The Creek

Saturday 6/26/99 @ 1:50 AM

    Will looking at Bart quietly says, "Bart, you got to give him a
chance. What if he really wants to change?"
    "You didn't have to listen to him." Will is making Bart feel guilty,
when it's Zack who's the problem. "He said things about people like us,
like me and you."
    "Bart, stop it." He remembers Zack asking him if he knew how Bart
felt about him. It sounded like he was trying to protect Bart. Will was
actually feeling sort of sorry for Zack. "If he wanted to get us in
trouble he could've done that already. Bart, you don't have to welcome
him with open arms, but  don't sick the dogs on him either."
    "You know what hurts too, Bart? It hurts when you haven't seen your
brother for eight fucking months. And why? Cause your parents kicked him
out because was just like you." I really miss Ted. ...  "You got to take
a chance."
     How can I, Bart thought. Deep down inside, Zack hates me, I know
it.
     "What are you going to do, if he stops trying. Shit, I remember
being jealous of Zack because you were always with him. ... He's your
brother damn it! ... Say  something, Bart"
     "Will, if you want me to, I'll try. But only because of you."
Bart's still unconvinced, ... but what if Will is right. He turns to
Will, "Come on. I'm pretty sure I know where he went. ... Put your shoes
on first. ... We can go talk to him." They grab their sneakers, and
throw on some t-shirts, then head down to the creek.
      "Will, can you please let me do the talkin? Sometimes ...  you 're
too nice for your own good."

     It's what I should have expected. Thought Zack. He was sitting on
the grass with his back leaning back against the old log. The moonlight,
has drained the stars of their splendor, and with the breeze caused the
shadows from the trees to dance in the ground. While the sound the water
in the creek, made it seem so calm and peaceful. That's why it was
Zack's special place. It was like being in church, only better. It was a
place you could laugh and talk and think.
    He had calmed down. The crazy thing was that when he remembered the
two of them sleeping in the screen house, holding each other, it seemed
so  'right' whatever that means. Bart was in love. Shit, he's only a
year younger than me, but he seems a lot younger and older too. Damn it,
he's already a man, and I keep treating him like a little 8 year old.
Somehow Zack knows that Bart will always be his little brother, this
isn't something you grow out of.
     Then there's Will. Shit I've known him for ten years. I can't think
of Bart without seeing Will tagging along. A couple years ago, Bart,
Will and Zack were horsing around climbing in the trees when Will fell
out. He got hurt - broke his arm in fact. Bart practically jumped past
me to get to him. Will put on such a brave face. He had the same kind of
face tonight when I asked him if he knew how Bart felt about him. At
least they have each other.

     Coming over the small rise, that kept the creek hidden from view,
Bart and Will walked slowly through the fields. Will asked Bart, "Are
you sure he's gonna be there?"
     "Yeah, its our spot. Anyway he didn't go into the house, the light
was still on in our room. An his pick-up was parked. ... I know my
brother. He's there."
     Their voices carried over to where Zack was sitting. He was
wondering what they wanted now. Don't they know how hard this is?
      "Zack - Zack is that you?"
      "I'm over by the log. What ya want?"
      Bart went over to him, sitting down, at Zack's right hand, in his
old spot, as kids they each claimed their own 'spots'. Bart started,
"Zack, I want ... I want to apologize for the screen house and
everything. ... It's just I was so worried about Will, that ... I want
you to know that I do appreciate you trying to warn us."
       "It's all..."
       "Wait, I'm not done." By this time, Will is sitting next to Bart,
close enough for his whole side of him to be touching Bart's. Without
thinking about it, Bart grabbed for Will's hand. "I was a jerk. I tell
you that we're gonna have a truce, and what do I do but act like I
can't  trust you. You gotta remember that this is hard on me too. Years
of reflexes and shit, ..."
      Will's never been prouder of Bart than now. Squeezing his hand, he
tries to give Bart encouragement. He knows that this is really difficult
for Bart, but he is trying. He wants to add his own comments, but knows
that he has to let them talk it out.
      Feeling a hell of lot better, Zack responds "Bart, thank you,
thank you very much. I know I have made this hard on you. If someone
would threaten Shelley, I'd act the same way. ... I... I, also want to
say, ... you couldn't picked a better ... guy. ... You know I always
thought of Will as though you two were joined at the hip. ... and, Will,
... welcome home." Suddenly aware he was getting painfully close to
sentimentality, Zack stood up. "Well, we better get back." He reached
down and offered each a hand to help them up. Bart and Will each grabbed
a hand, and Zack pulled them to their feet.
      "You gotta come back to the screen house with us, the couch is
still open you know, and you're used to the lumps." Bart said as they
started back. Will finally added, "Yeah, it'll be great, just like we
used to."

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