brian finagled his way from the office, allowing the Everetts to stretch out some and get a bit more comfortable.
“I really just hope you two know what you’re gettin’ yourselves into is all I’m gonna say,” Officer Stevenson said as Jackson leaned forward in his seat.
“I do believe you have said quite enough. If you think for a damn minute that we give a shit what the hell you think, well guess again, asshole. You think just because the kid is a little damaged that he’s what, unlovable, unsalvageable?” Jackson snapped at the officer in a harsh tone of voice as Stevenson’s face became red, and his eyes widened.
“Now, hold on there, mister. I never used the word damaged, not even once. These kids are tarnished, and if you think that’s just gonna disappear, then you got a rude awakening, my friend,” Officer Stevenson snapped back.
Graye began to laugh lightly as she looked at the officer in complete disgust. “We are not friends, and I don’t believe I can stomach the ignorance that spews from your mouth any longer. Tarnished or not, we are keeping him, he is part of our family, and that’s just what families do. If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ room and rid myself of your face.” As Graye stood from her chair, she heard her husband laughing as the man stood up as well. The two began to exit the office of the seemingly stunned young officer, who appeared to have been genuinely offended.
Graye and Jackson squeezed their way out of the tiny office and made their way to the hall. There was a bench to the right side of the hallway. Graye simply followed her husband, as claiming the need to use the facilities was merely an excuse to get away from Officer Stevenson. As the couple sat down, Graye’s heart rate slowly began to return to normal.
“Are we making the right decision, Jackson? I know in my heart that we are, but I need to know you feel the same way. We don’t know everything about him, are we capable?” Graye looked at her husband, placing her hand on his thigh.
“From what we do know, do you really think we could turn him away at this point?” Jackson asked as Graye felt him take her hand. “Our perseverance is going to determine the rest of his life. I’m not looking at this as some sort of pet project, I love that kid, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get him the help he needs. I’m two hundred percent positive we are making the right decision. We have Brian, and a wealth of resources, and as of now we know for sure we are the only thing he has. We can’t let some two-bit loudmouth discourage us, Graye. This isn’t going to get any easier anytime soon so we need to stay strong for our family, all of them.” Graye looked at her husband smiling, and hugged him around his waist.
“I seriously don’t know what I did to deserve you,” the woman said as her emotional moment was cut short by the sound of loud yelling.
“That’s Johnny, what the hell is going on?” Jackson asked as the couple jumped from the bench and headed toward the loud shouts.
Officer Stevenson ran past them and through the door that led to the interrogation room.
“I want Graye! I wanna see Graye and Jackson, now!” Johnny yelled as tore through the doors, looking for the couple.
Instantly, Graye knew Johnny had been informed of his mother and brother’s passing.
As the boy spotted Graye, he ran for her, throwing his arms around her and crying loudly.
Graye tried her best to comfort the boy, but she was crying as well. She felt Jackson approach the two as he wrapped his arms around both of them.
As the tears fell, no one knew the words to say, there were none.
Brian approached slowly, placing his hand on Jackson’s shoulder, “They want the boy upstate in two days for questioning and to assist with making arrangements for the deceased. I think it would be best if I came to your house this evening as well.”
Graye watched as Agent Boudreaux approached with his head down and his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry, son. If there is anything I can do, please let me know. Mr. Everett can you have this young man in Shreveport day after tomorrow? He needs to meet with the prosecutor and make final arrangements for his family.”
“Yes, we’ll all three be there,” Jackson replied as the agent patted his shoulder and walked away.
Graye looked at Johnny, who seemed completely devastated, and instantly thought of the long road the young man had ahead of him. She knew the entire family would need to be as supportive as possible to see him through.
Chapter Forty-Two
Preparation
Johnny
The bright blue sky
was completely clear of clouds. Johnny imagined it was extremely hot as he gazed out the window from his bed while lying on his side. The night had gone by surprisingly uneventfully as everyone turned in early around nine o’clock. Brian decided to sleep on the couch downstairs rather than camp out in Johnny’s room, and had already left the Everett house early in the morning.
