All in the Family by Taft Sowder

then threw the stick into the water. He grabbed Tommy’s magazine and candy bar wrapper and hiked to the top of the hill that Robert had jumped him from. He turned and took one final look at the bully who had once been such a threat to him. In the fading light, he was a crumpled heap on the ground. Bobby sighed, his warm breath turning to a visible mist in cool October air. He shifted his backpack and pulled his thin jacket close around him and trotted off toward home.
    A cool wind blew across the bloodied face of Robert Gashnaw. His chest moved as shallow breath came from his mouth. The pain was intense during the beating, now he barely felt anything. He saw nothing thanks to the blood in his eyes and swelling. It wouldn’t have done much good anyway; it was hard to see anything when one drifted in and out of consciousness. The bleeding continued, and his breathing became softer and softer. His muscles tensed. He stopped breathing.
    A car drove by moments later on the road, not far from the stream. The tires spit small pebbles over the hill. The subtle exhaust note hummed as the car continued on its way.
    Mister Fairfield looked at his passenger. God she was sexy, and he had just had her on her knees. He shook his head, smiling unintentionally.
    She could feel his eyes on her. It might nauseate other young women, but this would be worth it. A blowjob a month to get a passing grade, this would be the easiest A she had ever gotten.
    “Just ahead on the right.” She pointed. Her fake-fur lined jacket hugged her arm. Her legs were cold, but she loved to dress the part. It was about time to put the skirts away and have her father get her winter clothes out of the attic.
    The car pulled up at the curb where the police car had been parked just hours earlier.
    “Thanks for the ride,” she said, looking at him with her big sparkly eyes.
    “Maybe you could return the favor one day,” he replied with a perverted smile. She returned his smile, but with no enthusiasm. She stepped out of the car and waved with her fingers at him. As she stepped out, the front door of the house opened. Loretta stood in the doorway, arms crossed over her breasts.
    “Where have you been young lady? Where is your brother?” She tapped her foot.
    “Mom, this is Mister Fairfield, my history teacher from school. He gave me a ride home.” Mister Fairfield leaned across the front seat and waved. Loretta returned his friendly gesture. Jessica shut the door and crossed the lawn to the front porch.
    “Not a bad looking man,” Loretta said, “but isn’t he a little old for you?” Jessica rolled her eyes as she stepped past her mom.
    “I haven’t seen Bobby either.”
    Her mother nodded. “I hope he gets home soon, you’re father isn’t here either.
    “Great, what’s for dinner?”
    “Let’s find out, shall we?” Loretta turned and put her arm around Jessica as she shut the door. The two sauntered together into the kitchen.
    * * * *
    Bobby stood at the back of his house. He was dirty and bloodied. Blood spatter covered his jacket and spotted his face.
    He looked for a way to get inside quietly without his mother finding out where he had been or seeing him like this. The left hand basement window sat slightly ajar. “Yes.” He clenched his fists and looked up into the darkening sky.
    The basement was dark. It smelled, musty, but now a new scent wafted toward him a heavy scent that hung in the air overtop the other smells. He knew the scent, but he couldn’t place it.
    He felt around in the dark, stumbling over objects in the way on the floor. He had to find a light; he had to clean the blood off at least. He clutched at the darkness; he knew that pull-string was there, all he had to do was find it. His fingers found the string dangling in space and he tugged on it. His eyes adjusted, and what he saw disturbed him. What he saw literally made his bladder lose control.
    Chapter Five
    There Bobby stood, staring at his father’s back, the kind