by Bradon Nave
“Well, look at you,” Jared said as he walked up to examine the shocked little rabbit. “Looks like you rescued Mr. Hops, the luckiest damn rabbit in the world.” The small rabbit was lying on its side, panting heavily. The tail end of the small animal was slightly dampened, and there was a small amount of blood. From first glance, it appeared that any wounds were superficial, yet the small rabbit wouldn’t move. Johnny sat down in the grass beside the tool box and watched the rabbit, hoping with all he had that it would recover.
“The little guy is traumatized,” Jared said as he stood over Johnny with the basketball resting between his right forearm and his hip. “He’ll be okay once he figures his head out,” Jared continued as he squatted down next to Johnny.
Those words resounded loudly in Johnny’s mind, He’ll be okay once he figures his head out. How true that was. Everything would be okay somehow if Johnny could just figure his head out. Regardless of where he was or the surrounding circumstances, he would most certainly be able to endure if he didn’t suffer mental setbacks.
“Well, I don’t just wanna leave him out here while he’s like this,” Johnny said as he reached over and gently picked the rabbit up with his right hand. The exhausted rabbit offered no resistance as Johnny brought it closer to his chest and used his left hand to get up off the ground.
“Dude, I gotta old shoebox upstairs. Mr. Hops in the house! I’m gonna go grab that box,” Jared yelled back to Johnny as he began running toward the house.
By that time, Graye was walking to the barn to let the boys know that Jackson had called and was headed back with the pizza.
Johnny watched as Jared ran by her without acknowledgement.
She turned and watched as her son ran up the porch stairs and through the front door. She pursed her lips in curiosity as she continued walking toward the barn. Johnny was cradling the small animal with his right hand, holding the rabbit to his chest, and lightly petting it with his left. He wondered if she would disapprove of his heroic efforts.
“What do you have there?” Graye asked, smiling as she approached the boy.
“I guess his name is Mr. Hops,” Johnny answered, smiling. “You can thank your son for the name.” He was happy as he looked at the young rabbit, continuing to pet it lightly.
“What happened to Mr. Hops?” Graye asked as she moved closer for a better look.
“A bull snake had him. I couldn’t let it eat him. He’s too little. I think he just needs a little help, and he’ll be good to go.” Johnny moved his left hand so Graye could have a better look at the little creature.
“Johnny, that is very kind of you. This little fella has no idea how lucky he is.” Graye smiled at the rabbit, but Johnny was sure he noted a hesitant look of apprehension about the woman’s face as she eyed the small varmint.
“Oh, I bet he does, ma’am. I bet he’s said thank you a million times and I just don’t hear it,” Johnny said as he began petting the rabbit again.
“Johnny, I’m glad to have you here. I just want you to know that,” Graye said as she looked at the boy, who was now looking at her too.
“Thank you, ma’am. I’m real thankful you guys have been so nice. I want you to know I really do appreciate you feedin’ me and letting me stay here last night,” Johnny said as Graye began to smile.
“I know you do, Johnny. You’re a very sweet boy.” Graye reached out and placed her hand lovingly on the boy’s shoulder.
“Here’s that box!” Jared yelled out as he came running up to his mother and Johnny.
Chapter Twelve
Duty Call
Graye
Graye was loving every minute of it. She and Bryce were upstairs trying out a new recipe she found for no-bake cookies while the guys were downstairs enjoying their impromptu pizza and video game party. The kitchen was cluttered with oats, cocoa, almond pieces, and other various ingredients scattered about the countertop.
The basement stairs were on the opposite side of the kitchen, across from the laundry room. Graye could hear all the ridiculous ramblings from below. She loved listening to the boisterous laughter and the funny banter that took place among a group of guys. There was no doubt about it; they were having a great time.
“Is Mr. Hops gonna be better tomorrow?” asked little Bryce.
