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Introduction:

It seemed as two people were destined to be together, but circumstances caused them to drift apart, only to be reunited years later and given a second chance.

Love Made Over

Part 1

Cast of Characters:

Wendell Davis Anders

Olivia Anders – mother of Wendell Anders

Wendell Henry Anders senior – father of Wendell Anders

Gwendolyn Rene Jacobs

Geneva Jacobs (Gwen’s mom)

Steve Benson (First bully)

Randal (Randy) Wilson (second bully)

…

“Come on baby, smile. I know it’s a little scary being in a new place and all but I’m sure you’ll meet new friends here. I’ll be back to pick you up right after school. Okay?” Olivia said as she ran the fingers of her right hand through Wendel’s seemingly always mussed thick dark brown hair.

Wendell turned his head from looking out the car window at the new school and the multitudes of other students arriving for the first day of school to look forlornly at his mother. His sad eyes said it all. He wasn’t so much scared as he was just dreading being the new kid at school, again. For his mother’s benefit, however, he smiled, if a little sadly, and nodded before opening the passenger side door and climbing out of the car. Hitching the strap of his book bag over one shoulder, Wendell turned and trudged towards the front door of the school.

This was the first day of classes in the school year. A fresh start, new faces, new teachers, new classes... and new unknowns. Like, who the bullies were, who might be potential friends or allies. Yeah, the first day at a new school, but not Wendell’s first time being the new kid in school. He’d had to be the new kid four different times already, at four different schools, because his family had to move with his father’s postings. Wendell was an Army brat, his father serving in the Army and his family moving to wherever his father got posted.

His father’s previous posting had been to a base in New Jersey. That had lasted for two years, before New Jersey the family had lived in Florida, Oregon, and Germany. Of course, Wendell hadn’t been in school when they lived in Germany, but his older brother and sister had been. Wendell was the baby of the family, and a surprise at that. His brother and sister were eight and ten years older than him, respectively.

Both Wendell’s brother and sister also had to go through the transition of starting a new school each time they were forced to move. They were both in college now, his brother at the University of Florida, his sister working on a master’s degree at Rutgers. Wendell though was still having to deal with being the new kid. This was his first year in middle school, transitioning from elementary and preparing for the challenges of high school yet to come. Yeah, it was, what was yet to come, that had Wendell on edge and anxious. It was only a matter of time before the fun and games began. Hello, Hardin County Public Schools.

There were the murmurs and pointing fingers of some pointing out the unfamiliar face joining them. Some were curious, some were friendly, some were suspicious. Wendell already knew that the grapevine would have announced his arrival all over school by the end of the day, if not by lunch. He also knew to just keep his head down and mind his own business until the newness began to wear off. So, that’s what he did, he found his assigned locker and deposited the majority of his books, keeping out only the ones for his first two classes of the day.

The first class was found, and he was introduced by the teacher to the rest of the class. More curious looks and stares, more murmurs and whispers. Soon the class was over, and the students filed out and everyone transitioned to their next class. Again, Wendell was introduced by the teacher to the class, this one had some of the same faces from his first class, but some new faces as well. One in particular, was a mousy little brunette girl sitting in the desk next to his. She smiled shyly but didn’t speak to him.

Later at lunch, Wendell felt the stares of everyone as he found a seat at a table to have his lunch. Looking around he tried to catalog the different kids checking him out. The nerds, the jocks, the social drama queens... and the loners. There were always loners, for one reason or another. They just didn’t seem to fit in with any of the usual clicks. He was surprised to see the mousy little brunette girl sitting by herself and keeping her head down, much like he was, trying to go unnoticed, invisible.

That never seems to work, at least not for very long anyway. Being invisible is just not possible, it would seem. Some of the more curious kids finally approached Wendell as he was finishing his sandwich his mother had packed for his lunch. As always it was a couple of girls from the drama queen squad. They always had to be the first to get the latest gossip.

“So, you’re the new kid... Wentworth or something?” a gum chewing overly prissy blue eyed curly headed blonde girl asked distractedly as she twirled a lock of her hair in the fingers of her right hand. Her left hand planted firmly on her hip that was cocked to one side.

“It’s Wendell... yeah... hi.” He said glancing up but not smiling too much, just enough to be polite. The blonde’s sidekick giggled, her right hand coming up to cover her freckled face and lip glossed puffy lips and braces. Her red hair, also curly. Both were overly dressed as if they were putting on a fashion show for the other students.

“Right. So, what’s your story?” the blonde asked, ignoring the correction of his name, it was not important to her.

“My dad got stationed at the fort, so we moved to Kentucky. Anything else you want to know?” Wendell asked with the edge of weariness in his voice, but he remained polite. His radar was going off though. Somehow, he knew this girl was trouble. Maybe not she herself, but others who were interested in her most likely. He’d seen it before. Miss Popular shows an interest in someone and someone else gets butt hurt over it.

“You’re a brat then? An Army brat. Not the first here. So, like... what do you do? What are you into Wentford?” The blonde asked, one eyebrow raising as she gave her friend a sidelong glance as if sharing an inside joke.

Wendell frowned and sat the rest of his sandwich down and picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth. It was all an act, of course, to stall for a moment or two of time so that he didn’t snap at blondie for deliberately butchering his name. He knew that she was trying to get under his skin. Again, this wasn’t his first time being the new kid in school for Wendell.

“I could tell you, but it would probably bore you, or you wouldn’t understand... so...” He began but paused seeing the shocked look of outrage transforming the girl’s face as she realized that he had just dismissed her like a nobody.

“Not... not understand? What do you...” She sputtered, almost spitting out her chewing gum, only to be politely interrupted, again, by Wendell.

“I don’t know, just going by the fact that you can’t remember a simple thing like my name, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings or anything.” Wendell said with an air of honesty but was finding it hard not to smile smugly at the blonde’s huge eyes and gasping mouth. Her sidekick was still covering her own mouth, but her eyebrows were nearly in her scalp they were so shocked.

Before blondie could say anything else, there was a commotion on the other side of the lunch room. Turning around, Wendell saw that it was a couple of jocks, probably football players leaning on either side of the Mousy little brunette, crowding her as she tried to eat her lunch. One had taken her sandwich from her tray and was eating it, almost in her face, as if daring her to do something about it. The other was getting handsy, his hands dipping farther and farther down her back and slipping under the waistband of her jeans. This caused her to jerk upright and windmill her arms trying to break the unwanted contact.

“I said LEAVE ME ALONE!” the mousy girl all but shouted.

The commotion was drawing unwanted attention, at least by her, but the jocks seemed to thrive on it. The other kids in the lunchroom were either jeering or cheering depending on how they viewed the drama unfolding. Either way, no one seemed to want to do anything to help the girl out. No one, that is, except for Wendell.

Wendell had been on the receiving end of bullying more times than he could count. He knew the frustration and helpless feeling. He had also learned to stand up to it. Wendell didn’t go looking for trouble, but he wouldn’t back down from it either. So, helping someone else might be one step away from his own concerns but it was the right thing to do.

Pushing away from his tray, Wendell stood up from his seat and crossed the room calmly until he was standing next to the bully who was still shoving one hand down the back of the girl’s jeans and fighting off her small wrists and hands with his other hand. Before he could even say anything though, the bully’s partner stepped up to his face and blocked him.

“What do you want, new kid?” the second bully asked menacingly, puffing himself up to make himself seem more imposing perhaps.

“First of all, I have a name. It’s Wendell. Second of all, I want you to leave the girl alone.” Wendell stated calmly but never breaking eye contact with bully number two.

The bully actually laughed at him. He said to his handsy buddy... “Hey, Wendy here says we should leave the girl alone.”

The mousy girl was struggling so much by now that she had slipped from her chair and was on her knees still squirming and pinwheeling her arms trying to get away from the first bully. That bully just laughed and without turning to even look at Wendell, said... “Fuck off, or get stomped.”

Bully number two pressed in closer, trying to be even more menacing, and repeated his leader’s words. “You heard him... Wendy... Fuck off or get stomped.”

The girl scratched the first bully’s forearm which angered him, and he smacked her across the face. She yelped and fell forward covering her face from further attack but leaving her back unprotected. Wendell had seen enough.

With surprising speed and power, Wendell brought both hands up from his sides and stiff-armed bully number two in the chest, shoving him away and causing him to stumble backwards and fall on his butt. Wendell then took one step closer to the first bully and grabbed his upraised hand by the wrist, pulled and twisted it behind his back, putting him into an arm lock.

“Take your hand out of her pants. NOW!” Wendell ordered the bigger boy.

The mousy girl scrambled away on her hands and knees when the bully’s hand came out of her jeans. The now furious bully snarled and turned his full attention on Wendell as he struggled to twist himself away from the arm lock. His partner had scrambled back to his feet and was charging Wendell with a murderous fire in his eyes. Wendell took a half a step sideways twisting the bigger bully’s arm with him, turning him, and bully number two crashed into his leader. Wendell released his hold on the boy’s wrist and the two crashed to the cafeteria floor.

The shocked murmurs and gasps of all those watching suddenly grew quiet as several very angry-looking adults rushed into the lunchroom. One male teacher grabbing both of the bullies by their collars as they tried to launch themselves toward Wendell once more. Wendell knew that he had just been saved from a beating, at least for now.

