Sherrys Sanctuary Ch 06

As always, I want to thank Gamblinluck and CurrentParameter for all their help and putting up with my constant e-mails trying to fact check their stories. Also, I want to give Lurker04 a big thank you for carefully proofing what I have written so far, catching many mistakes I have made, and providing a lot of interesting suggestions for future chapters.

Chapter 6- Come together

As I returned to my room, I thought about what had happened today. I thought about the beatings I had witnessed. I thought about everything Ellie and Simon said to me. I thought about the evil grin on my father's face. That grin! At the time of the beatings, I had realized it was the same grin he had when he backed down on selling Ellie. I hadn't taken the time to really think about what that meant, but now I did.

Why the same grin in such different situations? When he was beating Ellie, the grin made sense. He enjoyed hurting her, the ultimate display of his beloved "power". But based on what Ellie and Simon said, it wasn't just the beating. He was also grinning because he was using a new tool to mold me.

That was the connection. That second day when I begged him to keep Ellie, he had realized that I already had a connection to her. We thought Sherry's argument convinced him and that was why he backed down. But Sherry's argument had no effect on the outcome. He didn't back down because he lost an argument. He backed down because he had found a new tool. He had seen I was already starting to care for Ellie. He had discovered another way to exert his power over me. He was grinning because he was already planning to do this.

Holy shit! Within 24 of hours of Ellie and Simon arriving, he was already planning on beating them to teach me a lesson. WHAT A SADISTIC ASSHOLE! I had been feeling guilty all afternoon, but now I was mad. No, I was pissed. The bastard had used me as an excuse just as much as he had used Ellie and Simon. He got to take his aggression out on a slave, while also "molding" me. It was a win-win for him.

Jesus, what kind of person thinks like that? Ellie was right, I needed to talk to Sherry. It was about eight, so I knew she should be out of classes by now. Dialing her number, I tried to calm myself.

"Hey, Little Brother. What's up?" Sherry picked up cheerily.

"I need to talk."

There must have been something in my voice because she immediately asked, "What did he do?"

I spent the next fifteen minutes going over everything that had happened that afternoon and evening. I was crying by the time I finished, but it was more from anger and frustration. Sherry, to her credit, listened silently throughout, never interrupting, never asking questions. When she started talking again, it was obvious she was not happy.

"Fuck me running! Jesus, I don't even know where to begin with all that. Actually, I do. Claude, I know you are upset. I can't even imagine what you are feeling right now."

I told her right now I'm pissed. I told her I wanted to call the cops when he went to the club and get him arrested for drunk driving. Let him see what it was like to be someone's slave.

"And you have every right to be pissed. What Dad just did was unforgivable. But getting him arrested wouldn't do any good. He'd have his lawyers get him off, get even more pissed, and take it out on Simon and Ellie."

I agreed, with both sentiments, and for the first time said out loud that he was dead to me.

"I know," she replied sadly, "and I can't blame you for feeling that way. You can't blame yourself for it either. In fact, you mustn't blame yourself for anything that has happened or how you feel about it. Ellie and Simon are right. This is just a game to him, and he is using them, and you, as pieces on the chessboard.

"Goddammit! This is ramping up too fast. Even with graduating early, I still have the Fall semester before I move back. That's another seven months. Ok, I only have one class on Friday, and I can miss it. I can drive down tomorrow after my last class. Let's see, it should end by two, so I can be there by about four or five. Any chance you can find an excuse to stay late at school tomorrow, say to around six?"

I told her I can tell him that Kenny and I are working on project.

"Good, set that up. You know I'm thinking that if you are ok with it, you should bring Kenny up to date on all this. He's a good friend to you, and you can use the support."

"I don't know if it's fair to drag Kenny into my problems. He has a lot going on at home himself. It's not like he could do anything," I said glumly.

"Bullshit! Claude, stop thinking of all this as something you need help fixing. I'm not suggesting you bring Kenny in to help you solve all the crap that is going on. I suggesting you bring Kenny in as someone to help you survive this. Remember what Mom told me about us helping each other grow? This is the same thing. You and Kenny are both going through a lot of shit right now. You could both use a friend to help deal with it. Not fix, not solve, just deal.

"Besides, it would be fun to have him around more, he cracks me up," she finished up.