Mr. Hops was currently residing in the laundry room in the shoebox. Graye and Jared helped Johnny fashion a makeshift haven for the small animal. The laundry door was shut so the rabbit was not subjected to the constant ruckus from the guys downstairs.
“I’m sure Mr. Hops will be just fine,” Graye replied as she handed Bryce a chocolate wooden spoon to lick. Graye was moved by Johnny’s desire to help the small animal. She thought it was sweet that he wanted to care for it. She had made up her mind after talking to Jackson that she was going to give him the clothing items she purchased him. This was partly because she had washed the clothes the boy had brought in the filthy book bag, and she had placed them neatly in a black trash sack in the garage.
Jackson emerged at the top of the stairs and stepped into the kitchen wearing his plaid pajama pants and a gray t-shirt.
“Hey, hun, you having fun playing with the kids?” Graye asked sarcastically as Bryce continued to lick the wooden spoon her mother have given her.
“A blast. How’s Hops?” Jackson was smiling as he walked to the sink to get a glass of water.
“He is just dandy. I’m sure he is ready to be free and happy,” Graye replied as she walked behind her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him from behind. Jackson reached for cabinet door and opened it.
“So, what are you thinking?” Jackson asked his wife as he reached for a glass.
“Well, a lot,” Graye replied. Her face was pressed against the back of Jackson’s shirt, so her response was rather muffled. She released her husband, exhaled forcefully, and walked briskly to the laundry room, opening the door. She anticipated her husband to follow so that they might converse in private while little Bryce was preoccupied with her spoon.
The man walked in with a peculiar look on his face, clearly wondering what his wife was going to say.
“I am afraid I’m getting too attached, I’m afraid we’re sending him mixed signals, then there’s this crazy side of me that—well, Jackson, we barely know the kid, but I just feel this overwhelming responsibility for his well-being.” Graye had her arms crossed, staring at her husband, as she searched his facial expression for some reassurance or an answer.
“You’re so beautiful. Even in pajamas with your hair all messy. You’re just so damn perfect,” Jackson replied.
“Jackson. Hello,” Graye snapped, clearly anticipating an entirely different response.
“I think we should take it day by day. I don’t know what to think, actually. I like the kid. I’ve liked having him here. I know Jared dang sure likes him. I just wish we knew more about him,” Jackson said as he gave his wife a half smile.
“I just…I heard him and Bryce talking today—”
“Wait, do you trust him with Bryce?” Jackson asked his wife in a serious tone.
Totally taken aback by the question, Graye looked at her husband completely bewildered as to why he would even ask. “Yes. Yes of course I do. It’s…its strange because I hardly know him, but I feel like I trust him with everyone, if that makes any sense at all.” Graye said as she stared at her dryer.
“Yes, it does. It makes perfect sense. That’s why I’m saying we should just take it day by day,” Jackson said as he lifted his wife’s chin with his right hand.
“That’s what is bothering me, Jackson,” Graye replied as she looked at her husband. “Do you have any idea how scared he must be? He has no clue if we are going drop him off somewhere tomorrow, or if he is going to have a place to sleep a week from now. The…well, just the amount of stress that entails is just unfathomable for a kid that age. If it were Jared—” Graye stopped speaking as she felt her eyes swell with tears.
“I get it, babe. I didn’t know what you
were thinking completely, and I didn’t know how to bring it up. It’s all happened so quickly. And no, we don’t know him that well yet, but it has only been one day, and why would he open up to us if he thinks this is temporary?” Jackson asked as he looked at his wife, who was beginning to smile. They could still hear the two boys’ laughter from the basement. “Let’s try it out. He can work with Jared out here. We can clean out the room he’s staying in, and we’ll see how it works out. If it doesn’t work we have options, but there’s no harm in trying it out,” Jackson said as he pulled his wife in for a hug.
“I never thought in a million years I would be open to taking a homeless, bus-stop boy into my house a day after my husband brought him home.” Graye welcomed her husband’s embrace. He smelled of bath soap, laundry detergent, and deodorant. She inhaled deeply through her nostrils as she felt an uncontrollable smile fall across her face.