Later, in the school principal’s office, Wendell gave his recounting of the incident to the principal as the other two boys waited outside for their turn. Wendell was disappointed in himself, but he knew that that was nothing compared to the disappointment that he was going to feel from his mother and father when news got back to them. The first day of school and already in trouble. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t gone looking for trouble. It always seemed to find him anyway.

Needless to say, Wendell missed being introduced to his other three classes that first day. Instead, he sat through those periods in his guidance counselor’s office. He didn’t know what happened to the two bullies. He’d heard shouting coming from inside the principal’s office as he waited outside to be collected by the guidance counselor. He knew that it wouldn’t be the last he’d seen of those two boys. He’d have to watch his own back from that day on. It seemed that the only good thing to come from that altercation at lunch was that he learned the mousy little girl’s name. The guidance counselor spoke of a Gwen.

As Wendell sat on a short retaining wall in front of the school, waiting for his mother to arrive and pick him up, he could feel the buzz of excitement in the crowds of students who saw him. Some seemed genuinely happy, some appeared to be almost saddened. It was those with the not so cheerful demeanor that Wendell assumed knew the bullies better than those who were happy. They knew that this was the beginning, and things would not go well for him.

The two bullies and several other guys, most obviously fellow teammates, stopped and gave Wendell the stink eye but didn’t approach him or say anything to him. The leader, mister handsy, gave him what he assumed was an evil smile. “Yeah right, nothing new to see here.” Wendell thought to himself.

Wendell saw his mom’s car turn in off the street, so he hopped down off the wall and collected his book bag. As he stepped to the curb in anticipation, he saw the mousy little girl, “Gwen”? being walked out by a guidance counselor. Gwen happened to look in his direction and noticed him. She stopped and smiled and waved one hand somewhat timidly, almost as if afraid to draw too much attention to herself, or perhaps to any association with him. Whatever... but that smile... and her eyes. They were sincere at least.

He jumped when his mom tapped her horn a couple of times to get his attention. Turning towards the parking lot, Wendell saw that his mom had pulled up to the curb right beside him and she had seen him looking at the girl. His mom was smiling happily, almost smugly happily. Oh no. Well, at least she didn’t seem pissed about his getting into a fight on the first day at the new school. Or did she even know about that yet?

“So, she’s cute. New friend already?” Olivia asked her son, as he buckled his seat belt beside her, he paused as if in thought, then shrugged and sat back in his seat and looked at his feet.

Olivia knew her son better than he did himself, usually anyway. She knew that when he was contemplative as he was now that something was on his mind, or something had happened, and he was still mulling it over in his mind. Thinking if there was another way things might have gone or turned out if he had done something differently.

Putting the car in gear and heading towards home, Olivia let Wendell contemplate. She knew he would speak when he was ready or had a question to ask. Always the thoughtful one, she mused, unlike his older siblings who were prone to acting before thinking. Still though, even a thoughtful child has difficulties at times, and it was her job to help him through them if she could. She knew that he was facing the challenges of being uprooted and transplanted into strange surroundings yet again in his life. Each time was a challenge, and each time, so far, he had managed to acclimate and settle in, overcoming the newness and challenges.

“Mom?” Wendell began but then paused as he searched for the words to pose his question. “Why do some people choose to be bullies?” He finally posed.

“Wow! That’s a good question, Wen. I wish I knew the right answer to that one. Unfortunately, it would seem each bully has their own reasons for being the way they are. Some learned it from their parents or family... or their friends. Some... I think some are just covering up some kind of insecurity or fear from everyone else. You know, acting. They figure if they can intimidate or frighten others first, they won’t get hurt themselves.” Olivia postulated. Inside she was beaming at how deep her youngest was. Ever thoughtful but also open-minded enough to wonder about other people’s motivations.

“How can you tell the difference? I mean... if they are ‘acting’ or if that’s just the way they are?” Wendell asked.

“Okay, score another one for the Wen. Another good question.” Olivia chirped with a wry grin and a shake of her head as she turned the car onto their new street, almost home.

Glancing over again to see Wendell resting his head back against the seat and gazing out the windshield but not seeing the world outside. No, he was still somewhere inside his own head, replaying something, thinking.

“I guess, you’d have to get to know the person to find out what makes them who and what they are, or the way they are. But to be honest, that goes for everyone, not just a bully. The more you know about someone, the better you can understand them and, well, know them.” Olivia offered.

“Isn’t that being a little nosy?” Wendell asked with a curious lilt in his voice.

Olivia laughed and had to reach over and muss Wendell’s hair a bit. So clever, her son.

“Yes, it can be, depending on how you go about learning about someone. The best way is to simply talk to them, openly. Kind of like making friends. Of course, watching them and how they interact with others can tell you a lot about them and their nature too.” Olivia amended her previous suggestion.

“I suppose, but I’ve found that most bullies don’t want to talk to me... like making friends...” Wendell lamented in a smaller voice.

“Did you meet someone who was a bully today?” Olivia asked, now feeling flush for missing the obvious implications from the first question.

“You could say that.” Wendell admitted with an air of defeat.

“You want to talk about it?” Olivia asked hesitantly.

“We are talking about it.” Wendell responded with a smirk and turned his head to look at his mother’s profile as she turned the car into the driveway of their new house.

Olivia braked to a halt and put the car into park before turning the engine off and turning to face her son beside her. With a mother’s patience and a soft smile masking her worried eyes, she waited for Wendell to continue.

“When I was eating my lunch today, by myself, I saw two jocks picking on a girl who was also eating her lunch by herself.” Wendell began, his eyes taking on that vacant look as he looked inward as if watching a replay of the event.

“I don’t know why they were picking on her but for some reason it... I don’t know... it made me want to stop them. I might not have even done anything if they hadn’t started...” Wendell actually blushed a bit and turned his face away from his mother to look out the passenger side window.

“Started what?” Olivia prompted softly, curious to get the whole story.

“Well, the bigger guy... I guess the main bully... started... umm... he was putting his hand down the back of the girl’s pants.” Wendell said quietly.

“Oh! And she didn’t like that.” Olivia surmised.

“No. She didn’t, she tried to keep him from doing that, to get away, but he was so much bigger than she is... it wasn’t fair. I couldn’t just sit there and watch it happen.” Wendell said with a decisive tone.

Olivia could feel her heart swelling. Her youngest child was more of a man than some adults. To come to the aid of someone else, someone being bullied, she was so proud. But then she realized that she hadn’t heard the whole story just yet. She had to know what else happened. After a moment of reflection, and patience, she asked her son what he did.

Wendell went on to recount the incident in the school cafeteria, then the inevitable confrontation in the principal’s office and then the conversation with the school counselor. Again, she marveled at the maturity of her son. He knew that fighting was wrong, but he still went to the aid of that young girl despite the consequences. He could have gotten in trouble or worse, he could have been hurt.

“... and then it was time to go home, and you drove up.” Wendell ended his tale with his head hung as if waiting for reprimand that he was sure to be forthcoming from his mother. After about a minute he turned his head, curious as to why his mother hadn’t said anything at all, only to find her smiling at him with watery eyes. “Oh crap!” He thought...

“Wendell Davis Anders! Don’t you EVER change!” His mother managed to say before she leaned across the seat and kissed his cheek, then mussed his hair, again.

Wendell was puzzled by his mother’s reaction and remained sitting in his seat as his mother got out of the car and headed into the house. “I’ll never understand women.” Wendell muttered as he released his seat belt and opened his door to get out of the car. A friendly toot of a car horn snapped him out of his mental fog with a start. His father’s car had just pulled into the driveway.

…

That night, over dinner, Wendell had to retell the story again to his father while his mother sat there grinning at her husband and smiling at Wendell. By the end of the story Wendell senior was grinning too, though he tried earnestly to look serious when he addressed his son.

“Son, you did the right thing. I don’t condone the use of violence as a means to settle disputes, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. That you stood up for that girl, someone who needed help and no one else seemed to be giving it to her, says a lot about your character. I’m proud of you boy. I will advise you to be on your guard though. Those other two boys might be pretty sore with you now. They may try to... get even with you. Sounds to me like you embarrassed them pretty soundly in front of the other students.” Wendell’s dad advised.

“Yeah... But I won’t go looking for trouble.” Wendell acknowledged.

“That’s my boy.” Dad said, smiling as he stood up and excused himself from the table.

Wendell helped his mom clear the table and do the dishes. Since it was the first day of school and he’d only been to two of his five classes, he had no homework. Being new to the neighborhood, he didn’t know anyone and therefore had no friends to spend time with yet. Not that his mom minded the help, she relished any time she got to spend with her baby boy, though she didn’t call him that out loud anymore. He was in middle school now, too old be a baby anything. Or so he had told her on several occasions.

…

The next day started off almost a repeat of the day before, only it was raining this day. Wendell’s mom dropped him off at the school. He went to his first class but wasn’t introduced this time since that was done the day before. However, when he sat down at his desk, the mousy little girl, Gwen’ he remembered her name, leaned over and whispered.

“I didn’t get a chance to talk to you yesterday... after... Anyway. I wanted to say thank you.” Gwen said, sincerely looking him in the eyes.