Although Johnny was absolutely devastated by the news of his mother and Jacob’s deaths, he was thankful he hadn’t been traumatized by the specific details, and part of him felt a sense of relief as he no longer had to worry of their well-being. What seemed to trouble Johnny most was the fact that they had been there at the residence the entire time and he had no idea.
He never thought to look in the deep freezer, and he wouldn’t have, even if it hadn’t been padlocked. In his mind, his brother had been growing up, and happy, and to suddenly find out that he would be forever two years old was sickening to Johnny. He hated his father, and part of him wished he would have killed him. The thought of waiting until the man was plastered drunk, and setting the house on fire had often crossed Johnny’s mind, had he known the man murdered his family he certainly would have followed through with it.
Johnny found himself plagued with the thoughts of Jacob’s last moments on earth; he must have been so scared. Johnny wondered how much the toddler suffered and if he died quickly, or if the little boy cried for him while he was being murdered. The thoughts of guilt circulated in Johnny’s head at an uncontrollable rate as the boy continued to stare blankly at the beautiful, clean, clear sky.
“Hey, dude. I know you probably aren’t too hungry, but I brought you up some biscuits and gravy,” Jared said as he quietly opened the cracked door and walked into Johnny’s room.
Johnny was actually glad that Jared had come up. He had been alone for hours and had been unable to sleep throughout the majority of the night because of his nerves.
“Thanks, man. I actually am kinda hungry,” Johnny replied as Jared handed him the plate and sat down on the floor. Johnny knew Jared had had a lengthy conversation with his parents about what had actually happened to Johnny’s family.
The landline phone rang from downstairs. Jared began to laugh. “Appears you have a new friend. I bet that’s Tyler again. That bitch has called twice apologizing and asking if you were all right,” Jared said as he smiled and shook his head.
“I guess everyone needs a few second chances,” Johnny replied, instantly catching Jared’s attention.
“I believe in Heaven,” Jared said, changing the subject. “When my grandpa died, I didn’t get out of my bed for an entire week, unless I needed to go to the bathroom. I didn’t eat, I hardly even drank anything, and all I wanted to do was sleep. Pops told me that I’d see him again someday, and that he wouldn’t want me to be all bummed out,” as Jared talked to Johnny he had a kind smile on his face, but Johnny didn’t necessarily want to hear about God at this point.
“If there is a God, I don’t think I’m ready to talk to ’em just yet.” Johnny’s words were monotone as he took a small bite of his breakfast. “Will you go with us tomorrow?” Johnny asked of Jared as he swallowed a bite and set his plate aside.
“Yea, man. For sure I’ll go. I’m sure Pops won’t care, but I gotta ask just to be sure.”
“I gotta meet Agent Boudreaux tomorrow, and some attorney in the afternoon, but after that your folks said we were gonna stay at this hotel that has a pool and a putt-putt golf course inside of it, so I’m kinda excited about that part.” Johnny smiled as he stared at the bedroom door.
“Well, I know Pops is wanting to leave at the ass-crack of dawn, so I better go ask. I’ll probably have a better shot if you ask with me, dude.” Johnny knew Jared was right, and he imagined Jackson and Graye would be open to Jared coming along for moral support.
“Well, man, let’s get down there and ask,” Johnny said as he picked up his barely touched plate of food and motioned to the door.
Jared was slow to rise as he used Johnny’s bed to assist him to his feet.
“Man, I’d be down to play some miniature golf with my homechicken,” Jared said, smiling, with a bizarre face and his eyes crossed.
“Homechicken? Who the hell says that?” Johnny asked as the boys made their way out the door and down the hall. Jared was a good distraction for Johnny, and Johnny realized that. The boy felt at ease around his friend because Jared had seen him at his worst, and had never once criticized or withdrew from him. Johnny genuinely wanted Jared to go with them, and was willing to beg. As the boys loudly walked down the stairs, Jackson appeared from the kitchen, holding at least three freshly pressed shirts on hangers.
“How you feeling today, bud?” the man asked as looked up at the boys. Johnny looked at Jared and knew by the look on his face and the way he had his head down, that he wasn’t going to ask.