“So, we can keep him?” Jackson asked, chuckling, as he began to sway slightly back and forth with Graye in his arms.
“Um, he’s not a dog,” a little voice chimed in from just outside the laundry room door as Bryce poked her head around the doorframe with a chocolate smile.
The couple began to laugh. It was settled. At least for the time being, Johnny had a roof over his head.
Chapter Thirteen
Release
The sun arose shyly over the far horizon, as if for some reason it wasn’t quite ready to begin its daily task of lighting the world. Red and orange clouds provided cover as it finally peeked through and blessed the Louisiana farmhouse.
Graye had pried open the guestroom door slightly to see if Johnny had woke yet. The boy was still sleeping as the sun began to peek through his opened window. She wondered why he had opened it. The cool air from the air conditioner must have freely escaped through the window the entire night.
Johnny was a very handsome boy. Not the kind of handsome one would have to search for, the kind of handsome that most everyone could agree upon. There was so much mystery yet to be unmasked. His scruffy face and messy dark brown hair seemed to compliment the sleeping boy’s olive complexion in the natural light.
It was then that it struck her. She, her husband, and her children were but a chapter in this boy’s tragedy; his story, however, was still being written. She and her husband’s decisions and actions could determine the outcome of this young man’s future. It was as if the pen that was writing Johnny’s story was now in their hands. She was happy he was there. She understood that learning of his past and why he was running was now a priority if he were going to stay permanently.
She knew that not every day would be a day of basketball and pizza parties, and when he began to face his demons he would need monumental support. She also knew that she and Jackson both were jointly coming to the mutual decision that they were ready to make an impact in this young man’s life, regardless of the challenges associated with it. Smiling, she took one last look at the sleeping boy and closed his door. She imagined the look on the boy’s face when he received the news this evening that he would not be needing the assistance of the salvation place he had spoken of, anytime soon.
***
Johnny
As the door closed, Johnny opened his eyes. He lifted his hand to block the early morning sun’s intrusiveness. Even at this early hour, Johnny could tell this day was going to be a good one. He slept the entire night without a single nightmare. There were no cold sweats, no palpitations, and Johnny knew exactly where he was at as he rolled on his side and smiled sleepily.
Suddenly, a small rush of euphoria rushed through him as he sprang from the bed. He had almost forgotten completely about Mr. Hops. He headed for the bedroom door in anticipation of learning the fate of the small animal. He opened the door and walked quickly toward the staircase.
There was only natural light lighting the house at this point. Jackson had been gone for a few hours already, Graye was nowhere to be seen, and both the other kids were sleeping in. It was only seven thirty-eight, but Johnny was excited to see if the rabbit had improved. He raced down the stairs and nearly slipped off the last stair of the case. His socks were slick on the stairs and hardwood floors. He walked quickly through the living room and kitchen to the laundry room.
As he opened the door he saw the box sitting on the washing machine. Please don’t be dead, please don’t be dead, the boy thought to himself as his heart raced and he walked toward the shoebox. Taking a deep breath, he placed both hands on the box and opened it. There, inside, was a bright-eyed, fat, little rabbit, about the size of a baseball, sitting contently in the corner of the box. Prior to Johnny’s interruption, the rabbit had been chewing on the lettuce they had provided it the night before.
Johnny smiled in relief as he reached his hand down slowly to the small animal. As he got close, the rabbit lunged slightly at Johnny, causing him to jerk his hand back. The boy began to laugh. “Hey there, little fella, no need for attitude this early in the morning,” he said, smiling at the cranky rabbit.
“They can be feisty, can’t they, sweetie?” Graye asked as she walked up behind the boy smiling, and still in her royal-blue house robe.
Johnny turned around, happy to see someone else awake. “I think he’s ready to head back home,” the boy said as Graye put her arms out, embracing him in a hug.