“Uh... You’re welcome...” Wendell stammered, not really sure what else to say.

The bell rang and he was saved, literally, by the bell. Class began. Wendell wasn’t really paying close attention to the lesson or the teacher, his mind was still full of thoughts of what had transpired at lunch the day before. What was worse was that every time he glanced over to the next desk at Gwen, she was looking at him and smiling demurely, almost as if embarrassed to have been caught looking. Her cheeks would go rosy with blush, and she would look away as if paying attention to the teacher, only to glance back to see if he was still looking at her. Wendell wasn’t sure what to make of that.

They went their separate ways for their second class, but he had no sooner sat down at a table, by himself at lunch, when Gwen sat down across the table from him, still smiling a little sheepishly, and definitely blushing. Wendell welcomed her, of course, and they began talking, haltingly as strangers new to one another might. But they grew more comfortable with one another with each passing minute. Minutes that seemed to fly by, and before they knew it, lunch break was over and the bell for the next period was ringing.

For Wendell, third period was Health and Physical education Class. Today was Gym class. He found the boys’ locker room and got changed into his gym uniform, shorts, tee shirt, and sneakers. Since it was raining, class was indoors in the gymnasium. The health class portion was all classroom and boys and girls shared the class. Gym, however, was segregated, boys separated from the girls, except for days like today when it was raining and everyone had to share the gym.

Much to Wendell’s surprise and delight, Gwen was in this class as well. She spotted him from across the gym and smiled and waved shyly. Wendell smiled and waved back. And that’s when he was reacquainted with the two bullies from yesterday. Wendell felt their presence without ever even having to turn to see them.

Being an Army brat was a difficult life in many ways. How many times had his family been uprooted and moved around the world following his father’s postings to different bases? Always being the new kid wherever they moved to and having to navigate the social hierarchy at each new place. Learning who to avoid and who he could like or even trust was a lesson that most kids never have to deal with even once, let alone many times over. Simply by experience, even at this young age, Wendell knew that the two boys he had confronted yesterday would be looking to get even, to put him in his place.

When the two bullies turned out to be in his Phys.Ed class, it was no surprise to Wendell. He knew he would have to deal with them eventually, but he was hoping it wouldn’t be so soon. Since they were lined up for roll call by the teacher, the bullies minded their manners, for the moment. They didn’t even lay a hand on him, but they were full of whispered threats promising Wendell would soon know the error of his ways for butting in yesterday.

“Well, well, well... look who it is Steve. It’s Wendy.” Sidekick said with a derisive sardonic edge in his voice.

“Yeah... that’s the punk. You’re gonna get schooled, aren’t you PUNK?” Steve said quietly but with a clear threat.

Wendell still didn’t turn to look at them, which seemed to infuriate the two even more. Wendell had never been one to start an altercation, he didn’t go looking for fights, especially if he were outnumbered as it usually turned out to be. He had been beaten up too many times in the past to just jump right into a situation like this. As a result of being bullied and beaten before, his father had taken extra time to teach young Wendell some things to help protect himself however. Even as young as he was, Wendell had been taught many of the self-defense techniques that grown men in the army are taught for combat.

Foremost in his training had been learning patience and letting the opponent commit to the first move, whatever they might do. He’d also found that most bullies weren’t very skilled in any kind of fighting as they more often than not relied on intimidation and fear to win any fight they might be in. These two would find out that Wendell was not intimidated and certainly didn’t fear them, not at all.

First thing after roll was called the teacher had the boys warm up with some calisthenics, jumping jacks, push-ups and then running laps around the perimeter of the gymnasium. That’s when Steve and his sidekick Randy decided it was time to get some payback, at Wendell’s expense. It’s a very simple trick to hook a person’s foot from behind causing them to trip. Wendell had been expecting a shove or even a punch, but the tripping foot wasn’t entirely ruled out either.

Instead of falling flat on his face, like many would have done, Wendell simply tucked and rolled, springing right back up and continued jogging around the gym like it was nothing at all. Several others of his classmates were amazed and somewhat shocked. Not nearly as shocked and tweaked as Steve and Randy however. Steve, in particular, literally growled in frustration. What was it with this kid, he thought, his face turning red.

The Teacher, standing with his female counter part, the girls’ teacher, saw the “stumble” and paid particular attention to the boys from that point on. So, when Steve lurched forward and deliberately shoved Wendell’s back from behind, Steve was busted. Whistles were blown and the attention of everyone in the gym was suddenly on Steve, Randy and Wendell. He heard the sound of the whistle, but somehow it didn’t register in Steve’s mind that it was for him.

Wendell had stopped running and had turned to face Steve and Randy, his stance relaxed but guarded all the same. He watched Steve’s eyes, knowing that they would give the bigger boy away when he did commit to whatever his angered bully brain decided to do next. It was a punch... or would have been had it connected. Instead, it was another embarrassment for Steve as he only connected with air when Wendell calmly but quickly stepped to one side just as the wild punch was thrown.

Though he might have been the proverbial sidekick, Randy seemed to be a little faster on the uptake of the situation. He realized that all eyes were on them, especially the two teachers who were now approaching the altercation with all due haste. Randy simply stepped back as if to fade into the crowd that had gathered around the two boys, Steve and Wendell.

Steve’s wild roundhouse punch had sent him wide and almost stumbling of his target, Wendell. He spun back around and brought his fists up for another attempt, fire in his eyes. Wendell just stood there, seemingly unconcerned but watching his eyes intently. “You little...” Steve began and wound up to throw another punch. Just then the Gym Teacher’s hands landed heavily on Steve’s shoulders, halting his advance on the smaller Wendell.

“What’s going on here?” The teacher all but shouted.

“That little punk started a fight!” Steve spat out with a sneer in his voice.

The teacher looked at Wendell and then noticed all the other boys and even some of the girls, all shaking their heads in the negative. The female gym teacher dispersed the rest of the students, herding her girls back to the other side of the gym. The boys’ gym teacher, never letting go of Steve, motioned with his head to Wendell to follow him. Somehow Randy got overlooked by the teacher, but since he wasn’t one throwing punches, it was easy to understand. Randy, however, noted that Wendell didn’t accuse him or rat him out either, so he kind of faded back with the rest of the boys in the class.

Steve and Wendell were marched to a side room in the hallway connecting the locker rooms to the gym. It was the Teachers’ slash coaches’ office. They were seated in two surprisingly uncomfortable folding chairs in front of the desk in the room while the gym teacher sat in his chair behind the desk. The teacher remained quiet for some time, studying both boys. It was obvious that Steve was angry and belligerent, whereas Wendell seemed relaxed and calm, just annoyed.

“Steve... didn’t you get taken to the principal’s office yesterday? For... fighting?” The teacher asked, more like a statement than an actual question.

“It was this punk’s fault!” Steve bleated with venom in his accusation.

Wendell still remained calm and slowly shook his head ever so slightly, resisting the temptation to roll his eyes.

“What did he do Steve?” The teacher asked the bully... giving him some more rope.

“He butted in where he didn’t have any business, that’s what.” Steve sputtered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“That’s funny, from what I heard, he simply asked you to stop bothering a girl, and then stood up to you when you tried to make him go away... You know, Steve, you’ve got quite a reputation here at this school. Some might even call you a bully.” The Teacher said, baiting Steve without him even realizing it.

Steve sputtered and looked shocked and dismayed, for a brief moment as he began to understand that this was not going well for him. He looked back at Wendell, fire in his eyes and a grimace on his snarling face as he almost growled in frustration... again.

“I... I just stand up for myself.” Steve said a little more meekly but still with some venom in his tone.

“Maybe you should think of others... too, Steve” The teacher admonished. “Maybe others would like you instead of just... fearing you.” He added, watching Steve’s face for any kind of recognition.

Steve looked at the teacher, almost pleadingly, his mouth open and moving like a fish out of water but not saying anything further. The teacher glanced at Wendell, who was keeping his eyes on the desk in front of him and not Steve as he struggled for understanding. He could have sworn Wendell sighed silently and resisted the urge to shrug.

“Steve, I’m not going to send you to the principal’s office... again. I’m not even going to write you up... this time. This is, however, the last time I cut you any slack whatsoever. You got me? The next time you get out of line or pull some stupid shit in my presence... well... you don’t even want to know the consequences. For now, though, I want you running laps the rest of the hour. Now get out of here before I change my mind.” The teacher proclaimed with a stern look deep into Steve’s eyes.

It took another moment or two before he realized that he was being dismissed and that was all that was going to come of this little meeting. He stood up and looked over at Wendell, still with fire in his eyes, but it was tempered with the realization that pushing it was not the smart thing to do at this time. He turned and exited the office.

“I said RUN!” the teacher shouted in a commanding tone to Steve as he went through the doorway into the hall.

The shout had made Wendell jump slightly, but he remained calm and redirected his full attention to the teacher who was staring at him curiously. The teacher sat back in his creaking ancient office chair on casters, the springs protesting the movement. He folded his arms across his chest and studied Wendell for a few more moments before speaking again.

“You’re the new kid, Wendell, right?” He asked the question, already knowing the answer.

Wendell realized it as a statement rather than a question and simply nodded in response.

“Don’t talk much do you Wendell?” The teacher asked.