I was a little shocked with the last statement. I didn't think she even knew my friends, let alone knew them well enough to have an opinion. I asked her about it.

"Kenny has been by your side since you were seven. He's about the only one you ever really hung out with. Sure, he's a smart-ass who runs his mouth too much, but I must admit he never fails to make me laugh. And the fact that he is not from the 'upper caste' really pisses Dad off. It's even worse for Dad, because Kenny never appears to give a shit what Dad thinks of him. It could throw a monkey wrench in whatever Dad has planned next."

It made sense. Kenny was my best friend, maybe my only real friend. He had shared a lot of what he was going through at home with me, so maybe I could trust him with what I was going through. I didn't want to pull him in as a tool like my father had done to us, though. But really, knowing Kenny, he would want to jump right in the middle, just because it would be fun to him. I told Sherry I would call him after this and set something up for tomorrow.

"Then we have a short-term plan. Is Simon still picking you up from school?"

I told her yes.

"Then let everyone know you will be staying late tomorrow. Have Simon pick you up at six. That should give me enough time to have a short visit with Ellie and Simon, before I confront Dad. Be prepared, you are probably going to be walking into shitstorm. He won't be happy with what I'm going to say."

I quickly told her not to antagonize him and put herself in the line of fire.

"I already am. Don't worry. I knew something big was going to happen. I wasn't expecting it to go straight to beatings, but I knew he was planning something. I have a nice long drive tomorrow to plan what I am going to say. Plus, if you bring Kenny over for supper tomorrow, Dad will shut up. He would hate to air dirty laundry in front of someone from Kenny's 'station'. You two are my safety net."

I laughed at that. Kenny would love it, too.

"Go call Kenny, let him in on what's been happening, and set everything up. I'll be down tomorrow. I love you, Little Brother." I told her thanks, and I loved her too.

Feeling a little better, I called Kenny. I gave him a brief overview of my life for the last four months, and then explained my sister's plan. I told him this wasn't his fight, and I didn't want to put him in the middle. His response of "Fuck that, I'm in!" made me smile. He suggested we meet after school at the football field and have a long talk.

"And just tell your dad we are working on the biology project. We're already done, anyway, and he doesn't know that."

I went to sleep feeling better, but I was still pissed.

=============

The next morning, I let Simon, Ellie, and my father know that I would be staying late after school. I didn't mention Sherry was coming down. Kenny and I met in the hallway briefly before classes. We didn't have many of the same classes, so we confirmed meeting by the football field after school to talk. Kenny suggested that location because the girls track team would be practicing. He did like eye-candy.

Kenny and I met shortly after the last bell rung for the day and had a long talk. I felt kind of shitty because I wasn't aware of how sad it was at his house (more on that later). He felt similar towards me, as he knew I was taking my mother's death hard but had no idea of all the other stuff. We both vowed we would be there for each other, through thick or thin, no matter what, forever. It probably seems silly that two 14-year-old boys were making such a solemn pact, but to this day Kenny Thibodeaux is more than a friend, he is my true brother.

Simon arrived right at six, and I started to tell Kenny he didn't have to come when he interrupted me.

"Fuck that, I'm coming. You think I'm going to miss a chance to see Hurricane Sherry in action? No way. Besides, I already told Mom I was staying over at your place tonight. So, let's go have some fun!"

I wasn't sure "fun" was the right word for what we were returning to, but Sherry was right, Kenny did have a way to make people smile. As we got in the car, I introduced Kenny to Simon. I realized how little I had seen Kenny since the funeral and had never introduced him to either Ellie or Simon.

"Don't worry about it. You've had places to do, things to see, people to go. How ya' doing, Simon? I'm Kenny."

"Is good. Pleasure."

Kenny looked at Simon and then at me, very confused.

"Is good? Pleasure?"

I told him Simon had an unique way of speaking, but he would get used to it.

"Cool. You do you, Simon," Kenny said.

On the drive home, I asked Simon how things were at home.

"Is not good. Mistress Sherry home. Very sweet to Ms. Ellie and I. Then talk to Master James. Very loud, very angry. Ms. Ellie stay in kitchen, make dinner. Happy picking you up. Got out of house."

Kenny was about to burst from holding back his laughter. He didn't last long before he exploded in laughter. I shot him an angry look.

