Page 12 of Cole

The deputy fell silent after that, and they drove the rest of the way without speaking. Henry was relieved because he wasn’t ready to discuss things that still hurt so badly. And he wasn’t ready for a new friend.

When they pulled up to the house, his dad’s truck was parked out front. Henry didn’t know why his dad was home from work or why he’d sent the deputy to pick him up from school. Tension twisted in his gut as he climbed out of the Bronco and walked into the house, followed by Deputy Roland.

Daniel Pruett sat at the kitchen table, waiting for them. Henry placed his bookbag on one of the chairs but didn’t sit down. His hands flexed as he waited for his dad to speak.

Clearing his throat, Daniel gestured for Henry to sit. “I’m taking you out of school. For good.”

Stunned, Henry whispered, “Why?”

“You’re going to be homeschooled from now on,” his dad replied. “The skills you need to get along in life can’t be taught in school. I’ll teach you what you need to know.”

Henry didn’t understand; he couldn’t imagine his dad as a teacher. Would he hire a tutor for Henry? “What… what can’t I learn in school?”

“Important stuff.” His dad leaned forward on his elbows and steepled his fingers as he studied Henry with a look that made the boy squirm. “You’re a special boy, Henry,” he murmured. “I have big plans for you. There is so much I want to teach you, and I am confident you will excel.” A shadow of disappointment passed through his dad’s eyes. “Unlike some.” He looked at Roland. “You can go, deputy.”

Henry glanced at Deputy Roland, wishing he would stay. Being alone with his dad wasn't easy for Henry, especially now that Ezra was gone. The deputy shared a stiff nod with the Sheriff and then flashed a warm smile at Henry, giving him a reassuring look that said he was there for him if he ever needed a friend. Then he was gone. The front door banged closed, and a moment later, the deputy’s Bronco pulled out of the drive.

You’re a special boy. Henry was shocked by his father’s words. He had never felt “special” to his dad before; he felt that way toward his mom, but never his dad. It wasn’t until after his mom passed away that his father began to pay more attention to him. This newfound focus left Henry feeling uneasy. He longed for his mom, whose affection had provided him comfort and a sense of security. His father’s attention didn’t offer the same reassurance.

Daniel left the table and went to the fridge. He grabbed two cans of beer and returned to the table, placing one can before Henry. The boy stared at it, confused. Daniel opened his beer and sat down. “Go on,” he told Henry. “You’re a man now, and men drink beer.”

“I’m… I’m a man?” At thirteen, Henry didn’t feel like a man. And he didn’t want to drink beer. He’d taken a sip from one of his dad’s discarded cans once and found it bitter and gross.

“Age doesn’t define a man,” his dad conveyed. “It’s what’s in here.” He pointed to his head. “You are a bright and mature kid. You grasp life better than many adults. That's what makes you a man.” His gaze sharpened. “Your mother, may she rest in peace, was keeping you a child. She was a remarkable woman, but she prevented you from growing up and transitioning from a boy to a man. I know her loss is painful—it pains me too—but at least something good has come from it.”

What good? Henry felt nothing positive had come from his mom’s death. There was nothing “good” about her being gone. She had treated him like a kid because he was a kid. She wasn’t hindering his growth—she was allowing him to develop at a normal pace.

Suddenly, his dad expected him to be an adult—a man? Henry didn’t know how to be a man.

“I don’t want to upset you,” his dad continued, “but maybe…” He sighed. “Maybe it’s best that Ezra moved away as well.”

“What?” Henry looked at him, shocked. How could he say that? How could he think any good had come from losing his mom and Ezra? How was this better for him?

“I know you cared deeply for Ezra,” his dad said. “But deeply emotional relationships, they…” A troubled look crept over his face, and his voice dropped. “… they distract you from your purpose.”

“Purpose?” Henry asked uncertainly; What was his dad talking about?

Daniel blinked, and the troubled expression vanished. “Purpose. Life calling. What you are meant to achieve in this life. Emotions can often derail you.” He sighed heavily. “I don't mean to criticize your mother, it wasn’t her fault, but she threw me off my course long ago. I was on my path… until I met her. For nearly fourteen years, she distracted me. I’ll miss her, but now it’s time to refocus.” A strange smile played on his lips. “And you’re going to assist me, son.”

“Was Ezra your first boyfriend?” Dane asked quietly.

Cole nodded, tears in his eyes.

“Why did he move away?”

Hanging his head, Cole pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes. “He didn’t,” he choked. “My dad… he… killed his foster parents.”

Dane tensed beside him. “What…”

“He told me… today. Hedescribedwhat he did to them.”

“And… Ezra?” Dane whispered shakily.

Cole shook his head, shoving harder against his eyes. “I don’t know,” he whimpered. “He wouldn’t tell me. I-I don’t think he killed him… not right away.” Cole choked on a sob. “But keeping him alive… it wasn’t an act of mercy… I can’t think about it… I can’t think about what he did to Ezra… how long he… tortured him before...” Cole shifted his hands to the back of his neck and gripped tightly. “…killinghim.”

CHAPTER 4: POWER IN THE BLOOD

“Mr. Smith, please stop—don’t do that!”

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