“I am kind of quiet, I’m told.” Wendell admitted quietly.

“Nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. I was impressed with your moves out there earlier. You’ve had some training, haven’t you?” The teacher offered, maybe digging a little for information.

“I used to get bullied a lot... my dad showed me a few things to help me out.” Wendell admitted somewhat guardedly.

“Military, hand to hand... self-defense?” The teacher supposed.

“Well... yeah. But only for self-defense. I don’t go looking for fights, and I don’t pick on anyone else.” Wendell replied nodding his head slowly.

“No, I don’t suppose you do. Being an Army brat though, I’m sure you’ve had to go through this being the new kid thing a few times already, am I right?” The teacher asked with a tone of familiarity.

Wendell merely nodded and gave a bit of a shrug of his shoulders. The teacher smiled and sat upright, resting his big arms on his elbows on the desktop. He smiled at Wendell and nodded knowingly in return.

“I was a Navy brat when I was your age. I got moved around a lot too, and I got picked on by all the local bullies too... before I got them straightened out.” The teacher said quietly as if sharing a secret.

Wendell looked up into the teacher’s smiling face questioningly but didn’t comment further.

“So, you’ve embarrassed Steve and his buddy twice now. I’d say you’re definitely on their shit list as a result.” The teacher said with a smirk.

“No, not both, just Steve. Randy didn’t get into trouble today.” Wendell said quietly, but then realized that instead of exonerating Randy, he just included him all the same.

“Randy? Oh.... yeah. Well, maybe he’s just a little smarter than Steve, that remains to be seen though. Either way, just keep your eyes open and head on a swivel. I wouldn’t put it past either one of them to try to put you in your place... just don’t hurt them too bad if it comes to it. Okay?” The teacher said, again, quietly.

“I won’t bother them if they don’t start anything.” Wendell professed.

The teacher just smiled and shook his head, knowing that they both knew that was inevitable with bullies like Steve. He stood up and motioned for Wendell to do likewise and they left the office to go back out into the gym to rejoin the class.

Today it was climbing the rope, touch-and-go sprints, chin ups and other exercises. Wendell tried to just blend in with the rest of the boys, not trying to outdo anyone. Of course, he got the evil eye from Steve each time he passed by the rest of the boys as he continued to jog around the gym as instructed. Randy, however, looked at him differently. Still seemed ticked off at Wendel but now, somehow, a little less vindictive. Perhaps Randy realized that Wendell was not out to embarrass him, he certainly didn’t rat him out in front of the teacher and the class.

Social Studies was Wendell’s last class of the day, and again, Gwen shared that class. His desk was behind hers this time, so she couldn’t look at him often during class. Before class and immediately after class, however, she proved to be quite talkative... in her halting and shy kind of way. It was clear that she now considered Wendell to be someone she would like to call a friend. For some reason, Wendel liked that idea too.

…

Gwen and Wendell grew to be fast friends throughout that school year. Eating lunch together every day, chatting and sharing jokes and stories about their pasts, studying together in the library or sometimes even at each other’s homes. Wendell found out that Gwen and her mother were on their own after Gwen’s father had abandoned them when she was just a toddler. Gwen’s mom worked two jobs to keep them fed and clothed and a roof over their heads.

Geneva was a very pretty woman, at some time in her past, Wendel was certain. But long hours of working two jobs, stress and worry had aged her before her time. She was still pretty, but she looked perpetually tired and run down. She was always pleasant towards Wendell as she knew that Gwen was very fond of him. And to be honest, she herself was quite taken by the calm considerate young man, he was very polite and had perfect manners.

During the summer when school was out, Gwen and Wendell were nearly inseparable. They explored the small town and the surrounding countryside... well... outside the base anyway. They both liked to hang out at the public library, the pool or ride their bikes. Many nights, during the summer, the two would even camp out in Wendel’s backyard, especially on nights that Geneva had to work overtime or late into the night.

Olivia welcomed Gwen anytime she wanted to come over for a visit. She liked Geneva even if they didn’t get to spend much time together because of Geneva’s jobs. She was happy to have Gwen over on those overtime nights or any other time. She was just so happy that Wendell had made such a good friend. She had hoped it might turn into something more, but a close friend was still very welcome all the same.

…

Two years of middle school and two more into high school, Wendell and Gwen were now both juniors. Still friends, but Gwen had started noticing other boys and the boys had started noticing her as well. Gwen was blossoming into a particularly beautiful young lady. No longer was she the mousy little quiet girl that most people overlooked.

No, Gwen was still rather quiet and somewhat shy, but she was definitely not mousy any longer. Her dark brunette hair was now well past shoulder length, reaching the middle of her back. She still wore glasses, but the thin black frames were stylish and still made her crystal blue eyes pop. That shy smile could stop a guy in his tracks and make him forget how to speak. Wendell knew this, because even though they were the closest of friends, he too, often fell speechless when looking at her.

Both Gwen and Wendell had gone through a growth spurt that comes during that age in their lives. Wendell grew taller and filled out in his arms and chest transforming into a handsome young man. His still somewhat unruly dark hair along with his inquisitive green eyes drew the attention of many other girls in their school. Gwen noticed the change, however gradual it had been, but she looked at Wendell still as her best friend, not a love interest... even if she did have a deeply held secret crush on her best friend.

Gwen had filled out too. It wasn’t just her hair that had grown longer, her limbs had grown longer and more elegant than her ungainly adolescent physique. No longer was she all elbows and knees. Gwen had curves, curves that boys stopped in their tracks to observe when she walked by. Hips and her backside swayed and rocked like a runway model. Her breasts were still developing, but they were well beyond the training bras that her mother had gotten for her while she was in middle school. It was something else that the boys noticed, for certain.

With all the attention that others were now paying them, both Gwen and Wendell couldn’t help but to respond. While still the best of friends, they no longer spent nearly as much time together as they had in middle school. Wendell didn’t really date much, unless it was a double date or something like just seeing a movie with a girl, he still harbored a secret of his own... a hope that somehow, some way, he and Gwen would end up together. It made him just a bit depressed each time he saw Gwen hand in hand or arm in arm with another boy... wishing it was he instead.

Senior year was when Wendell’s dreams were dashed, at least his secret dreams of being with Gwen anyway. By now, Gwen had been through several different steady boyfriends. Most had treated her like a queen until they had either gotten what they wanted from her or realized that they weren’t going to get it from her. Gwen found out that she liked sex. That is, if the boy she had it with was willing to think of her and not just himself. Sadly, most didn’t, that’s why she didn’t stay together with any of them for very long.

Wendell, on the other hand, while not a virgin by this point in time, had not dated very many girls. It was usually him that broke off any relationship that he had with the girls, he knew that if he didn’t love them, then they were better off finding someone who did. At least he was honest with them and because of that, most of the girls, while saddened, still respected and liked him afterwards. It just had not worked out.

The weeks before Prom, their senior year, Wendell was at the time not seeing anyone and Gwen was likewise, unattached. Wendell wanted so badly to ask Gwen to be his date to the prom, but he found himself tongue tied every time they were together long enough for him to even propose the question to her. Nerves or fear of alienating Gwen, whatever it was, had worn on Wendell’s mind and heart for a long time.

Gwen had taken a part time job at a diner near her home to help out her mother in making ends meet. She would work on the weekends and for a few hours after school when she could. Geneva, Gwen’s mom, had been declining in health for the last year or so. Too many years of working two or three jobs just to keep their house and keep Gwen and herself fed and clothed.

Wendell made up his mind that if he was going to the prom, there’s no one else he’d rather go with than Gwen. To that end, he drove himself to the diner after school. He stopped off at a flower shop and got a small bouquet of Gwen’s favorite flowers, daisies. He’d rehearsed what he was going to say for a day and a half, yet he was still nervous when he pushed open the door to the diner to enter.

The counter of the diner was the length of the dining room and curled around at either end. Wendel spotted Gwen right away at the far end of the counter facing away from him to a customer on the curled end. She appeared to be in a quiet conversation with them… him… a guy. Not just any guy but one of their fellow students at school. None other than Randal Jacobs. Randy had evolved out of the orbit of his former buddy and psycho leader, the bully Steve Benson. They were still pals I suppose but Steve no longer directed the mischief they got into, but rather just seemed to be part of it, as always.

Steve was crass and unsophisticated and still very much a bully, but Randy was far more dangerous as far as Wendel could determine. Mostly because it was sneaky and manipulative of others to make it easy to blame someone else. Seeing him talking with Gwen just soured Wendel’s whole attitude. But seeing and hearing Gwen respond to Randy so readily actually turned his stomach.

Rather than approaching that end of the counter, Wendel took a stool closer to the door and waited for Gwen to turn around and notice him. He couldn’t help but hear snippets of their conversation even over the low hum of the noise of the diner and other patrons. Gwen seemed to be leaning in even closer to speak with Randy and the way she was standing there cocked slightly to one side, her hips swaying gently from side to side almost bashfully. One hand twirling a few strands of her long hair screamed flirting to Wendel.