"I'm sorry, Simon," he began quickly. "I'm not laughing at how you speak, although it is pretty cool. I just find it hilarious that you were able to condense what would probably be a 2 hour talk for most people into a 30 second sound bite. I wish my house would have conversations this short. With seven kids, it can take lifetime just to say hi."

Simon laughed, followed by his customary "Is good".

I smiled at Kenny and decided to get the conversation back on track.

"He and Sherry are already going at it, huh?"

Simon nodded.

"How's it going so far? Did you catch much?"

"Not hear much. Did hear words not used in polite conversation."

Kenny laughed and said he could imagine.

Simon smiled and continued, "Mistress Sherry very mad at treatment. Examine Ms. Ellie and me. Very respectful as always but see was very angry. Apologize to us, walk to your father. Very loud walk."

This sent Kenny into giggles.

"Not hear much, but many names called. Mistress Sherry seem on top, though. Very smart woman."

Kenny lost it again. "Concise and a master of understatement. I take it back, Claude, I am pissed at you for not introducing me to Simon earlier. I like this guy."

I smiled back and him and told him I liked Simon too. Unfortunately, my smiled disappeared a moment later as I realized we were turning into our driveway. When we walked in it was apparent that Sherry was correct again. A shitstorm was happening in the parlor.

"Fine," we heard Sherry speaking rather loudly. "You have the right to punish slaves as you see fit. But that wasn't punishing slaves. That was torturing your son! Did you even think how traumatic that could be for a 14-year-old kid? Did you even think at all before you decided to beat two people in front of your own son, and then tell him it was HIS fault?!"

"Of course I did! Why do you think I did it? Claude is a big boy; he just has to toughen..." My father stopped talking as he noticed Simon, Kenny and I walking through the door.

Kenny, being Kenny, smiled and walked right up to my father.

"Hey there, Mr. Breaux! Long time, no see. How ya' doing?"

Then he held his hand out to my father, smiling brightly. My father looked at the outstretched hand like it was a water moccasin. He grudgingly shook Kenny's hand and mumbled he was fine. Then turned back to Sherry.

"We'll talk later. You all enjoy dinner. I'm going to club. I'll be late."

He turned and walked out, but we could all tell he wasn't happy. I noticed he was also confused about how he had suddenly lost control of the situation. That made me happy. He slammed the front door and moments later we heard his car going up the driveway. Sherry broke into a big smile and ran over to give me a hug. Then to Kenny's and my surprise, she hugged him.

"God damn, that was perfect timing," she explained. "Kenny, it is so good to see you. Whether you know it or not, your entrance was perfect. You threw him so off-balance he ran out of here with his tail between his legs."

Kenny responded he just said hi.

"Oh, you did much more than that. I'll explain over dinner. You are staying for dinner, right?"

"If dinner is whatever I am smelling right now, you bet I'm staying."

"Great, come on to the kitchen. I'll introduce you to Ellie, and we can all catch up."

As we walked towards the kitchen, the smells had our mouths watering. I jogged ahead and peered over Ellie's shoulder to see the big pot of gumbo simmering on the stove. I teasingly stuck my finger towards the pot, and to my surprise, Ellie lightly slapped my hand and told me, "Just wait, Master Claude. It's almost ready."

I think that was the first time Ellie teased me. It was definitely the first time Ellie could remember teasing me because she suddenly got a very scared look on her face.

"I'm sorry, Sir, I..."

I stooped her with a hug, and whispered she should tease me all she wants. It kept me humble. Her smile back at me meant the world. Sherry interrupted us.

"Ellie, I want you to meet Claude's friend, Kenny. Kenny, this is Ellie."

Ellie had just turned towards the group when Kenny exclaimed, "Ms. Deveaux!" and ran to hug her. Ellie looked shocked for a second, then pulled back from the hug to look at Kenny. She studied his face for a second, then recognition set in.

"Kenny Thibodeaux? Is that you?"

Of course! Kenny had been in my second-grade class. In fact, that is where we met.

"Master Thibodeaux, it's so good to see you." Ellie pulled him back into a hug. Kenny hugged her right back and then stepped away.

"What's with this Master stuff? I'm not rich enough for that sort of title." He said with a laugh.

I quickly told him it was one of my father's stupid rules, and it wasn't worth it to fight.

"Well, he's not here right now, so call me Kenny."

