The Boy Who Understood
by Biff Spork
Chapter 15
Interrogations and La Marseillaise
"Hi, River," said Pete as he entered the hospital room. "I'm Deputy McAdam."
River tensed and fingered the button that would call a nurse when David's father neared the bed, but the deputy didn't seem to be angry. Maybe David hadn't told him what River and Jude had done. His face burned at the memory.
The deputy stood beside his bed. "I was hoping you were well enough to tell me about what happened in the gravel pit on Saturday."
River didn't say anything.
Pete waited, and then said, "It's not every day someone gets pecked by birds, stung by wasps, and bit by two rattlesnakes."
"Yeah," said River. "It was bad."
"Well, let's start at the beginning," said Pete. "What were you doing in that gravel pit, and who was there with you?"
"Jude Bedford and some other kid. I don't know his name. We were just playing around, nothin' special."
"Like, what kind of playing?"
"You know, just joking around."
"Just joking around?"
"Yeah."
"What happened then?" persisted Pete. Getting useful answers from River was proving to be difficult.
"The birds started flying at us and pecking at us."
"Let's go back a bit. Why were you in the gravel pit? You must have had a long ride to get there, and it's off the beaten track. Frankly, I can't imagine why anyone would want to go there."
"We were just looking around," said River.
"And then the birds attacked you?"
"Yeah, and then there were wasps. And then the snakes came."
"And what about Jude? Did the animals attack him, too?"
"Yeah, he was getting pecked and stung too, and he ran to his bike and rode away. He didn't even look to see if I was okay."
"And the other boy?"
"No, I don't remember anything happening to him. I don't think he got stung."
"You and Jude got stung and pecked, but nothing happened to the other boy?"
"Not that I seen, but I was busy trying not to get stung or anything."
"So, why didn't you get on your bike like Jude and get away from there?"
"I couldn't because those snakes were biting me, and I fell down."
"And what happened then?"
"The other kid came over. He chased the snakes away and told me to lie still while he called for an ambulance. He stayed there and kept me from freakin' out until the ambulance came. Everybody says he saved my life."
"How did he do that? How did he save your life?"
"He called for the ambulance. I don't have a phone, and Jude took off, and I haven't heard from him since."
"That's all this other boy did, just call 911?"
"No, then he stayed with me, and he took care of me." River's face twisted like he was going to cry. "When I threw up, he turned me onto my side, so I didn't vomit all over myself. Then he cleaned me up and kept me quiet, so I wasn't so scared. He was great!"
"But you don't know his name?"
"Nope," said River.
"What did he look like — the boy who took care of you?"
"Just normal, you know, like a normal kid."
"What color hair? Black? Blond?"
"I dunno. I don't remember."
"Why did those animals attack you like that? Were you doing something that made them angry?"
"I dunno. I don't like to think about it."
"Is there anything else you can tell me about what happened?"
"No."
"Okay, then. Thanks for your help," said Pete. The only useful information he had gained from this interview was that River was concealing something.
After Deputy McAdam left, River took a deep breath and shuddered. He thought about what he and Jude had done to David in the gravel pit. Then those tears, those hard tears, leaked out of his eyes again while he looked up at the ceiling. He didn't want to live with this horrible pain in his heart, but he couldn't see any way to get rid of it.
Sheriff Morgan scanned the sheaf of messages his secretary had delivered. He had sent queries to other law enforcement offices in the state about animal attacks on humans.
Eighteen offices had replied. Most of the incidents were small-scale, anecdotal reports. A flock of sparrows attacked a gardener spraying insecticide on aphid-infested roses. Barnyard chickens had flown at, and pecked a woman collecting eggs. A Doberman Pinscher had ravaged its master when he accidentally bumped its tail stub. The tail had been docked the week before. A freshly spayed cat clawed its owner the day after its return from the vet, then ran away. The sheriff had requested reports from the last month. Almost all the incidents took place in the last two days.
There were also two events at CAFOs, large-scale Confined Animal Feeding Operations. On these factory farms, groups of hitherto docile animals — cattle in one case and pigs in the other — had attacked workers. In the case of the cattle CAFO, rescuers attempting to come to the aid of the downed worker were stung by hornets.