It was when she paused in place as if dumbstruck then squealed aloud and jumped up in down in place excitedly that Wendel knew he was too late. Randy had asked her to go to the prom with him, and Gwen had accepted. She still hadn’t even seen that Wendel was in the diner. Rather than say or do anything that he would regret, and honestly, he was heartbroken already, Wendel stood back up and turned to leave the diner. The other waitress on duty asked him about the flowers he had left sitting on the counter. Wendel looked that the flowers for a moment and said to her that they were for her. He then went out the door leaving the waitress perplexed but grinning stupidly.

Whether Gwen ever learned that he had been there that afternoon, or that he had brought her flowers, Wendel would not know for a long, long time. Either out of guilt or simply not thinking it important, Gwen never even broached the subject of going to the prom with Randy. Gwen and Wendel had drifted apart. Wendel would see her in the halls at school or walking on her way to work at the diner, but he wouldn’t go out of his way to approach her either. Wendel would never know how much that affected Gwen.

Both of Wendel’s parents knew that he had decided to forgo going to his senior prom. Olivia suspected that Wendel was heartbroken but couldn’t bring herself to pry. She did, however, make it clear as only a mother could that she loved her son and supported his decision. It was a quiet night at home watching TV and reading for Wendel and his parents on prom night. Some might call it boring. Some might have dreamed that they could have been doing the same.

Gwen was over the moon as she stood as still as she could while Randy attempted to pin the corsage he had got for her on her prom dress. The white rose and baby’s breath kind of clashed with the pale blue dress that Gwen had borrowed from her mother to wear. And Randy wasn’t especially delicate or considerate with his efforts either. Half of the baby’s breath had broken away. Still though, it was pinned, and Gwen’s mom took several pictures of her daughter and her date before Randy whisked her off for the evening’s excitement.

Soon they were in Randy’s car driving to a restaurant for dinner before going to the prom. Gwen felt so grown up, dressed up in her mother’s pretty dress, going to a restaurant. Randy pulled out a flask from his jacket pocket and took a big sip out of it, then offered it to Gwen. At first, she refused, but he insisted that she at least try it. It was the least she could do, since he was taking her to a fancy restaurant after all. Reluctantly, Gwen took the flask and first smelled the spout. It had a fruity smell to it so she figured it might not be too bad. She took a sip, and it burned in her throat. As she started to pull the flask away Randy tipped it up with his hand and urged her to take another sip. Gwen should have known better, but she acquiesced and took another sip. This one didn’t burn quite as much but she could feel it in her sinuses and nearly coughed it back out. Randy laughed and closed the flask and tucked it back away in his jacket.

At the restaurant Randy was attentive and polite, actually getting Gwen to laugh and relax. She had a great time and soon they were both excited to leave and go to the prom. Again, being a gentleman, Randy offered his arm to Gwen for the walk to the car. He even opened her door for her. She was giddy.

At the school, they went inside and stopped to get their pictures taken before being joined by Randy’s friends and their dates. They all congregated around a couple of tables when they weren’t on the dance floor. Gwen didn’t notice the looks that Randy’s friends were giving her when she wasn’t looking. If she had seen them, she would not have been so relaxed. She might have even called an early end to the evening all together.

Dancing worked up a thirst and Randy or one of his friends made sure Gwen always had a cup of punch to sip on. She only barely registered that the taste of the punch vaguely reminded her of the flask that Randy had had her drink from earlier. The flashing lights, the loud music, the dancing, all worked to tire Gwen out. Her limbs grew heavy, and she had trouble focusing on conversations. And… she grew more and more unsteady. Cup after cup was put in her hands to drink. Too late she realized that something was definitely not right. Too late.

Randy asked a couple of his friends to help him take Gwen to his car so that he could take her home. They smiled knowingly and happily agreed to help. The rest of the people at the prom thought little of it and soon forgot that Randy and Gwen were ever there. In fact, however, they were still there, on school grounds. Instead of helping Gwen to Randy’s car, they had made a detour and ended up in the boy’s locker room adjacent to the gymnasium where the Prom was being held.

By this point Gwen was nearly unconscious, which is exactly what Randy had planned on. Randy and the others unceremoniously dumped Gwen onto a pile of gym mats that had been stacked up to form a platform for their intentions. They began by taking Gwen’s shoes off and then attempting to remove her dress. Apparently, the zipper proved to be a problem for them, so they ended up simply ripping the dress from her back.

Gwen’s head was swimming, but she realized that this was not right. This was not Randy’s car, and she was not being taken home. Rallying what little senses she had left, she attempted to resist and fight back, but that only earned her a backhand across her face. It was hard enough that it did more than simply stun her, it rendered her finally completely unconscious. It might have been the only saving grace for the whole evening for her in the end.

Randy and his friends tore off Gwen’s bra and panties. They left the stockings on though they ended up rolled mostly down her legs before it was all over with. The boys all took turns after Randy had the first go at her. The fourth boy was just finishing off and smearing his spend with his cock all over the outside of Gwen’s abused vagina and her legs when Steve walked in on the scene. He was grinning from ear to ear and more than a little drunk.

“My Man!” Steve said loudly as he high fived Randy, then took in the tableau before him.

“What took you so long dude?” Randy said grinning as he took a long pull from a bottle that he and his friends had been drinking from while one or the others had been fucking the unconscious Gwen.

“Dude, I was getting some head from that little redhead I took to the dance.” Steve gloated while shifting his junk in the front of his pants. He was getting an erection again looking at the naked unconscious Gwen laying sprawled and degraded on the gym mats.

“That’s all you got? A blowjob?” Randy gawked, grinning and shaking his head in amusement.

“That’s all she’d give up… tonight.” Steve said with a shrug, again rubbing at his crotch while he leered at Gwen.

“Fuck man! She’s out of it… Don’t guess I’m gonna get any head from this bitch.” Steve said with some disappointment.

“She’d likely try to bite it off anyway.” Randy laughed.

“Probably, she always was a bitch… I should teach her a lesson. Anyone tagged that ass yet?” Steve asked, looking around at the others with one eyebrow arched.

Randy and the others just shook their heads and grinned at this line of thinking. All four of them had fucked her pussy and left their spunk inside and all over the outside, at least once each but some with more than one time. Truly she was a sopping mess with cum drooling out of her abused and reddened pussy. Steve only sneered in response and stepped over to the unconscious girl on the mats and grabbed her ankles.

Unceremoniously Steve crossed his arms over roughly causing Gwen to roll over onto her stomach, leaving her bare ass up for all to see. He then dragged her prone body to the edge of the mats so that her legs draped to the floor. Stepping back a step to admire his work, Steve then unfastened his belt and let his pants and shorts fall to his ankles. His erection, all six inches of him sprang up and bobbed in the air before he grabbed it with one hand and stroked it a couple of times.

Steve stepped closer to Gwen’s prone form, her ass hanging on the edge of the mats, and slapped her bare cheeks as hard as he could with an open hand causing a resounding SMACK. The guys all snorted or grunted in amusement. SMACK, SMACK, SMACK… Steven rained down blows on her ass turning it bright red and leaving handprints on her otherwise creamy white skin. The pain must have been enough to rouse her somewhat from the drunken or drugged stupor she was in.

“Owwwwww” Gwen moaned softly as she struggled to open her eyes and make sense of what was going on.

“What’s that?” Steve asked, leaning closer to her to listen.

Nothing… already Gwen’s mind was drifting back into unconsciousness. Steve grimaced with some disappointment and shook his head. He reached down with both hands and grasped a cheek in each. Squeezing them together first then pulling them apart roughly sinking his fingers deep into her reddened and yielding flesh. His thumbs in the crack of her ass roughly poking at and over her brown puckered sphincter.

“I know what will wake you up, bitch!” Steve mumbled and then bent closer to her ass and spat.

A white glob of spittle landed near the top of Gwen’s crack, missing his target completely. The other guys all laughed at that. That didn’t sit well with Steve, no sir. He glared at them then reached out and snatched the bottle they had been sharing and took a long pull. The rotgut whiskey burned the back of his throat, but it wet his mouth and as he swished it around for a moment, it created quite a loogie.

Leaning closer this time, Steve more or less let it drool out of his mouth directly onto Gwen’s rosebud as he used one of his thumbs to press it into her. Smearing the spittle and liquor onto and around as well as inside of her asshole. Not satisfied that it was enough, Steve looked at the bottle and then grinned sadistically. He brought the mouth of the bottle to her asshole and tipped it up as he pressed it into her. The mouth of the bottle was forced through her tight sphincter and once inside the liquor began to pour into her.

Steve thought this was terribly funny, the others laughed as well until they realized that their bottle now had ass on it. Randy looked at the bottle when Steve handed it back to him then shook his head and tossed it aside where it shattered when it hit the tile floor near the lockers. The other guys complained.

Steve now refocused on Gwen’s ass, now drooling the whiskey that he had just forced inside of her. Her grabbed his cock and rubbed the head of it in the mess that was drooling out of her sphincter. Then he pressed the head against her pucker and pushed in. He was not gentle, he merely rammed himself all the way in with a grunt. His balls slapping her messy vaginal lips as his hips mashed against her rosy, red cheeks.

Gwen stirred. Her head lolled to one side, and she let out an agonized shriek that turned into a strangled gargle and a moan as she slipped deeper again into unconsciousness. One eye was open but only showing the white of her eye as it was rolled back in her head. There was a line of drool stringing out of the corner of her mouth. Her hair was half covering her face… almost as if hiding her shame.