“Good morning, sweetie. Yes, I’m sure he’s ready to get out of that box,” the woman said as she turned and walked toward the coffee pot on the kitchen counter.
Johnny stood motionless—dumbfounded. He had not been hugged by an adult since his mother left him. He felt warm inside and began to smile.
“You think the dogs will bother him if I take him out now?” Johnny asked.
“Oh, they’re put up at night in the barn. They like to roam after the sun goes down, and we got tired of the phone calls from annoyed neighbors six miles up the road.”
Johnny turned and closed the box. He carefully picked it up with both hands and began walking from the kitchen.
“I’ll start breakfast here in a little bit, Johnny,” Graye announced as he exited the kitchen.
“Thank you, Graye. I am pretty hungry,” the teen replied.
He exited the house through the front door and went down the porch stairs.
***
Graye
Graye watched him as he came into view from the kitchen window. The boy began walking in the direction of the stable. She was happy the rabbit had survived the night. She loved that it made the boy so happy.
“Um, where’s my breakfast, mommaroo?” a sleepy, shirtless, bed-headed Jared asked as he entered the kitchen. He yawned loudly and hugged his mother.
“Hey now, young man, I was just telling Johnny I was about to start it up,” she said as she hugged her son tightly.
“Where is he? I thought he was still in bed?” Jared asked as Graye turned from him and grabbed her coffee cup.
“He is releasing Mr. Hops out by the horse stables.”
“Awesome,” Jared replied as he looked at Graye with a solemn look on his face. “Mom, are you and Dad going to take him to the Grace House?”
Graye turned her back to Jared and inhaled deeply, letting it out slow.
“It’s a complicated situation, Jared, but no. Your dad and I are going to offer him a room upstairs while he finishes school.” Graye placed her coffee cup in the sink and looked out the window. Before she even completed the sentence, Jared was flashing a huge smile. “That is, of course, if that is okay with you and B, and if he even wants to stay here with you two crazies,” the woman said as she turned to her son just as Jared put his arms out and walked to his mother to hug her.
“That’s awesome. You guys are awesome. That is seriously awesome,” the boy said excitedly as he hugged his mother.
“I think so too, son.” The woman embraced him back, and then pushed away, looking at the boy’s face.
“Not a word to him or your sister until your father and I speak with him first. There will be gr
ound rules that he will be expected to follow, just like you and B,” she said sternly as Jared quickly released her and turned for the front door.
“Yea, yea, I’m gonna go watch the release!” Jared ran for the door happily, hoping he didn’t miss the grand release of the small cottontail.
“I’m serious! Not a single word!” Graye hollered at her boy as she smiled and walked toward the refrigerator.
Chapter Fourteen
An Invitation
Jackson
“Between what I bought him and the clothes that Jared provided, I’d say he’s going to be set up pretty well,” Graye said to her husband.
Jackson looked appreciatively at his wife. He was thankful for her secretive efforts as the woman had changed out the bedding in the spare room to something more masculine and moved the boy’s clothes into the room without being noticed. She had taken the painting of the woman down, and Jackson had moved the remainder of the heartworm medication into the second spare bedroom. Johnny’s new clothes were placed on his bed, and the clothes that Jared had provided were hanging in the closet. Both Graye and Jackson were excited by the idea of inviting him into their home on a long-term basis. The couple had decided the best way to extend the invite was not to embark on a dramatic family meeting; rather, the couple felt a subtle invite with a twist would be less awkward for the boy.
“Are you nervous?” Graye asked.
Jackson inhaled deeply, glancing at his wife. “No. I think this is the right thing. I really do. The only time I question it is when I say it out loud because it sounds bat shit crazy.” He knew that would make his wife smile. She hugged him as he kissed the top of her head. “I’m going to call him up.”
Just as the boys were wrapping up the final basketball game of the evening, Jackson summoned Johnny to the porch.