After Pete left River, his next stop was at the hospital's emergency vehicle dispatch center. Ambulance crews gathered there while awaiting calls. The attendant who had treated River at the gravel pit was on duty. Pete introduced himself. He said he was interested in the rattlesnake incident at the gravel pit.
"Can you describe the other boy, not the boy who got bit, but the other boy in the pit," asked Pete.
"Okay," said the attendant. "Good-looking kid, maybe eleven or twelve, but I'm not good at guessing kids' ages. Not a big kid. Longish black hair and lots of freckles. He was wearing orange shorts and a green T-shirt that said 'Plant-Powered' on it."
"Anything else?"
"A green bike helmet. And sandals, no socks."
"Thanks."
"He was a good kid — stayed with us until he was sure his friend was being taken care of. There's no doubt in my mind — if he hadn't been there, the boy who got bitten wouldn't have made it. Those rattlers really did a number on him. He was nearly gone when we got to the gravel pit, but because we came with the correct anti-venom, we were able to pull him back. If you find that kid, make sure he knows he's a hero."
Pete thanked him and drove over to the 911 call center.
"Sure," said the receptionist. "I only have to ask the supervisor — she has to okay any access to the phone log."
With the supervisor's permission, Pete scanned the log list for the previous weekend. There was a call from David's mobile number on Saturday afternoon.
Pete went home. The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee greeted him when he entered the kitchen. Doreen had poured herself a cup and was sitting at the kitchen table.
"Hey," she said. "You're home early. What's wrong? Did you run out of criminals to catch?"
"No, I just needed to talk to you." Pete poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down opposite Doreen. "Is David home?"
"Not yet. He's up the mountain again and probably won't be back till just before supper."
Pete pulled the evidence bag from his pocket and laid it on the table between them. "Have a look at that."
Doreen picked it up. "Looks like somebody's underwear," she said.
"Take it out and look at the label."
When Doreen looked inside the waistband, her forehead creased. "I don't get it, Pete. Why have you got a pair of David's underpants in a baggy?"
"You remember that news story we watched on Saturday night, about the rattlesnakes biting that boy? There was a mystery boy, a boy hero who saved the life of the kid who was bitten."
"Yeah."
"It all happened in a gravel pit near Jana Mountain. Sheriff Morgan found these underpants in the gravel pit on Saturday evening. He gave them to me today.
"So, I did a little digging around. I talked to the boy who got bit, River Jameson. He said he doesn't know the name of the boy who saved his life. In this line of work, you get a pretty sharp sense of when people are hiding something, and River was. So, I went and talked to the ambulance driver. He gave me a good description of the hero kid — a good-looking boy with longish black hair and freckles. He was wearing orange shorts and a green T-shirt — says 'Plant-Powered' on it."
"David!" said Doreen.
"Then I went to the 911 call center to see who called 911 for the rattlesnake kid. Their call log shows a call from David's mobile number on Saturday afternoon."
"So, David was the hero kid, he was the kid who saved that other boy's life?"
"Looks like it," said Pete. "Trouble is, there's a lot of unanswered questions. River and the ambulance guy say he's a hero, he's a lifesaver, but he just comes home and cuddles up to us like normal. He saved a kid's life and doesn't say anything? And how come he left his underpants in the gravel pit? Jude Bedford, the other kid in the gravel pit, River's friend, says nobody was in the gravel pit except him and River. His story doesn't add up at all, but I haven't the faintest idea what really went down between those kids."
"Something that meant David left his underpants there doesn't sound good," said Doreen, "but everyone, including the kid who got bit, says David did everything right. So, the underpants…?"
"Yeah, I don't know what to do or say. I can hardly tear a strip off David for saving someone's life, but he has to tell us why his underpants were in the gravel pit. And why didn't he say anything to us? Why do those other kids' stories stink to high heaven?"
Sheriff Morgan was about to leave for home when the phone on his desk rang. He stared at it. It had been ringing all day since he'd returned from investigating the gravel pit incident with Pete. Most of the calls had to do with that naked boy, those pigs, that video. He even had the governor on the phone wanting to know 'what kind of a show' he was running down there. The agriculture lobby and Pork Producers Association were up in arms. The phone rang again. He picked it up.