Shame was not something that Steve suffered from. He, like the others in the room were hell bent on their own pleasure, no matter how they had to go about getting it. Steve had long held a grudge against Gwen, and her friend that little bastard Wendell. Steve smirked thinking that he bet Wendell had never had this ass. Steve was the first to get this ass, even if it had taken years to come to this. His smirk turned into an evil and ugly sneer as she began to rock his hips and pound his cock in and out of Gwen’s tortured ass.

Had he not had a blowjob from his own prom date not more than twenty minutes ago, Steve might not have lasted long while fucking the unconscious Gwen’s ass. Even in her near comatose state, she was tight. That and the lubrication he had used proved to be far less lubricating than he had thought it might be. No, straight whiskey was more of an irritant than a lubricant as it turned out. His cock and he was sure, her asshole was getting raw from the friction. This made him snarl and growl like the dog he truly was. In and out, in and out, slapping her ass for good measure, in and out till he felt his nut rising.

With a final snarling grunt, Steve drove all six inches of his cock as deep inside of Gwen as he could and let loose his load of cum. His own ass cheeks clenching and relaxing with each shot, rocking himself back and forth ever so slightly. When it stopped pumping, he did too… pulling back and letting his nasty red cock slip out of Gwen. He was covered in his own cum and Gwen’s shit and the whiskey that he had poured into her to start with. That too drooled out of her gaping ass.

At first Steve was simply going to wipe himself off on her legs and ass… but then that evil snarl darkened once more as he reached up and grabbed what he could of Gwen’s hair and dragged her bodily back towards him and the edge of the mats she was laying on. Her body spilled over the edge to be pressed up against the edge of the mats on her knees, one arm still laying on top of the mats.

Steve pulled her head around still holding her by her hair and then with his free hand, grabbed his cock and smeared it against her face. Rubbing his nasty filthy cock across her cheek and her lips of her mouth that was hanging open. He grinned sadistically as he placed the head into her mouth and shoved it to the back of her throat causing her gag even though she was unconscious. He humped her mouth for another moment or two before pulling back out and smearing his cock across her face again.

“Dude! That was fucked up!” Randy said in a tone that belied his awed appreciation. The other guys shook their heads and grinned as well, high fiving each other.

“Any of you other guys want some more of this cunt?” Steve asked, still holding Gwen’s head up by her hair as if offering her services to them.

“Nah, man. I think we’re good.” The other guys mumbled as they all began to tuck themselves away and straighten up their clothes to look somewhat presentable before returning to the dance in the Gym.

“What about you, Randy? I mean, she IS your date.” Steve asked with a wicked grin.

“Nah… I’ve had my fun. Come on, let’s go get a drink.” Randy said as he was tucking in his dress shirt before reaching for his dress jacket hanging from a locker door nearby.

“What about her?” Steve asked as he dropped his handful of hair and Gwen’s face lolled against the side of the stacked-up gym mats, her face smeared with cum and shit from Steve’s abuse.

Randy shrugged and raised his hands up as if asking what he was supposed to do.

“It’s not my fault if the bitch ran off and left me at the dance. I don’t know where she went. Fuck her!” Randy said with a knowing grin.

Steve grinned back at Randy and they high fived as they walked out of the boy’s locker room heading back out to the dance and for whatever other hijinks they might get into. No one would ever be the wiser they thought. Gwen might not even remember anything at all when she woke up. Or so they had figured anyway… they were wrong.

Gwen did wake up, hours and hours later. It was a slow process, her brain still fogged from the alcohol or drugs that had been slipped to her earlier at the prom. She woke up alone and in a strange place. She didn’t know where she was or how she had gotten here, but she knew that she had been raped. She hurt all over, she hurt in places that she had never felt pain before. Sitting up made her head swim and then she threw up.

After emptying her stomach, she took stock of her surroundings and figured out she was in a locker room. But where? And where were her clothes? She spotted one shoe up against the lockers and then her dress or what remained of it hanging off a bench. She never did find her bra or her panties. She pulled on the dress as best she could and held it with one hand to keep it from falling back off. Carrying the one shoe that she could find, she stumbled out of the locker room to discover that she was still at the school.

Everyone was gone now, whatever time it was. Gwen began to stumble across the gym in the dark. Crepe paper streamers and confetti still littered the floor. The tables around the periphery still had half empty cups and paper plates with leftover snacks. Balloons had lost their buoyancy and were sinking or even bouncing across the floor. It was all a blur to Gwen though as she only had thoughts of escaping this place as the pain from her earlier abuse was starting to overwhelm her. And insult to injury, was the fluids that were leaking out of her vagina and anus and running down her legs. She stumbled on, however.

Pushing through the doors and stumbling outside, Gwen discovered that it was still dark. There was no telling what time it was, but there were no cars in the parking lot, and no traffic on the streets. So, she stumbled on, making her way towards home. Why didn’t anyone come looking for her? Her mom might have if she had known that Gwen had not made it home, but she was working the night shift at one of her jobs. Gwen had not spoken much with Wendell in… in months she realized. This realization hit her hard, and she faltered and fell to her knees hanging her head and sobbing.

Wendell, how could she have let herself drift away from the only real friend she had ever known? The one boy… the one person that she knew she could trust and rely on. And yet she had neglected him over the attentions of other boys. Boys that had turned out to be fakes, liars and worse, vicious animals.

“How could I have been so stupid?” she sobbed to herself leaning against a tree in someone’s front yard beside the sidewalk.

And then it began to rain.

Something woke Wendell from a sound sleep. He wondered what it might have been that disturbed his dream. He was walking hand in hand with Gwen through a festival or fair somewhere. They were happy and carefree and they were just about to kiss. Then the window in his bedroom rattled with the quaking of thunder. Wendell groaned, not so much a concern about the coming storm but that he had missed out on that kiss. Rolling over and covering his head with his pillow he sought to go back to sleep and reenter his dream.

By the time Gwen reached her front door, staggering in the rain, she looked like a drowned rat. Of course, the door was locked. Falling to her knees she slumped against the door and cried some more. The rain washing her tears away as fast as they leaked from her eyes. That’s where her mother found her a few minutes later when she got home from her night shift job.

Helping her into the house and to the bathroom to get her cleaned up and warmed up, Geneva tried to get the story out of her daughter. Frustrated that Gwen didn’t remember what happened, Geneva was torn between calling the police and taking her daughter to the hospital. It was obvious that she had been sexually assaulted but by who? Where was her date to the Prom? All these questions Gwen couldn’t answer, and it only upset her further. In the end, all that was done was to take her to the hospital emergency room to be checked out. The doctors were just as frustrated as Geneva by the lack of information. Gwen was cleaned up and a few scratches bandaged and sent home.

It was still raining when they got home from the hospital. All Gwen wanted to do was curl up into a fetal position in her bed and cry. Geneva didn’t know what else to do for her daughter but to comfort her as best she could. She lay down with her and just held her until Gwen finally cried herself to sleep. Geneva cried too. She knew her daughter had been abused in terrible ways, but she had no idea by whom. She suspected Gwen’s Prom date, Randy. If nothing else, he should have escorted her home after the dance. Where was he in all this?

The following Monday, back at school, Wendell avoided looking for Gwen. He was still hurt that she had chosen to go to the dance with someone else. He knew it was silly. Randy had asked her before he could. He really had no call to be jealous, but he was all the same. Despite their friendship, Wendell felt he should distance himself from Gwen. She made her choices and apparently, he wasn’t one of them. It wasn’t difficult to avoid her at school that day, she didn’t show up. Wendell didn’t wonder about that, he didn’t know.

Gwen ended up missing the entire week of classes that week after the Prom. By the third day, Wendell had noticed that she wasn’t in school. Still though, he didn’t call her or go to the diner to see her at work. He was still avoiding her, and it was killing him inside. He had other friends by this point. Acquaintances really, but other people to talk to or sit with at lunch. That and he concentrated on his classes and schoolwork. Graduation was fast approaching, and Wendell knew that he’d be leaving town soon after.

Being the child of a lifetime serviceman, Wendell had decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. He had planned on enlisting upon graduation, for several reasons. First, besides having his college tuition paid for, he had a guaranteed job with benefits. If he played his cards right, he could retire by the time he was 50. And there was the travel. Some of that he had already experienced as an Army brat, moving from posting to posting following his father. Now it would be his postings.

Gwen eventually returned to school. She had changed though. No longer was she outgoing or friendly with others. Now she had retreated to the reclusive introverted ways she had all the way back in middle school when Wendell had first met her. She sat alone at lunch, didn’t speak with anyone between classes, never attended any clubs or outside activities. She just did her lessons and homework and worked at the diner when they would have her. Even there, the customers realized that something had changed, she was no longer the friendly outgoing girl she had been previously.

It was almost seven weeks after the Prom when Gwen had her next big crisis. She was late for her period. She took three days for her to tell her mother Geneva. A trip to the clinic and a pregnancy test told the tale. Gwen was with child. With only a month remaining before graduation, Gwen decided to keep it a secret. First of all, she didn’t even know who the father was, so she was sure there’d be no support there. Secondly, well, secondly there was no plan for her. She didn’t know what she was going to do. How could she raise a child by herself? She couldn’t put that on her mother after all she had done to raise herself. Gwen did the only thing she knew to do, she retreated further inside of herself.

