Free Keeping the Tarnished by Bradon Nave

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