"Sheriff Morgan here," he said.
"Well, thank goodness! I've been trying to get through to you all day. Seems like you never get off the phone. Busy! Busy! Busy!"
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. We have had a lot of calls today. What can I do for you?"
"It's me, Mrs. Wilkins, Mrs. Dick Wilkins. My husband got killed by his horses last week."
"Oh, yes, Mrs. Wilkins. I was sorry to hear about that."
"Well, I'm not calling about that. You know his horses ran off after they attacked him?"
"Yes."
"Well, I saw one of those horses today."
"Where did you see the horse, Ma'am?"
"On TV. It was on TV, on that 'News at Noon' show."
"You saw your horse on TV?"
"Yeah, they showed a video of some kid riding a horse, something to do with pigs. I don't know. But the horse was one of Dick's, and now it's mine. I'd know it anywhere, a big gray gelding, got a darker gray spot on the side of its nose."
"Any other marks on it? Is it branded?"
"Yeah, RW brand on the left hip. It's a big horse, a registered thoroughbred, and I'd like it back as soon as possible. I know Dick paid almost a thousand dollars for it last year, and I bet I could sell it pretty quick for the same or more."
The sheriff took a few notes. He assured Mrs. Wilkins the sheriff's office would contact her if they recovered the horse.
"Tomorrow?" she said.
"Oh, I don't think we'll catch up to him that soon, but we'll let you know, Mrs. Wilkins. Goodbye."
David enjoyed the breeze rippling his T-shirt as he coasted down the mountain. His mind was occupied in composing a message for the person who had posted the video of Zhiv and the pigs. Earth-Girl was her online name.
When he arrived home and entered the house, Pete and Doreen were sitting at the kitchen table.
"Hi, Mom, hi Dad," he said, and gave each a hug. "Mom, is there anything I can eat right now? I'm starving. It won't ruin my supper — I could eat two suppers right now."
"Eat this," said Doreen, handing him half an avocado and a spoon, "and go get cleaned up. Supper's ready. All I have to do is put it on the table."
David ran to the stairway and raced up to his room, taking two stairs at a time.
"Let's save our questions for after supper," Doreen said to Pete.
When they had finished their meal and restored the kitchen to order, Doreen put her arm around David's shoulder. "Honey, your dad and I want to talk to you. Let's go into the living room and sit down."
They seated themselves as usual on the sofa, with David between his parents. He looked from one to the other and said, "Wow, I must have really screwed up."
Doreen hugged him and said, "No, you didn't screw up, but we want to ask you some questions. Pete, why don't you show him the baggy?"
"Okay," said Pete. "David, I'm gonna tell you some things, and then I want you to tell us everything."
"Okay," said David, and took a deep breath.
Pete pulled out the baggy with the underpants in it and handed it to David. "These are your underpants. They were in the Jana Mountain gravel pit where rattlesnakes bit that boy. We know that a boy who looked like you was in the gravel pit with that boy. We know that your mobile phone made a call to 911 to bring an ambulance to the pit." Pete stopped for a moment, then continued, "It seems you saved that boy's life. Your mom and I are real proud of you, but we're worried, too. We want to know why your underpants were in that gravel pit, and why you didn't tell us that you were there?"
David stared down at his knees. "I'll tell you everything, but please promise me you won't get angry."
After a moment of silence, Pete said, "Sorry, can't promise that. You'll have to trust us."
David took a deep breath. "Okay. I was coming home down the logging road when Jude and River blocked the way. They made me go into the gravel pit with them. When we got there, Jude put some duct tape over my mouth and took my clothes off." David noticed Pete's fists clenching and put his hand over his father's hand.
"What was River doing?"
"He was just holding me, so I couldn't get away. I don't think he liked what they were doing."
"But he did it anyway," growled Pete.
"Jude threw my shorts and underpants into the rocks, and they made me take off my T-shirt, so I didn't have any clothes on. River was holding me from behind, and Jude grabbed my crotch. River started to argue with him — he didn't like what they were doing. Then some starlings attacked them, and wasps started stinging them. They were jumping around trying not to get stung, and they let me go. I pulled the duct tape off and bent down to grab my T-shirt. That's when I saw the rattlesnakes coming, and I shouted to warn them. Jude ran to his bike and rode away.
