Take It Slow Part 2

Daniel couldn't believe he'd been found by another trucker. What were the odds? Hoping this man was as nice as Tony and Randall had been, despite his looks and demeanor, Daniel relaxed a little. "My name is Daniel, Daniel We-Wallace."

"Wallace, huh?" The man had obviously caught Daniel's hesitation, but decided to let it go. "Well, Daniel, let's get some grub."

That's how it had begun with Jack Basham. For the first little while Daniel thought he would be safe, but the first week wasn't out before he realized that Jack was one messed-up man. Jack was always quoting his father, who had obviously been a very angry, bigoted, abusive man. Daniel was covered in bruises before that week was over. Jack lashed out at the drop of a hat, at the slightest provocation. Things like moving or answering too slowly, not cleaning the house right, not cooking well enough, all got him backhanded, slapped, or even punched. Daniel couldn't tell Jack that he'd never done Take It Slow 26.any of those things before. What a privileged life he'd led. Daniel had never been arrogant or smug about being wealthy, but he'd never appreciated the life he had before until he lived like this. As most of the hits were accompanied by some saying of Jack's old man, Daniel soon figured that Jack had lived his whole life abused himself.

That fact didn't help as Daniel endured the nearly daily hits, jabs, and verbal abuse. Daniel was accused of being queer, a f.a.ggot, a f.u.d.g.e.p.a.c.k.e.r, etc., and all the while he got the feeling that Jack was just as gay, though he'd never said it in so many words. It was just the way he looked at Daniel. Those looks were often accompanied by the muttered words, "...don't mess with kids." Daniel was glad that he'd lied about his age. From things that Jack had let slip he knew that eighteen was the magic age, the age of consent.

Nick had been getting excited as he neared Valdosta, knowing that soon he would see his son again. He refused to believe that the boy Easy and Mano had seen wasn't Daniel. He drove in silence, the radio or tapes just too annoying right now. Nick was lost in thought, his mind going over different ways he could try to make it up to Daniel. h.e.l.l, first he'd have to convince his son to come with him, to trust him again.

Suddenly there was a strange noise and his car began to lose momentum. His attention was immediately focused on getting to the side of the road, as touching the accelerator got him no speed at all. He eased over into the slower lane and then onto the shoulder, putting his flashers on as he did. Traffic whizzed past him as he groaned. His lights dimmed and went out and he sat in Take It Slow 27.the near dark, wondering what in the world had happened to his vehicle. It was dead. He tried turning the key off and on, but nothing happened. He reached for his cell.

Nick had no idea where he was. He knew he was close to Valdosta, but what was the nearest town? He had no idea. He dialed the emergency number and reported his problem. He was directed to a number for a wrecker service in the town of Mason Creek. He called and was told that they'd closed for the day, but the owner would leave as soon as he finished his supper and tow Nick into his shop. Nick thanked him and sighed heavily as he sat back to wait. More thinking. It was okay. He had plenty of time to get to Valdosta and the truck stop place.

Later, there was more frustration as he listened to the man from the wrecker service.

"I'm sorry, man, it looks like your alternator belt came off. It's kind of torn up. I don't have these, but Barney does over at his place. I can get it for you in the morning first thing, and you'll be on your way." This came from Max, who owned Max's Wrecking Truck.

That's what it said on the side of it. It looked like it had been hand painted, by Max. Mason Creek was such a small town that most businesses were already closed.

Max told Nick that he could probably find a motel open on the edge of town.

"Whatever. I'm not picky. I just need to be in Valdosta early in the morning. I thank you for your trouble. I'll be glad to pay you extra for the inconvenience of coming out tonight." Nick would pay anything to get this fixed, over with, and get him on his way.

It was beyond frustrating how long it took before Nick was on the road again the next morning. He hadn't Take It Slow 28.been able to sleep, his mind a ma.s.s of heavy thoughts and his body uncomfortable in the old bed in the motel.

It took him about an hour and a half to get to Valdosta and the exit for the big travel plaza. His heart raced as he pulled in and sat there thinking. d.a.m.n, it was close to ten, but Nick figured that was early enough to be there when this Jack guy and Daniel came in for lunch.

With heart thumping and hands shaking he got out and headed in, praying with every step that this went well. He opened the door and checked out the area. He decided to sit in the booth at the back so he could see the whole place. He ordered from the waitress who came to the table.

Jack and Daniel were headed back home after taking a load up north.

Daniel was safe for now, but things were getting worse in every other way. It was as if the longer Jack had to wait for Daniel to be old enough in the old man's eyes, the more angry and abusive he became. The whole situation had become so sordid that Daniel knew he had to try one more time to run away. Jack kept Daniel so dependent on him for everything that he had to be prepared to have it hard for a while, until he could find some kind of job. He needed work and a place to hide from Jack, maybe not in that order.

