Surviving

Chapter 3-4

“When I thought of Denver, I pictured nice weather, not a sauna,” Terry grumbled, wiping sweat off his forehead. “It wasn’t this hot yesterday.”

Rudy laughed. “That’s Denver. If you don’t like the weather, wait a day.”

“So tomorrow it’ll be cooler?”

“I didn’t exactly say that. Yesterday was an…what’s the word? Anomaly? It’s been hot like this for most of the last week.”

“Damn. We should be getting change just for the pity factor that we’re out here trying—and melting in the process.” Terry looked at the money in the paper cup in front of him. “Isn’t working though.”

“Everyone’s dashing to the nearest air conditioned shop or restaurant.” Rudy looked him over then said, “Be careful of the sun. You’re already a nice shade of pink on your arms and face.”

“I never really had that problem at…where I came from.”

“Flatlander?” Rudy asked with a grin.

“I suppose.”

“Let me guess. Nebraska? Iowa? Maybe Kansas?”

Terry smiled. “One of those.”

“But you’re not saying which one. That’s okay. I get why not. You don’t know me well enough to trust me yet.”

“I…okay, I trust you so far, but we’ve known each other less than a day and I don’t want to take any chances that the bastard will find us. Especially Kel. He could drag him back home since he’s not eighteen yet.”

“I understand.” Rudy looked as if he did, and that he didn’t like it. Jumping to his feet, he said, “Let’s find another spot. This one sucks.”

After pocketing the bit of change he’d made, Terry joined him. “Look, I didn’t mean to piss you off,” he said quietly.

“You didn’t,” Rudy responded, staring straight ahead.

“Yeah, I did. I just have to watch out for Kel. Me…I can take care of myself when it comes down to it.”

“Yeah, I saw how well you’ve done that.”

“Meaning?”

“Your back. It looks like something from a medieval torture dungeon.”

“Like I said last night, things could have been worse. At least I’m alive, and Kel’s not messed up like me.” He stopped walking, staring down at the pavement, remembering the last beating. The one that precipitated the decision to leave.

Obviously it took Rudy a minute to realize he wasn’t beside him anymore but he finally turned to look back. “What’s wrong?”

Terry shook his head. “Nothing. Just…” He shrugged.

Coming back to him, Rudy said softly, “Tell me.”

“Dad was as drunk as I think I’ve ever seen him,” Terry blurted out. “He’d been out celebrating his birthday. With his drinking buddies. I guess he didn’t like realizing he was getting older, because when he came home we could hear him staggering up the stairs, swearing as he did about how he was as good as he had been in his youth, and stuff like that.. I told Kel to hide in his closet. Then I waited. I knew what could happen. Would happen. I’d have run but I wasn’t about to leave Kel there on his own. So…” He shuddered. “He finally stopped whipping me, staggered to bed, and passed out. Kel came in and I told him we were getting out of there for good. We did. We have.”

“And you are not going back. Either of you. Not if I can help it,” Rudy said adamantly, putting his arm around Terry’s shoulders.

“Thanks for saying that, even if it was only to make me feel better.”

“It was the truth. I’ll…we’ll make sure you’re safe. Both of you.”

Terry realized he’d teared up and wiped his hand over his eyes. “We’d better, umm, find that new spot you were talking about.”

“Yeah, guess we should.” Rudy looked around and pointed. “How about there. It’s in shade and no one’s taken it yet. Probably,” he grinned, “because the place pipes out classical music and most kids will be damned if they’re going to sit there and listen to it. It’s the restaurant’s way of keep us homeless away from the customers.”

“Won’t work with us though,” Terry said with a weak grin.

“Not in this lifetime.”