Graduation day was a gray overcast day that threatened to rain. The ceremony was moved indoors into the gymnasium. The same gymnasium where the Senior Prom had been held. Wendell had his mom and dad in attendance, as well as his older sister who had come in for the event. Most students had family there as well, including Gwen. Geneva actually sat near Wendell’s parents. Olivia saw her and smiled as she waved to Geneva. They were seated too far apart for a casual conversation, however, that and the procession was starting. The principal made his commencement speech, followed by the class valedictorian, and a couple of other speakers. As most graduations go, it seemed to go on and on and on.

At one point Gwen had had to rush to the bathroom to get sick. There was the morning sickness, of course, but part of the reason for her feeling ill was being in that gym. Going to the bathrooms down the hall towards the locker rooms made her pause with a flashback. But it was as she was walking back towards the gym that she bumped into none other than Steve and Randy and a couple of other friends coming out of the boy’s bathroom. The leers they gave her made Gwen’s skin crawl. They didn’t say anything to her at all, as she turned and ran down the hall back to the gym. She just wanted to get this over with and leave as soon as possible. The laughter that followed her down the hall would haunt her.

Eventually the principal started calling names and graduates would climb the stairs onto the stage and walk across to shake hands and receive their diplomas, pausing for pictures as many were taken. Wendell was among the first to be called, his last name Anders being towards the top of the list alphabetically. Gwen’s name was called not too long after that, and she almost ran across the stage, in such a hurry to get it over with and escape all the scrutiny and attention, even if it really wasn’t aimed at her.

Wendell had hoped to congratulate Gwen on her achievement but didn’t get the chance. He saw her practically dragging her mother out one of the exit doors while the procession and roll call for diplomas was still going on. It was just another nail in the coffin of their relationship, such that it was. Wendell sighed and hung his head until others approached him and congratulated him. And then there was his family. It was an evening out for dinner after the graduation.

Two days later, Wendell was embarking on the next chapter in his life. At the bus station, his whole family saw him off. Even his older brother had made it in to see him off. A thump on the shoulder from his brother, a hug from his older sister, a firm handshake from his teary eyed but stern and proud father… and a long tearful hug from his mother. All wishing him luck and reminding him to write, and often. He saw them waving as the bus pulled out of the station and headed off to the fort where he would be inducted into the army.

…

The years seemed to fly after that day, for Wendell anyway. Boot camp, then advanced training, his first posting, his second posting overseas this time in Germany. At the end of his four-year enlistment, he was at a crossroads of sorts. To re-enlist or do something else. Wendell had looked into college opportunities and found that he could go to school while still being enlisted. He would just have to spend his off-school time on active duty instead of silly things like spring break or summer jobs and what not. This was not a problem for Wendell, so he jumped at the opportunity.

The army may or may not have been proud that he had completed his college schooling in only three years. Wendell was, however, as were his folks. Even all these years later Wendell still thought of Gwen. Each time there was a poignant sadness in his heart. He wished her well and wondered what she had been doing all this time. He didn’t dwell on thoughts of her though, it hurt more than he was willing to admit, even to himself. Rather, he focused on day-to-day life and his jobs.

Several times during his service, Wendell was recommended for officer training school. That would have meant a promotion and a bump in pay, but Wendell had declined all offers. He hadn’t planned on extending his military career the way many did. He was happy doing what he was doing and found himself in a niche that suited him and his schooling well. Mechanical logistics focusing on maintenance and modifications. Most of that geared towards heavy equipment and vehicles like tanks and armored troop transports, as well as coordinating with airborne cavalry assets. It kept him and his expertise in high demand, and he traveled a lot because of it.

Thirty-two years after his first day of boot camp, Wendell stood at attention in front of the desk of his commanding officer. He was not in trouble for anything, but it was still a bit of a somber occasion. This was the last week of his enlistment, his latest enlistment. He had re-upped a total of six times after his initial enlistment. That had to be a record maybe, he didn’t know, or care. After reading through Wendell’s service jacket one last time and the final written orders on the top of the file, Wendell’s commanding officer sighed, and looked up once more at Wendell raising one eyebrow, then shaking his head picked up his pen and signed the orders.

He closed the service jacket and stood up behind his desk and walked around it to stand in front of Wendell. Coming to attention himself, he saluted Wendell then reached out and shook his hand with a smile.

“You will be missed, you know.” The major said.

“Oh, I don’t know, sir. There are younger guys coming onboard that are real whiz kids. They will pick up the torch and run with it and you will soon forget all about me.” Wendell replied with a smile of his own.

“Maybe, but there’s a lot to be said for common sense and working wisdom. I feel like I’m going to be changing a lot of diapers after you leave.” The major retorted with an affected sour face.

Wendell only smiled at the wry humor and winked.

“So, you’re off to Fort Knox for your final posting and exit. Ever been there?” The major asked.

“Yes, sir. My father was posted there when I enlisted after high school.” Wendell answered.

“I’ll be damned! You’re going home!” The major belted out laughing.

“I am, sir. I may settle there, who knows. My folks have retired to Florida, and I may just buy the old house and put down some roots of my own.” Wendell said, and even as he said it, thoughts of Gwen flashed through his mind for a moment.

“Well good luck, son. Now get out of here before I get all emotional.” The Major barked gruffly but grinned all the same as he once more shook Wendell’s hand and exchanged a relaxed salute.

Two days later Wendell reported to his new commanding officer and was billeted on base in the bachelors NCO housing. It was temporary, of course, he had already started the paperwork with a realtor to purchase his last childhood home from his parents. They were already living in Florida, but the sale was assured, just a matter of paperwork being completed to satisfy the bank. Living on the base would also allow him to settle in to his new job on the base for the remainder of his enlistment, all six months that remained of it.

For the first week, Wendell never left the base. He immersed himself into his new job and getting to know the other people he was working with and the expectations of his commanding officer and unit. Being that this was by far not his first time transferring in as the new guy, he was well familiar with the questions and standoffishness of some people and open curiosity of others. He didn’t make any waves or upset the status quo, rather, he just pitched in and helped do the work assigned.

Eventually everyone came around and he was soon fitting in well with the unit. Of course, he shined with his long experience with the job at hand, and it wasn’t long before others were asking for his opinions or advice on how to get things done. This would continue right up until the day he pulled his last duty. He was pulled aside by his C.O. more than once and suggested that Wendell put his hat in the ring for a civilian consultancy job after he mustered out. Wendell told him he would take it under advisement and consider it.

A month before his last day of active duty, Wendel took possession of his old home. Having purchased it from his own parents and then having had some work done on the house to renovate it while he remained on base. This day found him doing a final walk through inspection of the renovations made by his hired contractors. He was more than pleased with the work done. Walking through the silent house it seemed both familiar and strange at the same time. Somehow it seemed smaller than he had remembered it, but also so very big or rather, empty.

The three-bedroom house with detached garage and full basement seemed like a hotel after living in the spartan living space he had been using on various bases during his service time. And there was the fact that he’d be living here alone. It was almost depressing, especially when, again, there was that fleeting thought of Gwen from so many years ago. He shook his head and banished that thought once more.

The master bedroom was cozy by most standards, not overly large, but after living in bachelors’ quarters on military bases around the world it seemed huge to Wendell. Even the other two bedrooms seemed expansive as well, including his old room when he lived here before eventually joining the army. So much of the old house was familiar yet at the same time seemed so new and foreign in some ways.

The renovations had of course made changes and updated many things like fixtures and plumbing and electrical. All new appliances as well. Wendell had chosen his old room to be his office. He would need an office for his consulting job that he intended to begin after a hiatus for a spell after he mustered out of the army soon. The remaining room would be a guest room, of course, for family when or if they came to visit.

The basement was converted into a full gym complete with work out equipment and weights, a treadmill for when the weather was not agreeable to running outdoors. There was also a shower and a small sauna as well, something Wendell had grown fond of overseas while stationed in various places in Europe.

The exterior of the house had seen some changes as well. New lighting fixtures all around, with motion sensitive switches and LED bulbs. There were cameras as well, motion sensitive too, that sent alerts to his ever-present cell phone. The front door, over the garage looking outward to the driveway, the back of the house on both corners and over the back door leading onto the deck.

Yes, the deck. Of all the renovations and improvements, the back deck was probably Wendell’s favorite. The old house had not had a deck when he lived here before, his father had had a small deck built while he was away, but the construction and function was shoddy at best. It was any wonder how his father or mother had not been hurt as they grew older. The wood used for the deck had rotted in places and it would be far easier and more cost efficient to simply tear it down and start anew with all new materials and of course a new design.

The new deck took up the entire length of the back of the house, extending twenty-four feet away from the back wall, stepping down halfway to make it two levels. The back door opened out onto the upper level. He had purchased a combination gas and charcoal grill for barbecuing with a ventilation hood over it. He also had a bar constructed. There was a small glass topped table with an umbrella on this level along with some nice, cushioned chairs. An ideal place to sit and ponder or just simply relax without a thought.