"I ran over to where my clothes were and put them on. I didn't see my underpants, and I didn't want to waste any time looking for them. I just wanted to get away from there as fast as possible. Then I saw that River was on the ground getting bitten by rattlesnakes. I think what they were doing to me was mostly Jude's idea. River didn't like it. So I went over to see if I could help him. One snake was still hanging on his leg. He was in bad shape, rolling around and crying. I chased the snake away.
"I told River to lie still and then I called 911. After the ambulance came, I got on my bike and came home."
"Before the birds and wasps came," said Pete, "did those boys say anything? Did they say what they were going to do to you?"
"Jude was talking about sex things," said David. "But they never got to do anything."
"After what those boys were doing to you," said Pete, "you went and helped River like that? You chased a rattlesnake away? You called 911 for help?"
"No big deal, Dad — He was crying and screaming, and I couldn't just leave him there like that."
Nobody said a word for a half a minute.
"Mom," said David, "I'm sorry. I know I said I'd tell you if those guys ever bullied me again. I would have told you, but I knew you would just get angry. Anyway, those boys got punished pretty good, and I got away without any problem. I'm sure they won't bother me again."
Doreen hugged him.
Pete asked, "Those boys had bothered you before?"
"Yeah. Once they tried to make me to eat a piece of bacon. That was at school."
"So, you knew them? And they knew you? River knew you?"
"Yeah, they don't like it that I'm vegan. Before the ambulance came, I asked River not to tell anyone my name. I knew you'd get angry if you found out what they tried to do." David kept his hand on his father's fist. He felt like he was sitting next to a volcano. He risked a look at Pete's face. It was not moving, as if it was carved from stone, but it was livid.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Please don't do anything. I know River and Jude won't bother me again, and I'm okay."
"Why not?" said Pete. "They assaulted you and tried to rape you! It wasn't just a boyish tussle. It was a premeditated attack."
"They're just stupid kids. I don't want them to be treated like criminals."
In a thick voice, Pete said, "They shouldn't get away with this. I don't like it." He shook his head.
"I'm okay, Dad."
"Are you sure? Sometimes with things like this, it takes a while before you feel it. You shouldn't feel bad about it in any way. It wasn't your fault, and you didn't do anything wrong. You understand what I'm saying?"
"Yeah, Dad," said David. "I don't feel bad at all. It's like it never happened. I was pretty mad about how they were treating me in the gravel pit. It made me feel like an animal in a factory farm, like I was just a thing. As soon as the birds and wasps attacked them, I started to feel alright. By the time I sat on the couch with you and mom after supper that night, I felt like nobody could ever make me feel bad as long as I was here with you."
David waited for Pete's answer, his eyes imploring mercy.
"Okay," said Pete. "Much as I want to, I won't do anything to those boys, not officially." Pete paused. "But, I'm going to have a little talk with River Jameson and Jude Bedford, later this week, when I've calmed down."
David climbed over into Pete's lap, facing him, and hugged him. "Thanks Dad. You're the best dad. I'm so lucky to have a mom and dad like you guys. Thanks!" He kissed Pete on the cheek, leaned over, and kissed Doreen. Then he sat up straight and said, "Now, can I go have my shower?"
When they heard him thumping up the stairs, two at a time, Pete said to Doreen, "He's taking over this house, isn't he? He plays us like we're pianos or something."
"Yeah," said Doreen as she snuggled under his arm. "But it's a great tune, isn't it?"
After David ran upstairs, Pete pointed the remote at the television and settled back with Doreen to watch the evening news. The lead story was the pig rescue on Sunday. It included clips from Earth-Girl's viral video. Pete told Doreen what he knew about the boy. Pete's favorite crime drama followed the news. After the opening credits, Doreen went upstairs to David's room and knocked on his open door.
David looked up from his laptop and invited her in. She sat on his bed near the desk where he was working.
"Your dad and I just saw an interesting news report about a boy who rescued some pigs on Sunday."
"Yeah, it's all over the internet. It's a great video."