Ellie let us know that dinner was just about ready and to take a seat. We all sat down while Ellie served us. Sherry was smiling at Kenny, and she winked at me. She knew she had been right about having Kenny join us. He was just what we needed.

We all sat and talked about little things while we ate. Once again, Ellie had outdone herself. Look, my mother made a great gumbo. It was one of my favorite dishes of hers. But as much as I wanted to respect my mother's memory, Ellie's was better. If she had never gone into teaching, she would have had an amazing career as a chef. How she was able to have the shrimp and sausage perfectly cooked, and still have some crispness in the pepper, celery, and onions, was a testament to her culinary prowess. Judging by the eager slurping I heard from the rest of the table, I was not alone in my opinion. At one of the lulls in our conversation, Ellie addressed Kenny.

"Master Thibodeaux?" Kenny frowned at her with mock anger. Ellie smiled at him. "Ok, Kenny then. Can I ask you something?"

He nodded as he shoveled another spoonful into his mouth.

"At no time this evening have you asked me about my enslavement. Almost everyone I have met that knew me before has questioned me about what I did to be enslaved almost immediately. But not you. You haven't once asked Simon or me why we were enslaved. Why?"

Kenny swallowed the bite he had just taken and looked at her. "Ain't none of my business," he said simply.

Ellie just stared at him.

"What? It isn't. Look, I'm not rich like the Breaux's. In fact, my family is dirt poor. Unfortunately, the poor seem to be enslaved a lot more than the rich. So, I actually know a lot of people who are slaves. Friends of the family, Hell, some actual family members. I even have a few cousins who are slaves. Asking them why they were enslaved is just rude.

"Why embarrass someone just to satisfy your own morbid curiosity? Like I said, ain't none of my business. I was more shocked when Claude told me his father had bought slaves. His mother was always against the whole idea of slavery. I'm just glad you two ended up with someone like Claude, even if you have to put up with his dickhead father. Oops, sorry, Sherry."

Sherry smiled at him and told him was right, our father was a dickhead.

He gave her a weird look, but continued, "Ms. Deveaux, you were a great teacher to me. You were always kind, and you really helped me through some tough times. You even kept putting me and Claude together for all those assignments. I don't think either of us would have had the courage to approach the other without you.

"Why haven't I asked you about what you did to become a slave? Simple, I don't see a slave. I see my nice teacher, who just happens to have an ugly necklace."

I had never been so proud of my friend as I was then. Most saw Kenny as a lovable goof, but he was so much more than that. Kenny embodied what my mother wanted of her own kids. He took people as they were. Nothing more, nothing less. Sherry was staring at him too. It took a second to figure out she was looking at him with admiration.

Ellie was staring at him as well, but it was different. She had tears running down her face, but was smiling broadly.

"Thank you, Kenny. That means so much to me. You really have grown, and not just physically."

She excused herself as went refill her bowl. It was still half full, but I figured Ellie needed a minute to wipe her eyes. Simon brought our attention back to Kenny.

"Are good man, Master Thibodeaux. Good friend to Master Claude. Honest, no sugar coating. Am glad Mistress Sherry and Master Claude have you. And I like you too," Simon told him with a warm smile.

Kenny blushed and said, "Ain't nothin'. Just me being me. Claude has been a great friend and I'm lucky to have him. And Sherry's pretty cool too." He nodded towards my sister.

"But now I think I am going to piss her off."

Sherry raised her eyebrows at him.

"Sherry, I'm sorry but I have to ask. What's up with you? Claude said you two had some kind of reconciliation or something, but, and pardon my French, you were always kind of a bitch to us. You and Jason were always so serious. You both seemed to buy into that 'Power is everything' crap your dad's always preaching. I thought you two were going to be James Breaux 2.0. Now you're giving us hugs, laughing and joking around with us, and basically stopped treating us like little kids. You hit your head or something?"

Sherry stared at him with an open mouth. I think we all were. Kenny suddenly looked scared. I think he thought he had really stepped over a line with that. Then Sherry burst out laughing. All the tension vanished from the table, as everyone but Kenny joined in on the laughter.

Kenny just sat there and asked "What?"

Sherry calmed her laughter down enough to respond. "Kenny don't ever change. See Claude, I told you he made me laugh. Ok Kenny, I'm going to tell you what is going on. But before I do, I need everyone's attention."