Stepping down three steps from the upper level, the second level of the deck also had cushioned seating, both bench style along one rail and free-standing chairs. A fire pit feature and tiki torches along the rails. But the centerpiece for the lower level was the six-person hot tub inside a privacy enclosure, that Wendell had purchased and had installed. It was a four-season tub according to the salesman and the manufacturer, so he could use it year-round. Also, both on the upper deck and the lower, there were weather-proof speakers that were linked wirelessly to his home entertainment system inside the house. He could turn it on or off, adjust the volume or change channels or ***********ions using his cell phone.

So many changes to the old house. Yet, as wonderful as it all might be, it was still just a house, and it felt both huge and lonely. Not even his memories from childhood could warm the feel of it to Wendell. Something was missing.

After his final walk through inspection, Wendell signed off on all the renovations and sent his final payment to the contractors he had hired, along with his thanks for a job well done. Locking the doors behind him, he paused to look at the keys in his hand and then looked around the back yard. Wendell had parked his Jeep Cherokee in front of the detached garage which was just off to the left from the lower deck. Looking out to the still familiar yard and trees, he remembered spending many a day just lazing around in the yard, or even the occasional camping there, with Gwen. Another pang played at his heart… ancient history best not to dwell on he thought. Still though, he smiled a sad smile as those memories flashed through his mind. Again, he wondered what had happened to her.

…

Wendell was on his way back to the base for the night. He could move into the house now, living off base, especially with his light workload with only a month left before he mustered out with retirement. Perhaps next week he thought, as there is nothing yet in the house in the way of necessities, clothes, bed linens, towels, washcloths, things like soap or shampoo or his shaving kit… and there was of course, nothing to eat in the fridge or the cupboards yet either. It was the thought of food that made him realize that he had not eaten since early that morning just after reveille. He smiled at the thought of never having to eat mess hall food again. Not that it was all bad, but it was consistently not all good either… just… food. Glancing up the road, lost in thought he saw the sign lit up for the old diner. The very same diner that Gwen had once worked at so many years ago. Feeling nostalgic, Wendell pulled off the main drag and into the parking lot.

He nearly made it to the door of the diner before the sky opened up and a pouring rain began to fall. He was soaked in seconds and took a moment to shake off as much water as he could just inside the doorway before looking for a booth or a table. The old place hadn’t changed much in the years he’d been gone. They had changed out the vinyl tile floors for newer ones of a different color. The upholstery on the seats of the booths had been changed out to the same color as well. Remaining the same, however, were the art deco-like light fixtures over each table and of course the neon signs in the window. They even still gave off that low pitched almost annoying buzzing sound.

The diner wasn’t too awfully busy at the moment, just a scattering of patrons either eating or just sitting and talking. There were several older gents at the counter bar on stools watching both the small TV over the back service bar, or the waitresses who were scurrying about doing their jobs. Not waiting to be seated, as this was the kind of place that you found your own place to sit, Wendell found a booth near the door that he had just come in through.

The menus were on the tables in each booth, along with two coffee cups turned upside down in saucers and a rolled-up napkin with silverware. Wendell picked up the menu and was looking through it when he sensed a presence at the end of the table beside him just before he heard the voice.

“So, coffee? Or can I get you something else to drink? Need another minute on the menu?” A hauntingly familiar voice asked Wendell.

He felt a chill go through him before he turned his head to look up at the waitress standing at the end of his booth’s table. She had her head down looking at her order pad with her pencil poised ready to write his answer on the ticket. Wendell’s heart stopped beating for a tick, then sped up as his mind wrestled with the recognition and… well… believing what his eyes were seeing.

Not hearing a response from her customer, the waitress looked up from her pad to see Wendell’s up turned face that was a mask of shock and surprise. Well, anyone who knew him well would have seen that, but most would have just seen the poker face of someone who showed little to no emotion to the outward world at large.

Wendell’s mind was in overdrive, processing what he was seeing. The woman was on the haggard side of tired, as if she had simply worked too many hours and had possibly forgotten what sleep or relaxation was. It was a worn look that many who have faced far too much in the way of life’s hard knocks and trials. Yet, even with the strained and drawn looks, she was undeniably a beauty. Though faded a bit and trending towards greying, the mousy brunette hair was pulled back into a severe bun, but a few strands hung down about her face in ringlets that hinted at what the rest of her hair would look like if let loose.

The set of her jaw showed tired determination and perhaps resignation, but there was still a smile. A tired smile, but still enough to brighten her face. But it was the eyes that had him nailed to his seat in the booth… the eyes that had seen too much sadness and hurt for any one person in this life. Those eyes, they were still the same crystal blue that he remembered from looking into them so many times as a boy and teenager.

It was the waitress’s eyes that gave away her own shock and recognition. She had just begun to ask again if he wanted coffee or something else to drink when she fell silent. Her mouth was still moving as if trying to speak, but nothing was coming out. She dropped both her pad and her pencil, and her right hand shot to her cover her mouth as her eyes grew even wider with surprise. Wendell could see so many mixed emotions warring with each other as they crossed her face… Gwen was literally in shock.

“Gwen?” The only words to come out of Wendell’s mouth.

With her eyes tearing up but the corners of her mouth turning up into a smile that she couldn’t hide, Gwen nodded her head slowly at first then sped up, nodding repeatedly. Wendell stood up from the booth seat and wrapped his arms around her shaking form and she melted into his embrace, her head resting on his broad shoulder as her own arms rapped around him and squeezed as if her very life depended on holding onto him.

Some may have described it as an epic hug, one lasting an eternity. It wasn’t, of course, but to Gwen and Wendell it was somewhere between a heartbeat and a lifetime. They did finally break apart, only to be held in each other’s arms, at arm’s length as they studied each other’s faces. Both could see the years on the other’s face… but there was something they both welcomed, a look in the eyes of the other that still shown with friendship…and maybe love.

Wendell invited Gwen to join him at the table, but she had to decline as she was still working. Wendell understood, of course, but asked when she got off work. Realizing it was much later than he would be able to stay without reporting back to base for the evening, he quickly grabbed her pencil and pad from her hand and scribbled his phone number on it. Handing the pad and pencil back he smiled warmly and held her hand longer than necessary, but Gwen didn’t mind. She felt a rush of long forgotten excitement and hope well up inside of her at the touch of his hands on hers.



Wendell did stay at the diner for a while longer. And Gwen did join him at his table for her break when the diner slowed down a bit. Wendell told her about his hitch with the Army soon coming to an end with his retirement, and about buying and renovating his parents’ house. Gwen said she remembered the house and would love to see the improvements he talked about. Both gazed into the other’s eyes as they spoke, feeling the connection, feeling renewed hope. Each felt like they were holding their breath and at the same time breathing for the first time in ages.

“Gwen… It’s been so long…” Wendell began as their conversation began to slow down.

“It has. It’s been too long, hasn’t it?” Gwen responded, breaking eye contact, thinking that Wendell was going to say goodbye.

“Far, far too long, Gwen. I don’t want to let it happen again… if you wouldn’t mind seeing more of me that is.” Wendell spoke softly and reached across the table to take her hand in his.

Gwen felt a tingle on her skin at his touch, and when she looked up hesitantly into Wendell’s face, she saw something in his eyes that made her choke up. Could it be? Is there still hope for more in his heart she wondered. She could feel her own heart skip a beat then start beating double time. His visage grew cloudy as tears began to form in her eyes.

Wendell saw Gwen stiffen at his last statement and could see tears forming in her eyes. He misinterpreted this to mean that she was going to say goodbye and that there would be no more. His own racing heart began to sink along with his hopes and dreams. He couldn’t help but to remember that same sinking feeling so many years ago when he had come to this very diner to ask Gwen to go to their senior prom with him… only to find that he had been beaten to the punch by Randy. But he was wrong this time.

“I… I… I would… like that.” Gwen stammered almost as if saying the words would break the spell of happiness that seemed to envelop her when she was in Wendell’s presence.

“You would?” Wendell almost whispered in return… his heart beginning to beat faster again.

“I would.” Gwen said, smiling and nodding her head as well as squeezing his hand in return.

“Great! Um… It’s going to be a little crazy and hectic for the next week or so… getting mustered out of the army and all. But I’ll be free to give you any time you want after that.” Wendell said, his own smile returning as his hopes soared.

Soon, all too soon, Gwen’s break was over, and she needed to get back to work as the dinner crowd was beginning to filter in at the diner. Before she got up from the table with Wendell though, she wrote her own phone number down on an order slip and folded it before giving it to him.

“My hours are kind of crazy lately but call me when you can. If I’m home, I’ll pick up.” Gwen said with a warm smile and a hopeful look in her eyes.

“I will… Gwen… We have so much to catch up on…” Wendell began only to be interrupted by a call of “ORDER UP” from the kitchen through the service window behind the counter.

Gwen smiled and squeezed Wendell’s hand once more before standing up and straightening out her apron before moving quickly back to the counter and behind it. Wendell watched her move and couldn’t help but to notice and admire the sway in her hips, intentional or otherwise. He pulled money from his wallet to cover his meal and left a tip as well before standing up himself and heading to the exit. He paused once more at the door and looked back to see Gwen pouring coffee to top up a customer’s cup. She looked up about that time almost as if sensing his gaze. They both smiled for a moment… then life began to move again.

… to be continued

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