"It's him, isn't it? The boy in the video. He's the one who can call birds out of the sky. It's his foot in that hummingbird photo, isn't it?"
David turned to face her. "Yeah." He nodded. "It's him. Isn't he great?"
"Sure looks like it," said Doreen.
"You'd love him, Mom. Everybody does, and they've just seen him in the video. If you saw him in person, you'd love him even more; he's just so good and kind. That video's got over twenty million views now."
David slid off his desk chair onto the bed beside her. "But we're worried, Mom. With that video out there, people like Social Services will be trying to catch him, and he can't live like us. He has to be free in the forest. So, it's even more important that you keep his secret. Okay?"
Doreen watched and listened to her son with a mother's eyes and ears. She saw how David's eyes glistened and heard his voice soften and tremble when he spoke about the boy.
She said, "Would that be so bad? I mean, if he came down here to live like us? He can't be too comfortable in the forest. Are there any adults with him, you know, taking care of him?"
"Mom, he's been living with the animals, just the animals, in the forest for a long time, and he's doing okay. He's happy. The animals take care of him, and you saw him in the video — he looks healthy, doesn't he?"
"Well, yes, but what about school? And clothes?"
"The animals won't let him wear clothes. They think clothes are just a way of hiding what you really think. And he doesn't need school. He knows stuff, he knows how to do things that nobody else knows."
"Maybe not, honey," said Doreen, "but I've got another question."
"Sure. Go ahead."
"Okay. When you were in the gravel pit, and those boys had taken your clothes, they got stung and bit. Birds, wasps, and snakes were attacking, but you don't have any stings, or peck-marks or snakebites. How come?"
"The animals are taking care of me, too. I didn't realize it until what happened in the gravel pit. They know who their friends are. That boy, he doesn't just talk to birds. He talks to deer, and bears, and cougars, to all the animals and insects. They all know him and love him. As soon as the animals saw I was in danger, they came and attacked Jude and River. Those guys are lucky there weren't any bears or cougars close to the gravel pit. The reason I don't have any bites is that the animals weren't attacking three boys; they were defending me."
"Bears? And Cougars?"
"And skunks and turtles and bats and lizards and trout and bees. Oh, Mom, it's wonderful to see him covered with bees or swimming with hundreds of trout in a lake up there. The fish are so happy to see him they all jump out of the water. It's beautiful."
"Can you tell me his name?"
"I don't know his human name, but the animals call him Zhiv."
"Zhiv," she repeated. "Thank you, honey, for telling me a bit more, but you know, it's all so unbelievable, I'm worried about you."
"I know, Mom. I mean, I know how weird it is, but when I'm up there in the forest, I'm probably safer than when I'm down here."
"Okay," said Doreen, "but there's something I want you to do."
"What?"
"It's not right to keep secrets from your dad, so I want you to think about how you can tell him about that boy. Soon."
"Okay. You're right, I'll tell him as soon as I can. I should talk to Zhiv about it first." He paused. "I've got something I want you to think about, too."
"What?"
"Well, you know I'm vegan?"
"Yeah, I have noticed."
"Maybe it's time for you to stop calling me 'honey.' You know vegans don't eat honey, and I really like bees. They're very nice when you get to know them."
"When you get to know them?"
"Yeah, I mean, personally."
"Of course." A wry smile crossed Doreen's face. "Okay," she said, "how about 'stevia?'"
"Oh God, not 'stevia!' For a nick-name, even 'sugar' is better than 'stevia.' But why not something more manly? I'm growing up, you know. How about 'muscles?'"
Doreen glanced at her boy's slender arms and legs, then fell back on the bed laughing. "No, I'm sorry. 'Muscles' just won't fly. Maybe when you weigh more than eighty pounds. In the meantime, how about 'sweetie?'"
"Okay, it's a good compromise. I can live with 'sweetie.'"
Doreen sat up. "Don't stay up too late, sweetie," she said and pulled him into a hug. At the door, she guffawed. "Good night, muscles." David heard her laughing all the way down the stairs.
"Good night, Mom," he shouted.
David turned back to his laptop and re-read the message he had written to Earth-Girl. He clicked the 'Send' icon and toppled into bed.
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