They'd stopped for breakfast at the usual place and were back on the road by close to ten. Daniel thought about how the waitress had looked at him as he left. She seemed to want to say something, but hadn't. He'd seen her before, of course, since they always stopped here.

She was always nice to him, and he wished that Jack didn't treat her like c.r.a.p. It made him feel bad. Jack was Take It Slow 29.short and crude with everybody lately, worse than ever.

Daniel's stomach hurt almost constantly now as he wondered how he was going to get away before something horrible happened. Would Jack be able to hold out until he thought Daniel was old enough to be "messed with"?

Chapter Two.

Nick had finished picking at the lunch, had three gla.s.ses of the very sweet tea and still there was no sign of Daniel or this Jack Basham person. It was going on two in the afternoon, and Nick was about to lose it completely. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he motioned for the waitress to come over.

"Yes, sir. May I help you with anything else?" she asked him. Her name tag read "Diana".

"I was waiting for someone, Diana. I have friends who said they might have seen him here yesterday and that he would be coming back through today. He's a teenage boy, Daniel, and I'm..."

The girl's eyes widened as she slid into the booth opposite him and said, in a whisper, "Are you Danny's dad?"

Nick's heart thudded against his chest and he could feel his face drain of color.

"You know Daniel? Here, look at this picture and tell me if it's the same boy. Please, if you don't mind." Nick reached for his wallet, which held many pictures of Daniel. He handed the last one taken to her and waited while she looked closely at it.

"Sir, I want to say it's him. But, he looks so happy and, well a little bigger here. He's not like that now. He's really skinny, and he doesn't eat much when he's here. I can tell he's not happy, either." Her voice held a sort of apologetic tone.

"I thought he was going to be coming back through here. Are you the one who told Easy and Mano about Take It Slow 31.Daniel and the old man yesterday?" Nick didn't want to pressure her, scare her, but he was frantic for information.

"I told them a little. I don't know much. They got more from one of the other truckers. I've got bad news for you," she said.

Nick's heart now slowed and seemed to drop into the bottom of his stomach. He saw his hand start to shake.

"What?" His voice sounded hoa.r.s.e.

"They came through for breakfast this morning. They left a little before you got here. I didn't put it together until just now, but you must have missed them by minutes. I'm so sorry." Nick could tell that she was, too.

She looked like she wanted to pat his hand like he was a child.

"But I thought that...I mean they said that he came through here for lunch and I thought I'd be here in time and then the car broke down and I had to stay in a place called Mason Creek and then I still thought I would be here in time and now..." A sigh was all he could muster as his rambling words slowed and he sat back, defeated.

"Now it will be next Tuesday morning before he comes through here again. I'm so sorry. This has happened before, but only a few times. It could be anything, sir. They could have gotten unloaded early or something like that. Most of the time they do come by for lunch on Wednesday, though. I'm really sorry you missed him."

"You don't know anything about this Jack Basham guy? Where he's from? Where he lives? Who he works for? Any information would be helpful," Nick said.

"No, I'm sorry. I think he owns his truck and doesn't work for just one company, so it doesn't have a big name on it like the others. But he should be back here next Take It Slow 32.Tuesday. They usually come through here about seven-thirty. You could come back then."

Nick couldn't talk. He was so disappointed. He was near tears. He just couldn't believe that he'd missed this chance to find Daniel. But she'd said that she thought it was really Daniel.

"Listen, please. I love my son more than my life. I hurt him badly two years ago, and he ran away. I've looked for him ever since. I just want him back, safe and sound. I want to make it right for him. You are telling me everything, aren't you? Please, if there's anything else you can tell me. I just want him to come home. I know I have a long way to go if I want to earn his love again."

"I don't know anything else. I promise I'd tell you if I did. I can tell how much you love him, and if I can help you, I will. Come back next week and be here early Tuesday. I've never seen them here before seven-thirty.

We're open twenty-four-seven, so you can get here any time. I hope this works out for you. I've got to go now."

Nick watched her walk away and sighed. He left a fifty on the table for her and waved as he walked by her.

He tried to muster up a smile as he pa.s.sed where she was filling a trucker's coffee cup, but he feared it didn't quite make the mark.

Nick drove back to Nashville. He had no way of finding Daniel until next Tuesday. He tried really hard not to be so defeated. He would go back next week, and he would bring Daniel home.

He pulled in at a rest stop and called Sally Ann, telling her everything. He asked if Easy was still there.

"Why, yes. He goes out tomorrow for a three-day run. You want me to have him call you?"

33."Please. I need to make plans for next week. I want him to help me, him and Mano both. I'm not taking any chances next time."