“I’m okay,” the boy said quietly, “We actually had a question if you have a minute.”
“Yes,” Jackson said simply as he flashed a small smile. Jared instantly looked a bit taken aback as he looked at his father.
“Yes what, Pops?” the boy asked as looked down to his dad.
“Yes, you may go with us to Shreveport. Be sure to pack at least two dress shirts and your swimming trunks.” Jackson didn’t stick around to see the boy’s reaction, he merely retreated to his bedroom.
“That was easy,” Jared said.
Johnny felt a sense of relief come over him. “Dude, please tell me you gotta extra pair of trunks,” Johnny said as the two boys began walking back to their rooms.
“Oh hell yea, dude. I got you, homechicken.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Taste Of Closure
Graye
Graye watched the boys playing in the large indoor pool. She sat poolside with her husband on extremely comfortable chairs as they enjoyed cocktails. Although they both had their swimsuits on, neither of them wanted to get wet. She found the hotel was gorgeous, and the pool had an almost tropical theme to it. She and Jackson had decided it would be best if everyone stayed in the same room, so they reserved a large room with two queen-sized beds. The day had been long, Johnny had said he had had trouble sleeping the night before. The boy slept most of the drive, as did Jared whom Graye imagined to have slept through the night just fine. The group had left at six in the morning, dropping off little Bryce and her beloved Bethany at the sitter’s, and then leaving Lake Charles on a nonstop drive to Shreveport.
Graye and Jackson were allowed to be present while Johnny answered questions. She felt that the interviews with the prosecutor and Agent Boudreaux were just about as painless as they possibly could be. Everyone involved seemed to handle Johnny with extreme sensitivity, and would instantly give him space if they noticed any tension at all. The assistant district attorney, Allison Cline, walked Johnny through the process of his testimony, but was most positive he wouldn’t be needed, as Doug Davenport was more than likely going to be pleading guilty to every single malicious charge he was accused of. The man had been on suicide watch for several days.
Regardless of whether he was needed or not, Agent Boudreaux highly suggested Johnny attend the trial as a means of closure. Graye felt that decision was one that could be made at a later time.
As the boys splashed around, acting like typical teenage guys in a pool, Johnny’s scars were highly visible through his wet white t-shirt. Although Johnny had to have noticed the transparency of his shirt, he didn’t seem to care, and if he did it wasn’t noticeable as the guys dunked each other’s heads under water and wrestled around. Occasionally the two would exit the pool to soak in the hot tub. There was no one else in the swimming area, which was within an attached pool house, so the guys were allowed to be as ridiculously loud as they wanted to be.
Graye knew when they returned home it would be the beginning of a long and painful process for Johnny and the rest of the family. There were several appointments already set up with Brian’s colleagues to evaluate the extent of psychosis th
at was at play. Brian had done a fine job detailing the processes and therapies associated with treating severe post-traumatic stress disorder, but was quick to assure the Everetts that no case was identical, and this was going to be taxing at best. Graye was certain both she and her husband were ready to devote whatever needed to be done to help Johnny.
“This makes it worth it. Knowing he just wants to be happy, he just needs a shot to be happy and have a normal life. Look at him, he’s smiling from ear to ear, laughing, and acting like a normal eighteen-year-old kid. He just needed out of that situation,” Jackson said as he sipped on his fourth martini.
Graye watched the boys as they relaxed at the side of the pool engaging in small talk.
“I couldn’t agree more, hon. When I look at him I only see a world of potential and one of the sweetest boys I’ve ever met. I couldn’t be happier with our family. I’m not sure what to expect tomorrow. The thought of actually seeing the house, I just don’t know what to expect or how I’m going to react,” Graye said as she continued to watch the guys relaxing. She grabbed her husband’s free hand and raised it to her mouth, kissing it.
“He needs this, he doesn’t have a single picture, and I felt like I got punched in the gut when he told me he felt like a bad son because he was forgetting his mother’s face. He needs to see that place one more time knowing that he can walk away from it,” Jackson said as he polished off his last drink.
“My husband. Always saying the right things regardless of how much he’s had to drink.” Graye sat up and kissed Jackson on the cheek.