Under The Mistletoe (John & Luke - Pt 2)

Chapter 9

John sat in the backseat of his parents' car and stared at the belt buckle all the way home. He forced his mind away from detrimental thoughts that made him feel sick to the stomach and caused panic in his heart—and imagined instead the look on Luke's face when he gave him the buckle, along with the declaration 'A promise is a promise'.

His throat hurt as it tried to close. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. They were supposed to be spending this time together in total orgasmic bliss—as Luke would call it. Don't you make me spend Christmas without you. If his worst fears came to life...John knew he would never celebrate Christmas again. He couldn't.

John laid his head back on the seat rest and closed his eyes as wetness seeped into his lashes. Please, God...

The radio volume turned up as a news broadcast came on, relaying details of an upcoming trial. John tuned it out until his dad asked him about it.

"Have you heard about this case, John?" Mitch glanced in the rearview mirror as John raised his head and wiped his eyes.

"No," John mumbled. His dad was a True Crime buff and followed any trial that came on the news.

"About the Greely brothers?"

John shook his head.

"Sad story, really," his dad murmured. And John listened to the distressing recount of 17 year old Shane Greely murdering his father after learning that his dad had been molesting his 12 year old little brother, Barry—who had committed suicide because of the abuse. Apparently the older brother had been abused as well, and had been hoping his dad wouldn't do the same to his little brother.

"Oh Mitch," Sharon shook her head. "That story breaks my heart."

It made John feel sick...and think of Luke. Maybe Luke's dad hadn't abused him that way, but he'd still damaged a part of Luke.

"The prosecution is trying to say that Barry's death was an accidental overdose," Mitch said. "And that there was no evidence of sexual abuse. They're charging Shane Greely with first degree murder, saying his father's murder was premeditated and had nothing to do with his little brother's untimely death."

"What do you think?" John murmured.

Mitch sighed. "If I had to say right now...I'd go with Shane Greely's story." He cleared his throat. "And apparently I'm not the only one. Some big name, hot shot defense attorney..." Mitch frowned. "I can't think of his name right off the top of my head...but he was so moved by Shane's story that he's taking the case pro bono. Coming out from L.A. to try the case in New York. And this is an attorney who typically charges astronomical fees. But the word is, he's worth it. He hasn't lost a case yet. So I'm thinking the guy knows his business, and can spot guilty from not-guilty a mile away. And if he believes in this kid enough to take him on for free—then I'm inclined to side with the Greely boy as well."

John laid his head back again and stared at the underside of the car roof. "Well, that was an uplifting story," he mumbled, his lips quirking. "I feel better now."

Mitch smiled and shook his head. "Smart alec." He reached out to turn the volume back down, then paused as the weather came on—and announced that the blizzard was breaking up, dissipating. "The storm's passing, son," Mitch said quietly, a glimmer of relief in his voice.

John sat forward, his heart beginning to pound, and listened to the broadcast. How long did he have to wait before he could reasonably expect word from Luke?

"Thank God," Sharon murmured and reached over, squeezing Mitch's hand. She glanced at John. "I have a good feeling, sweetheart. I'm sure Luke will be in touch as soon as he can."