The family table was crammed full with Easy, Mano, Mama Sasy, and Nick. Boddy had come from the kitchen and pulled a chair up to the end of the table, and the topic was Operation Rescue. Nick had told them everything he had learned, and they were making plans for next Tuesday. Easy, Mano, and Nick were driving down Monday night, staying in Valdosta, and were going to be at the restaurant at five for breakfast. They were not going to miss this opportunity. They talked about different scenarios for the rescue. How would they get Daniel away from Jack and then how would they convince him to go with them.

"I'm afraid to approach him on my own," Nick said.

"He might run again. Who knows what he's gone through because of me? I'm not taking anything for granted. Mama Sasy suggested having Diana, the waitress, spill something on Jack to get him out of the way, either to the bathroom or just caught up in the mess so we can grab Daniel. What do you think? Should we just walk up to them and say that we're there to take Daniel home? Do you think he'd come with us?"

"From what Diana told us, I would think he'd do anything to get away from this character, but we can't be sure. We could force the issue. I think I could take care of Jack while you both got Daniel away if Jack put up a fuss," Easy said. That was an understatement. Easy was six-six, two-twenty-five, and very strong.

Nick saw Mano glance at Easy, and when Easy returned the look, Mano blushed. "Easy's got a lot of Take It Slow 34.muscle. He can handle the old man, but I don't think we ought to cause a scene. Daniel might be scared if we just jump in and start demanding things and grabbing him.

Could we maybe be more cautious with it?" Mano asked. Mano was the opposite of Easy. He was short, slim, with a dancer's body, and a love for Easy that was bigger than both of them. The love the two men shared was so evident when they were together that it was nothing short of inspirational. They weren't all over each other all the time, but they were clearly a unit, bonded, in love.

Easy turned more toward Mano and asked, "That's probably a good idea. What do you have in mind?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe we could take that back booth, and Nick could sit with his back to the room so Daniel wouldn't see him right away." Mano looked over at Nick and presented a little grimace, "I'm not sure and I don't want to hurt your feelings, but if he's still upset with you, I don't want him to run when he sees you, or give the whole thing away by being shocked to see you."

"Mano, don't worry. I deserve any condemnation that Daniel wants to heap on me. I know it. We all know it.

I'll go to my grave with the regret of what I've put him through because of my stupidity and ignorance in that one most important moment of his life. You're right, it's a good idea. Go on with your plan." Nick fought the urge to put his head down in shame. He'd lived with that feeling for two years now. Shame, fear, self-recrimination-the list was long and full of adjectives that all meant the same thing. He'd failed in the one thing that had defined him, made him proud to begin with. He had been a good parent to a wonderful young man. "Had" being the operative word.

"Well, what if I can make some kind of contact with him and get him to go to the bathroom, or maybe we Take It Slow 35.could have Diana tell him to, if we can get him away from this Jack guy for a few seconds. I could talk to him in the bathroom and tell him that there's a safe place for him to go if he wants to get away from his situation. I'll say his father has been looking for him since the day he left home and we're there to help him if he wants it. I can get a read on what he wants in just a few minutes."

"That sounds like a good idea, but then what? You just walk out and go to the pick-up? I'll have my car.

Jack won't just let him walk away. Do we need to get the police involved?" Nick asked, looking from one to the other.

There was silence at the table for a few seconds as everyone thought about that one.

"I think that would make it worse for Daniel. We don't know what the situation is with this man. Daniel might not want to do that, or he might be afraid of them.

If we can just get him away without them, I think it would be better. The less drama we can manage would be best for him, I think, anyway." Mano sounded like he was hesitant to put his thoughts out there.

"Hey, I value your insight. You've been through your own drama and know how traumatic it is, so I'll go with your ideas. Thank you." Nick was grateful for Mano's insights. Mano had escaped a violent past only to have it follow him all the way from Tampa to Nashville. He'd been taken back, charged with murder, and Easy had gone down to get him. After a lot of drama, they'd come home, with Mano cleared and the two of them firmly together for the future.

"You know, I think that plan has merit. Ease Daniel into the plan. When he's in the bathroom, Nick and I can join Jack in his booth and inform him that we're taking Daniel home and if he's got a problem with it he can take it up with the police that we have waiting for our Take It Slow 36.call. He won't know we don't plan on that and if it becomes necessary, we'll make it the truth. I'll scoot in beside Jack so he can't get out, and Nick can face him and tell him that he's Daniel's father and if he doesn't want to face prosecution, he will leave quietly and never look for Daniel again. Does that sound like a plan?"

Easy asked, looking at Nick.

"It all sounds good, but you know things never go according to plan. We need to make them, but we have to be ready in case it doesn't fall into place like we want.

