Free DECEPTION - A Family Affair by Michele Lee

behave.  “Alex, was it those two boys I asked about today?”
    Ignoring her question infuriated her.  She cannot let them get away with this.  “Alex, I need to know what happened to you.  They did a pretty good job on you.” 
    “It was the two boys from the funeral their names are James and Jack.  They are cousins.  They followed me after school and once we were away from the school they pushed me down and started punching and kicking me calling me a snitch.  They saw me go into your office today.”
    “Oh Alex, what do you know that has them scared to think you snitched on them?”
    “I don’t want to talk about it right now my head hurts.”
    “Where else does it hurt?  I don’t like the look of your right eye.  We need to call your dad; you need to be seen by a doctor.”
    “No, I came here for your help my dad is at the hospital and I don’t want to upset him.”
    “Alright then let’s call your uncle Marco.  I have to contact someone from your family, you could have a concussion.”
    “Okay then you can call my uncle but not my dad.”
    “Do you have his number?  Here is my cell phone just dial it for me.” 
    When he passed the phone back to her she left him alone in her kitchen and walked over to the living room so she can speak in private.  “Hello, Marco speaking.”
    “Hi Marco, it’s Marisol, um I have Alex here with me.”  Feeling nervous she caught herself stuttering.
    “Marisol?  Is everything okay?  What’s going on?”
    “He was beat up by two boys after school, and they did a job on him.  He ended up coming straight to my house for help.  I cleaned him up a bit but he needs to be seen by a doctor.  He asked that I call you instead of his dad.”
    “Who did this?  I want names, this is outrageous.  Did you call the cops?”  Anger radiated through the phone causing her heart to beat fast in apprehension.
    “Marco, please calm down right now we need to take care of Alex first and we’ll get answers afterwards.  We can speak with the police once we get to the hospital.”
    “Okay, you’re right; I’m sorry it’s just my blood is boiling right now.  Please stay put.   I’ll be there in ten minutes so be ready.”
    “We’ll be here waiting.”
    In matter of minutes Marco’s car pulled into the drive way and the three of them sped straight to the hospital located a couple towns away.  Marisol sat in the back with Alex where he rested his head on her lap as she smoothed his hair back.  She kept talking to him so he wouldn’t fall asleep.  Telling him funny stories of his dad growing up and couldn’t resist the skunk story.  Surprised by the revelation since he didn’t know they were friends.  Marco kept looking in his rear-view mirror and started to reminisce as if her stories were just the other day.  A smile raided his face and won the battle.  She had a way of turning an unpleasant situation into a soothing one.  His thoughts drifted on what a great mother she would be one day and how she has all the qualities of what he desires in a wife.  Jeez he needed to get a grip and stop going down that path.  He tried to stay away from her but the gods keep circumventing his efforts. 
    “Tio, do we have to tell Papi?”  Alex asked feeling panicky all of a sudden.
    Shaken from his thoughts Marco refocused on his nephew.  “Alex, as much as I would like to honor your request, this is something we cannot keep from your father even if we wanted to.  Plus the fact you should never keep secrets from your father especially something this important.”
    “I know you are right; I just don’t want to worry him.  He is not going to be happy about this.”
    “No he’s not and neither am I.  We need answers Alex, without them we can’t protect you or fix whatever it is that is going on here.” 
    Marisol could see the war that Alex was battling in his head.  He just stared upwards not looking at anything in particular.  She was relieved to