What if Daniel won't go to the bathroom to talk with Mano? What if Jack puts up a loud ruckus and we end up with others coming to his rescue? Does he have friends who might take up for him? We don't want to get Diana into trouble, either." Nick was thinking over the things they'd said so far, looking for problems.

"All we can do is be there, be ready for anything, and go with whatever happens. The most important thing is that we're not leaving that place without Daniel. We'll handle whatever happens. I don't think Jack's the type to have friends, and Diana won't get into trouble. We'll talk to the owner or manager when we get there and explain the situation. If they have a problem with it, we'll work it out in the parking lot before they get inside. Failure is not an option this time, right?" Easy looked at Nick with those words, and Nick let a slow smile appear. He began to think this might work. Whatever happened, he would have his son back and they could start rebuilding their relations.h.i.+p. His heart was lighter for the first time in two years.

Benny Adams had been watching people come and go from the truck stop across the road for a couple of Take It Slow 37.hours now and still hadn't gotten up enough nerve to go in. His uncle, a police officer, had told him about the place the last time Benny had been over there. He had stayed a few times with his uncle but was not comfortable being with him, even though Uncle Bert had been good to him. But Bert was dating a high school counselor, his wife having left him years ago for a trainer. The counselor lady seemed nice, and he didn't want to ruin his uncle's chances with her by being on the scene. Benny also didn't like being the bone of contention between his uncle and his father, the man who'd kicked him out as soon as he admitted to being gay.

He hadn't really thought it would be that big a deal.

His dad didn't have that much to do with him to begin with, but he'd been wrong. Evidently to his father, being queer was totally unacceptable for anyone in his family.

Fine, Benny was no longer part of the family. Not surprisingly, he didn't miss his parents all that much. So sad, that. He shrugged. Not really.

He'd spent the first part of the summer staying with this friend or that one, b.u.mming really, which made him feel like, well, a b.u.m. He just wanted to settle somewhere, but the odd jobs he'd gotten to sc.r.a.pe by on would not pay for a place. Maybe if he could get some help here, he could find a job. He used to have big dreams of working for human rights, equality, things like that. But those dreams fell away with each night spent on the street and each time, his former friends looked at him with either pity or contempt. It wasn't easy to stay clean when you lived on the street or in shelters. Benny did his best, but he was tired. Tired of being hungry, dirty, and just lost.

Benny marched across the street and opened the door before he could talk himself out of it. It was noisy Take It Slow 38.inside, with music going, a TV on with the sound down, the cacophony of several conversations, and dishes and noise from the kitchen. He stood right inside the door, unsure of himself now that he'd acted. He hoped he didn't look as scared as he felt.

Looking around, he noticed a group of people in the back corner booth huddled together and talking together.

An older lady glanced up and saw him, nudging the big guy next to her, who also looked over at him. d.a.m.n, that was a big man. Benny watched him get up and head for the door and he had turned to leave hurriedly.

"Don't leave. I'm Easy. Welcome to Mama Sasy's."

The big man put his hand out for Benny to shake.

Determined to not let his fear show, Benny reached out to shake hands with him. "Benny. Benny Adams."

By now, the lady had come to join them and the easy person looked to her, "Mom, this is Benny Adams. I think he's here to see you."

"Well, I hope so. What a nice looking young man. Hi, hon, I'm Mama Sasy. You've met my son, Easy. Why don't you come on in and I'll get you something to eat and we can talk a little. I hope you've come to stay with us." Without waiting for a reply she put her hand on Benny's shoulder and sort of pulled him to a booth next to theirs in the back. He followed along as he was obviously supposed to do. Wait. Her son's name was Easy?

"So, your name name is Easy?" Benny asked, looking way up to the big man. is Easy?" Benny asked, looking way up to the big man.

"E.A.S.Y. are my initials. Long story, but everybody calls me Easy. Let me introduce you to the main players here. This gorgeous man is mine. His name is Mano.

This is Boddy, the best cook anywhere, well, except for Mom. The gentleman," Easy pointed to a nice-looking Take It Slow 39.older man, "is Nick Webster. He's a friend to everyone here. Guys, this is Benny Adams."

The young Hispanic man that Easy had claimed as his spoke up to ask, "Hey, are you Officer Adams'

nephew? He told me about you. I'm so glad you came to us."

Well, that was interesting. "When did Uncle Bert tell you about me? Where'd you meet him?" Benny didn't know if he liked being talked about by strangers.

"He arrested me." Mano said, bluntly.

Benny raised his brows at this. Mano didn't look like a criminal to him.

"What for?" he couldn't help asking, then thought it might be rude. "I'm sorry. None of my business."

"Murder." Benny knew his brows went even higher this time.